Cape Cod Massachusetts Resident Travels to NJ to Breathe Easier

This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local brand partner. To learn more, click here.

For years, Dawn experienced debilitating breathing symptoms that included difficulty breathing when she bent over. Soon, it got to the point where she couldn't walk and talk at the same time. The cold weather was particularly harsh, making every breath a struggle.

After visiting her doctor, a breakthrough came unexpectedly during imaging tests for a separate health concern. Radiologists made a startling discovery: Dawn had a paralyzed right diaphragm caused by damage to her right phrenic nerve. This crucial nerve controls the diaphragm, the primary muscle involved in breathing. When the phrenic nerve is damaged, the diaphragm cannot function properly, leading to significant breathing difficulties.

Despite a diagnosis, a solution remained out of reach. Although a surgical procedure to repair the phrenic nerve exists, doctors were hesitant to operate on Dawn due to her complex health history. "I was so frustrated. Breathing isn’t optional, I knew I would have to do something,” she recalls. As the years went by, her condition worsened, severely impacting her quality of life. Simple activities became monumental tasks, and she could no longer even walk her dog.

Determined to find an answer, Dawn's own research led her to Matthew Kaufman, M.D., a plastic and reconstructive surgeon and otolaryngologist at the Center for Treatment of Paralysis and Reconstructive Nerve Surgery at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Dr. Kaufman is a renowned pioneer in treating diaphragm paralysis, having developed innovative phrenic nerve reconstruction techniques and successfully treated over 850 patients from across the globe.

Living in Massachusetts, Dawn began the process by sending her existing imaging and breathing study results to Dr. Kaufman's office in New Jersey. To determine her eligibility for surgery, she traveled to complete specialized tests not widely available elsewhere: phrenic nerve conduction testing and electromyography (EMG) of the diaphragm. "Electrical testing of the phrenic nerve and diaphragm is not routinely performed, even at many top institutions," Dr. Kaufman explains. "As part of our Internationally Accredited center for diaphragm paralysis treatment, we can perform precise electrical testing to help determine the best treatment approach.”

Read how Dawn’s quality of life changed with advanced surgery to help her breathe easier.

This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local brand partner. To learn more, click here.