Hi I have had emphysema for 24 years. I am 77 now. Lost my husband of 57 years in 2016. I live alone now with 3 fur babies. I still do all the things that need to be done around the house accept for snow shoveling or grass cutting. I feel most of us smokers will get copd eventually as we get older because of smoking and all the dirty air we came in contact with over the years. Coal dust, asbestos, gas fumes. Emphysema is slow progression. Try not to get anxious or stressed because it makes things feel worse. Find a Pulmonary Doctor and he will help you figure it out. Carol