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← Return to Pulmonary Fibrosis*
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My husband is 76 and has IPF. He has done well for 2 years after his diagnosis, until last November. He suddenly got worse and was immediately put on an oxygen concentrator at night and portable oxygen as needed. 4 1/2 months later and he's on oxygen all the time and can no longer take walks with me or go to the grocery store. A couple of weeks ago his cough got much worse and sounds like there's a ton of fluid he's trying to cough up.
He also turned down the medication due to the side effects, not to mention the cost. His statement was the same as your husband's; "It is what it is." We now spend time walking through our memories of 40 years of love and life together. He's working on legacy projects for the kids and grandchildren. We became great grandparents last November. We're working on his end of life arrangements and Palliative Care for both of us. I'm in counseling, support groups, and physical therapy in preparation for living without him. I'm grateful for our time together.
How long did your husband live after he was at the point mine is? I have the feeling that he won't last as long as I hoped at first. He's going to end his life when it becomes too difficult. He's not in pain, just drowning. Thanks for posting your experiences on Mayo Connect. GailB
Replies to "My husband is 76 and has IPF. He has done well for 2 years after his..."
Gail, I was looking through some old posts and was wondering how your husband is doing. And more about how you are doing.
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Gail, I am so sorry that you are going through exactly what I went through. Once the Dr told me I was going to need some help, we moved close to our son. He arranged for Hospice care which was wonderful. My husband was still walking some when we moved, but his oxygen need continued to increase. So Hospice provided him a wheelchair which was a big help in reserving his oxygen. He did pretty good for several months. We did exactly what y'all are doing. I went ahead and made funeral arrangements for both of us. He laughed and said it cost to Damn much. He told me everything I need to know about our finances and insurance policies. All that sure made my life easier after he was gone. He lasted 8 mons after our move. Hospice had prepared me to be able to make him comfortable. His death was quiet and very peaceful. He watched football games on New Years Day with the family. He said I'm ready to go to bed. We had noticed all day his oxygen level was dropping and no matter how much I increased it there was no getting it back. I was so afraid that he was going to be fighting and struggling to breathe, but he just simply went to sleep. I couldn't have asked for a passage into the next life to be any better. It sounds like y'all are doing all the right things. Will keep you in my prayers.