What started as a hopeful step toward better health turned into a difficult and heartbreaking journey for 39-year-old Loyda Cordero Faliero, a mother from Franklinville, New York. After more than two decades of smoking, she made the decision to quit and turned to vaping, believing it would be a safer alternative and a positive example for her children.
But within two years, her health took a serious turn. One morning, she collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, struggling to breathe. The diagnosis: bullous emphysema, a severe and irreversible lung condition.
Faliero was stunned. The device she had trusted to support her health had contributed to a crisis she never expected. Doctors found her lungs were filled with large air pockets caused by inflammation. One of these pockets ruptured, leading to a collapsed lung.
“My lung collapsed because of fluid buildup. I didn’t realize how serious things had become,” she said.
Before her diagnosis, Faliero led an active life. Now, everyday tasks like cooking, walking short distances, or even lying down are exhausting. She sleeps in a recliner to avoid breathing complications, and the simplest activities leave her winded and in pain.
“Even making dinner can end with me in tears,” she shared.
Continue reading on next page…