He has copd Emphysema to be specific.. He had a sweeping business and painting when he was 22. The sweeping business you have to have your head hanging out the window of the truck to run right to the edge of the curb, so that constant inhale of dust... Back then he didnt think anything of it, Noone wore a mask back in those days.. His painting also whether inside or out, No masks.. He was young and strong and the attitude of "Im strong and can do anything"

11 years ago he just could not breath one day so off to the doctors we go, they did heart cath , fine , PFT ? Nope not good so 11 years ago he went on inhalers and did well, up until his respiratory crisis while we where in in Florida he was going okay sure but get SOB when under a lot of physical exertion more so than here in TN .. But in Florida between the heat and humidity he wound up in the hospital for a week. He came home on oxygen 24/7 6-8 weeks later they backed him down to just at night... while in the hospital it was consistent 88-90 on room air.... 96-97 on 2 liters but his ABG was always 3-5 points lower. So if hes at 90 by finger his likely 85-87..

So he catches things quickly that most peoples own immune system can take care of, as you know.

Now when he get a lung infection , it takes weeks to recover and usually a Month of anitbiotics and then numerous weeks until he feels back to his baseline..

Im calling he Doctor in the AM and asking him to send a order for sputum specimen... Its possible this has turned to pneumonia.. but he has to finish out the doxicycline due to tick bite...

Its just a balancing act....