I recently found out my mother had COPD. She didn't tell me for a long time and I only found out about it because she was hospitalized this past Christmas and a family friend told me. She then lead me to believe that she was doing a lot better and was doing physical therapy. She lives in Indiana and I live in Seattle, so I didn't see her and didn't have any reason to believe she would be dishonest.
Two weeks ago she called me and told me she has Stage 4 End Stage COPD with 17% lung function. She hasn't been able to answer many questions I have about her condition, so I don't know much.
I'm flying out to see her in a couple weeks and will be attending appointments with all of her doctors to get answers to questions that have been on my mind. I'm just not sure what all I should be asking.
Before I found out all this, our plan was for her to move out to the Seattle area to be near me, but now I'm not sure that is possible. The main questions I'm going to ask the doctor are:
- Is she is even healthy enough for the move?
- What is her current life expectancy?
- What are the chances of a lung transplant?
- I also plan to ask about in home care.
Are there any other questions that I should ask so I know the full extent of her condition. This site has been helpful, but I'm still having trouble wrapping my mind around everything.
Thank you!