I think my dad is dying. I need someone who can tell what's going on, I don't get how his condition works

Question

My dad is 59 and I am very concerned with his health. He was put on oxygen for having emphysema after having a heart attack in 2002. Now, he gets very tired easily, has memory loss, repeats himself A LOT, and my biggest concern is that from the knees to his feet, his skin is a maroon color, and feels like leather. Also, he has expressed some loss of feeling in his feet. His feet are extremely dry, cracking, and his toenails are about 1/2" thick, and they often times fall off when I cut him toenails for him. Also, his legs and ankles are so swollen, that he only wears sandals and loose shoes now. What is causing this, what do I have to look forward to with his condition worsening, and how long do you think he has? I can't get him to quit smoking, and excersising is out of the question, because he gets tired just going to the store. Please Help. God Bless.

Answer 1

sounds like a mixture of things. heart failure.. along with diabetes and perhaps circulatory problems.. He need s to see a doctor and he needs to STOP smoking.

get him to a doctor as soon as possible because he needs help.

good luck

Answer 2

still smoking is killing him faster. emphysema is not curable. the damage is done. is he under docs care. my step dad died from this. smoking. first the heart attack. then the emphysema then lung cancer and he quit 15 years before the cancer. after the cancer he had the chemo and radiation which gave him another 3 years with us. he was such a great guy and I loved him dearly. only a doc can tell you what to expect for mortality but it sounds like your dad is giving up. the circulation in his legs is poor causing the dry skin and all the other leg issues. massage them is the best you could do for him. Go with him to the doctors office and ask questions. write down questions as you think of them and take that list with you to make sure you don't forget anything. If you are a christian you know where he is going and how he will be healthy again but it is still hard to watch your loved one deteriorate. God Bless and may He be with you and give you the strength you need to help him and your family get thru these next few years. In Jesus name , amen.

Answer 3

my condolences. i know how hard it is to loose someone and then have to make a call. one of my friends died, suddenly. he was in an accident where the other person lived. that night i was texting people. but its really not good to text him. i had to call a friend who moved away across the states and she didn't know. you have to work up the nerve to call. keep calm before you do. it wont take him long to know something is wrong. just tell him that you really need some help and the only words you really have to say is 'my dad' and he'll be there for you. don't be afraid of the call. it took me a full two hours to call her.

Answer 4

it sounds like your Dad is in very poor health. However he may still live many years. Not great years, tho. The leg and ankle swelling sounds like heart failure. If he is not on medication for heart failure he must see a doctor and get medicine. People who smoke sometimes have a long slow death over a period of 3 to 5 years. I'm not trying to scare you, but I've seen it many times. Eveyone reading this please realize this is what happens to smokers as they age.
If he does go to the doctor do your best to go with him so the doctor can explain what is going on to you.

Answer 5

Hope to give you some answers.

1. Emphysema, even with heart attack in the past, is serious but i have seen many patients with (even end stage, where the lungs really are not adequate!) live for a long time with it.

2. Tiring easily is very much related to the huge amount of energy COPD (emphysema) patients use just to move air in and out of lungs - trying to get enough oxygen.
There are SOME medicines which can help: he is surely already on inhaled mist meds, and many others. Doctor might have one or two ideas on meds that might make his breathing easier and save him energy.

3. Memory loss could be due to lack of oxygen, esp if he does not sleep well. Change in personality, crankiness, and not being alert/ not making sense, and repeating things can all be symptoms of low oxygen.

Emphysema is damage to the lung tissue that makes the little bubble-shaped areas stiff and scarred, which makes it harder for oxygen to get into the blood.
It's a structural problem with the physical body - and meds can help but there is no cure.
He is not supposed to smoke with oxygen as it can cause fire or sudden burst of flame esp into his face where oxygen is. At least make sure he knows this, and if he continues to smoke, must do it outside or with oxygen off and in another part of the house, far away from oxygen equipment.
If he quits smoking, his lungs will stop being damaged, and he might be able to cough stuff out better, plus less coughing and wheezing will save his energy....but it's hard to get them to stop!

4. Have you or your mother talked to the doctor about his legs and feet? Discoloration, hardening of skin, and loss of feeling are signs of extremely bad circulation.
Swelling of legs can be due to lung condition, heart failure, lack of protein in his bloodstream and/ or anemia, too much salt, and sitting with his legs down/ feet on floor.
Helpful measures: elevate legs when he sits (recliner chair and some pillows) = gravity is the enemy. He needs to be on No Added Salt diet. Also ask doctor about his protein levels as well as poor circulation.

5. His condition will worsen esp if he continues to smoke.
No one but God knows how long anyone has on earth (sometimes there are clues, but things don't always go as we think they will!).
Going to the store - he does not need to do! You or another family member can do this kind of chore for him.
He does need to keep active and walk around the house, do things as he tolerates them, use legs esp to keep the muscles strong.
Sitting is very bad for him. Walking good, lying flat in bed or with 2 pillows under head & 1 pillow under legs, good.

Toenails might be deformed due to bad circulation, also may have fungual infection. If dad is on Medicare, they will pay for a podiatrist to come to house and examine feet, cut his nails.
If he has other insurance, it's well worth going to office to have feet checked.

Talk to your dad, and mom if she is there, and to the doctor about your concerns.
it's nice to see a responsible young person trying to help his or her parent!

Answer 6

YOur dad needs to see his Dr ASAP!! He could be a diabetic or have CHFas well as emphysema, not to mention COPD. He may need to be on Hospice.
Don't be scared of Hospice. He can stay home and have Hospice, it is paid for by Medicare. The Hospice Social Worker can help get him signed up for Medicare if he doesn't already have it.
He is very sick and needs care by professionals.

Answer 7

you have to get him to quit smoking and walk around some. He can't do any type of excersize because he isn't breathing as well as he could be. Hide his cigs, he can't look for them forever..
He is 59, that is still considerately young. He can still be able to help himself.

Answer 8

Diabetes or congestive heart failure. Get him to the doctor NOW!!