What started as a step toward better health became a life-altering nightmare for Loyda Cordero Faliero, a 39-year-old mother from Franklinville, New York. After smoking for over 20 years, she proudly switched to vaping, believing it was the safer choice. But within two years, she collapsed and was rushed to the hospital—her lung had collapsed. Doctors diagnosed her with bullous emphysema, a severe form of COPD, caused by inflamed air pockets in her lungs, one of which had burst.
Loyda’s life changed overnight. Once active and independent, she now sleeps upright and struggles with even basic tasks like cooking or lifting household items. “If I lie flat, I could choke on my own spit,” she explained. Every breath is a painful reminder of the damage done—not by traditional cigarettes, but by constant vaping, which she admits became an all-day habit.
Her doctors believe the illness was triggered by e-cigarettes rather than her past smoking. What was meant to be a healthier choice turned into a devastating health crisis. “I quit thinking it was better,” she said, “but it destroyed me.” Research is increasingly warning that vaping is not just harmless vapor—it’s a cocktail of chemicals that can inflame and damage the lungs, even fatally in some cases.
Now, Loyda is speaking out to prevent others from making the same mistake. “Basically, I’m on my deathbed,” she said. “People need to know this isn’t just flavored steam—it’s dangerous.” Her message is clear: be cautious, ask questions, and don’t assume safer means safe. Sometimes, the road to better health can come with unexpected and irreversible consequences.
