I'm the only child and my dad lives with my mom 15 minutes away. I've been handling his many medical issues including COPD diagnosis after one of his more recent strokes three years ago. He suffered a MAC infection along with the COPD and had just gotten over that after 18 months of fighting it. They told him he needed to quit smoking once and for all. He wants to quit but after smoking from age 12 up (he is now 70) it's been hard. They recommended the patch and lozenges, but soon after recommended he switch to Chantix. He stopped the patch abruptly without advising me and began to suffer stomach issues including nausea and minor vomiting. He had mood swings and absolutely no energy or appetite for four days. They recommended he get on Chantix right away and the appetite loss got even worse as the days went on. Now, he's sitting in a recliner - and sleeping there too as a result of the COPD - and has not eaten barely anything in three weeks. He eats the occasional slice of watermelon, slice of toast and sip of soup. He drank Gatorade during this time which is atypical of him, but stopped two days ago. He absolutely refuses to drink Ensure or Boost as he's tried it before and hates it. He did stop the Chantix two weeks ago at the advice of his pulmonologist. But the appetite hasn't come back at all. He has occasional cravings for food he sees on TV. My mom goes out and gets it for him, but when she brings it home he says he can't eat it and just to put it in the fridge. I asked him what would happen if he were to try and force himself to eat and he says, "I just can't. So I dont." When I talk to him and even cry sometimes I tell him he NEEDS to go to the doctor, and he brushes it off with sayings like, "Well... have a good evening." If we mention the hospital he says he'll refuse to go. Also, his lips are dry and cracked and bleeding the past couple days. My mom got him campho phenique but he won't use it as he says it smells too bad. He refuses to use vasoline as well. She just got him Blistex Ultra Rich Hydration SPF15. We're hoping this helps! He says how is he supposed to eat even if he wanted to with his lips so painful like this. This is killing me inside! I feel like we're not doing enough. Please, ANY suggestions are appreciated!
Call 911. Have the EMTs evaluate and take them aside, beg them to convince your dad to get checked out at the ER.
He's lost so much muscle mass that he can't get out of his chair. A stronger bigger Amish neighbor stopped by - a buddy of his - and he tried to pull my dad out of his recliner. He couldn't. So yeah... that says something. Now, my dad WANTS to get out of his chair, but I'm thinking maybe he needs some type of in-home physical therapy? My dad is 70, my mom is 68. Her unemployment is just about to end and sadly with all of their bills, she needs to go back to work and is unable to retire. She's trying to get a job but at her age it's extremely difficult. When she starts being gone during the day, who will care for my father? He will definitely refuse going to a home, and I don't want to send him to one. He just wants to put on muscle and regain strength to regain his mobility. Does anyone have suggestions? I'm not sure if insurance would cover hospice coming in or if he would even qualify for in-home physical therapy or if he needs more than that? He said he's in no real pain other than a few bed sores, which he is now sitting on a pillow to try and help with. He really wants out of his recliner. Friends... now's the time. If you have any advice, I'm open to it.
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