Mom is stage 4 - continues to smoke

By pyper02 on Mon, 01-30-12, 19:23

Posted in Group:

COPD

My mom is 69 years old... she has been smoking for 50 years now. Jan 19th she was taken to the hospital - her lungs failed ,CO2 was 96. She was on life support for 3 days. Drs were able to wean her off - she made it through and was released a week later.she is stage 4 - Drs says she has no more "reserve" . Drs told her she needed to quit smoking - but she isnt. I understand that she has to want to quit and honestly i dont think she wants to or ever will quit. I accept this but i am so afraid of what the future brings. Everyday i wonder when will her lungs fail her again.. Is this going to happen again next week, next month, 6 months from now. Will the next time be the last time? I just want to quit being scared

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By SilverGypsy on Mon, 01-30-12, 20:23

Hi Pyper,
I am new to the groups and saw your posting. My dad is suffering from COPD and has taken a turn for the worse...he is now on a ventilator. He has been in the hospital since Dec 18th with a 1 & 1/2 week stint at home that landed him back into the hospital...but now in ICU. He, too, continued to smoke after he was released for that week and a half. My mom called the paramedics last Thursday and while he waited for them to arrive to take him back to the hospital....he lit a cigarette.
I understand the frustration you are feeling while watching your mom smoke. I am over an hour away from my dad so I cant unfortunately "nag" him but living with my mother that is a chain smoker sure doesnt help. I am a smoker myself but have recently started Chantix and support therapy. Its like calling the kettle black but I would be damn if I wouldnt smack that cigarette out of his hand if I could.
I am so sorry you are scared; you have every right to be. Loving someone with COPD is a day to day struggle as Ive come to find out. One day its an ok day, the next, a horrific day when it comes to their health. I just wanted to write and tell you that you are not alone. I am scared too and sometimes connecting with a stranger can be beneficial as to oppose to talking with a family member.
Jenni

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By pyper02 on Tue, 01-31-12, 01:31

Thank you Jenni ... i am glad i am not alone I see her almost everyday and when i leave i take a good look at her and i always make sure i say " i love you"

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