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He is a chronic patient. A lot of patients with CHF go through all of this. They dont want to admit that they are as sick as they really are. Its a phase of denial.

Also, Your father lives with this feeling of difficulty breathing everyday of his life. His body adjusts to this and gets to the point where it feels like their normal breathing TO HIM. It isnt normal to anyone else on the outside watching but its what his body as compensated as normal. He quite possibly may not be realizing that his work of breathing is getting worse because its what his normal is.

When I worked with adults, most of the time the patient didnt realize the severity of their disease. It was the families that usually pushed them for more extensive doctor visits and hospitalizations.

I know its really hard to watch and very hard to understand but try thinking of it from his perspective. Yelling and getting mad at his isnt going to help the situation at all. Believe it or not, most chronic patients dont run to the hospital every time something happens because quite frankly, they still want to try to lead normal lives also.

I think you are on the right track. You want the baby! That is important! You are willing to do what it takes to help out and be a part of that life. I do think it is admirable to want to try to stay together...it is not the right thing if YOU are unhappy. If that baby has a happy dad it is going to grow up having a happy childhood. Put yourself first to be able to put that baby first. If she is cheating on you...that is not love nor is there trust...what is the "relationship" built on? Ask yourself is it worth salvaging? Is she going to stop behaving that way she is? If not, then it is best for you to give your baby one responsible parent. Parenting is a huge JOB! Well worth it! But never the less utterly overwhelming. If you ever need to talk or ask anything about babies or kids I'd be happy to help. I have four.

You should be a bit more understanding. Your Dad is probably scared about the fact that he is 71 years old and he has problems breathing, and doesn't want to die. He may also be trying to protect you from worrying (not that you seem to be too worried considering you think he deserves to be slapped) Remember you dad is an old man. You should be trying to comfort him instead of being angry.

Sometimes people try to cover-up their illnesses or pain as to not frighten, worry, or bother those around them. Perhaps he feels if you know how much he is suffering, you will suffer too. And your mother's defense of him may be her own denial of the seriousness of the situation.

Pets can be like this. When our pets die, they usually don't want us to see. They try and find a private place to do it.

I'm not saying your dad is going to die, but I'm trying to relate the situation. It usually has to do with personal dignity. We don't want people to see our loss of it and thus we try to cover it up. Your dad may have a lot of pride.

And Torn makes a good point, too. He may very well be afraid of hospitals.

i don't think that he is lying to you intentionally, he just doesn't want to worry you or your mother. asthma and CHF causes shortness of breath. no matter what season it is. right now you don't need to smack him , you need to hug him and let him know how much you love him. Good luck

Could he be pathological? If so he needs help. Or maybe he has a fear of doctors and hospitals and tries to avoid them even if he's really sick

it is about your family.maybe your father forgot that he have to stop lying.if he lies befor it too maybe it is something not import for him.try to tell him but not in the stright way.he will know what rong he is doing.trust your self,he will listen to you;if he don't...