Talk to me about death
from emphysema

What an interesting sound our chests make when we breathe out. Every out breath produces a note. So strange when all is quiet. Like an eerie song. Like constant companion.

What would we do without oxygen tanks. Our constant companions wherever we go. Whatever we do.

Everything kind of slows down, when there is not enough air to breathe. Walking gets very slow. Exercising gets very slow. Life gets very slow.

And all that coughing. Such hard work. To keep coughing up mucus. To keep trying to clear our lungs. So exhausting.

Until death from emphysema takes us home. No more need or air. No more shortness of breath. No more need to take it slow.

If you are looking for medical information about Emphysema or COPD, click here.

Beth lived in an assisted living facility. She could not walk anymore, but got around in her wheelchair. She hardly ate any food, except ice cream.

Beth had a small but bright room full of photographs of children, grandchildren and other family members. She still loved watching the Oprah show every afternoon.

She was 82 years old and had lived with the effects of her emphysema long enough. It was time to go, but she wanted it to be in her time.

Her daughter Sally had come up from Chico with her two children. Elly was six years old, and a bit wise for her age. Nathan was a two year old delight. Blond curls, bright blue eyes, and a big smile on his face most of the time. Grandma's eyes would light up every time he entered the room.

Beth's death from emphysema was taking its time. Sally needed to get back to Chico and did not know what to do. Her kids were not too welcome at the facility. But she wanted to be there for her mom to help her die. Beth was so close but not there yet.

Sally decided to take Mom back to Chico with her. There she could feel more at ease in taking care of Mom and her children. She could feed her her favorite ice cream anytime. And she had her husband and a few neighbors for support. She found a van that would transport Mom in her wheelchair down to Chico. She asked us caregivers to have Beth's bags packed and ready on Tuesday morning. The van would arrive at 8 AM to take her to Chico for the three hour ride down there. Sally would follow in her car with the kids.

Tuesday morning came along. I was the caregiver that morning. I could not wake Beth. Overnight she had slipped into a coma. She was not responsive to either words or touch.

Sally came by and acknowledged that her Mom would not be going to Chico. All that was left was to keep her comfortable in her own room. And wait for death from emphysema to occur.

A couple nights later Beth fought her way out of being alive. She did not go easy. Her breathing was very labored all through the night. Even though unconscious, her body was restless. It was a long and hard night.

Finally, in the early morning hours she took her last breath. Beth had died. She had died in her room and with Sally by her side. She had died on her own terms.

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