My dad is in end stages of emphysema. What can I expect from his last days, week!
Question: My dad is in end stages of emphysema!. What can I expect from his last days, weeks on this earth!?
He is on oxygen now 24/7, and is quite poorly!. I know that he won't have long, but can anyone tell me how long people last when they get to this stage!. I know that it is morbid, but I am terrified about him suffering and dying gasping for his breath!. I need to try and prepare myself, and is this how he is likely to pass!. Any information would be a great help, I am going through such turmoil at the moment!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
How old is your father!? He may be able to have a lung reduction or even a transplant!.I was 45 and had a transplant!. I was at end stage and had less then a year when it was diagnosed!.I was called once but the lung was in bad shape!. The second call, it was OK and all went well!.I sat up to sleep because you can not lay down without smothering!.I spent lots of time in the hospital!.Weeks and months at a time!.It was very scary because you are fighting for oxygen!.If his heart is strong, he will probably die like this!. His heart may give out on him first though!.Keep EVERYONE away from him that is smoking!. Just smelling the smoke ON someone can cause him problems!.His may have been caused by something else but cigerette smoke only makes it worse for him!.If you have carpeting, get rid of it!.It holds dust and that makes it worse for him!.Get rid of anything that holds dust!! Talk to him!. A Living Will and Power of Attorney are very important!.I kept a small fan on me at all times because just to feel the moving air made it more comfortable!.Hopefully he will have someone with him about all the time!.Keep cool water for him close by because he will feel like his throat and chest are drying out and sticking together because he can't pull the air in!.His lungs are like stretched out ballons,They have no elasticity and don't want to work!.If you can try not to let him know you are scared, it is better for him!.It is going to be hard on him and you but all you can do is be there and pray for Gods help!.Make sure he takes his medicine exactly like his Doctor says!. Keep his breathing treatments spaced like the Doc says because if he takes them any closer then 4 hours very often, they will get so they don't really help!.I wouldn't advise it for him but I would get Ammonia and take a tiny breath of it sometimes because it felt like it helped!. Never a big breath!!! That stuff can hurt you!.Keep a potty chair close to his seat because he will lose the ability to walk to the bathroom!. Even a bottle to urinate in!.Hot Coffee helps cut the mucus so he can breath better!.Your Doctor should be able to give you lots of pointers to make it easier for him!.If you want to, EMail me and I will try to help you more!. Good Luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I hear you!. Unfortunately, there's no real knowing how much longer he may have!. My dad survived for around 2 years after being dependent on oxygen almost 24/7!. You will probably see him slowly deteriorating with difficulty breathing and getting weaker with it!. Gradual loss of appetite as well!.
All you can do is be there for him, but you will always find support and more specific information from your GP!.
(My dad passed away through complications caused by emphysema, not emphysema itself)Www@Answer-Health@Com
All you can do is be there for him, but you will always find support and more specific information from your GP!.
(My dad passed away through complications caused by emphysema, not emphysema itself)Www@Answer-Health@Com
I am so sorry to read your sad story!. There is no way to know how long your father will last - probably much longer than you think!. To get the kind of information that you need, talk to his physician and, if there is one in your area, talk to the wonderful folks at Hospice!. Tell your father's physician that you don't want' your father to suffer and ask what (s)he will do when the end is near to make sure that your father doesn't suffer!. Does your father have a living will!? That's a document, which he has to sign when he is fully conscious and aware, that states that he doesn't want any so-called heroic measures taken to keep him alive!.
Now is the time to tell your father how much you love him and to make an effort to spare him any extra worry!. Be kind to yourself too - you need your strength because the next few months will be hard on you, no matter what happens!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Now is the time to tell your father how much you love him and to make an effort to spare him any extra worry!. Be kind to yourself too - you need your strength because the next few months will be hard on you, no matter what happens!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
If he's in hospital, or a home, talk to the staff - they'll know what to expect!. If he's at home talk to his GP!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I am afraid i do not have the answers you are looking for, but i just wanted to say i am thinking of you at this difficult time and can only imagine the turmoil you are going through!. You sound like you are being very strong and i hope you are surrounded by friends and family who can all lean on each other for support!. It is natural that you are worried about the last stages and i would talk to your doctor or the person who has been dealing with you father as they will be able to give you the most reliable information as to how long he has left and what to expect!. They will hopefully be able to prepare you somewhat, although i am not sure if you can ever really be prepared for something suh as this!. Have faith that your father will not suffer anymore when it is over!. He is lucky to have someone who cares as much as you do!.
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