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Mom's Skin Discoloration

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Posted 2/4/2015 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
I have written about my dad's ESLD on here as well as my concerns about him leaving the hospital to go home by himself. I'll update how he's doing in another post. Cliff notes...he's trying hard to stay sober.

My mom - she is also an alcoholic. Both of them in denial all of their life. The big family secret.

Long story short - she had been declining pretty fast for the past couple years. Hiding. Not allowing anyone to visit, etc. Textbook alcoholics.

July 2014, Mom let herself get to the point of not being able to walk. Dad finally called rescue and got her to the ER. She entered ER with severe malnutrition, alcoholic liver disease, constipation, weakness. The second day after they admitted her they found out she had a bowel blockage, while performing a colonoscopy. Then the doctor tried an endoscopy. Well, she aspirated during the procedure. She almost lost her life. I got the call. Your mother is 60/40 bp, aspirated and needs intubation.

She was intubated for approx 4-5 days. Weaned off. In ICU for 2.5 weeks. Developed everything a person in ICU for that long develops. Even DIFF. Edema left her feet in a drop foot position.

When the hospital could do no more, she went on to Acute Care. Then Skilled Nursing. She never progressed enough to be discharged. Inability to walk, dress, bathe, all that.

We had to place her in a nursing home. I'm in the midst of filling out Medicaid to protect my dad's part of the assets. I'll vent about that in another forum.

She's been in the nursing home since November 2014. Her Dx's are Congestive Heart Failure, Multiple Organ Failure, Alcohol Liver Disease.

I saw her yesterday. It's been since beg of January that I'd seen her. I am unable to drive the hour it takes to see her. Frustrating. So frustrating. (I do apologize for writing more than I planned to write, but the words are flowing.)

Her face, chest and legs look like she's been laying in the sun. This is my question, "finally" you say - Could this discoloration (dark yellowish to brown) be the beginning of too much bilirubin, jaundice?

If so, how far advanced could she be in this whole process? I know no one knows. Maybe someone has been through the same situation and could share what happens now.

I love this site. I haven't been on here for about a month I think. When I was posting, so many of you showed empathy and respect. Ready and willing to help me get through all this.

Both parents sick. Both parents futures not good.

Thank you ahead of time! I apologize this didn't end up being "long story short".

BIG HUGS,
2worried
Posted 2/4/2015 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
I meant to add that Mom's heart was pumping at 35% when she left acute care and her liver was not producing albumin.

2worried
Posted 2/4/2015 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
2worried I am so sorry about both your folks. You do not mention their ages, but regardless, it is so hard when someone you love is suffering.

My husband has alcoholic liver disease. When he was at his sickest, he was very yellow. Eyes and skin. I am not sure how bad it can get.

I have an uncle (my Dad's brother) that passed from a stroke, but he had been an IV drug user and had hep C. When he was hospitalized for the stroke, his damaged and failing liver is what finally caused him to pass. I did not see him (out of state) but my Dad told me he had never seen a person so yellow. Like a school bus.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hugs,
Emma
Posted 2/4/2015 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Emma, thank you so much. My folks are only 73 and 74. It's so sad. Their drink of choice for many years was bourbon. Then it turned to Vodka. My brother and I have gone through so many ER visits over the past 5 to 6 years taking them in, getting them sober, only for them to make a choice to pick up the bottle again. My mom was told in 2009 she had alcohol hepatitis. She continued to drink. My dad also. Neither are a liver transplant candidate, as neither show a true, get down and dirty and follow directions, will to thrive.

My mom has kept her spirits high when we call or visit. However, she is depressed and may be wishing she had lived her life differently. My dad met me halfway yesterday and drove me to see her. He didn't hesitate to say yes when I asked him.

I never thought I would get to know my parents sober. And for that, I am grateful.

Did your husband get a transplant? I hope he did. I hope he is doing well too.

I will take any prayers I can get. Thank you.

Hugs,
Val
Posted 2/5/2015 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Val,
Your Mother's complicated medical conditions make it difficult with questions like skin discoloration. That could be so many things from rash to meds, to bili. You should check with her doctor about that. She is pretty sick with several things going on and all are pretty serious. I am glad you were able to visit with her. It is really difficult to have loved one's so sick.

It sounds like your Dad is doing better and is now home! I am just guessing based on you having him drive you to see your Mom...That is very good news! Not everyone is a transplant candidate, but many can improve their health just by staying sober. Take care, Big Hugs
Posted 2/5/2015 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
Val,

This is all so sad, but unlikely to change much in the future. I also noticed it seems your Dad is doing better and was likely glad to have company visiting your Mom.

I am sorry that it is so difficult for you to visit, but you can only do what you can do physically and emotionally. I recall that you are looking after the business side of things for them and that is a HUGE help.

I looked up the skin thing and found an article here from the NIH: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000210.htm

The sentence that stood out to me was : "Jaundice may appear suddenly or develop slowly over time. Symptoms of jaundice commonly include:
Yellow skin and the white part of the eyes (sclera) -- when jaundice is more severe, these areas may look brown
Yellow color inside the mouth
Dark or brown-colored urine
Pale or clay-colored stools."

With all that is going on with your Mom, it may be unlikely she can overcome these multiple problems...heart, liver, kidneys, etc. It may be time to consider only palliative care....or you may be at that stage already...comfort care, accepting that she is not going to be young or well again and not taking any measures that prolong her life. This is a hard place to be and I am sorry that your family needs to consider this serious issue.

How are YOU doing? With so much going on with you, it is really hard for you to have both your folks doing poorly at the same time.

I am about your folks age, and would not want to be a burden to my children. I would want to be comfortable but not have treatment after treatment that would not make me better, but only prolong the inevitable, especially if I were in any kind of pain.

Many hugs,

Mama Lama
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