It has been a tough six and a half months. In September, my dad died unexpectedly and suddenly.

This weekend my mom went to the doctor for the first time in 12 million years, and she was diagnosed with emphysema at the severe stage. She has been smoking for about 50 years. She smokes between two and two and a half packs per day. The doctor also found a white infiltration on her lung, but he does not think it is cancer. She had a CT scan-- we are waiting for the results. Her blood pressure was extremely high-- 180/110.

My mother has a lot of psychological problems. I called her doctor today to get a clear answer for what is going on here. He said that she needs to stop smoking immediately... that she can cut down over a week, but then needs to stop. He said that if she doesn't stop, she will eventually become oxygen dependent or have a heart attack.

My mom says how hard it is to quit. I know that. I completely understand that. But it's like she doesn't realize how grave the situation is. I told her what the doctor said. I told her how this is different than someone who just chooses to stop smoking and might decrease the cigarettes over a period of months.

She doesn't do much for herself so I managed to come up with six therapist referrals today while I'm at work. She needs to get into therapy.

Does anyone have any personal experience with emphysema? Have you dealt with someone who has it?