All of the opinions here are great and getting a lighter bike, changing the gear ratio and improving the cadence will all help get you up those hills one day. The one thing that no one mentioned is improving your lung function. I don't know the severity of your emphysema, but as you know, emphysema decreases your lung capacity by destroying alveoli responsible for oxygen transfer and increases the amount of CO2 that you retain. Just opposite of those that do not suffer from the disease. For this reason, people with emphysema breath when their CO2 retention is low and not when their oxygen retention is low causing you to tire much faster. I would check with your doctor to find out what you can do to increase your lung function so you don't tire so easily and get your respiratory system to as-close-to the best that it's going to get. In the mean time, keep doing what you are doing in gradual increments but don't over task yourself.

I know that it can be frustrating when you don't see much progress in what you are doing, but if you take care of the medical problems first, the rest will start to become easier. Just don't give up. I have leukemia and really worry about the anemia that is associated with it. I don't want to get to the point where in the middle of a century ride, I can no longer oxygenate myself because of the low red cell count and suddenly crash and burn. I am now working with my hematologist (also an avid cyclist) on my breathing technique so that I take in more oxygen without increasing my respirations. It seems to be working well so far.