Kentucky Teen’s Collapsed Lungs: Mom’s Urgent Vaping Warning
- A Kentucky mother is issuing an urgent warning after her 17-year-old son experienced two collapsed lungs linked to vaping.
- Cameron Vann, known as Dodge, began vaping two years ago, initially to fit in with his peers at school, but kept the habit concealed from his mother, Crystal...
- The severity of Dodge’s pneumothorax necessitated the surgical insertion of an 18-inch tube into his chest to remove excess air and allow the lung to re-expand.
A Kentucky mother is issuing an urgent warning after her 17-year-old son experienced two collapsed lungs linked to vaping.
Cameron Vann, known as Dodge, began vaping two years ago, initially to fit in with his peers at school, but kept the habit concealed from his mother, Crystal Vann. The situation came to a head in when Dodge returned home from school looking unusually pale and complaining of back pain. A subsequent chest x-ray revealed a pneumothorax – a collapsed lung – affecting 50% of his left lung. This occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall, increasing pressure and causing the lung to collapse.
The severity of Dodge’s pneumothorax necessitated the surgical insertion of an 18-inch tube into his chest to remove excess air and allow the lung to re-expand. Despite this initial medical intervention, Dodge continued to vape in secret.
The situation escalated again in , when Dodge contacted his mother, gasping for breath and experiencing severe pain. “He called me from school the second time and he said, ‘I’m hurting, but I don’t know if it’s my lung or not.’ We went straight to the ER,” Crystal Vann recounted. Doctors warned that Dodge could have died while waiting for treatment.
This time, Dodge’s lung had collapsed again, requiring a more complex surgical procedure called pleurodesis. This procedure involves scraping the lining of the lung and stapling any fluid-filled blisters, known as blebs, to the upper part of the lung, effectively reattaching it to the chest wall.
“He went through a lot. It was horrible. I thought, ‘Why him?’ I feared he was going to die,” Crystal Vann said. She expressed her disapproval of vaping, noting that it began when Dodge’s friends first tried it.
The Rising Prevalence of Vaping and Associated Risks
Dodge’s case highlights a growing public health concern. Approximately 6% of U.S. Adults – roughly 17 million people – currently vape regularly. The highest rates of vaping are observed among young adults aged 18 to 24, with over 15% reporting regular use, according to data from the CDC. Among middle and high school students, approximately 1.6 million vape, although usage has declined since its peak in .
Vaping has often been promoted as a safer alternative to traditional cigarette smoking, which is a well-established cause of lung cancer. However, a growing body of research suggests that vaping is not without its own significant health risks. Studies are increasingly linking vaping to conditions such as high blood pressure and stroke.
Recently, doctors reported the case of a New Jersey man who died from aggressive lung cancer, believed to be the first documented case directly linked to e-cigarette use. Vapes deliver an aerosol created by heating a liquid that typically contains nicotine, flavorings, and a mixture of potentially toxic chemicals.
When inhaled, this vapor introduces harmful substances deep into the lungs, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and other volatile organic compounds known to be carcinogenic. These substances can damage lung tissue, leading to DNA mutations and inflammation, which can increase the risk of cancer over time.
Dodge’s Recovery and a Mother’s Plea
Dodge has since quit vaping “cold turkey,” but continues to experience lingering pain in his left side, which worsens with movement or even speech. “After the surgery the nerves are dead,” he explained. “Even putting on a shirt feels awful when touching it. Talking vibrates it sometimes, and it hurts so much. I get stabbing pains in my side and can’t go to school.” He also reports experiencing nightmares related to his ordeal.
A GoFundMe page has been established to help cover Dodge’s medical expenses. His mother emphasizes the emotional toll the experience has taken on her son. “He’s so little. It hurts in his back, and he does not want to go to sleep because it hurts when he wakes up. He’s such a kind and passionate kid with a big heart for others, so seeing him in pain is incredibly hard for me as his mom. He’s been so brave, but he’s also scared, asking me if his lung might collapse again while he sleeps.”
Crystal Vann is now advocating for stricter regulations on the sale of vaping products, urging young people to avoid vaping altogether. “I say ban on all vapes,” she stated. “I don’t want another kid going through it. Don’t do it just to be cool.”
This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with vaping, particularly for adolescents and young adults. While research continues to unfold, the evidence increasingly suggests that vaping is not a harmless habit and can have serious, even life-threatening, consequences.