Start A Careful Exercise Program/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program(Your muscles will become more efficient so they won't use as much oxygen and if you have surgery you will likely recover quicker as well)
Diagnosed 9 years ago with alpha1 and thought "Oh, it's just like diabetes...you just manage it." Six years ago shortly after turning forty I got what I call "That hit by a freight train letter!" It said I had lost a projected 12% of my lung function in two and three quarters of a year. I was now down to a projected lung function of 47%. It also said the augmentation therapy I wasn't supposed to have to start I would need to start. I spent a little over five months absorbing the shock of it and decided I didn't want to be a victim and it was up to me if I wanted to change the outcome of my future as a ZZ alpha1. Thus became the start of my lifestyle changing journey.