My father-in-law has had COPD for about 7 yrs. Won't quit smoking. Won't use Oxygen.?

Question

He is back and forth in the hospital and overdoes it all the time. He can barely walk and barely breath. What can we expect? We can't make him do what's right but would like to know what's going to happen in the months to come. He cannot at any time breath normally and I have a 7 year old daughter that I have to explain that PawPaw is sick. Please help.

Answer 1

He's going to die sooner than later.  How long exactly?  That's hard to predict.  Since he refuses to comply with the best medical treatment, he is going to hit the critical level of low oxygen and will end up in bed, unable to do for himself.  Any respiratory infection is likely to wipe him out.

For a 7 year old who sees her Paw Paw, she's old enough to know that he isn't well by watching him struggle for breath, and by the number of times he's in the hospital.  She'll see him get sicker and sicker.  All you can say is that he can't breath right, that it's getting worse, and that he'll be leaving her because of it.

It's very sad that he is so hardheaded that he won't listen to anyone and give his grand daughter more time.

Answer 2

If he will not quit smoking or do the recommended treatments by his doctor.  His shortness of breath episodes will continue to get worse, his hospital stays will be more frequent and last longer.  

The strain placed on his heart, kidneys etc from lack of oxygen will cause other problems within his body.  

Im sorry this is happening to your family.

Answer 3

well unfortunately he is going to succumb to his disease because he is not willing to stay healthy or take the recommended treatments.  

Answer 4

Make funeral arrangements for him as soon as you can.