Expert: Paula Damgaard - 3/23/2009

Question
My father is in the last stage of the disease.  He can't communicate verbally, though he tries.  He is showing signs of trouble swallowing.  He is down to 152lbs from 200 in less than a year.  He has now developed a bladder infection, they tested him when he because very confused and uncooperative.  Although he is only 73 he looks 93.  I m not sure what to expect next.  How long can he live like this.  He was diagnosed over 3 years ago and the doctors are stunned at how rapid it has progressed.

Answer
Cherie, I can't tell you how long this will go on either, I am sorry.  Basically it depends on how "healthy" you keep him, if you treat every infection that he gets he will continue living.  Used to be that pneumonia was the "old people's" friend because they would get it and die peacefully, now we have so many antibiotics that we keep treating everyone.  We are giving people quantity of life, but have forgotten about quality.

I hope that it doesn't go on much longer for both of you.  Death isn't really a bad choice.  Take care I hope you have support for yourself. Paula