Pulmonology Patient Stories

Living with spinal muscular atrophy, Jaime found life-changing breathing support through UPMC's expert pulmonology team.

Read Jaime Shemasek's story

After struggling with high blood pressure and frequent fainting episodes, Nelda was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension. This condition causes the lungs’ arteries to tighten, constricting blood flow. Thanks to advanced treatment provided by UPMC experts, Nelda is now doing very well and is back to her active lifestyle of gardening and volunteering.

Read Nelda's story

At age four, Ernie Johnson was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a condition that causes muscle weakness and breathing difficulties. Following his diagnosis, Ernie’s condition was managed by UPMC physicians across specialties, including pulmonology, cardiology, and neurology. Now at 40 years old, Ernie continues to receive care at UPMC and is doing well.

Read Ernie Johnson's story

As a toddler, Adam was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). This condition causes the skeletal and heart muscle to weaken over time, affecting heart and lung function. Since his diagnosis, Adam has received care across multiple specialties at UPMC. He is grateful for the advanced care he has received and the collaboration and communication between his doctors.

Read Adam Johnson's story

After losing 80 pounds, Chris began to notice an inability to control the movement of his legs at night, leading to his diagnosis of restless legs syndrome (RLS). While seeking help from a local neurologist and sleep center, Chris learned that UPMC was a super center for the treatment of RLS. With the care he received at UPMC, Chris’s condition has improved greatly, allowing him to return to his passion of volunteering and spending time with his family and friends.

Read Chris Kokiko's story

After a CT scan revealed blood clots in his lungs, Todd was diagnosed with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). UPMC experts performed a complex procedure to remove the blood clots, allowing Todd to return to enjoying life with his family and working on his garden.

Read Todd Stevenson's story

After being diagnosed with COVID-19 in January 2021, Tracie’s symptoms did not completely resolve with time – she experienced shortness of breath, “brain fog,” and other symptoms of “long COVID” for months. Experts at the UPMC Post-COVID Recovery Clinic developed a treatment plan that eased her shortness of breath and improved her brain fog.

Read Tracie Ostoffie's story

Before seeing Dr. Wenzel at the Asthma Institute, Doris Coletta had severe asthma without much hope of feeling better. A patient of UPMC since 2007, Doris resolves to live each day to the fullest, with the help of her asthma team. Now retired, Doris enjoys time with friends and family and doing the things she loves.

Read Doris Coletta's story

Shortness of breath and exhaustion were controlling Tere Long's life. But with the help of Sally Wenzel, MD, a world-renowned asthma expert and researcher, she now has her life back.

Read Tere Long's story

Rachel Mabb had experienced health issues early in life, but in 2014, what she believed to be merely a minor condition suddenly turned serious.

Read Rachel Mabb's story

During a visit with his primary care doctor of nearly 20 years, Rick Fedell mentioned he’d been feeling fatigued and short of breath lately. Fortunately, Rick’s primary care doctor, Hubert Shick, MD, recognized the potentially serious nature of Rick’s fatigue and shortness of breath when Rick didn’t.

Read Rick Fedell's story

In 1988, Paul McGuinness became the second person at UPMC to receive a double lung transplant. More than 30 years later, he's enjoying life and giving hope to other lung transplant recipients.

Read Paul McGuinness's story

As a baby, Lauren Costa was diagnosed with a life-threatening lung disease. When she learned that a lung transplant could save her life, she began searching for the best place to handle her case. Her search led her to the UPMC Lung Transplant Program.

Read Lauren Costa's story

On December 10, 2008, Nancy received her double lung transplant at UPMC Presbyterian. Just two years later, she hiked in the mountains at Yellowstone National Park.

Read Nancy Matthews's story

Living with cystic fibrosis left Rebecca Poole with a rollercoaster of challenges to overcome. After experiencing a dramatic decline in her health, Rebecca and her husband, Ray, made the journey to UPMC to receive a lung transplant that would save her life.

Read Rebecca Poole's story

At age 46, Jay, a cystic fibrosis patient, underwent lung transplant surgery in Seattle in 2008. In October of 2011, doctors in Seattle told Jay that he was in chronic rejection. After an evaluation at UPMC in Pittsburgh, Jay was placed on the lung transplant waiting list. In February of 2015, Jay underwent a second lung transplant and was cleared to return home in May.

Read Jay Starr's story