[Yeti]

Could she have lung damage or emphysema that just makes it hard to catch her breath?

[oceanperch]

Yes she it is a lung disorder.

I was relating what I know which is O2 therapy and brain damage.

I have known folks with emphasema(sp) and they too needed O2 for long hours at a time not just puffing here or there. But that is not my area of knowledge.

[CAPPSMADNESS]

Could she have lung damage or emphysema that just makes it hard to catch her breath?

Yes, she could have chronic bronchitis with brochospasm. She could have moderate lung damage and experiences SOB while under stress. She could also be psycologically dependant on the O2. It is very frightening to not be able to breath, some chronic lung patients just feel better knowing that there is O2 available to them.

It is also worth noting that some chronic lung patients indeed experience personality changes due to lack of oxygen and irritability due to not being able to breath. Not an easy life and not an easy death. Regardless of what her son stands accused of - I pity this woman as much as I pity the other family members.