Mother Shares Urgent Warning After Daughter Diagnosed with Severe Lung Condition Linked to Vaping
A mother from Henderson, Nevada, has shared the harrowing experience of nearly losing her teenage daughter to a serious respiratory condition medically known as bronchiolitis obliterans—more commonly referred to as “popcorn lung.” This rare and irreversible illness, characterized by the formation of scar tissue in the lungs that obstructs airflow, has been associated with the use of vaping products.
Christie Martin recounted the distressing moment she received a phone call from her 17-year-old daughter, Brianne Cullen, who was struggling to breathe after participating in a cheerleading practice despite feeling unwell. Concerned and alarmed by her daughter’s inability to catch her breath, Christie immediately rushed Brianne to the emergency department, where she received oxygen treatment, diagnostic imaging, and medication before the diagnosis was confirmed.
What Christie was unaware of at the time was that Brianne had been secretly using e-cigarettes since the age of 14, purchasing vaping devices regularly over the course of several years. The intense physical exertion of cheerleading practice, combined with a respiratory illness, is believed to have exacerbated the symptoms of the underlying lung condition.
Reflecting on the incident, Christie expressed deep gratitude that her daughter’s athletic activity helped bring the symptoms to light sooner rather than later. “It was cheerleading that ultimately saved her life,” she explained. “The physical demands of the sport, paired with her illness, made it impossible for her to breathe—forcing us to seek immediate medical attention.”
Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors delivered the sobering news that Brianne was suffering from popcorn lung—a condition that can have permanent consequences and, in some cases, prove fatal. While an inhaler was prescribed to assist with her breathing, the long-term prognosis remains uncertain.
Christie admitted the diagnosis left her feeling devastated. “I was overwhelmed in the emergency room. The doctors told us that we were fortunate to catch it early, which gives her a chance for a full recovery,” she said. “Still, the possibility of future complications, including cancer, remains. It made me feel like I had failed as a parent.”
She emphasized the seriousness of the condition, noting that while the effects of traditional smoking may take years to manifest and can sometimes be reversed, popcorn lung results in permanent damage.
The experience served as a turning point for Brianne, who has since stopped vaping. However, Christie is now determined to raise awareness among other parents and caregivers about the dangers of youth vaping. She urged families and communities to take collective action to limit access to these products for minors.
“This should serve as a warning,” Christie stated. “We must come together to prevent children from using e-cigarettes. I hope measures are taken to remove these products from the market. In my view, the risks they pose are even greater than those of smoking.”
