Hi all, I've browsed this community for awhile now and found it very welcoming and helpful. First time posting - I am desperately looking for some possible answers and even just shared experiences.
My father was diagnosed with COPD 15 years ago. He had many good years but in the last two things have taken a turn for the worse. His lung function is EXTREMELY low, he suffers from diabetes, congestive heart failure, and carbon dioxide retention. He is on 4L oxygen 24/7 and recently received a bipap to wear at night.
However despite all this he was able to move around in our house, make short trips, had a good appetite, and a generally good humour despite his tiredness. But in the last 2 1/2 months he has been hospitalized 4 times for various exasperations (lung infection, CO2 retention, issues with the humid weather). This has obviously taken a toll on him, he is losing weight and increasingly shaky.
Despite all this we were holding up well until these last couple weeks. He has become increasingly confused, specifically at night and in the early hours of the morning. On one occasion when we had to call an ambulance he became extremely angry, not understanding why he had to go and saying we betrayed him and just wanted him gone. Other increasing symptoms include him removing his bipap mask and talking to himself at night, picking up things that are not there, sometimes seeing figures on the wall, and now he is calling me from the hospital at night unsure of where he is or why he is there.
It is utterly heartbreaking to see my formerly strong father this vulnerable and confused. The onset was so sudden and his mind still seems to clear right up at 6am and he is back to alert. He recognizes that he is experiencing hallucinations. However during this hospital stay we are starting to notice mild confusion in the daytime also.
So my question is- has anybody else dealt with anything remotely similar?
My mother and I understand that we are reaching the very final stages of his disease but desperately want to care for him at home and keep him with us mentally as long as possible. This is definitely not possible with the confusion he is experiencing right now. Any ideas on what could be causing such symptoms, or where to begin looking for answers/support? (We are in Toronto, Canada) We have seen a barrage of doctors since this all began and still can get no clear answer. We are reaching out for more info today.
Side note, even if you do not have an answer to the question but have a relevant story to share it would be much appreciated. My dad is my best friend and I feel incredibly sad and alone watching him suffer so. It is taking a huge toll on our little family.