Pulmonary rehab: Exercise program for those with lung illnesses |

Pulmonary rehabilitation is an exercise program that also offers counseling, education and encouragement for patients with pulmonary illness. The most common illnesses are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension.

“Oftentimes these patients come in very debilitated,” said Lori Helke, registered nurse in the pulmonary rehab department at Marshfield Medical Center-Weston. “We assess and guide them through an exercise program. Over time they become stronger, and with that strength, they’re able to breathe better.”

Exercises are closely monitored by experts, who are constantly keeping an eye on each patient’s heart rate, heart rhythm, blood pressure and oxygen levels. A pulmonary rehab program typically lasts for several months and results are easy to see.

“A lot of (patients) initially come in using assistive devices like a wheelchair or walker,” said Tammy Sternitzky, respiratory therapist at the Weston Hospital. “At the end they’re walking around on their own, and maybe without oxygen like they were in the beginning. It’s amazing to point those things out to them.”

One of those success stories belongs to Corinne Krzmarcik of Mosinee, WI. She needed pulmonary rehab to get stronger for surgery on an aortic aneurysm. Krzmarcik remembers the motivation the Weston hospital team members gave her.

“They’re so friendly and loving,” said Krzmarcik. “If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have had my surgery.”

Jim Behrendt, of Merrill, WI, shares similar sentiment. In 2017, he was diagnosed with a lung condition and given 2-5 years to live. Behrendt went through pulmonary rehab before and after receiving a lung transplant.

“It’s family here,” Behrendt said. “They just have a way of welcoming and bringing out the best in everyone.”

Watch the following video to learn more about Krzmarcik and Behrendt’s stories, and the pulmonary rehab programs at Marshfield Clinic Health System.