Was your wife's carbon dioxide (co2) levels in the 70's or do you mean her oxygen (02) levels were in the 70's?
I would suggest purchasing an oximeter to make sure her 02 stays over 90% in the future.
Hospice is a wonderful organization & I highly recommend taking your dr's advice & getting their help.
I cared for my mother with CHF and lived quite a few years after a hospitalization that she was started on supplemental 02. It really helped her & I bought an oximeter to make sure her blood 02 level was above 90% (her dr wanted it around 94%). She lived 4 years after that hospitalization. There was a point that I asked her dr to order hospice so i could get the help. It was so much nicer that with hospice the nurses come to check in & I didn't have to take mom the 45 minute drive to the dr every month for a check up. Also she had a physical therapist come to the house twice a week & do her therapy to gain strength here at home. Hospice also had a lady"hygienist" that came 3 times a week to help mom shower or do her hair. Sometimes she'd soak moms feet & trim her toenails or give he a manicure. Mom loved the attention & service they provided her & it really took a load off of what i needed to do. I cant say enough good about hospice and the help they provided my mom & me.
Mom also got the meals on wheels & the ones that they brought her were quite good & healthy meals . I can't say enough good about the hospice program. Hopefully your wife can come home & continue to gain strength just don't let that 02 drop so low again & don't be afraid to ask for the help you need :)

Call and set up a visit to the Hospice. They all employ "counselors" who can help, plus this is what they do - No matter what specific family, financial, or medical issues may be involved they have seen it before and can answer all your questions, and be sure to ask ALL your questions, make a list before you go. Specifically ask - "Why do you think the doctor is recommending Hospice?". They will also be glad to show you around, etc. No point in sitting and guessing. Go talk to the experts

Thank you gnott and jarca1. But Judy's oxygen stays in the low 90s on oxygen. She is also a carbon dioxide retainer, thus the trilogy. It was her co2 levels (ABG) that went up in the 70s. She should stay around 35 - 45 for normal co2. Unfortunately the oxymeter will only check o2 levels and pulse. So I am unable to check on her co2 levels. I just know she gets completely short of breath going to the bathroom and walking back to bed (short trip), so we put the trilogy machine on for a 1/2 hour and then she is better. Hospice has come in and has been wonderful so far. I just wish they could be there more often. I have to pay someone to come to the house to watch Judy and help her so that I can work. Judy has a good appetite (on prednisone), but very short of breath. The doctors mentioned end stage COPD, but I don't know how much time we have with her. Plus all the added complication of CHF and Parkinsons on her. I wish I knew better a prognosis. One day at a time right now.

Can fully appreciate the "better prognosis", I believe most of us would like one, unfortunately there isn't one. There are several sites that will offer a probability based on several factors - but that is just for the general population - if you collect enough data / samples you can always come up with a statistic. One example is the BODE Index. It seems to be considered the most accurate - again - for the general population that falls within those guidelines. Still only a percentage or "chance", and all such chances fall along a Bell Curve. For any particular individual there will be those that survive far less, and those who survive much longer. (For example, I have according to the BODE Index have had a 57% chance of making 2 years for the last 6 years!Smile) Sadly (or gladly) it is in fact "One day at a time" for all of us, no matter what the pathology, when we reach the so called "end stage". I am not even sure what "end stage" means any more - other than one always reaches a point where they are 'sicker' than they were a while back, but later there will be a day where you are sicker than you were then ... ad nauseam.

Thank you gnott....makes since!