A Breath of Fresh Air
Center Gives Patients New Lease on Life

Members of the first pulmonary class at The Grace Anne Dorney Pulmonary & Cardiac Rehabilitation Center. Back row from left: Robert Purple, Bob Bradford, Marion Foote and Robert Price. Front row from left: Leroy Buckler, Judy Jarboe, Jack Gelrud and Aubrey Norman. Not pictured: James Van Reenen.

Increasing a workout on a stationary bicycle from three minutes to 10 minutes may be a simple task for many, but for individuals with a pulmonary disease, that seven-minute gain is anything but a small feat. Judy Jarboe, of Piney Point, hopes those significant gains in her life could one day mean no longer needing the oxygen that she depends on 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Judy is a member of the first group of pulmonary patients through The Grace Anne Dorney Pulmonary & Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, which opened in January 2010.

When exercising, "I used to have to start and stop and start and stop," said Judy, who was diagnosed in September 2009 with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is a group of lung diseases including emphysema, refractory asthma, chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis. "I'm doing much better. I feel stronger."

That sentiment is echoed by many of her fellow pulmonary rehab pals. For the center's staff, those successes are extra special.

"We, as staff members, are so humbled to be among such wonderful people," said Elizabeth Slick, registered respiratory therapist at The Grace Anne Dorney Pulmonary & Cardiac Rehabilitation Center. "We applaud their determination and are overjoyed with their achievement. It is wonderful to witness the transformation of someone's life. We may meet as strangers, however, by the end of the patient's program, we (the staff) feel as if we are all family."

A Center of Hope and Progress

The center is named after Grace Anne Dorney Koppel, national patient advocate for the COPD Learn More Breathe BetterŪ Campaign from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health. In 2001, Grace Anne was diagnosed with a very severe case of COPD and given a few years to live. But instead of taking the prognosis as a death sentence, Grace Anne began pulmonary rehabilitation and through hard work and dedication increased her lung capacity from 26% to almost 60% today. Since 2007, she has shared her experiences on a national platform and is a testament to not letting her health slow her down.

Former ABC News "Nightline" anchor Ted Koppel had the idea for the creation of the center and donated funds to help open it in honor of his wife, Grace Anne.

"I want others to find their own personal potential through rehabilitation," said Grace Anne, at the center's dedication in January. "I want them to breathe well and recognize changes in their day-to-day breathing so that their doctors can intervene before a flare-up or exacerbation is life-threatening."

For the first class of pulmonary patients, Grace Anne's dream has already come true.

Proven Results

Judy Jarboe, of Piney Point, exercises during a pulmonary rehabilitation session.

Judy has made significant strides in her life thanks to rehabilitation. In fact, she recently hopped on her riding lawnmower at home - a task she hasn't completed in a very long time due to her shortness of breath. Her lung capacity was at 56% when she began the program. She is certain the numbers will be higher when checked again after phase II of the program. Her husband snapped a photo of Judy on the lawnmower and brought it in to share the progress with her pulmonary rehab friends and the center's staff. The camaraderie at the center is something she and several other patients in the program look forward to three times a week.

Fellow pulmonary rehab patient James Van Reenen, of Ridge, agrees.

"It's more fun to be in a competitive spirit; it spurs us on and it's fun," he said, noting the group atmosphere is reinforcing and encouraging because participants want the whole group to improve.

James said he has already noticed improvement in his own life. He was diagnosed with COPD about five years ago. He hadn't pursued pulmonary rehabilitation because he didn't want to travel out of the county three times a week. When he read about the center opening in the newspaper, he brought up the idea with his doctor and made his appointment.

"When this program became available, I was tickled to death," he said. "I think it's a very comprehensive program...I have nothing but good things to say."

He has already noticed a marked improvement in his own breathing. The combination of exercise and education, especially learning proper breathing techniques, has positively impacted his life.

"I take it home every day," James said, regarding the skills he has learned in the program. "Motivation comes from the rewards."

Marion Foote, also a member of the center's first pulmonary program, has felt similar rewards. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2008 and had surgery to remove half of her left lung in May 2009. She was also instructed to participate in pulmonary rehabilitation by her physician, but traveling hours away three days a week was not an option for her. The Lexington Park resident was excited to learn about the new center at St. Mary's Hospital.

"I'm getting more stamina and that was the whole point for me," Marion said. "If I was at the gym, I would do whatever." She said she likes having someone next to her monitoring all of her blood oxygen and blood pressure levels. She is moving faster on the treadmill - she started at a speed of 1.5 and has climbed to 2.5 miles per hour with a goal of exceeding that speed.

"I like the fact it's a controlled environment," Marion said. "All the girls (center staff members) are professional. They push you. It has definitely helped me."

James agrees. In fact, he believes in the program so much that he has encouraged others in the community to look into the center's offerings.

"Good friends pass good news along," he said. "I'm thankful for Grace Anne Dorney (Koppel) for her inspiration and funding."

For more information on the center, call 240-434-7143.