Thanks very much for this information. I read something too about an implant to stimulate the diaphragm that sounded like a heart pacemaker. My Sniff test seemed to indicate the phenal? nerve wasn't working at all, so I don't think those things would be an option for me. In addition to a followup with my thoracic surgeon to get his thoughts on ways other than surgery to deal with this and ask him to prescribe respiration therapy, I made an appointment to see an acupuncturist who practices Chinese medicine and teaches tai chi. I assume knows about gigong. I've gotten several good tips from these posts on resources for breathing exercises. Thanks again. Nancy