Ten years ago, Brian underwent a radical laryngectomy, a procedure in which the voice box is removed. It was part of a fight against cancer that included 15 procedures in 24 months and multiple bouts of radiation. Ultimately, it worked. Brian has been cancer free for years now, but as a result of all these procedures, breathing became difficult.
“My breathing would get so bad, my lungs so heavy, that I was having to go to the emergency department every few weeks to be hooked up to a machine just to be able to breathe again. And every time, they would admit me as though I was a brand-new patient. It would take at least 12 hours. It was really taking a toll, not to mention the cost to the public system,” recalled Brian.
About a year ago, Brian was in emergency and they hooked him up to a new machine called an Airvo, a device that delivers high-flow, warmed and humidified air to treat a variety of patient conditions. “It was an instant game-changer,” Brian told us. “My symptoms were immediately relieved. I said to the nurses, ‘where did you get this? I need to have one.’ They said no,” Brian laughed.
But he was not dissuaded. Brian had found the technology that relieved his respiratory condition and was determined to stop spending taxpayer money on biweekly trips to the emergency department. “I had spent ten years with a very strong man’s hands around my throat trying to choke me,” said Brian.
He contacted ProResp and his surgeon and they swung into action, reaching out to his insurer and attesting on Brian’s behalf. Within two weeks his insurance company had approved an Airvo machine and paid for it in full.
“That was a year ago and I have not been back to the hospital since,” Brian beamed. “ProResp went to bat for me, and I am so thankful. As soon as I feel like I can’t breathe, I turn on the Airvo and I am instantly relieved. I have the most incredible health care team in the world.”
