Patient Testimonials
11/18/2009
I am pleased to discover, to my amazement, that
Sonora Lung C.A.R.E. has a plan and program to
improve my quality of life, implementing breathing
techniques and exercises. Esther has the ability to
explain these techniques with great patience to
encourage compliance. I’m breathing better, exercising
more and have gained the ability to go up and down
stairs, which for years now I have been unable to
navigate. She is an excellent teacher!
Elizabeth Kearny
Green Valley, AZ
Age 92
I am pleased to discover, to my amazement, that
Sonora Lung C.A.R.E. has a plan and program to
improve my quality of life, implementing breathing
techniques and exercises. Esther has the ability to
explain these techniques with great patience to
encourage compliance. I’m breathing better, exercising
more and have gained the ability to go up and down
stairs, which for years now I have been unable to
navigate. She is an excellent teacher!
Elizabeth Kearny
Green Valley, AZ
Age 92
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William S. Easman, Jr.
April 11, 2009
To Persons Looking for a wonderful Pulmonary Therapist: Esther Szmutni
I have been a seasonal visitor to Green Valley (March and part of April) for the past 7 years. My
wife and I come to play golf and enjoy the dry, warm weather. I have had a COPD diagnosis for
about 10 years and, no doubt, the weather here helps.
This year, I got lucky. My wife dragged me to a Craft Fair and, upon entering, she was told by a
departing shopper to be sure to visit Esther Szmutni's jewelry display. She found Esther and
admired her handiwork and then somehow Esther mentioned that her primary activity and first
love, was being a Pulmonary Therapist. My wife immediately hollered for me and when I arrived,
she enjoyed watching my jaw drop when she said that Esther was a Pulmonary Therapist. I had
been looking for one at home, without luck.
Esther seemed to know what I was looking for. We made an appointment. It was a real
eye-opener for me. I am now very encouraged -¬learning (and believing) that good breathing
exercises -- properly taught and practiced -- can substantially improve quality of life.
We have had 4 sessions, each one about an hour and 20 minutes. I have taken notes (which I
will type up) and Esther has given me several personally written handouts to reinforce her
teachings. Her
Teaching/consulting style is straight talk with compassion, humor and sincerity. She has a
passion for helping folks like me who seek to maintain and improve functionality.
My sessions with Esther were one-on-one, but I think that she would also be able to motivate
several persons at once in small groups. Why?? Because she has presence, she cares more
about you than about herself. She wants you to win.
Sincerely,
April 11, 2009
To Persons Looking for a wonderful Pulmonary Therapist: Esther Szmutni
I have been a seasonal visitor to Green Valley (March and part of April) for the past 7 years. My
wife and I come to play golf and enjoy the dry, warm weather. I have had a COPD diagnosis for
about 10 years and, no doubt, the weather here helps.
This year, I got lucky. My wife dragged me to a Craft Fair and, upon entering, she was told by a
departing shopper to be sure to visit Esther Szmutni's jewelry display. She found Esther and
admired her handiwork and then somehow Esther mentioned that her primary activity and first
love, was being a Pulmonary Therapist. My wife immediately hollered for me and when I arrived,
she enjoyed watching my jaw drop when she said that Esther was a Pulmonary Therapist. I had
been looking for one at home, without luck.
Esther seemed to know what I was looking for. We made an appointment. It was a real
eye-opener for me. I am now very encouraged -¬learning (and believing) that good breathing
exercises -- properly taught and practiced -- can substantially improve quality of life.
We have had 4 sessions, each one about an hour and 20 minutes. I have taken notes (which I
will type up) and Esther has given me several personally written handouts to reinforce her
teachings. Her
Teaching/consulting style is straight talk with compassion, humor and sincerity. She has a
passion for helping folks like me who seek to maintain and improve functionality.
My sessions with Esther were one-on-one, but I think that she would also be able to motivate
several persons at once in small groups. Why?? Because she has presence, she cares more
about you than about herself. She wants you to win.
Sincerely,
12/10/2009
I'd like to Add my 2 cents worth to the other testimonials concerning
Esther. She is a warm and caring person, but one who is willing to
push a grumpy or lazy client a bit to get results. The program is
personalized to client's needs and abilities. I particularly like what one
of the other patients said about her. "She cares more about you than
about herself. She wants you to win"
Bill Gaynor
Green Valley, AZ
I'd like to Add my 2 cents worth to the other testimonials concerning
Esther. She is a warm and caring person, but one who is willing to
push a grumpy or lazy client a bit to get results. The program is
personalized to client's needs and abilities. I particularly like what one
of the other patients said about her. "She cares more about you than
about herself. She wants you to win"
Bill Gaynor
Green Valley, AZ
12/05/2010
One year ago I was diagnosed with COPD and put on
oxygen at 2 l/min and left to work out living with the
disease on my own. Having spent eight years at University,
I thought no problem – just educate myself and all will be
well. Certainly there was a great deal that I learned after
ten months I found myself not managing the disease very
well on my own. I knew that I needed help.
In reading about COPD one statement was always made
‘get yourself to pulmonary rehabilitation’ I finally decided
that I had to find some help to manage my disease.
I looked at the programs available in and near Tucson and
decided to try Sonora Long Care in Green Valley. The
main impetus for choosing Green Valley was the
experience and qualifications of Esther Szmutni the
respiratory therapist and COPD specialist at Sonora Lung
Care.
After an initial visit with Esther I decided to participate in
her eight week program. I have not been disappointed with
that choice. Esther is a knowledgeable teacher coach and
that is what a person with COPD needs. She has a wealth
of experience in Respiratory Therapy and most importantly
how it relates to COPD.
The program is not going to cure your disease – there is
no cure – but it will help you make the best with what you
have. Esther’s program is for you if you want to work to
help yourself and accept the guidance and coaching that
she will give you. I have completed the program and
remain a maintenance patient of Esther’s.
Matt Rodman
Tucson, Arizona
One year ago I was diagnosed with COPD and put on
oxygen at 2 l/min and left to work out living with the
disease on my own. Having spent eight years at University,
I thought no problem – just educate myself and all will be
well. Certainly there was a great deal that I learned after
ten months I found myself not managing the disease very
well on my own. I knew that I needed help.
In reading about COPD one statement was always made
‘get yourself to pulmonary rehabilitation’ I finally decided
that I had to find some help to manage my disease.
I looked at the programs available in and near Tucson and
decided to try Sonora Long Care in Green Valley. The
main impetus for choosing Green Valley was the
experience and qualifications of Esther Szmutni the
respiratory therapist and COPD specialist at Sonora Lung
Care.
After an initial visit with Esther I decided to participate in
her eight week program. I have not been disappointed with
that choice. Esther is a knowledgeable teacher coach and
that is what a person with COPD needs. She has a wealth
of experience in Respiratory Therapy and most importantly
how it relates to COPD.
The program is not going to cure your disease – there is
no cure – but it will help you make the best with what you
have. Esther’s program is for you if you want to work to
help yourself and accept the guidance and coaching that
she will give you. I have completed the program and
remain a maintenance patient of Esther’s.
Matt Rodman
Tucson, Arizona
November 16, 2010
To whom it may concern:
Esther Szmutni of Sonora Lung Care located in Green Valley Village is
my wife’s COPD CARE therapist. She has been a god-send.
May (my wife) completed a thorough basic lung care program and is now
on a long term maintenance program with Esther. We also attend her by-
weekly group therapy meetings. This woman is not only extremely
experienced and competent, she deeply cares about her patients. She
often takes the initiative to stay in touch and has become a vital team
member in May’s battle with trying to breathe.
Periodic visits with Esther are a must for May. Esther not only insists that
May continue (or return to) the basics of a therapeutic program of
breathing, she provides inspiration that really helps to recharge May’s
psychological battery. We are indeed fortunate to have Esther on our
team!
May and David Clark
Sahuarita, AZ
To whom it may concern:
Esther Szmutni of Sonora Lung Care located in Green Valley Village is
my wife’s COPD CARE therapist. She has been a god-send.
May (my wife) completed a thorough basic lung care program and is now
on a long term maintenance program with Esther. We also attend her by-
weekly group therapy meetings. This woman is not only extremely
experienced and competent, she deeply cares about her patients. She
often takes the initiative to stay in touch and has become a vital team
member in May’s battle with trying to breathe.
Periodic visits with Esther are a must for May. Esther not only insists that
May continue (or return to) the basics of a therapeutic program of
breathing, she provides inspiration that really helps to recharge May’s
psychological battery. We are indeed fortunate to have Esther on our
team!
May and David Clark
Sahuarita, AZ
BJORN AND PEGGY BONTHRON
Green Valley, AZ 85614 December 14, 2010
Dr Esther Szmutni
101 S. La Canada, Green Valley AZ 85614 Suite 36-2
Dear Dr. Szmutni:
Peggy and I wish you and your husband a Wonderful Christmas and a
Happy New Year!
We also want to take a moment and let you know how much we respect
you. When 1 contacted you late last year (2009), 1 was in a desperate
need to find a doctor that would take the time to care about my condition. I
had already seen three doctors about my deteriorating lung condition. You
took the time to evaluate my condition and steered me to the specialist,
who along with you, came to the diagnosis that saved my life. It took time,
as you predicted, but I am now feeling so much better that I may have a
chance to enjoy a few more years. In today's world, you have to search
long and hard, to find a doctor that truly cares about each patient. You are
one of those doctors and we so appreciate that.
Have a wonderful holiday season with your family.
Best regards,
Bjorn Gunnar Bonthron
Green Valley, AZ 85614 December 14, 2010
Dr Esther Szmutni
101 S. La Canada, Green Valley AZ 85614 Suite 36-2
Dear Dr. Szmutni:
Peggy and I wish you and your husband a Wonderful Christmas and a
Happy New Year!
We also want to take a moment and let you know how much we respect
you. When 1 contacted you late last year (2009), 1 was in a desperate
need to find a doctor that would take the time to care about my condition. I
had already seen three doctors about my deteriorating lung condition. You
took the time to evaluate my condition and steered me to the specialist,
who along with you, came to the diagnosis that saved my life. It took time,
as you predicted, but I am now feeling so much better that I may have a
chance to enjoy a few more years. In today's world, you have to search
long and hard, to find a doctor that truly cares about each patient. You are
one of those doctors and we so appreciate that.
Have a wonderful holiday season with your family.
Best regards,
Bjorn Gunnar Bonthron
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