Fans of Duck Dynasty are increasingly concerned as the news about Phil Robertson has not been good. He has been having some health problems, but he claims to be staying the course.
Phil’s son, Jase gave the news on Unashamed with the Robertson Family about Phil Robertson’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He said that he is in the early stages and at this point, is ‘unable to sit down and have a conversation.’
He went on to say: “It’s like accelerated, and it’s causing problems with his entire body. And he has early stages of Alzheimer’s. So, if you put those things together, he’s really not doing well. He’s struggling.”
Willie Robertson, his son, spoke with Fox News Digital and also said that Phil is ‘battling a lot of different things right now.’
He went on to explain: “He’s got a blood disorder, and then he’s got the mental issues that could be early [on-set] Alzheimer’s … and probably some ministrokes because of his blood.
“And so, it could be some stroke stuff happening, that has happened. So, we’re still checking on all that. But then he also has a back issue, he’s fractured his back and that’s where the pain’s at. So, he’s kind of battling many different things at the same time.”
He also said that Phil has serious back pain and that his his most significant health issue at this point.
Willie continued: “Especially in any situation where he’s getting up from the seated position or laying position, [it’s] super stressful for him, too, and very painful.
“We’ve got several other things we’re looking at, trying some different medications. And, again, it’s a little bit more difficult with the pain issue, with the back, because that seems to dominate a lot of just his day-to-day is just from that, so we’re trying to get his back fixed up so that he can at least move around. We’re trying several different things. We’ve seen many doctors and [are] just getting the best care we can and best things that we can and trying to figure out what’s next.”
At this point, the specifics of why his father had ‘too much blood’ was not discussed. It could be that his blood is thick and it is leading to many strokes.
Willie said: “It’s hard with the mental stuff. It’s hard to determine exactly what these causes are, especially with early signs, it’s hard to determine brain damage from no Alzheimer’s?
“I know that’s in their family. Other siblings he has have had some of the same type of things as well. This has happened with just about all of his siblings that have passed away.”
Another possible problem is an enlarged spleen, which could put pressure on the stomach and cause problems with his appetite.
“There’s a couple of issues that we’re trying to get to the bottom of, which is maybe where some of that’s coming from. It could be the pain, but also with the blood disorder that has created some things that could be dealing with that as well.”
At this point, the family is doing what they can to help the father. Willie went on to say that his father had messaged him and asked him for more food, so he thinks he likes his cooking.
“I do hamburgers, I’ve done a couple crawfish dishes. I’ve done all kinds of things that I think he’s always liked and eaten in the past, I don’t know if it’s as good as mom’s, but, I’m doing my best.”
“It’s hard to know whether someone’s just getting older and being forgetful or whether there’s actually some damage. And that’s just what we’ve been trying to figure out.”
The patriarch continues to do what he can but at this point, it is limited. He spends a lot of quiet time with Miss Kay, Willy’s mother. She also has health issues and wishes she could do more to help but it’s nice that they can be with each other.
“They’re both down there, in the same spot. They sit in their chairs and they’re doing the same thing. So, they’re keeping each other’s company for sure.”
“He goes right back to that, and so we find those are things that seem to comfort him,” Willie said. “He still quotes the Bible and still talks about his faith in God, so I think that’s been comforting and something that he hasn’t lost yet.
“He can’t speak like he used to and teach his class, and so he’s kind of taking a break from that and his podcast and stuff. But it’s still strong and vital to him, he just can’t always make the words and thoughts that I think that he wants to make.”
Willie wrapped things up, saying: “His faith is such an important part of his life. And life is short and temporary, and he’s always known that. And we’ve always had such an eternal perspective, really, on life itself. We’re not sad, we realize this is, you know, these are things that happen on this earth, and we deal with them.”
