COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
One person that was kind enough to answer my question on swimming in a pool requested I chat about my lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) - I have severe emphysema and had the bottom half of my left lung removed in 2001. I live in New York and had it done at NY Presbyterian Hospital by an excellent surgeon. The outcome was wonderful - before the surgery I couldn't walk more than 2 feet without having to stop to breath - after I walked all over - it bought me 8 wonderful years without having to use oxygen. I am now on oxygen 24/7 and hate it. I was recently evaluated for a lung transplant but was told I am not bad enough (thanks their opinion not mine) - I hope this information was helpful - if you have any other questions just let me know I'll be happy to answer them
have a great day
Roe
have a great day
Roe
It sounds like your border line ready for Lung Transplant and I hope the next time your evaluated, it will happen for you.
Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Enjoy swimming and exercising,
Have a nice Breathing Easy day,
Holly
Sounds like it did what it's supposed to do!
Improve your quality of life!
Not all get that from it!
No one knows for sure what life holds for us around the next corner, but one things sure, those who are brave enough to go for LVRS and Transplant love life and are willing to risk it all for a chance of a better life.
More people survive this surgery and do well then dont.
Dig, I am so very very sorry to hear about your friend not surviving, but one thing is sure, your freind knew the risks going into it, and if life stopped on the operating table, there was no suffering and pain.
I hope you find comfort in that.
Hugs always, Holly
Thank you so much for sharing your experience of the lung volume reduction surgery, its really good of you to do so and will help so many to decide if and when they are offered same.
It's great that you had a good 8 years after the surgery, just a pity it has not lasted longer for you.
Sorry to hear you now need oxygen 24/7 and not liking it, I do hope you can be considered for whatever further lung treatment / surgery you feel will benefit you.
Keep up the good works re swimming and breathing :o)
Stay cool and breathe easy
Jo x
My nephew just had a couple ribs removed because of nerves and muscle growing attached to it. I wonder if this would help us at all? Probably not or they would have done it already. Just a thought....
I so hope my hubby will stay COMPLETELY off cigarettes instead of thinking that he can toy with having 1 per day... that doesn't work! It never has. Or, he may be looking at LVRS himself.
I am glad that you had 8 oxygen-free years of relatively high-quality life. It is good that you did the right thing choosing this procedure and doctor. It is such a big decision. Quality of life is so important!
It is a big risk, but most of the time it is for the better. None of us gets a guarantee in this life, no matter how safe we play it.
Hugs, Sue