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Is there anything we can do

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?
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518117 tn?1429276273
My heart breaks for both you all. My family has been hit hard by lung disease. Lost my mother 3 yrs. ago to pulmonary fibrosis. Very deadly lung disease that yet has no meds to slow the disease. My momma was bedridden the last 3 yrs. of her life. It was heartbreaking, as she once was very active. I helped care for my Momma for some months. Even going to the bathroom was terrible for her. I assisted her many times. Hospice was eventually called in. They were wonderful to my Mother. We thought we had received a miracle, as Momma was approved for lung transplant. She did receive a lung transplant, but it rejected and 4 mths. later she passed away. Momma never left the hospital the 4 mths. with the new lungs. She was home a total of 2 days only.

Few years before that, my Mother's only sibling a brother was in end stage COPD. He also had congestive heart failure. The doctor's gave him 18 months to 3 yrs. to live. My uncle lived over 8 yrs. My aunt his wife took wonderful care of my uncle. Plus, my uncle did exactly as the doctors advised him to do.

LD50 and MrsPinas, you all are doing the correct things in helping your loved ones. It is so touching to me, that you all care so much, for your loved ones that are now ill. Just spend as much time as you can with them. It is a terrible thing to watch a loved one dying with lung disease. I have been there.

bobbielu, it is a wonderful friend you have that is helping you. That is a true friend. Shame on your daughters though. They will later have to live with not giving you their Mother the proper attention and time. My heart truly broke when I read your post. Barbara, if you need another friend during this time, then I am more than willing to correspond with you.

Now, my 50 yr. old brother and me who is 53 have COPD. We are in the moderate stage. Me and my brother are not severe yet, but we know that time is coming. Many times several of my grown children blow off that I have lung disease. God only knows who will care for me, when I become bedridden and can't go to the bathroom as well. I also have my oldest son that is 31, that was recently diagnosed in the mild stage of COPD as well. We did get a second opinion. COPD is no longer an older person's disease.

I will pray for all of you. Such touching and heartfelt posts. I am doing okay with my lung disease so far. I though have times, where I know what it feels like to lose your breath. It is very scary. Just love your loved ones and be there for them. That is the best gift you can ever give them. And Barbara once again, I am most willing to be here for you. God Bless each of you and just God love you all.  Linda
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Avatar universal
i have the dease. dr said it was because i smoked for years.   i can,t breath ,get out of breath  just going to the dining room, so i just stay in bed   a friend gets my meals and brings them to my bed.   i have  breathing mechine. oxigen , the puffers ,   i take several medicines. some days i cant get up to go tatg bath room,   im 74 years old have always been active,  i go for my check  up and dr, tell me my  lungs are clear. yes its because i  have the breathing treatments . blow my head out   before i go ,   i fell im dying .  little  by little . , my daughters dont seem to think much about it   ,or dont care ,  so what am i to do,  [just die in peace,  ]? my name  is barbara ,
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806006 tn?1241108702
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.
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