Mottled skin, experience with end stages?

[Jersey mike]

Sorry for the title, I wasn’t really sure on a good subject line.

Tough call with hospice yesterday afternoon regarding Barbara’s dad, feet and legs are showing mottled skin, is asleep most of the day and is being spoon fed when possible. They say he is comfortable.

I had never heard of mottled skin diagnosis of end of life sign and most websites say 1-2 weeks once signs appear.

Luckily Barbara has an appointment to see her dad on Saturday, so it may be the last time she gets to see him. The restrictions are still in place for family visits of 30 minutes, distancing, no touching or contact, masks.

For those who read this and have experience in this area is the diagnosis of mottled skin as true as the information I found online? Aside from his Alzheimer’s/dementia he’s has had cardiac issues which were beyond working on because of his mental status. Two valves in his heart have been functioning at only 5% or less for years and has needed at least six new stents. So again, we’ve known it’s just a matter of time. Almost 3 years ago cardiac surgeon said he wouldn’t last 6 months. I truly believe my father-in-law is the little Irishman in the Norte Dame insignia “Fighting Irish”.

We lost her mom suddenly 2+ years ago, we all thought pop would be first. We’ve been “prepared” for pop for quite a while now but the reality seems to be in our face now.

If someone has experience and can “confirmation” if possible on the mottled skin issue, looking for insight.

Thanks

[scooperhsd]

No insight on mottled skin, But sending well wishes to you and your wife about her dad . I hope he goes comfortably.

[Robert]

I don't have experience with it either but have been around quite a few dying and have seen some discoloration but with the heart condition, I think this that I found on the internet which you may have also found is probably applicable.

An easy test is either to feel his feet, legs and see if they are cool to the touch, poor circulation can also give bed sores from patients not being rotated or moved in the bed for long periods of time. Anyone bed ridden and not getting the flow of blood to the extremities is at risk.

I am sorry to hear of this even though its expected its never easy. I will keep you and the situation in my prayers.

Quote:

Mottling of skin before death is common and usually occurs during the final week of life, although in some cases it can occur earlier. Mottling is caused by the heart no longer being able to pump blood effectively. Because of this, blood pressure drops, causing extremities to feel cool to the touch.

[Alien]

I don't know about the mottled skin thing but what I do know (unfortunately) is that hospice workers know when the end is approaching.  I'm really sorry.

Ride Safe,

Alien

[Oss]

sorry to hear this Mike

Our prayers are with you and your family

[old2soon]

           Couple years back a half sister was terminal and infectious. Ross and I were gowned up and masked. Nurse was adamant. DO NOT touch or make contact with your sister! When the nurse left Ross and I lowered our masks and kissed our sisters cheek-for the last time it turned out. All I'm trtyin to say here Should her Dad be terminal-well what exactly would her kissing his cheek hurt?
           No clue on the mottled skin but some one already stated Hospice workers KNOW. PRAYERS up from Missouri for a peaceful outcome.  RIDE SAFE.

[0leman]

Jersey, I know what you are going thru.  Best wishes and prayers.

My Mom is 103 years old and living in an assisted living place.  I have been watching her go down hill for the last year.  Her mind is still pretty sharp but her body of failing her.   It is hard to do especially with the Virus causing lockdowns.  It is something we all will go thru loosing our parents.   

[Jersey mike]

The sentiments are appreciated, thank you.

[3fan4life]

Mottled Skin is a sign of poor circulation.

It shows up in the extremities as the body shunts blood away from them to the central organs.

It is often associated with shock.

[robin]

Sorry to hear Mike wishing the best for your family.

[Jersey mike]

Mottled Skin is a sign of poor circulation.

It shows up in the extremities as the body shunts blood away from them to the central organs.

It is often associated with shock.

With the years of living with the bad valves in his heart opening at 5% or so and the needed stents we’ve been surprised he’s had any circulation.

It’s been well over a year since his last cardio checkup but his Cardiologist has commented his heart is strong but the valves are shot as well as the blockages the stents would open up. He needed 6 stents last we checked, can’t say what that total would be now.

The guy has been a fighter all his life and whether or not he knows it his body is still fighting.

[carolinarider09]

I too wish the best for you and your family. 

Your story of an Irish Fighter brings to mind what a powerful thing the human body can be.  It can survive  all types of calamities, physical issues and keeps on doing what is needed. 

The will to live can be very, very strong.  And maybe, just maybe, God has not yet completed has plans for your father-in-law. 

[Jersey mike]

Well it’s over. Hospice was accurate on their outline of end of life.

We got a call on Wednesday he took a bad turn and we should come to see him.

He was on oxygen and morphine to keep him comfortable, he’s been a DNR and DNH so he was not getting anything through IV.

We were with him Wednesday Thursday and Friday all day until 8pm and the hospice nurse was with him throughout the nights.

Yesterday morning we were getting ready to go back to see him and we got the call just before 8am that he had passed peacefully in his sleep. 

As prepared for the end as we were (or thought we were) it was still sorrowful.

It was also our daughter’s 23 birthday so that made the day even more interesting.


Alzheimer’s is a theft of ones life. I know the possibility of dying from other diseases is out there but to have a lifetime of memories just washed away is dreadful and IMO the ultimate destruction of a person.

I’ve questioned many times the reason of “why” and now what I’ve come up with he still touched people’s lives. So many staff members were in to see him and were obviously and sincerely in grief at his bedside.

We were told of how even though he could be extremely difficult at times he was one of their favorite patients and the nurses, staff and caregivers learned from him how to be better at their jobs and use their experiences with him going forward.

Alzheimer’s sucks. We should fix it.  His symptoms began 14 years ago and now he’s finally at peace.

As to the original topic of this post, we were uninformed to what mottled skin was and the accuracy of what we learned. I hope this may in some way help someone else down the road but I’m sorry for what it will lead to.

[cookiedough]

sorry for the loss, Altheizmers sucks that I know with my Mom in later stages of it as well age 78.  The Drs. claim she had it over 12 years ago when Dad was still alive (which I do not believe), but has gotten really bad last 3 years now.  Over 3 years ago now she fell down at home and since that next day in ER,  she has not step foot in her house in rehab 1 month and now 3 assisted living homes in past 3+ years.  She does not know our names, etc. nor anyone and when asked anything she either says 'I do not know' or 'what do you think'.   Am sure the end is near in next few years or so and it's hard to go visit her monthly but at least last few months the small 8 unit asst. living home (6 residents now) now allows visitors despite the pandemic.  She always asks me after visiting an hour or so 'when you coming back'.  I say 2-3 weeks and she says back 'that long' wanting me to stay forever I think. 

It's tough, not sure which is worse seeing my Dad go thru Hell the last 1 month he was alive in 2008 with 32% oxygen rate passing out at home rushing him to Dr. ASAP to have emergency pacemaker surgery and 1 month later Christmas Day in hospital passing out blank stare on face me feeding ice chips at that exact moment and staying the night in his room seeing him at 8 a.m. take one last DEEP breath and done   OR   seeing my mom slowing dying because of altheizmers not remembering the past or pretty much anything at all.

[carolinarider09]

Sorry for your loss but, just from your words, he lived life unitl the end doing what we all should do.

Teach, inspire, give to others.  Truly a life worth living. 

[Willow]

Well it’s over. Hospice was accurate on their outline of end of life.
...

I'm very sorry to hear of your time of grief and sorrow.  No matter how much we know it's always hard when it happens.