Bev’s Story
“As we move out of lockdown and into summer, I’m looking forward to getting out. Enjoying all those things I couldn’t do before my treatment!”
Procedure Details:
Age at Treatment: 72
Date of Procedure: August 2020
Hospital: New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton
Bev’s Story
“As we move out of lockdown and into summer, I’m looking forward to getting out. Enjoying all those things I couldn’t do before my treatment!”
Procedure Details:
Age at Treatment: 72
Date of Procedure: August 2020
Hospital: New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton
Life Before Zephyr® Valves:
I’ve always been two things: active and determined. A person that doesn’t give in. Someone who just keeps moving. Having emphysema has been a challenge — but one that I’ve risen to, with the help of the right treatment.
I had a busy job working for a motorbike company. At the weekend, you’d find me doing odd jobs outside or going for long walks. Becoming ill made it hard to keep up this lifestyle. But one thing that didn’t change was my determination.
I was diagnosed with COPD about 10 years ago after a routine chest X-ray. I gave up smoking as soon as I found out. Nevertheless, my condition kept getting worse. It got to the point where I’d go to do a job outside and become so breathless I could barely walk.
Then came the hospital visits. I had about 12 episodes that ended with a hospital stay. I’d find myself completely unable to breathe, like I had a cushion over my mouth. It was awful. I had to call the ambulance and be taken in for treatment. I’d be lying there with an oxygen mask on all night, just to get through to the morning.
This really took a toll on my partner. She was worried sick for me. Every time I had an episode, she was terrified I wouldn’t even make it to hospital. I couldn’t let her keep going through this. I had to find a treatment that worked.
I did lots of research and I found out about a person with emphysema who had been successfully treated with Zephyr Valves in London. So, I went to New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton to the lung department to find out if they could be an option for me.
I was seen by Mr. Habib who did some tests, and gave me the best news I’d heard in years. Yes! I was eligible for Zephyr Valves.
– Bev
Life After Zephyr Valves:
Mr. Habib carried out my Zephyr Valve procedure in August of 2020. I was 72.
Everything went smoothly and I felt brilliant afterwards. I could see a difference straight away. I was able to walk up and down the stairs without getting breathless. I could get on with jobs at home again, without having to stop for air.
I bought myself an exercise bike as I wanted to be able to keep active no matter the weather. Throughout this last winter I’ve been on my indoor bike six times a day, doing 10 minutes a time. It feels so good to be getting some exercise and keeping moving.
I really do feel like a new man. To be frank, I’m not sure I would have made it through lockdown without the treatment. I might not have been here much longer.
I honestly think my Zephyr Valves are what’s kept me here. And I’m just so grateful to Mr. Habib. I think more hospitals should offer Zephyr Valve treatment. It would help so many people.
As we move out of lockdown and into the summer months, I’m looking forward to getting out and about. Maybe doing a bit of shopping. Going on some coach trips. Enjoying all those things I couldn’t do before my treatment for fear of getting breathless!
What would I say to anyone with severe emphysema who is eligible for the Zephyr Valves?
Go for it! You’ll be a new person.
Results from case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary.
GLO-EN-908-v1
What is the Zephyr Valve procedure?
The Zephyr Valve has been shown to help patients breathe easier, do more, and enjoy life.1
Despite taking the best available medications, many patients with severe COPD/emphysema suffer from hyperinflation of their lungs where air becomes trapped in the lungs, preventing fresh air from entering and thereby causing severe shortness of breath.
The Zephyr Valves reduce lung hyperinflation by allowing trapped air to escape and preventing new air from entering that diseased lobe. This allows the healthier parts of the lung to function better and results in patients being able to breathe more easily and experience less shortness of breath.
The valves are placed via bronchoscopy, with no incision or cutting, so these benefits are achieved without the risks of traditional surgical options. The procedure is usually complete in under an hour.
Complications of the Zephyr Endobronchial Valve treatment can include but are not limited to pneumothorax, worsening of COPD symptoms, hemoptysis, pneumonia, dyspnea and, in rare cases, death.
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I’ve always been two things: active and determined. A person that doesn’t give in. Someone who just keeps moving. Having emphysema has been a challenge — but one that I’ve risen to, with the help of the right treatment.
I had a busy job working for a motorbike company. At the weekend, you’d find me doing odd jobs outside or going for long walks. Becoming ill made it hard to keep up this lifestyle. But one thing that didn’t change was my determination.
I was diagnosed with COPD about 10 years ago after a routine chest X-ray. I gave up smoking as soon as I found out. Nevertheless, my condition kept getting worse. It got to the point where I’d go to do a job outside and become so breathless I could barely walk.
Then came the hospital visits. I had about 12 episodes that ended with a hospital stay. I’d find myself completely unable to breathe, like I had a cushion over my mouth. It was awful. I had to call the ambulance and be taken in for treatment. I’d be lying there with an oxygen mask on all night, just to get through to the morning.
This really took a toll on my partner. She was worried sick for me. Every time I had an episode, she was terrified I wouldn’t even make it to hospital. I couldn’t let her keep going through this. I had to find a treatment that worked.
I did lots of research and I found out about a person with emphysema who had been successfully treated with Zephyr Valves in London. So, I went to New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton to the lung department to find out if they could be an option for me.
I was seen by Mr. Habib who did some tests, and gave me the best news I’d heard in years. Yes! I was eligible for Zephyr Valves.
-
Mr. Habib carried out my Zephyr Valve procedure in August of 2020. I was 72.
Everything went smoothly and I felt brilliant afterwards. I could see a difference straight away. I was able to walk up and down the stairs without getting breathless. I could get on with jobs at home again, without having to stop for air.
I bought myself an exercise bike as I wanted to be able to keep active no matter the weather. Throughout this last winter I’ve been on my indoor bike six times a day, doing 10 minutes a time. It feels so good to be getting some exercise and keeping moving.
I really do feel like a new man. To be frank, I’m not sure I would have made it through lockdown without the treatment. I might not have been here much longer.
I honestly think my Zephyr Valves are what’s kept me here. And I’m just so grateful to Mr. Habib. I think more hospitals should offer Zephyr Valve treatment. It would help so many people.
As we move out of lockdown and into the summer months, I’m looking forward to getting out and about. Maybe doing a bit of shopping. Going on some coach trips. Enjoying all those things I couldn’t do before my treatment for fear of getting breathless!
What would I say to anyone with severe emphysema who is eligible for the Zephyr Valves?
Go for it! You’ll be a new person.
-
The Zephyr Valve has been shown to help patients breathe easier, do more, and enjoy life.1
Despite taking the best available medications, many patients with emphysema, a common form of COPD, suffer from hyperinflation of their lungs where air becomes trapped in the lungs, preventing fresh air from entering and thereby causing severe shortness of breath.
The Zephyr Valves reduce lung hyperinflation by allowing trapped air to escape and preventing new air from entering that diseased lobe. This allows the healthier parts of the lung to function better and results in patients being able to breathe more easily and experience less shortness of breath.
The valves are placed via bronchoscopy, with no incision or cutting, so these benefits are achieved without the risks of traditional surgical options. The procedure is usually complete in under an hour.
Results from case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary.
– Bev
