Every breath matters

Some moments in life take your breath away.

Some diseases take them all. Until now.

Richard Deaton was living in Charleston, South Carolina, working as a land surveyor when he started having trouble breathing. A lot of trouble, which he learned, was caused by a severe case of emphysema, a lung disease that makes it hard to exhale carbon dioxide and prevents you from inhaling as much oxygen as you need.

Richard moved to Coshocton, Ohio, to be close to family. He sought care and was admitted to a hospital six times in a year. He was unable to work, be active or do much of anything.

Richard never gave up

Richard was determined to get better, so he started looking for options. Eventually, he considered Genesis HealthCare System and discovered the Genesis Lung Center.

“After I found the Genesis Lung Center,” said Richard, “I asked around and learned they came highly recommended. At that point, I knew what I needed to do.”

After visiting the Lung Center, he was given an albuterol prescription that would relax his airways, and it helped him breathe easier for a while. However, his emphysema eventually worsened, and he had a severe attack, making it extremely hard to breathe.

Richard went to the Genesis Coshocton Medical Center and was kept for overnight observation. The next day, Richard was transferred to Genesis Hospital, where he met Jacob Hupp, M.D., Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Pulmonary and Critical Care Specialist at the Genesis Lung Center.

“Richard’s emphysema had progressed to a critical point,” said Dr. Hupp. “His traditional options were a lung reduction or lung transplant, but Richard was not ready to undergo surgery. Fortunately, soon after that, we were ready to introduce a new minimally invasive bronchoscopic lung volume reduction procedure at Genesis.”

The new procedure uses a Zephyr Endobronchial Valve. It implants tiny valves in parts of the diseased lung to allow trapped air to escape, making breathing easier for patients.

Being the first

“Dr. Hupp called and said I was eligible to be the first patient to undergo a new procedure at Genesis,” said Richard. “We discussed the procedure, options, outlook and how it fits my condition. He knew so much about my condition and the procedure. It gave me confidence in him. I decided to have the procedure, and I am so glad I did.”

A new friend and commitment to moving

After the procedure, Richard felt much better. He could move around again without losing his breath. However, he knew he had work to do. Being active would help his breathing. Through a friend, he received a Dachshund named Onyx when she was seven weeks old. It was the encouragement he needed to get up and get moving.

Onyx and Richard go on frequent walks together. She stays by his side whether they are in the park or relaxing at home.

“I am so glad I didn’t give up on trying to get better,” said Richard.

“I found Genesis, and they changed my life. I am so grateful to Dr. Hupp, his team and Genesis.” – Richard Deaton

Watch Richard discuss his Zephyr Endobronchial Valve procedure.