Thom

Birth Date
6/22/1954

Gender
Male

Nationality
American

Alpha type
lung

Alpha gene
ZZ

Alpha Level
.32

Last FEV1
44%

Diagnosed
July 2006

Treatment
Advair
Combivent/Nebulize
(Aralast-soon)

Siblings
3 brothers
1 sister

Children
2 step sons
3 adopted daughters

Thom

reeltm@charter.net

I live in Greenville, SC.

I am a Systems Analyst.

My favorite color is Orange.

My favorite movies National Treasure and It's a Wonderful Life

My favorite music is Instrumental.

My favorite pastime is playing with my daughters.

I have 4 cats.

My favorite quote "Life is a wonderful adventure. Keep your eyes focused on God and hang on for the ride of your life."

7/21/2006 As a young person, I was always active swimming as a youth, running and long distance cycling in my 20s and early thirties. In 1997, I was doing the things I always did and one day, I could not catch my breath as I went up a set of stairs.

After this went on for a while, my PCP diagnosed me with "Adult On set Asthma" and I started the inhaler business. As it continued to get worse over time, my PCP change the meds and finally sent me to a pulmonary doctor. Basically no change. Did a sleep study and said I've got about 55% lung capacity and should just avoid irritants.

Moved to Greenville and PCP continued along the same vane until I finally complained enough that I got a referral to a pulmonary doctor. Well the first visit the doctor listened to my history (kind of important) and looking and my x-rays, he immediately said that I needed to be tested for A1AD. Well between that visit and my next scheduled appointment, I came down with double pneumonia and was put into the hospital. So while there I got tested and diagnosed.

Now were trying to get the insurance setup and the augmentation started.

Interesting facts are that my grand parents on my mom's side both died of "emphysema." My parents both died of lung cancer 2 years ago. Beyond that I have one brother who has stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver and has been tested. My middle brother has had problems for the past few years and this week was tested positive for A1AD. Don't have the results back for my youngest brother and his kids or my sister. They are in work.

It looks like genetics do play a factor.

Anyway, life goes on and we are all trying to learn more and work to live or lives the best we can.

Wish everyone the absolute best.

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