Fran’s life has always been about staying active—whether that meant working long hours as a real estate broker or caring for her horses. But for Fran, something as basic as breathing became an increasingly difficult challenge due to COPD, a condition that gradually tightened its grip on her ability to live her life fully.
“I couldn’t make it up any of the stairs,” Fran remembers, reflecting on a moment when her job, which often involved inspecting large properties, became a daunting task. One particular job, inspecting a 10,000-square-foot property, was a breaking point. With three flights of stairs ahead, Fran found herself unable to catch her breath, stopping frequently to regain some air.
“Literally, I’m stopping because I can’t breathe,” she said. At that moment, she realized her condition was no longer something she could simply push through. COPD was taking a toll, and Fran feared it might end her career in real estate.
Outside of work, Fran found peace and relaxation in her lifelong hobby—riding horses. But even this had become a struggle. As a long-time rider and owner of two thoroughbred horses, Fran found herself needing her rescue inhaler frequently. “I might have to use a rescue inhaler three or four times to clean all four of his feet. It puts you kind of in a panic mode to tell you the truth,” she recalled. The idea of continuing to ride while battling shortness of breath became increasingly concerning, and she even wondered if she should give it up altogether.
But then, Fran began researching COPD more seriously. It was during this research that she came across a clinical trial opportunity from Care Access.
The Care Access team took the time to answer all her questions about the clinical trial, the investigational medicine being studied, and the steps being taken to ensure her safety. “They answered all my questions completely about the study, the study drug, and all the precautions they are taking to track your health while you’re taking it. I’m just amazed by the level of care,” said Fran, reflecting on her experience as a study participant.
Looking back, Fran feels proud of the decision she made to enroll in a clinical trial. She has returned to riding horses with a renewed sense of hope and recognition that, even in the face of illness, there is potential for progress.