I am so sorry to learn that your hubby has COPD. Did he ever smoke? The reason I ask is because I was diagnosed with emphysema about 4 months and I tried only one cigarette during the summer of 1968. My husband was in Vietnam and I thought I needed something to keep the hands busy! Fortunately, that one made me so sick I never tried again. I've been around smokers all my life though.
I wish you and your husband the very best of your time together!