Life Expectancy AATD ZZ

[Maricopa]

Went to Pulmonologist today. Asked straight forward questions. Dr took X-ray said your lungs are shot. Have to fast for lipid and renal labs in morning. Echo showed PH. Enlarged lungs from air trapping placing pressure on right ventricle inhibiting pumping filling and pushing blood out. Heart arrhythmia due to lungs pressure on ventricle. Peripheral Edema but lasix helping. Asked if lasix helped my SOB. No it does not. So he said stop taking for two days to see. Oxygen 2 lpm. Asked do you feel better. No. Feel same with or without oxygen

Asked in your opinion what is my life expectancy. Two yrs with oxygen of some quality of life. Then bedridden perhaps three yrs. Dr asked death wishes. Do I want morphine and go to sleep peacefully. I said “Yes”

I was told 15 yrs ago I had 18 months. So this guess is definitely closer. Frankly I feel Dr is being generous. He’s nice. I’m ok with the conversation. I’m cool with it. Better a good death than a mask over my face gasping. A little weird conversation perhaps. However, necessary. Anyhoo, point in sharing is it may give someone info they aren’t comfy asking.

[garshe]

No one can predict life expectancy. Stay Positive and prove them wrong. Thinking of you . Sending cwtches from Wales. Take care xxSheila 💕⚘

[Maricopa in reply to garshe]

Yep. He said that. He gave me his honest opinion. I appreciated that.

[garshe in reply to Maricopa]

Sending you Positive vibes . Take care and have a lovely day. I'm off to GP for blood tests in cognito. Wearing sunglasses in November as had cataract OP last Sunday. First time ever out with no Make up. 🙈🙈xxSheila 💕⚘

[Alice70 in reply to garshe]

Glad to hear you have had first cataract removed ,I'm so disapionted I had to cancell my second one which I should of had Thurs morning owing to being in hospital ,came home yesterday afternoon rang eye clinic so fed up as it it is going to be after Xmas now for second one done ,pleased for you Sheila did all go well

[PaulineHM]

Hi Maricopa,

it can be tough to look ahead can’t it ? I don’t do that very often, just take life moment by moment.

I do have an end of life care plan already filled out, which states when I want to refuse additional treatment and find that reassuring.

Palliative care is very good these days so hospice is always an option. That is what I would prefer for a compassionate death.

Look after yourself.

Pauline

[Maricopa]

I just had a Dr appt on the 29th and we spoke re: my wishes with palliative care. My Dr has known there won’t be a lung transplant. So we spoke in detail about a good death vs a bad death. It is a conversation needing to take place at some point. He said my lungs are shot. Interesting term as exactly what does that mean as far as extent of damage. Alveolar field? Blebs. Bullae. I know they’re overinflated pressing on my ventricle causing arrhythmias. Cor pulmonale etc. Just had labs for cholesterol and renal. They aren’t back just yet. 2 lpm O2 as I’m a retainer. Inflammatory arthritis.