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Uncle has stage 4

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cindymarie50
cindymarie50

My uncle has stage 4 and was told he does have too much time. WHATS that suppose to me is what he asked but got no answer he smokes a pack a day and is on oxygen 24/7 and prednisone steroid. How long can you live like this does anyone know that answer? Thanks

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Linz29
    Linz29 cindymarie50

    Posted

    Hi Cindy

    No one has ever mentioned a stage to my husband, or where he is at and I don't think he had considered the future. He does do a fair bit of walking, but so much of his day is spent coughing it's a miserable existence!

    We are going to lay our cards on the table at the doctors tomorrow and see what happens.

    Sorry about your uncle. I hope you get some answers.

  • brenda62546
    brenda62546 cindymarie50

    Posted

    Cindy, I think it depends on the individual and how they take care of themselves. Cigarette smoking can make the disease progress faster too, so probably best if he could start by quitting somehow. I use to smoke and had to quit cold turkey, but I did do it. I hear the progression slows way down if we quit smoking.

    Also, walking, even if he can't walk very far, just walk and sit, repeat again by walking and sitting, do it again and again, for about ten (or more if he can) minutes per day, and build up more minutes daily, but over time...this will build up his lungs and respiratory muscles and make him stronger, but strength will happen over time. He will feel much better too if he walks as much possible.

    If he sits all day, and is not active, then he needs to do something, or he will eventually get very weak. We have to keep strong by at least walking. I substitute walking in one place (in front of a chair) for about five minutes at a time, as like a treadmill machine..lol. 

    I hope I have helped, and please take care!

    • brenda62546
      brenda62546

      Posted

      Cindymarie, I know it is difficult having stage 4 COPD, but that is just a stage. Many people can live many more years, if they exercise, be more active, have good nutrition, take vitamens, perform pursed lip breathing exercises, and quit smoking. Many people in stage 4 can live more years than predicted, if they take care of it. I hope this helps!
  • hypercat
    hypercat cindymarie50

    Posted

    Hi Cindy I am sorry to hear about your uncle.  I have known people live in end stage copd for several years but it looks like he is very advanced.  Is he receiving any type of palliative care?   He should be if he has had this diagnosis.

    To be honest I don't see the point in him packing in the ciggies now,  the time it would have really helped would have been earlier in his disease.   People who stop can aggravate their symptoms in the short term but will benefit longer term.   But at his stage it might do more harm than good.   I   

    am not advocating smoking but the time to give up is earlier in the illness really. x

     

    • brenda62546
      brenda62546 hypercat

      Posted

      I am not sure about not quitting smoking, because even though you can’t reverse the damage that’s already been done to the lungs; you can still protect them from more further damage.

      And Cigarette smoking not only will cause more damage to the lungs, but will possibly cause COPD to progress too.

      Not quitting can also cause Cancer. The cancer rate is higher with people who have COPD, so cigarettes aggravate Lung Cancer possibilities. My Aunt got Lung Cancer during her late stage of COPD, and she was a smoker. She wished that she had quit, because her Lung cancer was not a very pleasant thing to go through.

      Quitting cigarette smoking promotes longer lives during this stage. The aggravation of quitting cigarettes is with all people, weather COPD or no COPD. It is one of the most important things for someone to quit smoking, especially if they already have damaged lungs. 

    • hypercat
      hypercat brenda62546

      Posted

      Hi Brenda normally I would agree with you as I would never advocate not giving up smoking with lung disease.  I will send you a pm to explain what I said as don't want to put it on here.  Bev x

       

    • brenda62546
      brenda62546 hypercat

      Posted

      Hypercat, I truly know you are not advocating not quitting smoking. Thank you for sending me your pm too! x
    • brenda62546
      brenda62546 cindymarie50

      Posted

      Thank you Cindymarie, so sorry to hear that your Uncle has little time, but I am hoping that possibly he can improve too. Anything is possible! xo
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