My father was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and is on oxygen?

he is 77 doctors are giving him 3 years but I think it is less my feeling. question is how do prepare when your parents are ill im very close with him how do you prepare yourself for them to die

The best thing you can do is educate yourself and everyone around you. I have pulmonary fibrosis (I am 54). I was diagnosed in March of 2003 and given less than 18 months to live. As you can see, the doctors were off a little on their prediction. While this disease is a killer and it kills 100% of us who get it (unless we get a lung transplant), there are things you can do to help your father with surviving as long as possible.

First, and most importantly, no one, and I mean no one, who has a cold, cough, flu, etc. should ever be around your father. Most of us with PF actually die from some sort of secondary infection. The common cold can kill him. Make sure everyone who visits wash their hands before having any physical contact with him. It is important that he washes his hands frequently as well. Give him a small bottle of the Purell hand sanitizer and make sure he uses it often. Have him avoid crowded places like grocery stores, casinos, etc. They are a breeding ground for germs. If he does go to a grocery store, make sure he uses his hand sanitizer frequently and avoids anyone in the store who is sniffling or coughing. He will find after a few months that he will be more aware of those around him and take more precautions around people who appear sick.

He also needs to go to pulmonary rehab. They will teach him techniques that will help him utilize the lung tissue he has left. He also needs to stay as ambulatory as possible. Get him a portable oxygen tank if he needs it so he can get out and exercise. Have him take vitamin supplements and use the oxygen - it will help his tissues regenerate.

Finally, he is terminal so you need to prepare for the inevitable. Right now you are probably in the early stages of the grieving process. At some point you will come to the acceptance phase of things and the sooner you get there, the faster you can get back to normal. He may be dying, but he is still the same guy he always was. He has the same fears, loves, dreams that he always did. His life is changing, but he is still the same person. Just make sure you never leave anything unsaid and also make sure the last three words he hears from each of you are "I love you." That way if something happens, you will not feel guilty because you didn't tell him.

Sorry for being so lengthy with this response, but this disease is not well known nor well understood by many of us. It is a lousy way to die, but your dad will adjust to his new restrictions and manage to enjoy the time he has left. For more information or support, visit one of these web sites. Good luck to all of you and I hope he proves the doctors wrong.

http://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/
http://www.coalitionforpf.org/

i would say get it stuck in you mind that he could die any day now so that when he does die it wont be a surprise.

well, it is hard to prepare for something like that! the only advice I have is to spend as much time as you can with him now and tell him how much you love him everyday. ask him to make all of the plans for his funeral and such so you know what to do. it is easier if you know what their wishes are prior to the death so you can concentrate on the grieving process.

you can never really go by what doctors say either. he will go when it is his time. at least he has lived a pretty long life. I hope I live to be 77!! good luck