What COPD is like in Hospice Care at the End of Life
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- čas přidán 18. 06. 2024
- Here is what it is like to die from, and what the end of life looks like for COPD. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.
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I have COPD. i gave up smoking 15 years before I was diagnosed. Please don't start smoking
I never have and i don't plan too.
What is the thing I can say to that loved one to make them at least think about stopping?
@chrtyo1 in the end the smokers has to decide for themselves. I gave up many times. Sometimes for a couple of years, but restarted. This last time it was the smoking ban that came into force where I live. I wasn't having anyone telling me where I could or couldn't smoke, but, 18 years ago was too late.
I hope your loved person finds the will to stop.
My husband was diagnosed last year he still is smoking hes only 52 till sept😢
My mom died of COPD and heart disease She quit smoking probably 40 years before she passed away My dad was still smoking and she was getting second hand smoke . In the car or on the porch or near her .He quit smoking 2 years before his death because developed emphysema.
Being stage 3 COPD and on the sharp knife-edge of stage 4, this episode means a LOT to me - thank you!
If you’re having exacerbations, demand the doctor test you for fungal pneumonia. Regular antibiotics won’t touch it. That’s what my dad had, they ignored the test results (it takes a few weeks), and only began giving him anti fungal medication because I noticed the positive test result in his charts. He would get better in the hospital prior to us knowing, as they give anti fungal medications in the hospital, but never send them home with anything but antibiotics.
Wishing you all the best. ♥️
My dad died in 2019. Copd he didn’t make it to hospice. I wish he had. He had a horrible time in the hospital. Again I wish he had -had Hospice . I cared for dad in the end and mom (Alzheimer’s ) Back to dad. He was oxygen dependent and scared to death literally. He was the best patient ever. Finally his oxygen level dropped he fell and I insisted they keep him. I’m glad they did. He was 90. Dad took all of that that you spoke of. He was on high flow oxygen in the end. Rallied at night the next morning one lung had collapsed. The other one was perforated. He also had a heart attack. Daddy had a DNR so as soon as they took him off of everything, he passed away. I miss him and now I suffer from COPD. I hope not like he did.
❤
Bless you my dear
So sorry for your loss.
I'm very sorry for your loss!
I lost my dad and my aunt similarly.
I hope that YOUR struggle with COPD etc isn't harsh...
I'm so sorry for your hospital experience with your dad...Stay strong❤
I will only comment on this because of my firsthand experience with it. My wife had stage 4 COPD, among other things. after more than 3 times in 3 months of rushing her to the hospital while she was limp and blue, she refused to let me take her to the ER again. She passed in my arms at home. The end result of her constant struggling was inevitable, and she knew it. She was done fighting , and just wanted peace. I could not find it within myself to watch her suffering continue. I second guess myself everyday about honoring her decision. It was the hardest thing that I have ever done.
Please don’t second guess yourself; you honored your wife and she’s at peace. I live with COPD, emphysema and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In other words I drew the worst hand for lungs. I too prefer to die at home than in a hospital and hopefully made this extremely clear to my family. Sending you peace 🕊️
@@Crymeariver227 You are such an exceptional person.... sending me peace while I know what you are facing. your comment brought tears to my eyes. You are both kind and selfless. I will be praying for you and your family.
@@willaimrobinson9383 And you brought tears to mine. Thank you so much for your kindness and for your prayers; I always appreciate and welcome them.
I also know what you endured both physically and emotionally as your wife’s caregiver; I know it was not easy for you, but you gave your wife the final, most perfect gift when she passed in your arms; she took all that love with her when she slipped away and began her journey home. Trust me, she’ll be there waiting for you when all your work here is done. 🙏
So many of us second guess ourselves with end of life decisions. You granted her last wish. I think you gave her peace!
Sometimes the hardest thing we have to do is to do the right thing
I have COPD and Emphysema 😭 Sometimes, I am so scared when I cannot breathe.
❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Meditation has helped me enormously with the fear aspect, puff breathing forunexpected shortness. I joined a COPD FB group which has been invaluable for info, support and tips. Good luck 💕
Talk to Jesus. He's the only one that can give you peace. 💜
@@mollybailes5161 Amen!! He has given me that peace that passes understanding!! My hope is in the Lord!! If you believe He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, you have Life eternally!! He is with you always and will never, no never leave you or forsake you!! He will hold you fast!! Praise Him!! 🙌❤️🙌🙏♥️🙏
I was literally just diagnosed with "minimal COPD" yesterday. After my pulmonary fitness test.
I've never had shortness of breath, although I'm very wheezy.
I am making a immediate changes to my lifestyle. I'm 62 years old, and I've been a smoker for 40 years.
I think I've gone almost 7 hours now without a cigarette.
My brain feels young. So I'm not ready to die.
Thank you so much for sharing this today.
Long time viewer, first time comment. ❤️
You can do it! Please! Sending you much hugs and support.
I'm proud of you! I've never smoked but I have always had to struggle with overeating. I'm only 4'7 and I have cerebral palsy so I have a very hard time moving and exercising. I'm no stranger to chronic conditions. I recommend pushing yourself literally and figuratively but never ever beat yourself up. You can only do your best and that will look different every day. Your life will change but you're still in charge at least on a human level. It might help to think of yourself as not sick but living with a new challenge. This is only one of many challenges you've already faced well. God's in charge and He is with you. I'll be praying for you and I know that you've taken your new diagnosis as a wake-up call so you're already one step in the right direction. It's still scary though so be gentle with yourself.
Congratulations! Keep up the good work and know you're not alone.
Well done 7days! Yay 🙌
You really, really can do this! Rooting for you and your success!! There are tools that might help you-meditation or hypnosis, for example. I used Chantix. It worked so well for me. Had my last cigarette June 17, 2008 after ~35 yrs of smoking 1- 2 packs a day. You CAN do this!! You are stronger than your dependence on tobacco and nicotine! 🥳👍
Even if you fall off the wagon, just quit smoking., and again and again, so you are not smoking more and more.
Keep aiming for the goal of becoming free of the addiction.
You already started the first step.
My mom passed in September 2019. She had COPD after having been a smoker for the majority of her 87 years. She was on hospice for about six months. Thank you so much for all you do.
My mom passed away November 2019 from COPD and congested heart failure. She was on hospice and they were a help but there are things they did that I'm not happy about during her last moments. I feel they didn't communicate with me and didn't honor our requests. 😢
@@jeannelanctot9212 I’m so sorry that happened to you. I wish you comfort and peace.
Just lost my mom June 11, 2024 to end stage copd. She was never a smoker, but her father, both husbands and some of her kids smoked around her.
She made her own decision to come off the ventilator and have comfort care measures. I am so glad she was able to make that decision herself. I miss her so much.
I have copd and try extra hard to take care of myself. I am not a smoker either.
I was diagnosed 8 years ago with COPD and have been on oxygen 24/7. I was diagnosed after having pneumonia and then about two years in I had pneumonia again about 2 yrs in. The good thing is I have not had an exasperation for 4 yrs. I have a BiPAP machine & I use 4 Liters when sleeping, i’m on 2 L during the day and loss. I’m doing some kind of physical activity and then I turned it up to 3 L. I am a widow and live alone and I’m 72 years old, I still drive I take care of myself. I do have a cleaning lady, but I do some of the cleaning for myself and I also cook for myself. I’m sure in the future that will change, I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.
My mother kept on getting infections, and a cold would turn into a lung infection very quickly.
❤️
You sound like a very strong independent woman. I love that. You are in my thoughts and prayers. My dad has COPD and is oxygen dependent. It hurts my heart to see him struggling. I hope you have many more years and lots of joy in your life.
Julie -- I cannot thank you enough for your invaluable content. My mom is 95 and has very bad COPD, and yet still smokes a pack a day since she was 13. She also is nearly blind from dry Macular Degeneration, and eats about as much as a parakeet. Although she has dementia, she is the most loving person in the world, but unfortunately is all too aware that she is trapped in a failing body with no quick way out. She has a perfect small home with a beautiful back yard, and she likes hearing the birds and having me describe the flowers that are blooming. I never had children nor did my brothers, as we knew there was zero chance we could do as well caring for kids as our parents did. Anyway, caring for mom is the hardest thing I've ever done, and I'm thankful for the tireless support of my partner and his grown kids -- and two awesome neighbors. Thank you again for all you do, and thanks to everyone who posts their own stories in the comments section. With gratitude -- Lynn in Albuquerque
You are the best daughter ever! ❤️ GOD BLESS you for being there for your Mom! ❤️ Lynn you will be blessed ❤️
My dad died from COPD. The day before he died he informed me he had gone to dinner in Houston, TX....an 8 hour drive from where we were. I asked him how dinner was and he said "Great"! Lack of oxygen will make people hallucinate but I didn't recognize this sign at the time. The nice thing though were our last words, which I didn't know were going to be our last time to speak. We both said I love you to each other.
My Bio Mom died of COPD. She was so young only 68. She only had two kids. First me who she was forced to give up for adoption and my brother who died suddenly in a car crash at 21. She was never herself after that and fell into a depression. She smoked a lot and caught pneumonia Whig was so bad she could no longer lay flat and had to sleep in a chair. Like Nurse Julie says it got worse and worse when at the end she was in hospice. Watching her struggle I was able to quit smoking and am so relieved that I don’t have COPD.
My dad had COPD. It was horrible at the end. He couldn’t move at all without struggling to breathe. He had hospice and was on oxygen 24/7
I’m 64 years old 3rd Stage Severe COPD Diagnosis 33 % Lung function. With Heart related issues. I just had a cardio version procedure to bring my atrial fibrillation under control. Two years ago I was able to walk up to 13 to 14 miles a day. Now, I’m barely able to get to my kitchen without oxygen. It’s my hopes and prayers that my heart gives out so I don’t suffer.
I’ll pray 🙏 for that for you❤️
@@donaldmarks9639 my mum has this same stage she isnt allow oxygen at home as she still smokes if she can get it in. I know terrible. There saying her lungs are ok for now and she cannot hardly climb he stairs so I was wondering if it was her heart .
@@michellebroadway82, it’s quite the possibility. It’s known to be a fact that heart issues usually go hand in hand with someone that has COPD. I do a lot of reading on all the different issues I have. It’s good to be informed.
@@donaldmarks9639 mum can't eat big meals because the oxygen goes to her stomach and she can't even walk to her car from a restaurant after a meal . She slowly walks round the supermarket. It's awful to see I can't even understand why she never quit smoking when a doc told her to ten years ago . Her mother died of the same thing . Her COPD lungs have had everything but the big c. She has 33 percent lungs . And they have offered her morfene to open her lungs but she doesn't even take paracetamol so woant so that inhaler s make her cough so bad she can't get air. She's literally got no further treatment but a bypap machine on evening. I hope your ok ..do you smoke. I quit myself after 15 years I believe I av mild COPD .but given my warning looking at what mum and nanas position is. We all only here a short time and I don't think I'll miss fags I understand they wanna smoke can't figure out why wen can't breath. I wish you well in the future too this kind regards to you and thank you for responding
Loss my dad 10 months ago. He suffered from COPD and was on high flow oxygen, steroids and inhalers. It’s exactly as Julie described. He would do okay for a while then something would happen and he would get worse, then medical intervention would bring him back again but not to the same level he was. He did not make it to Hospice and I was his caregiver. It was really tough watching the decline. Ultimately, the COPD was not listed as his cause of death, but an enlarged heart.
my dad had COPD and CHF and had 27 runs to the hospital the year before he died. When I took my dad into my house he had 4 more runs to the hospital. At that time I asked the doctor how long does my dad have and he told me 4 months and thats when I asked him for Hospice care and of course they needed my dads agreement . My dad did agree to it and lived 2 months. He had O2 24 hours a day and was only able to walk to and from his bed to the living room. They gave Him an O2 machine and back up tanks just in case we lost power. His Hospice Nurse was the best, she would come and give him a kiss on his forehead and tell me to rest while she was there. When his time was up he was very relaxed and no more trouble breathing. He was at Peace. Miss that man every day
Oh, that all COPD patients would embrace the fact that they’re not going to recover. My heart breaks every time I’m transporting a COPD patient to an ED, doing everything I can within my scope of practice to help them breathe all the while knowing that their end of life would be so much more comfortable if they would accept the help available to them from hospice care. Thank you for what you do everyday. Hospice nurses have my eternal respect.
My mother refused hospice care. She had some very wrong ideas about what hospice does. I tried to convince her to let them help but she wouldn't give in. Her end of life could have been so much better and at home instead of 3 days on a ventilator in a hospital. She made her own decision to come off the vent. I am grateful for that.
I was offered hospital care for COPD a year and a half ago after many 911 calls and hospital stays. I went home and live my life, sometimes it an intense struggle but sometimes there's a sort of remission where I can do things and enjoy my life. The only difference I know of that would change on hospice would be stronger prescriptions. I had a lung valve procedure a few years ago that partially worked. I realize I'll die sooner or later and am almost grateful that I had a heart attack because there's a chance my heart will suddenly stop instead of a slow COPD death.
In 1983, my aunt died at 80 years old on a very hot day in a nursing home with no AC. We always understood she had emphysema from working with fabrics her whole life, plus living in a city with lots of soot and exhaust fumes coming into her apartment. I’m starting to think she may have had COPD. When I went to see her in the evening, she was actively dying. BUT she wasn’t medicated, she was in extreme distress, was conscious and she was TERRIFIED. Her mouth was clapping open & shut uncontrollably as she tried to breathe. Aunt Marie lingered like that for hours until she finally died around midnight. I’m glad to hear there are methods today to ease that discomfort and had my aunt died today, she wouldn’t have had such an awful passing.
I feel my dad was the same I was nog prepared to see him like that they didn’t tell us he was actively dying they just said he was critical 💔
@@annmariesweeney2222oh so sad and so hard not only on the dying person but also on those who witnessed it.
My mom just passed away yesterday from COPD. She was a heavy smoker but made it to 87. She was a fighter, she was on hospice for over a year. Her COPD was exactly as you described it…like a long stair step down. In the end, when she had episodes of not being able to breath, I was so thankful for hospice and their comfort meds. They helped her so much. Thanks to you Julie for sharing your knowledge, I was prepared, I recognized the stages of dying she was going through and watched her take her last breath. Very peacefully.
Got COPD since I was 17. The joys of parents smoking. Now 51 and I get really bad issues with phlegm. I am experiencing tough issues. Yet I have a very powerful vocals! I truly believe singing has helped through my years
Blessings to you all. I also have COPD. We are all going to die from something. 😢 But all that matters is that you made Jesus your Lord and Savior. Eternity ❤ is too long to be wrong.Love you all.
❤Amen
@@marciwilliams2610 Absolutely and Amen!
Much love!!❤️❤️❤️
Absolutely so.
@@marciwilliams2610 I'm with you. Turn to Christ now, don't wait!
Thankyou for this, my best friend is at the end stage of her battle with COPD
I want you to know that your videos are utterly incredible X
We all need to be talking more about all of this and your channel does exactly that. ❤
The more you do these videos, the more people will understand what can happen.
My husband had copd, and he died while in hospice. But, he also had a very sick liver and numerous other issues. The last week he was in a coma...encephalopathy. I know he could hear us, but he could not respond. I miss him so much...he had such a huge laugh! It's been 6 years, which means I am 6 years closer to seeing him again. And then there will be no more death!❤
Hi Sandy, how's your day going with you?
My darling dad passed from COPD at the age of 90. He was sharp as a tack and a brilliant mathematician. During the last few weeks of his life, he had a difficult time trying to write a check. It was heartbreaking to see him decline. He was also plagued with aspiration pneumonia.
My oldest son has had diagnosed asthma since he was a year and a half old. (Sooner, probably, because diagnosis in the 80s was not that great.) We had it managed amazingly well (School, baseball, youth group meets) until 7th grade. I'll NEVER FORGET THAT PAINFUL WHINE, as his asthma attack/pneumonia was nearly fatal. He declined VERY QUICKLY. In the ICU, they wanted him placed on a Ventilator. My husband, his Dad, was trying to get to the hospital and was 5 hours away. I REFUSED, BECAUSE MY SON KNEW IT COULD BE THE END AND BEGGED me not to let them vent him. The Specialists were HORRIBLY PUSHY, and from a few slips, I could tell, not very good at the procedure, apparently. BUT IT IS A GREAT MONEY MAKER FOR ALL INVOLVED. My son, survived, and soon after, thrived. He is an amazing husband and father. Always follow your heart. ❤️💙Hospice helps take the pain, and fear out of death and allows some comfort, support and control.
I wish I would have found your channel sooner. My Mom recently passed away from COPD in March. She was on hospice for two weeks before she passed. Thank you so much for educating all of us.
God bless you Julie, my breathing improved on the second day I quit smoking, in 20 days I have not smoked cigarettes, I still hear an occasional strange noise, but it's nothing like it was when I was smoking regular, God bless you, thank you for the information that you make available, otherwise people wouldn't know
Well done for giving up ❤
I must admit, I am not totally nicotine free, I am using nicotine patches, and smokeless tobacco, but I have accomplished what I wanted to, I am not smoking anymore
@@normanjefferychester882 your doing so much better than I am .. I am smoking 20 per day
Great job! I am going to quit soon. Probably on a Monday. Or maybe never. I figure I will end up quitting one way or another someday! 🤷
My grandfather just died in hospice of emphysema. Been living with him for the last two years and this video was very accurate. Hospice did a great job his final day keeping him comfortable.
My mom died from emphysema. She was on Hospice. Lifelong smoker. 😝
My Mom passed away in 2016 from COPD! I'm 63 & have had COPD for years. I'm on oxygen 24/7, nebulizer, prednisone, inhaler meds. Last year went code blue while trying to get to the hospital. I had hypoxia & pneumonia. Went to my pulmonary Dr. last week & going for another CT scan due to getting worse. I had enough of not being able to walk to the bathroom or taking a long shower because I can't breath!! This isn't living this is just existing! Hopefully, I'll be with my Mom & Dad soon!💔🕊😢
@@lifesabitch8012 I think this 🌎 is ondley a.valley of tears 😭 and I think if you have a happy childhood before you realise how hard this life for some people you are Lucky I hope I will not be reincarnated once was enough on the merry go round hope your copd improves I will off offer a special prayer 🙏 for you that god will keep you safe ann murphy ireland
Thank you Julie for sharing this info with us . I am Stage 4 COPD and am going through pretty much everything you mentioned and yes it is scary . I'm at the point where i am having more bad than good days . On those bad days i wish and pray for God to end my suffering. There are days when the nebulizer medicine doesn't help much and there are those days that they work as they are supposed too. My Pulmonologist has me on 3 different nebulizer meds , daily prednisone , morphine , a rescue inhaler and O2 24/7. I'm also at the point i need help taking a shower but other things i am able to handle by taking my time doing them , like dressing and other bathroom stuff. I have done alot of reading on this disease and know its not going to be an easy one but having a good support team is a must . As a very independent person i am finally realizing that i can't do what i use to be able to do a year ago thanks to the help of a awesome therapist. Thanks to her i have finally come to terms with what i have done to myself and have excepted the responsibility.
Wonderfully helpful video. I helped my mother as she died from COPD. For her it was pretty painless and we were able to control her breathing quite well. Mama just seemed to get more and more tired and slept more and more until she died. We used very, very little medication other than inhalers. Hospice was a great help as they encouraged us and helped us to do what was best for mama.
My mom had COPD and went on hospice in January 2014. She was fairly comfortable at home on oxygen, but needed help with a lot of daily activities. She had had a GI bleed of unknown cause a year or so earlier and a hx of Afib with a pacemaker. I was overwhelmed taking care of her while trying to work from home. Not to complain, but caretakers be warned that emphysema makes people cranky.
We asked about hospice in December 2013. Hospice started and they were fantastic. Great nurses and aides. Massage therapist, music therapist, and chaplain. I thought my mom had 6 months to a year. Then she got another GI bleed. I had the doctor order a transfusion because it wasn’t the condition that she was on hospice for. Unfortunately, the GI bleed never stopped and she died on February 14th.
My situation was somewhat unique due to being alone with my mom (and not having a support network of my own), but I had the expected grief of my mom’s death and the unexpected grief of losing all of these wonderful people coming in to help. The hospice had a survivor’s grief group that I went to. I guess the thing to know is that those left behind go through a lot and there are resources that can help.
Beautiful, all about pure love. Sending you so much love.🌿💞
@JeanineMeier ty for sharing your info. I'm solely my mother's caretaker with final stage of dementia and have been with her from the beginning 2019. It's definitely had its challenges and I'm mentally and physically exhausted. All family has disappeared. Long story short my mother COPD as well, and I took her ciggs away roughly a year ago. I'm do everything for her and I will be checking into the resources you have mentioned. Good luck to your on the rest of your journey. Stay strong and ML ❤️🙏
Thank you. My mum has this and tells me she has less than five years. The lack of mobility around covid worsened her condition. I've saved the video and will revisit when the time comes.
My dad had COPD and said he felt as if he was drowning all the time. We would take his oxygen level on his finger and reassure him that it showed 98 percent but he still said it feels like he wasn’t getting any air. The doctor said that the oxygen level and other gas level in his lungs was off balance because of the disease and there was nothing to be done. This symptom was part of it. He was completely anxious most of the time and had panic attacks because he ‘wanted air’ I wasn’t able to see him the last 2 weeks before he passed and saw him the day before he died. But I only hope he was kept sedated most of the time.
My sister is going to go into hospice. End stage emphysema. She has already started with the air starvation. She's a retired nurse and put herself into a long term facility, last year.
Your videos are a great service. I share them with her daughter in law.
My young partner (54 to my 62) has COPD as a complication of misdiagnosis of his DVT. As a young athlete in his 20's he started feeling short of breath and went to his doctor and was waved off by that doctor stating that he was too young for it to be anything serious and told him to exercise more. He did that but it didn't change anything.
What was happening is his body kept making Pulmonary Embolisms that didn't kill him but went to his lungs until he had extensive scarring and lost 50% of his lung capacity. We have terrible insurance so he gets very little support just blood thinning drugs and INR testing. I don't know what his prognosis is because all this happened before we met but I am trying to learn what to notice and how to cope with the idea of what may come for him and his needs. Thank you for your work. It helps so much to know and to be able to plan for the inevitable and grieve it so I can be present for him when he becomes sicker.
How's your day going with you?
Thank you Julie. My father is home and almost died March 10 2024 but he has rallied, however we have palliative care and an RN coming every 2 weeks. My mom and I are doing all his care including cleaning him, shaving him, laundering wet or soiled bed sheets and preparing meals. He also had dementia and we experience “Sun Downing” most days. You have been incredibly helping with all your video, we appreciate your help and will be purchasing your book ❤
Thank you for being here and making these videos. I watch them even though I don't have close family to be concerned about. But you've helped me be less afraid of my own death. You tell the truth about how it really is. You're fabulous. 😊
My MIL passed from COPD. She went to the hospital thinking she would be there for a short time. She was told she had 6 months to live. She died within a week. She went from the hospital to a nursing home for hospice. It was the worst watching someone basically suffocate to death. Thankfully hospice gave her a peaceful transition but it was still terrible. My mom also has COPD as a very long time heavy smoker, but she is in denial so she doesnt treat it or see a doctor. How anyone can still smoke after knowing the horrible consequences will forever befuddle me. It is so horrific.
My grandmother was on hospice for a week when she was diagnosed with Metastatic Lung Cancer. She already had COPD/Emphysema, and she needed to be hospitalized due to pneumonia and other health issues over the years. She was 77 when she finally quit smoking after five-and-a-half decades, and 91 when her doctor caught the “really bad” Lung Cancer way too late to treat it (and when she needed to go the ER due to severe pain in her shoulder, she had no idea that it was pain from Lung Cancer that had been spreading to her bones and liver for quite a while ). She was completely bedbound and on morphine in her final week, and she actually passed much more quickly than we expected. We were hoping that she would stay with us until New Year’s Eve of that year, and she went on Christmas Eve of that year.
My uncle has it. He’s been on a plateau for a number of years. He’s at home, takes physical and speech therapy. A lot of talking is difficult, but he still goes out for short trips with his portable O2 tanks. He mows the lawn on the riding mower, goes out to church, goes out to eat at a nearby diner. My aunt has psoriatic arthritis and mobility issues, so they have a live-in LPN who assists them with cleaning, cooking, bathing, washing heavy bedding, etc. On days their nurse is off, their daughter who lives upstairs takes over. My uncle has already decided what he wants/does not want for end of life care, hospice in the home.
This is probably the worst video I could be watching right now. I do have COPD. I have advanced COPD, so watching this was probably the biggest mistake I made. I had to stop 3 quarters thru the video. I am learning I'm more advanced than I thought.
I am 75 and have COPD. I appreciate this so much. Knowledge is the best medicine for fear.
czcams.com/video/KeB3-983Sw4/video.htmlsi=AdlTpg-T49weto6h
I just saw a video on a device that's supposed to help COPD. Here's the link
I have COPD also. I almost didn’t watch this video. I am kind of glad I did. But as another person said I am more advanced than I thought. I need to go see my Pulmonologist. I haven’t seen him since a year ago when I went to the hospital in an ambulance because I couldn’t breathe. I also had stage four lung cancer but it is in remission. So I really need to make an appointment but it is so hard to go anywhere or take a shower. I also have drop foot and zero balance. I have gained over 80 pounds since I have been diagnosed with cancer. I sit all day every day in my chaise in my living room. I cook maybe two to three times a month. I make jewelry, watch TV, crochet and just recently have tried painting with watercolors. I sleep all the time. I fan asleep talking, writing and cannot wake up some days. My poor husband has to wheel
me in a wheelchair out to our car and at the doctors offices. I only go to doctors or medical facilities.
It just seems like I am getting worse faster now. I pray that I somehow stop progressing so quickly. Please pray for me and I send prayers your way. 🙏🏻😁
@@minniesmomma6374 it's a horrible feeling watching myself rapidly go downhill! I am so sorry you're going thru almost exactly what I described myself ...☹️😥😥 and the FEAR IS REAL
My sister died of COPD. When she was in Hospice for about a month before she died. The last 2 weeks she stopped eating, talking, except to ask for more morphine, & was in extreme pain. The hospice company only gave her very little morphine just like you would get in the hospital. I was under the impression that hospice could administer pain medications more often & at larger dosages since they are not as strictly regulated like doctor's & hospital's & are paid for helping a person to die as peacefully as possible.
Of course a hospice cannot give larger doses! Meds are prescribed by a doctor, and administered by nurses. Hospice is never to hasten death.
I can’t believe you just posted this. My grandpa (who has COPD) came home from the hospital and started Hospice care TODAY.
Thank you for sharing.
I have been on COPD for about 33 years. I am 65 years old. I have been losing my independence slowly. I am sending this video to my kids. I also bought your book to help me & my kiddos help me prepare for my passing. I will also be filling out my health care directive in the next week.
Hi Lori, how's your day going with you?
@@lorileighfischer4254 thanks for the thumbs up, how are you spending your spare time?
@@Paulohlsson7 as much time with my grandkiddos as possible. How about you?
@@lorileighfischer4254 I love the outdoors including traveling and reading books, cooking, gardening and watching movies. I have a daughter though we lost her mom to brain tumor. What are your hobbies, which is your favorite memory?
Ty for your channel. My mother in law is on hospice now. Not copd
One medical issue mom had was copd. She died in hospice...best place she needed to be. Staff was phenomenal. 👍to all hospice personnel. ❤
Hi Carol, how's your day going with you?
A longtime friend of mine just died of COPD on 6/20/24, he was 79. I knew him for almost 30 years. I visited him on the 18th and he seemed to think he would return home soon, but I was skeptical. He looked terrible. He wasn’t a pack-a-day smoker, more like a pack-a-week. But, he did so for 60 years. His lungs couldn’t supply enough oxygen to his body and he succumbed. His family was there when he passed. RIP A.C. Roberts.
Julie, I want to thank you for this video. My Father passed away 3 years ago this Aug and looking back (he was in a residential facility,) I see these processes. I wish I would have found you back then to understand what he was going through. I appreciate all of your videos and wanted to let you know.
Great! Something to look forward too. Just kidding, Thank you nurse Julie for letting me know what to expect.
I feel the same way and I have emphysema and COPD..I'm 65, not on oxygen, still very Mobil, no walker..I'm still able to get around and do things on my own without assistance.
Mommy was in hospice after 1 day. She survived for 20 years
Im 52 and have had copd for atleast 10 years. The past few days i felt like i had bad flu. Anyway this brings me peace knowing they can manage pain and smothering. Than( you
Wow this was extremely informative. My FIL is currently in hospice care in his final days with COPD and your tips here really brought some light into his position. Thanks a bunch for this. Very helpful.
My mom had Pulmonary Fibrosis for about 15 years!! She was in Hospice at home but about a week before she died she was on 10L/O2/NC and she looked at me and said to turn her oxygen up and I told her it was at 10L and she said NO ITS NOT, I’ve been a nurse for 44 years so I know what her oxygen was on!! So called the Hospice nurse and they put her in In Patient Hospice and she died 3 days later!!! I did get your book after the fact but your videos are awesome!!! Thank you!!!!
Hi Jan, how's your day going with you?
My husband died in 2009 from C O P D he had half right lung removed a year before that.one time he jumped out of his hospital bed and said he had to do number two.i had no one to help me.just me.he worked with his hands a lot before he died.i ask the hospice nurse why he was doing that.she told me he had unfinished work he needed to get done.and three weeks before he died his sugar had dropped in the 30s we gave him a. Pop and got his sugar back up.his stay in a coma for three week I move my couch next to his bed so I could be closer to him.the day he passed away I had friend to come over and see him and I.he sit straight up in the bed she stay with him until I went and got my son.we live close one house between use we talk to him and I watched his eyes turn black and he laid down and went to sleep.
Thank you for sharing yours and your husbands journey. For those of us with husbands at earlier stages it's good to know what can happen.
My best friend suddenly died of this several years ago. Broke my heart
Thank you for being such a great “teacher!”… you give excellent examples!
I have been watching your videos trying to educate myself and also not fall apart emotionally as my parents get closer to 80 and health declines. My dad has COPD and is oxygen dependent. I had to force myself to watch this video. Even though I have tears running down my face I’m very glad I watched this and I’m so grateful to you for making them. You’ve helped me in many ways and I thank you. 🙏
Same here.
thank you for sharing this valuable information. I wish someone, ANYONE, had educated my brother & I more with my moms COPD more than just the basics. it wouldve made the journey from start to finish less scary for all of us. she passed away 20yrs ago and still miss her terribly, we are thankful for every day we had with her.
Whow, this was a bitter video to see. Thank you for your honesty and frankness!
Thank you for this video ❤️
I bought her book, Nothing to Fear. Excellent.
My husband has COPD and this has been a constant worry for me as the disease progresses. This video helps me to feel better because I do not want to see my husband suffer. He is such a wonderful man and doesn't deserve that. Thank you Julie.
Hi Beth, how's your day going with you?
My mother died of COPD in 2021. It came on suddenly as she refused to go to the doctor when symptoms began. She didn't want to lose her independence and ask for help.
Sadly, we live in a rural-ish area. Hospice was sold to us as a wonderful help. It turned out to be such a difficult and confusing time for all of us. The hospice team was not close by, short staffed and pretty unresponsive when we had questions. I wish we had picked a hospice that was more supportive 😢
My mom passed in aug '22 of copd. She smoked for 30ish years but had quit 15 years prior to her diagnosis. 10 years prior to her death she had severe crvature of the spine. The spine surgeon told her if she didnt have her spine fused she would eventually lose lung capacity and suffocate. Well after breaking 2 or 3 rods, the recovery from multiple back surgeries had her in her recliner for about 5 years. During that time she developed copd. So ironically she died due to her lungs anyway. But she was put on hospice about 1year before she died. 4 months before her death she did a major turn around and was discharged from hospice. She had a wonderful last four months crossing all her goals off her list during that time, like watching her grandbabies swim and getting to my daughters horseshow to watch her ride, among so much more! She still required 24 hr care but was able to walk short distances with assistance and get in and out of her wheelchair. It was unexpected when she did pass but she passed peacefully in her sleep❤
It was def an emotional roller coaster so just be prepared for ups and downs. Oh my i almost forgot, the worst was the carbon dioxide retention from her oxygen! This is the reason i ended up taking her car away because she began having episodes where she was completely out of her mind! Didnt know where she was, didnt recognize her surroundings, at times thought she was still married to my father and would ask where he was lol. But the last four months we didnt see much dementia from co2 retention so that was a blessing.
My dad passed In January of 2022 from COPD he had just turned 60 in December. 😢
Thank you for this
I appreciate this video so much. Now days I'm so exhausted sometimes. You are helping to make this so much less scary.
Julie, I just received my book and I'm already so appreciative of your knowledge and honesty. Thank you so much for explaining everything with ease and simplicity.
I'm really excited to get your book! Thank you
My sister was diagnosed years ago. She called ambulance & spent numerous days in hospital. I have tried to help & assist. She kept talking about getting better. I KNOW she will not. She refuses prednisone & some other drugs. I've tried to get her to "get her ducks in order". Says she has. Finally told her Dr to TELL HER she will not get "better" since the last 4-5 months have been "lows". I took care of my dad too.
Thank you Nurse Julie. I have Pulmonary Fibrosis that has all the same symptoms & progress of COPD. This video is very helpful for me, eases my own fears & is valuable to my wife that will make decisions & provide care as the deterioration progresses.
You are an angel for doing these videos and giving us such great info. I wish i had known about your channel before my husband passed in 2019. They said it was dementia , but he never forgot about me, my mum or sister, and our lovely collie Lucia...God bless you..❤
Thank you for all this information.
Thank You, Julie
Very educational and informative video. Thank you so much for doing it. I cared for my Dad who had COPD, and he went to Heaven in 2019. The Hospice care team was absolutely incredible. An absolute Godsend. I am so thankful they were there to help out. I feel like my Dad got his final wish of passing away at home, largely in part to the Hospice care team. Caring for my Dad was not easy, but at the same time it was a blessing and privilege to care for one of the most extraordinary human beings to ever walk the planet. Sorry if I sound like I am rambling, but this video just spoke volumes to me. COPD is a devastating illness, no question to it. Thankfully there is a lot of advancements in this illness to allow people to live longer and healthier lives, with the right medical team in place. Thank you again for doing this video. May God Bless you always!
As a person that was diagnosed stage 3 of COPD I have been nervous how it will all end. Your knowledge and advice has given me peace of mind. The thought of gasping to breathe is scary. Thankfully I watched this. Thank you for giving me the tools to navigate through the process of dying with dignity ❤
Thank you, dear Julie, for another such a great motivational and educational video!
Love your book! Congratulations!
I bought your book. I have the gene for ALS.
My husband was diagnosed with COPD and was diagnosed a few years later with non-small cell lung cancer. It was stage 4. That's when hospice entered our lives. The cancer metastasized quickly and he lived only two months. He had a lot of pain, but died a peaceful death.
Hi Patricia, how's your day going with you?
Thank you.
My mother had that for ten years. She died at 46, and she really suffered.
Don't smoke.
@MarcIsTheAnswer I don't. After seeing her and my aunt, her sister died of it too. I made me so scared.
@@MarcIsTheAnswer Smoking is not the only reason COPD happens. Your advice is inaccurate and shaming. Very harsh and unkind.
My mom has copd. It’s been downhill for a year. She’s in ICU now. I found her 2 days ago in a blank stare delirium screaming for her mom over and over again. She is 67 and her mom passed in 1999. I’ve been caring for her for 7 years and I can’t do it anymore.
Hey! I watch your TikTok lives and I’ve commented before-hospice nurse here as well! I actually am the coordinator for our Cardiac/COPD program-I LOVE this video.
I'm stage 3 COPD with severe emphysema. VA put in a stair glider and walk in shower for me. I only leave the house for appointments. Suffocation is my biggest fear. This video helped me a lot. Thank you, Julie, for your videos. Also I just received your book!
Thank you Julie, this is helpful
Thank you for putting this video. I’ve got copd. And I’m on oxygen and I’ve always wanted to know what to expect.❤️🖤❤️
As a hospice social worker, I always educate that morphine CAN assist in breathing better. Once they take a dose, they understand and it’s not so scary! Love your videos! ❤
I was diagnosed with COPD myself 3 years ago. Luckily everything is still working, but I know where the journey ends.
If I don't take my medication, then I notice how sick I really am. I saw that with my father, the last few years haven't been pretty. Recently it's gotten worse, I had pneumonia. Since then I've noticed that climbing stairs is really tiring and exhausting. I can't breathe. My doctor has already told me that I'll soon need oxygen.
But I force myself to be active, even though it's exhausting. I'm 46 and hope to have another 10 years of quality life. I hope that when the time comes, I'll be in good hands. Thanks for the video.
Thank u. U help me alot I had an grandma that copd and she pass from it. It was hard cuz I don't know much bout it. Now I can be at ease knowing wht the disease is
You are a real and true angel from GOD. Thank you.
Awesome video ty. I have copd and advanced emphysema
My grandmother had COPD and emphysema along with dementia. When she passed away on hospice. She wasn’t on hospice for very long. At most she was in the hospice center for about 2 weeks before she passed. I wish she would’ve had a nurse like you in the end. The nurses she had didn’t have the best bedside manner. And they didn’t exactly have the best communication skills. When they called my mom to tell her that she’d passed away, they were helpful in that they were able to help find someone that could do the funeral. But other than that it wasn’t the best experience. My mom hadn’t had a chance to call my older sister. So when she and my brother in law went to visit her with their kids early the next morning, her day nurse just blurted out “oh she’s dead honey. You should’ve just stayed home”. And she did it right in front of my niece and nephew instead of pulling the adults aside and telling them privately and giving my sister a chance to figure out how to tell her kids.
Though this was hard to hear, it is necessary information I needed to know. Draling with severe emphysema, lung cancer masticized to multiple bonrs, extremely low platelets, etc. I sleep more, thought it was because of low platelets and cancer treatments. Probably is these and the emphysema after hearing this. My daughter is convinced I should have 20 years. Only a miracle will make that possible. Sorry to ramble, this just made it more real and clear I need to be doing more than purging the stuff in my home so she doesn't get stuck with that on top of everything else. 😢
My uncle died this morning from this while in hospice. So weird this video showed up on my timeline tonight. About to watch it now. Hopefully, it can provide me with some peace on how he went.
❤❤❤❤ thank you so much. Just got your book, hard cover. Haven't read it yet as everyone wants to borrow it. Thanks for all you do.
Thanks for your most informative videos.
Hi Karen, how's your day going with you?
My mom had COPD and chf. I was her caregiver, and provided round the clock care. Yeah, I experienced the good and bad days she had.
On the bad days I would stay awake all night to check on her. On the day she passed, she was very weak. She was unable to walk.
My husband had copd and he passed away on march 6 this year he passed away from pnemonia .i miss him so much .
Hi Melissa, how's your day going with you?