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M-I-L has emphysema

Posted , 3 users are following.

net71577
net71577

If she has been stage 4 for 4-5 years (as she states, do not believe it is accurate--long story) would she need oxygen 24/7?  And would she be able to go for walks and climb stairs with little problem?  I have a hard time believing she is stage 4 as I have seen a family member with stage 4 and it was a horrible thing to watch, struggling to breath, etc. and what is life expectancy for someone with stage 4?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • jude65855
    jude65855 net71577

    Posted

    Anyone with COPD at any stage  and who can climb stairs with little problem is VERY lucky - maybe she's exaggerating or has misunderstood the doctors?

    Re your last question, how long is a piece of string?   Obviously it would depend on when the person was diagnosed as being Stage 4, 

    But why does it matter to you?  

  • net71577
    net71577

    Posted

    She told everyone she was diagnosed with stage 4 and She told her hubby 4 years ago doc said she had 6 mos to live, and we found out from her doc (her daughter called and spoke to doc, before my M-I-L took her off the list of people who the doc can discuss her illness with) that that wasn't true, and stages were never discussed.  From what I understand stage 4 is end stage.  It matters to me because she lives with us and since she is not being truthful with us, I want as much information on this as I can so we can assist her, it's hard to do that when she won't let anyone talk to the doc and expects everyone to take her word, which is not always the truth.
    • jude65855
      jude65855 net71577

      Posted

      What a difficult situation for you!    I'd be more concerned about the fact that she's obviously a liar, probably for attention seeking reasons.

      I guess you just have to take anything she tells you about her health (or maybe everything?) with a big grain of salt and if she wants your assistance I'd be telling her she has to let you get the appropriate information from her doctor ........ if she objects to this maybe it's time to point out that she's already exaggerated the severity of her condition?

    • julia14760
      julia14760 net71577

      Posted

      Hi I have had copd for about 10 years now, I'm on oxygen24/7 I can only walk a few yards without being breathless, I can't walk upstairs at all, I need a wheelchair most times, I can do very little at all but I've never been told what stage I'm in. Other than my lungs I'm fine. Maybe this lady is attention seeking and may need help with this rather than her copd. 
  • DawnDedee
    DawnDedee net71577

    Posted

    Hi net71577,

    She truly might not understand what is being said to her and perhaps someone could go with her when she goes to the doctor? That surely would clear things up. Here in the USA, our privacy laws allow no one else to gain information about a patient unless the patient gives permission.

    Other than that thought, I wanted to share that I have a low lung function of 30% now for about 30 years and it is of course severe and in all this time no professional has ever spoken to me about stages.

    I take my wonderfully effective medications and unless I have an exacerbation, I too can walk upstairs without becoming breathless and I can take walks and I do not require oxygen. My lung function studies show very little decline over the last 15 year's and I should be blue but I am not.

    So not everyone with COPD appears alike. I am certainly one of the exceptions.

    Hope you obtain the truthful whole picture.

    💛 Dawn, USA

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