Hilary Fake

Life Before Zephyr® Endobronchial Valves:

I’m a glass half full kind of person. Always looking on the bright side, ready to enjoy life. I jokingly describe myself to my family as a “recycled teenager”. Young at heart — a teenager in mind, if not in body.

Before I retired, I had a busy job as an accountant. And since then, I’ve always kept busy — I’m never sitting still. I love all things creative — sewing, gardening, a bit of DIY and jigsaw puzzles.

But when I was diagnosed with severe emphysema, a form of COPD, I had to start taking life at a slower pace.

I received my diagnosis in 2012. Before that, they thought it was asthma. But after an eight day stay in hospital with bronchopneumonia, the doctors confirmed it was more serious.

It was a frightening time. I couldn’t get my breath at all. And because I’d not experienced an episode like this before, I didn’t know how to control my breathing and panic set in. Which of course made things worse.

After my diagnosis, life became less spontaneous. I was always having to plan ahead. Wondering how many steps there were. Trying to work out if I could get to where I needed to be without becoming totally out of breath.

I live on my own, and having always been independent, I was determined not to let my condition stop me. I still did all of the housework, I just had to break it down into manageable tasks. I would have become too breathless if I tried to do it all at once.

I’ve looked after my step grandchildren since birth. My illness meant I couldn’t chase after them like I used to. The little ones got to understand this, bless them. They knew nan was having breathing problems. But I was sad I couldn’t play with them in the same way.

I felt like I’d been going downhill since my diagnosis and wanted to get proper treatment. I started seeing a consultant at Derby Royal and they discussed the Zephyr Valve opportunity with me. I was immediately interested.

I was referred to Amy Binion, and after some tests she said I was eligible for the treatment. She explained it would be a minimally invasive procedure. I thought to myself “In for a penny, in for a pound!”, and agreed to go for it.

Life After Zephyr Endobronchial Valves:

My treating physician was Professor Baldwin, he carried out my Zephyr Valve procedure at Nottingham City Hospital on July 19, 2018. I was 68.

The procedure went smoothly. I wasn’t a fan of the taste of the anesthetic, it tasted like rotten bananas! But other than that, no complaints. I was asleep throughout and woke up when it was done.

As soon as I came around, I was able to get out of bed and walk around the room. I noticed straight away that I had no breathing difficulties. I walked across the ward, without even having to think about my inhaler.

My recovery was quick. I was in on Thursday, home by Sunday. But I’d have come home even sooner if it was up to me.

I decided to put my new found energy to good use. You won’t believe it, but I decorated the house from top to bottom when I got home. It’s an old Victorian terrace. So there I was with steps on the table, mountaineering to reach the ceiling.

Day-to-day life was much improved. Housework was so much easier. Shopping wasn’t a problem. I didn’t have to plan ahead so much. I was able to be much more spontaneous.

I saw a big change when I next went on holiday, too. Walking up the aeroplane pane steps no longer phased me. Before my treatment, those stairs were a real trial — horrendous! Afterwards, I went up them without a thought.

And the best bit of life since my treatment? That has to be my nephew’s wedding. I was straight up on the dance floor! No one could stop me, I was really giving it some. Showing off my famous nan dancing. A true “recycled teenager.”

What would I say to anyone with severe emphysema who is eligible for the Zephyr Valves?

Go for it! It gave me my life back.

Results from case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary. 

Important Safety Information: The Pulmonx Zephyr®️ Endobronchial Valves are implantable bronchial valves indicated for the bronchoscopic treatment of adult patients with hyperinflation associated with severe emphysema in regions of the lung that have little to no collateral ventilation. Complications can include but are not limited to pneumothorax (tear in the lung), worsening of COPD symptoms, hemoptysis, pneumonia, and, in rare cases, death. The Zephyr Valve is contraindicated in patients who have not quit smoking. Please talk with your physician about other contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse events. Only a trained physician can decide whether a particular patient is an appropriate candidate for treatment with the Zephyr Valve.

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