In June I will be 78 and my life went downhill starting around age 71

By galexa

1 min read

I started smoking at age 25 as cigarettes were 11 cents a pack in the service. I was told to light them up if you got them! I smoked for about 12 years and quit cold turkey. So, from age 37 to 71, my health was okay.

My current sitution

Presently, I take oxygen at night (I forgot to take it last night and that happens a lot) and start my routine early with a nebulizer and medicines for heart and high blood pressure. I wait a few hours, and I take my Anoro (one puff) and my albuterol as needed, usually six times a day.

I look forward to having Zephyr valves placed and waiting to hear when that might happen.

What calms me

Someone also mentions prayer. I'm Catholic, and I attend daily Mass. Daily I pray the rosary and the Divine Mercy prayers. I pray non-stop, and I must say I have lots of trust in Christ, and that calms me down. I wish that for you. God bless us all.

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Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
Hi <inline-mention username="galexa" user-id="2429365"/>, and thanks for sharing your story here with the community. We appreciate your candor sharing as much about your medical history and experience managing smoking and COPD with the community. Are you currently a candidate for the endobronchial valve procedure? Several community members have undergone that procedure and shared their own personal experiences here within the community. I see you also mentioned you strong faith - that can be an important component of managing this disease as well - keep up the good work! Please do check back and keep us apprised of your progress moving forward. You are always welcome here! All the best, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
1. galexa Member
 <inline-mention username="Leon Lebowitz, BA, RRT" user-id="2445532"/> Last September, they attempted to do the Zephyr valve procedure, but because there was too much air passing in the area of the fissure, they wouldn't put in the zephyr valves. I was depressed. A few weeks later, I was thinking about the hernia procedure I had earlier in the year, and they used glue to close the wound. Why couldn't they use glue to stop the air in my lungs from causing the problem? I know it's crazy, but that didn't stop me from calling the lung coordinator and telling her what I thought. She said to me in Boston Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, and they were doing trials on the very thing I was talking about. I called there, and they said that they don't use glue, but the doctors do staple the area where there is lots of air passing, so they have all my records. I will be getting a call from two doctors on the 17th. They are so busy. I had my paperwork in early February. I will update you as I go along. BTW, the VA gives "free" oxygen concentrators and portable units. I have only a concentrator that my insurance picks up. I will turn it in when I get the oxygen units from the VA.
2. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 <inline-mention username="galexa" user-id="2429365"/> Hi again, galexa, and thanks for this update. This is exciting! To know you are being considered for the procedure, with a new is really something to look forward to. I'm sure you are feeling it too! Looking forward to speaking with you once you hear from the physicians. Good luck!! Leon (site moderator <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
Schoen323 Member
What was the process you undertook for the zephryl valve. My dr is now sending me to an interventional physician who performs the procedure.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 <inline-mention username="Schoen323" user-id="4581046"/> Hi Schoen, and thanks for joining in the conversation here. Although I hope that <inline-mention username="galexa" user-id="2429365"/>, will respond and address your concern, I thought you might also find it beneficial to look over the material we have published, right here on <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>, which focuses on many aspects of the endobronchial procedure. Several of our own community members have had it done already and shared their results here with our membership. Here is a link to the articles we have published on the endobronchial procedure: https://copd.net/search?s=Endobronchial%20valve%20zephyr%20valve. I do hope you find this information is helpful for you. I will wish you 'good luck!' at your upcoming appointment. Please do check back and let us know how this all turns out for you. Wishing you well, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
2. galexa Member
 <inline-mention username="Schoen323" user-id="4581046"/> I tried to have the process done at Inova in Virginia last September, but while they were implanting the valves, there was too much air passage from the fissure, which would defeat the purpose of the valves. I'm now waiting till the middle of June when Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston will do a trial where they staple the fissure and then implant the valves. When that is done, I will report on how it went.