I'm presently going through a studt program for endobronchial valve placement. I've gone through the preliminaries & testing.waiting to hear if I qualify for the valve. if I qualify & get the valve placement it should help with my shortness of breath & give me more endurance. this procedure will hopefully improve lung function without having to have surgery.

YES, IN November 2000 I had the lower left lung reduction, and was in ICU for 5 days and stayed a few days on the floor before I came home, then had in home therapy for 3 months, even the staples out here at home. IT's a very serious surgery and it takes a while to get back your strength, but I felt really good after the healing, and great to take a deep breath for a change.The good part was, I had a lot of great people around me . So good luck to you > I know you will be in great hands, God Bless you and I'll pray for you.

Linda i would recommend reduction surgery to anyone. I myself had to have half my rt lung taken due to cancer but it was the same as lung reduction except i had to go thru chemo and radiaton after which u wont have to. The docs went between my ribs to cut so i didnt have to have my ribs pulled apart which helped for easier healing. Docs did tell me i only had a 1 in 6 chance of surviving but then again i had bad cancer so the ulternative was death. That was in 2007 and here i am. I had 2 stress tests one on a bicycle with oxygen and machines beeping all over.the other one was chemically induced. My readings were so bad that the panel at cleveland clinic said no to surgery. Thank God for my docs bc they took full responsiblity for me and changed the panels mind. I only was in icu for one and a half days then they kicked me out. I dont think i was in my room 1 day before they had me walking the halls. Actually if i had another chance for one i would take it.

I had the valves placed in my right lung. The testing you are having and what I had are almost the same. You will have a chest x-ray, a cat scan, pulmonary function testing, a 6 minute walk and an arterial blood draw. I did 12 weeks of rehab and still do rehab at home. It has been almost 6 months for me, my 6 month visit in on Oct 19. My life has changed for the better. I never use oxygen when I go out....I always did before I walk 2 miles every other day with the treadmill set at 2.8 with no oxygen. I am so happy I had this procedure done.Good luck with yours. I would have had what you are having but Here they were doing test trials for the valves so I figured I would try that first as it is a far easier procedure.

I had the valve procedure done 145 days ago and it is wonderful. It gave me my life back. Good luck StevenBon I see you post is 7 months old I would love to know if you had the valves placed.