Emphysema

[Janet]

Rick has been diagnosed with emphysema. He has been feeling bad for quite some time, but really bad this past weekend. His symptoms were chest tightness, loss of breath, dizziness, numbness in his arms some, so today while at work I guess he got really frightened by his shortness of breath thinking maybe he was having a heart attack. He called me asking if he should go to the ER. You all know me so I said "well duh Rick, what do you think?" Anyway, I met him at the IU Hospital (same one I was always at with Mom and where she passed). They did an EKG, blood draw and something else and then did a stress type test where he was all hooked up and on a treadmill. It also took pictures of his heart lungs, etc. Well, he only lasted 90 seconds on the treadmill and his blood pressure when over 200. He has been referred to a pulmonary specialist and has to call them first thing in the morning.

His dad also had emphysema.

Not sure how I feel about this. I hope they can help him. This will sound bad, but I don't want to be his nurse. I have compassion for him, but no love. Guess time will tell.

[gja1000]

He may end up on oxygen, which is not bad, he can wear a portable oxygen machine and still work and do whatever he wants, pretty much, unless his job is very physically demanding. People usually do not become completely incapacitated with emphysema until they have had it for a pretty long time. He'll need to quit smoking, if he smokes, because if he needs to use oxygen, he can blow himself (and you) up is he smokes.

[Janet]

We both quit smoking in 2007. I didn't know it, but he was smoking 2 1/2 packs a day. I knew he smoked alot, but not that much. Rick still does auto body repair and has done this since he was 20 years old, he's 60 now. Now sure how he'll get around the dust, it can't be good for that. Plus he casts his own bullets, melting lead in a melting pot. He may have to change a few things for sure, but I doubt seriously if he'll change his drinking...over a 6 pack a day still. Stops for a few days, maybe a week and then right back at it.

[DianaB]

I'm so sorry to hear that Rick has emphysema. My Dad had that......and still smoked. He had so many bad spells that it was hard on all of us. I hope that Rick's is not that bad.

[Janet]

His first appt. with the specialist was the 14 of this month. He has an inhaler to use of a morning and evening and then one to keep with him in case of emergency. Can't cure it, but can manage it I guess and it helps that he no longer smokes. Sure hope he doesn't get bad, because as bad as this makes me sound.....I don't want and won't take care of him.

[Gina]

Janet I am just reading this sorry to hear about Rick. I hope he is feeling much better.