Turning a last chance into renewed hope .
Donna Grable was beginning to run out of hope . Everyday activities like laundry , cooking and getting dressed were a severe struggle . She needed oxygen full time . She feared she was going to die from severe COPD , as a cousin had .
But her sister-in-law knew of a new procedure being performed at Allegheny General Hospital that ’ s giving COPD patients their lives back . “ It ’ s called Zephyr ® Valve Treatment ,” said AHN Dr . Sohini Ghosh . “ It allows us to place one or more small valves in your airways , which release trapped pockets of air to improve your ability to breathe . It ’ s used when medical therapy is not enough .”
But , it ’ s not for everyone . To qualify , patients must have quit smoking , and the COPD must be severe . Donna had quit smoking 10 months ago , and her COPD was severe . So Donna met with Dr . Ghosh .
“ Meeting her the first time was fantastic . She explained everything and made sure I understood what was going to be done ,” Donna said . “ I was just so happy there was something that could be done . There were no second thoughts . I said , ‘ Let ’ s go for it .’”
A date was set for December 1 , 2021 . In the meantime , Donna had to undergo extensive testing to determine if she was a good candidate in all respects . This included CAT scans of her chest and lungs , a pulmonary function test , and a 6-minute walking test . She passed everything , and because she had quit smoking a while back , she was cleared to go . From then it was just a matter of staying healthy and taking great care to not get a respiratory infection .
“ I cannot tell you how grateful I am to Dr . Ghosh for everything she has done for me . Without a doubt , she made me enjoy living again .”
— DONNA GRABLE
When the day came , Dr . Ghosh placed the Zephyr Valve in Donna ’ s lung endoscopically , so there was no need for surgery or incisions . When Donna woke up in recovery , she could tell the difference immediately . Her color was better , her energy level was higher , and she was able to do more right away .
As for her stay at Allegheny General ? “ I didn ’ t even feel like I was in a hospital . Everyone was waiting on me hand and foot . I could have stayed longer .”
As for today , Donna said , “ Right now there isn ’ t anything that I wouldn ’ t try to do . I ’ m back to doing all the things around the house — making all the meals for me and my husband , cleaning , and shopping . I do like to shop !”
But the biggest thing ? She can make the trip to the ball field to watch her three grandsons . “ Last year I couldn ’ t go to a single ballgame ,” she said . “ This year , I ’ ve gone to them all . I cannot tell you how grateful I am to Dr . Ghosh for everything she has done for me . Without a doubt , she made me enjoy living again .”