Is there anything we can do

[LD50]

my dad is 83 yrs old, has emphysema, copd everything...hes on ox, however he still struggles to breathe, won't allow anyone to go into the doctors office with him ! I know he is in stage 4, how long does that last? its been like this for a couple of years, he has difficulty even walking across the room and says that its a task to urinate. is there anything we can do as a family to make him more comfortable?

[MrsPinas]

I understand how you feel regarding your father's health. My husband is also in the final stage of COPD. He like your father can not walk to the bathroom, bathe, or talk without getting out of breath. Now, my husband does not want O2 because he feels it's the end. Now, it's hard to say how long he will be in his current stage. I was on the John Hopkin's Medical web site. They go by the FEV1 number's. You can call his doctor's explain to him, that you feel your father is not being honest about his condition. Have a list of question's ready for the doctor. When I spoke my husband's doctor about his illness. My husband wasn't being honest with me. He told me that his illness has progressed quicker than he has seen before. He only has 1 1/2 to live. It is hard to swallow when you know that your loved ones has a time limit on their life. The only thing you can do for your father is to assist him, whenever possible. That is the only thing we can do. It's hard to watch them suffer. Let him know you are there for him and you love him..Keep in touch.