Exactly one year ago, on 16 November 2022, I was discharged from Okayama Medical Center (OMC), Japan, after a solid four-week stay. Those weeks in the hospital came with four rounds of balloon pulmonary angioplastyBalloon Pulmonary Angioplasty Balloon pulmonary angioplasty, or BPA for short, is a technique for widening narrowed or blocked blood vessels in the lungs of CTEPH patients. Small balloons attached to a catheter restore blood flow to areas of the lungs that do not receive blood due to the disease.  When successful, BPA eliminates or reduces shortness of breath, increases exercise tolerance and quality of life, and extends life expectancy. (BPABalloon Pulmonary Angioplasty Balloon pulmonary angioplasty, or BPA for short, is a technique for widening narrowed or blocked blood vessels in the lungs of CTEPH patients. Small balloons attached to a catheter restore blood flow to areas of the lungs that do not receive blood due to the disease.  When successful, BPA eliminates or reduces shortness of breath, increases exercise tolerance and quality of life, and extends life expectancy.) interventions, which flipped my outlook on life and saved me from a premature death.

Thank You for Making a Difference!

After one year since my initial treatment, I would like to take a moment to reflect and express my thanks for all the positive changes that have happened.

A photo of Dr. Hiromi Matsubara and I immediately after my 2nd BPA treatment. I am still on the operating table.
A photo of Dr. Hiromi Matsubara and me in the catheter room after my second BPA procedure in October 2022. – Image: OMC published with permission.

Dr. Matsubara, I owe you my life. You, your colleagues, and all your former patients who risked their lives to help develop the modern version of BPA are heroes. Seriously, you all are amazing people who have made a huge difference. I am deeply grateful to you all! Thank you for everything!

Lots of Energy

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty works, no question about it!

Already after my second BPA procedure, I noticed a significant improvement. Fast forward to now, and it’s been quite a ride, and I am currently in the best health I’ve been in years, maybe even in a decade. Oxygen makes all the difference! I feel more energetic than ever—so much so that my wife often jokes and asks if we can dial down his oxygen levels.

Cleared For More

I performed one of the best 6-minute walk tests ever recorded at OMC when I went back for a routine check-up in June of this year. I walked a whole 640 meters. That’s a lot more than the 380 meters I could manage just before I left the hospital a year ago. This was the first sign that my post-BPA training was paying off.

During my October 2022 stay at OMC, I completed a 6-minute walk test, which is a standard examination for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertensionChronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension CTEPH is short for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, a rare form of high blood pressure in the lungs caused by blood clots or narrowed blood vessels. High blood pressure in the lungs is often also called pulmonary hypertension. (CTEPHChronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension CTEPH is short for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, a rare form of high blood pressure in the lungs caused by blood clots or narrowed blood vessels. High blood pressure in the lungs is often also called pulmonary hypertension.). At the time, I was thrilled that I could walk 380 meters, which was 30 meters more than when I was admitted. In June of 2023, during a routine checkup, I was able to walk a whooping 640 meters in 6 minutes, which is one of the longest distances ever recorded at OMC.

Until June 2023, I’d been doing light bodyweight strength training and only moderately intense walking, trying to take it easy on my heart. After two additional BPA interventions during my check-up, my doctors gave the green light for heavy strength training and more intense aerobic exercise.

Return to Racing

I intensified my training for the past five months, and it has certainly paid off. I’m in great shape! I ran three races in the last three weekends—okay, it was more speed walking and hiking than running. But hey, what can you expect after what I’ve been through? I’ve made a lot of progress, and I’m confident I’ll keep improving in the months and years to come—who knows, perhaps my Trail Fantasy will become a reality after all!

This 8 km trail hike was my third challenge after a 15 km cross-country and 10 km road race. In each of these, I finished faster than predicted.

Here is a list of those recent races. Click on the links for details, photos, and videos. Or check out my Strava feed for all my activities.

  1. Oct 29, 2023: PCC15 – UTN 2023, a 15 km cross-country run.
  2. Nov 05, 2023: Suthi Run 2023, a 10 km road race.
  3. Nov 11, 2023: Tulay Trail 8K Hike and Jog, an 8 km trail hike with climbs.

BPA Saved My Life!

I am amazed at all the things I have been able to do since I underwent the BPA treatment. I have achieved so much that I never thought would be possible again. CTEPH was like a death sentence to me. Only BPA could save me. I’m extremely thankful for this treatment and for the individuals who were instrumental in making it a reality.

Blood Oxygen SaturationBlood Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) The oxygen saturation (SpO2) of a person's blood is defined as a percentage of the maximum amount (100%) of oxygen it can transport. A healthy person's SpO2 percentage should be between 96% and 99%. - Source: What is oxygen saturation (SpO2)? What is the normal range for SpO2??. Retrieved 11 November 2022, from ihealthlabs.com

My blood oxygen levels have improved noticeably during exercise. SpO2Blood Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) The oxygen saturation (SpO2) of a person's blood is defined as a percentage of the maximum amount (100%) of oxygen it can transport. A healthy person's SpO2 percentage should be between 96% and 99%. - Source: What is oxygen saturation (SpO2)? What is the normal range for SpO2??. Retrieved 11 November 2022, from ihealthlabs.com still drops to low levels but at much higher exercise intensities and faster speeds than a year ago. My lows are still around 82%, but I hike up hills faster and even run short distances.

I seem to tolerate low blood oxygen levels well, feeling fine even at levels as low as 82% or 84%, with no breathlessness, dizziness, or visual problems. As far as I know, brief periods of hypoxia do not harm my health. If I start feeling dizzy, I will stop immediately.

To Sum Up

A year ago, I was discharged from Okayama Medical Center, Japan, after four rounds of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) interventions—two more in June of this year. My health and energy levels have greatly improved, allowing me to participate in challenging activities such as running races and hiking on trails again. I can’t believe all the things I’ve been able to do since my BPA treatment. BPA has completely turned my life around. I am forever grateful to Dr. Matsubara and others for making it a reality.

Walnut shells and a selfie of Greg.

My Story In A Nutshell

Check out this article summarizing the past ten years of my incredible journey, starting with the strange New Year’s Eve accident in 2013, which triggered my recent health challenges.

Go to My Story in a Nutshell