My Dad was diagnosed with emphysema about 3 years ago.  He gets very short 
of breath when he has to walk more than a hundred yards or so or exert 
himself in any way.  He's condition hasn't changed in the 3 years that he's 
suffered, and I was wondering what the general prognosis was with 
emphysemics.  I don't want to talk to him about life expectancy or even 
if/when he gets worse.  I know that the aveoli in the lungs get permanantly 
damaged, but if the source of the damage (ie smoking and work related 
poison) is removed does the condition still get worse until he's 
permantantly reliant on o2 supply, or can it stay the same?  I'd be 
interested to hear of any nursing experiences with long term emphysema 
patients.

Thanks for any response.  Sally