Megan’s Story: Breathing Easier with Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Megan Perkowski was born a fighter.

Since being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect as an infant, Megan has faced numerous surgeries and hospitalizations throughout her life. Over the years, scar tissue built up, restricting blood flow to her left lung, ultimately leaving it permanently nonfunctional - what she describes as “like a deflated balloon.”

Severe scoliosis further restricts Megan’s lung expansion, making every breath even more of a challenge for the 41-year-old.

Though she’s faced numerous medical setbacks and hospitalizations in recent years, Megan credits Gaylord’s outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation with greatly improving her endurance and helping to prevent “further declines.”

“This program has been a lifeline,” she says. “It makes breathing easier so I can do more with my family and friends. I don’t get tired quite as easily.”

Megan recalled returning to Gaylord’s pulmonary rehabilitation shortly after a six-week hospitalization due to a flare-up of bronchiectasis, a chronic condition that widens the airways and causes excess production of mucus. The outpatient program, she says, quickly helped her regain strength and mobility.

“It didn’t take long to start feeling like myself again. That’s what pulmonary rehab does. It builds you up and gets you there.”

More Than Exercise

Offered on Gaylord’s Wallingford campus, the outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program is designed to help individuals with chronic lung conditions regain independence, reduce shortness of breath, and improve overall quality of life.

“Pulmonary rehab isn’t just about building endurance,” says Susan Meyer, RT, one of two respiratory care specialists who run the outpatient program. “It’s about equipping patients with the tools and knowledge to manage their condition and maintain their well-being.”

The eight-week outpatient program blends supervised physical activity with education on breathing techniques, oxygen therapy, stress management, and daily activity strategies.

A Community of Support

Megan, who participated in the outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program multiple times, now participates in Gaylord’s Pulmonary Rehab Alumni Program, a twice-weekly class where former patients can continue to exercise in a supervised setting.

For Megan and many others, including her friend and long-time fellow Alumni Program member Spencer, pulmonary rehab is about more than just physical improvement. It’s about connection.

“If I don’t have this to come to, I’m lost,” Spencer says. “We enjoy each other. It’s a whole other world here, and it keeps me motivated.”

Megan agrees.

“I’ve improved every time I’ve come here, but beyond that, I have people here I love to talk to. It’s a supportive community that’s helped my mental health immensely.”

“And it’s not like my other medical appointments,” she laughs. “I actually look forward to coming to this one!”