COPD

[jennyj1979]

Yesterday I received sad news from my fathers Doctor. He advised both my mother and myself that my father could pass at anytime- he said "It could be tomorrow, it could be in a week, or it could be in a month." I have a number of emotions running through me right now. I am an only child and do not have a lot of support. My mother is a mess, and my husband has a really hard time seeing my father because it reminds him of his own father (who died from Lung Cancer ) The good thing is my fathers Doctor called the local hospice program and they are going to start coming to assist us. All I want is for him to be comfortable and pain free. I tried to get into the topic about info about the end stages of COPD and I kept getting an error...

I really want to know what to expect. Currently my father is still able to get up and walk a little... but it takes so much out of him. He wakes up just about everyday gasping for air, and it takes him a good 30 minutes to an hour to catch his breath. He is retaining water even though he takes a water pill. He is not eating as much anymore... I actually physically have to go to there house and make sure he eats when my mother is working. I know these are all normal end of life things, but I am still concerned about what else is going to happen. I really want to prepare myself. So any insight anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[Davy9]

Hospice will be able to assist your Father and the whole family in dealing with the situation. What you describe happening is not unusual in the latter stages of the disease. Patients become more short winded. They walk a fine line with their fluid balance because the heart is stressed by changes in the vasculature in the lungs. Often they seem very withdrawn and unemotional. This is because any emotion, happy or sad makes them short of breath. Ideally he will slip into a coma from retained CO2 and pass peacefully.

Listen to the Hospice personnel and interact as they instruct. Their services are very comprehensive.

I apologize for not responding sooner but I was unable to access your thread until now.

[Jinny]

Hi Jenny, thinking of you.........is he on a vent?

[jennyj1979]

Jinny,

He is not on a vent at this time. Although he has been on one numerous times. I appreciate your kind words. Please know I am thinking of you too. If you ever want to chat my personal email is [moderator note: e-mail address has been removed] I know quite a bit about all of this stuff as I have been dealing with it for almost 10 years now.