2nd December 2004
My Father In Law has COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (I think???) ... in other words, old fashioned Emphysema with a few complications thrown in for good measure.
He's a fighter .. and that's putting it lightly. I just spoke to his respiratory physician, and said "how much longer do you think we'll have him for?" and the reply was "Well, he shouldn't be here" .. he's defying all odds!!
He's on O2 24/7, On Prednisone, Lasix (fluid tablets), Aldactone (fluid tablets), Mucomyst, ventolin, and loads of other stuff .. he fair rattles and huffs all day.
His feet swelled up quite badly the other day, hence my visit to the respiratory physician, and he just said "up the lasix", but that evening, I rushed FIL to hospital (breathing and stat's fine, just flat and clammy and SICK) and the hospital tipped his bed up so his feet were higher than his hips .. and he pee'd all night long and his feet were almost normal the next morning!
He also has trouble with his sodium and is Co2 retentive. Somehow the two go hand in hand.
Anyway, just dropping in to say Hello .. I've been on the Dementia board with my MIL and issues there, but thought I would drop in here as well. If John (FIL) can survive 18 months (and counting) longer than ever expected, maybe it can help someone here if I talk about our routine.
Hugs & Cheers
Sally
He's a fighter .. and that's putting it lightly. I just spoke to his respiratory physician, and said "how much longer do you think we'll have him for?" and the reply was "Well, he shouldn't be here" .. he's defying all odds!!
He's on O2 24/7, On Prednisone, Lasix (fluid tablets), Aldactone (fluid tablets), Mucomyst, ventolin, and loads of other stuff .. he fair rattles and huffs all day.
His feet swelled up quite badly the other day, hence my visit to the respiratory physician, and he just said "up the lasix", but that evening, I rushed FIL to hospital (breathing and stat's fine, just flat and clammy and SICK) and the hospital tipped his bed up so his feet were higher than his hips .. and he pee'd all night long and his feet were almost normal the next morning!
He also has trouble with his sodium and is Co2 retentive. Somehow the two go hand in hand.
Anyway, just dropping in to say Hello .. I've been on the Dementia board with my MIL and issues there, but thought I would drop in here as well. If John (FIL) can survive 18 months (and counting) longer than ever expected, maybe it can help someone here if I talk about our routine.
Hugs & Cheers
Sally