What should I expect with COPD/CHF?

Currently I am the primary care giver for my father in law with CODP and CHF. Last week we were not sure he would make it to Christmas. I did bring him home from the hospital on the 22nd of Dec and he was ok. Christmas eve he was clearly worse the ankles swollen and could hear the rattle in his chest. He has home O2 for the first time but barely uses it. And is not taking his "water pills".

On Christmas morning however he woke up fine. Better then I've seen him in months to be honest. Only change was a beer he drank with our son Christmas eve. Christmas dinner he had another one and again he looked amazing on the 26th. We were totally prepared for this to be end of his journey with us but now I just dont know. He still wont take the water pills and hardly uses the "dreaded" O2.

Is it normal to suddenly get better like that? Is it ok to think we got lucky and he will be around for awhile? I'm so confused over what to expect here. We had planned he would not go back to the hospital but now I just dont know what to expect?