Jack’s Story
“I am back to fishing and recently fished a full day, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Before valves, I could hardly get on the boat, let alone spend that much time out on the water.”
Procedure Details:
Age at Treatment: 77
Hospital: AdventHealth Tampa – Florida Medical Clinic
Date of Procedure: February 2022
Jack’s Story
“I am back to fishing and recently fished a full day, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Before valves, I could hardly get on the boat, let alone spend that much time out on the water.”
Procedure Details:
Age at Treatment: 77
Date of Procedure: February 2022
Hospital: AdventHealth Tampa – Florida Medical Clinic
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Life Before Zephyr® Valves:
COPD took away my ability to live the life I loved. My wife Diana and I were very active people. Losing that ability was tough because I’m a “doer.” Fishing is my number one hobby and I love to work with my hands, carving and whittling.
In my career as a supervisor for construction electricians I was exposed to plenty of filth and concrete dust. I also smoked but quit 17 years ago. For years I was just treated with medication for asthma because my symptoms seemed seasonal in the beginning. Then about 13 years ago, I got really sick with pneumonia. A few years later, I noticed I started running out of steam and had to slow down. That’s really when everything began to change and I was diagnosed with COPD.
Diana and I participated in a lot of activities in our community. We loved to line dance but as my condition worsened, I could only get halfway through a song. Eventually, I felt it was silly to even get up and try. We are the heads of the Entertainment Committee, and I couldn’t even walk to the podium to announce the shows. It got to the point where I didn’t want to do anything.
My wife is amazing. When I would have a bad episode, I’d be purple and gray and she’d ask, “Can I call 9-1-1?” I would tell her no, even though it felt like I’d die before I’d recover. Finally, Diana asked, “Then when can I call 9-1-1?” and I said, “When I can’t tell you not to!” Needless to say, this disease was hard on both of us. My wife worried but was always there to help. If I was having an anxiety attack because I couldn’t breathe, she rubbed my back and that meant the world to me knowing someone was right there with me.
About two years ago, I began needing oxygen. Carrying that canister around wore me out, so I got an air concentrator that’s only half the weight. I took Advair®, Combivent®, Albuterol® when needed, and prednisone as a backup. Over time, I could feel the medications working less and less for my symptoms. I felt myself slowly slipping away. I told my wife we need to get our stuff in order because I don’t feel like I’m going to be here for long.
I heard about the Zephyr Valves from a friend in our park who also heard about them from a friend. Word of mouth is a powerful tool. I was reaching for any straw, so I did my research and found Dr. Do at AdventHealth in Tampa. He was so informative, straight up and honest, and explained all the pros and cons. I completed all of the tests and I was told I was a candidate!
After the first few days, the difference was amazing — I felt like a new man. To be able to suck in as much air as I can is a blessing. I hadn’t experienced that feeling in five or six years.
– Jack
Day of the Procedure
Life After Zephyr Valves:
The procedure went smoothly for me with no complications. After the anesthesia wore off, I tried to take deep breaths and it did hurt. But after the first few days, the difference was amazing — I felt like a new man. To be able to suck in as much air as I can is a blessing. I hadn’t experienced that feeling in five or six years. When Dr. Do came in to see me, of course he was wearing a mask, but my wife said his “eyes were smiling.” You could tell he was so pleased with what he had been able to do for me.
Two days after I got home from the procedure, we went to Disney Springs for my wife’s birthday. It’s our tradition. I walked a long way. Granted I would stop and rest because my muscle tone and balance were not back yet, but I did it. Now, I can do just about anything. I just need to pace myself and know my limitations.
I still have severe COPD/emphysema, but my quality of life is so much better since having these valves. I am back to fishing and recently fished a full day, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Before valves, I could hardly get on the boat, let alone spend that much time out on the water. When my condition got really bad, unfortunately we sold everything that needed attention — our truck, our boat, the dock. Right now, I wish we hadn’t.
I’m back to line dancing and can make it through half a dance now and hopefully soon a full dance. Who knows…one day you might see us on America’s Got Talent!
I just want to get the word out to other people. This has been an absolute life changer for me. If you are struggling, talk to your doctors about the valves.
Results from case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary.
Caution: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
¹Criner, G et al. Am J Resp Crit Care Med. 2018; 198(9):1151‒1164.
US-EN-1527-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.
-
COPD took away my ability to live the life I loved. My wife Diana and I were very active people. Losing that ability was tough because I’m a “doer.” Fishing is my number one hobby and I love to work with my hands, carving and whittling.
In my career as a supervisor for construction electricians I was exposed to plenty of filth and concrete dust. I also smoked but quit 17 years ago. For years I was just treated with medication for asthma because my symptoms seemed seasonal in the beginning. Then about 13 years ago, I got really sick with pneumonia. A few years later, I noticed I started running out of steam and had to slow down. That’s really when everything began to change and I was diagnosed with COPD.
Diana and I participated in a lot of activities in our community. We loved to line dance but as my condition worsened, I could only get halfway through a song. Eventually, I felt it was silly to even get up and try. We are the heads of the Entertainment Committee and I couldn’t even walk to the podium to announce the shows. It got to the point where I didn’t want to do anything.
My wife is amazing. When I would have a bad episode, I’d be purple and gray and she’d ask, “Can I call 9-1-1?” I would tell her no, even though it felt like I’d die before I’d recover. Finally, Diana asked, “Then when can I call 9-1-1?” and I said, “When I can’t tell you not to!” Needless to say, this disease was hard on both of us. My wife worried but was always there to help. If I was having an anxiety attack because I couldn’t breathe, she rubbed my back and that meant the world to me knowing someone was right there with me.
About two years ago, I began needing oxygen. Carrying that canister around wore me out, so I got an air concentrator that’s only half the weight. I took Advair®, Combivent®, Albuterol® when needed, and prednisone as a backup. Over time, I could feel the medications working less and less for my symptoms, I felt myself slowly slipping away. I told my wife we need to get our stuff in order because I don’t feel like I’m going to be here for long.
I heard about the Zephyr Valves from a friend in our park who also heard about them from a friend. Word of mouth is a powerful tool. I was reaching for any straw, so I did my research and found Dr. Do at AdventHealth in Tampa. He was so informative, straight up and honest, and explained all the pros and cons. I completed all of the tests and I was told I was a candidate!
-
The procedure went smoothly for me with no complications. After the anesthesia wore off, I tried to take deep breaths and it did hurt. But after the first few days, the difference was amazing — I felt like a new man. To be able to suck in as much air as I can is a blessing. I hadn’t experienced that feeling in five or six years. When Dr. Do came in to see me, of course he was wearing a mask, but my wife said his “eyes were smiling.” You could tell he was so pleased with what he had been able to do for me.
Two days after I got home from the procedure, we went to Disney Springs for my wife’s birthday. It’s our tradition. I walked a long way. Granted I would stop and rest because my muscle tone and balance were not back yet, but I did it. Now, I can do just about anything. I just need to pace myself and know my limitations.
I still have severe COPD/emphysema, but my quality of life is so much better since having these valves. I am back to fishing and recently fished a full day, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Before valves, I could hardly get on the boat, let alone spend that much time out on the water. When my condition got really bad, unfortunately we sold everything that needed attention — our truck, our boat, the dock. Right now, I wish we hadn’t.
I’m back to line dancing and can make it through half a dance now and hopefully soon a full dance. Who knows…one day you might see us on America’s Got Talent!
I just want to get the word out to other people. This has been an absolute life changer for me. If you are struggling, talk to your doctors about the valves.
-
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.
I’m back to line dancing and can make it through half a dance now and hopefully soon a full dance. Who knows…one day you might see us on America’s Got Talent!
– Jack
