Mom has COPD and Emphysema?

Question

Im not sure what stage she is in has to be the final tho. She has 26% of her lungs and 11% airway left. The curse of smoking most of her life. BTW she still does smoke. Those of you that doo smoke .... she smokes the cowboy killers. Those of you that dont it is a harsh cig. The doctor has her on antibotics and nything else you can think of. I can she she is in pain and it kills me. Does anyone know anyone with this problem ?? the big question is HOW MUCH LONGER?? :(

ok she is unable to see the doctor to often she really cant afford her scrips she needs to get by and she has told me the doc wants her on Oxygen but she just cant afford it. i would love to do more but i have my own bills also.

Answer 1

I understand about taking care of Mom, my mom is 84 years old and refuses to move in with any of her kids.

Anyway back to your Mom. With the numbers that you are giving, she has some serious lung disease. She should be able to get medicaid and that should pay for her oxygen. She would have to qualify for the oxygen and if she has, it means that she has a sustained low blood oxygen levels. This puts her in increased danger for stroke and heart attack. She really needs to quit smoking. Whereas, I can say that, it really has to be her decision. She will end up in the hospital on some sort of oxygen which may or may not include life support (depending on her living will).

COPD is a terrible illness. Emphysema is part of COPD. Gasping for air is a very horrible thing to go through and just as horrible for you to have to witness your mom going through it. There is a lot of information online that can tell you all of the scientific things about it, there are some ebooks out that word it so that even the guy next door with no education can understand it.

Her face will not explode if she smokes with her O2 on. However, everything will burn so much faster and she will have third degree burns on her face. If she inhales, she can burn her airways and her lungs and then there will be nothing that anyone can do.
Good Luck with Mom. It is very hard...I know it

Answer 2

COPD is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and it can include chronic and severe asthma, bronchitis and emphysema, or a combinations of more than one of these. Your mom may qualify for disability and be able to get medicare and social security benefits, or medicaid in the state where you live. There are investigational treatments which don't cost the patient anything, and there is funding available through the American Lung Association, which you may want to contact. If she has been hospitalized, you should have access to a social worker who can help you. There are also compassionate programs with most pharmaceutical companies that can help with drug costs. Finally, you need to have a frank discussion with her doctor about her finances and resources so that he or she can assist you. Please don't be afraid to ask for help/

Answer 3

The only person that can answer that question would be the Lord. I work in hospice and people's body get use to functioning at a certain level so it can be weeks, months, or years depending on how fast the disease is progressing. Most hospices are not for profit so regardless if you can not pay for the service there may be other resources to help cover the cost including community help and other government benefits such as medicare. Talk to your mother's doctor and talk to your local hospice care program. They can usually lead you in the right direction.

Answer 4

She can live a very long life but may need to be on oxygen and certain medications for the rest of her life. She really needs to quit smoking and make sure she DOES NOT smoke w/ O2 on or her face will explode. She needs flu shots and needs to keep up with pneumonia vaccine because her immune system is low. Just try and be supportive the best way you can- good luck!

Answer 5

I can't answer how much longer...I doubt anyone really can. However, if you contact Hospice...they have a handout on the stages of dying and what to look for to know if Death is imminent.

Hospice, if she is going to pass at home is a wonderful organization and I would recommend them in a heartbeat.

Answer 6

no one has a crystal ball to tell you how much longer...it's rough to see a loved one go thru the dieing process tho. If her doctor agrees she is in the terminal stages, he can prescribe a great many medicines to make her more comfortable, or you can have her admitted to a hospice for end of life care.

Answer 7

there is help out there for you and your mom! call the hospital where she has been treated and ask them to ( i am so sorry) tell you where the nearest hospice place is they will help her, my mom had the same thing!