Hi John. I had a paralyzed left diaphragm. I suffered for many years. I was treated for COPD..asthma for a long time. Until a specialist finally found the problem. Although it being kind of rare the specialist did not perform that type of surgery to correct it. He did some searching & found a doctor for me. I had the surgery about a year & half ago. It has been great! Before the surgery I wasn't able to rush around, climb any sort of upgraded area, or even carry things without being very short of breath. When it got so bad I couldn't make it across a highway on the crosswalk before the light changes over or being able to get into my car & needed to catch my breath before locking my seatbelt I knew I needed to do something because it seemed to be getting worse over the years.
Anyways this amazing doctor did a surgery which now has my right side diaphragm help work my left side lung now. It's great now! I even did some hiking after my recovery.