‘Duck Dynasty’ star Phil Robertson battles blood disorder, broken back and possible ‘mini-strokes’
Phil Robertson He faces a difficult road health-wise, but is supported by his family and his faith.
To “Shameless to the Robertson family” Phil’s son Jase first broke the news to fans that his father had the disease “Early stages of Alzheimer’s disease” and is “unable to sit down and have a conversation.”
“It’s like an acceleration and it causes problems with his entire body. And he has early-stage Alzheimer’s. So when you put those things together, he’s really not doing well. He has problems,” he continued.
His son Willie Robertson spoke to Fox News Digital by phone and clarified that Phil is “struggling with a lot of different things right now.”
Phil Robertson’s son Willie Robertson told Fox News Digital his father is “struggling with a lot of different things right now.” (Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC Newswire/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
“Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease
“He has a blood disorder, and then he has mental health issues that could indicate early Alzheimer’s disease (on set) … and probably some small strokes due to his blood,” Willie explained. “So it could be a stroke, that’s what happened. So we’re still checking all of this. But then he also has a back problem, he broke his back and that’s the reason for the pain. So, that’s what he does, kind of fighting a lot of different things at the same time.”
Willie said that Phil’s back pain was the biggest problem affecting his overall well-being every day.
“Especially in any situation where he gets up from a sitting or lying position, it’s very stressful and very painful for him as well,” he said.
“We’re looking at some other things and trying different medications. And again, it’s a little more difficult with the pain problem, with the back, because that seems to dominate a lot of his day-” Today we’re trying to fix his back so he can at least move. We’ve been seeing a lot of different doctors and just getting the best care we can and the best things we can and trying to figure out what’s next.
According to Willie, Phil suffers from back pain and a blood disorder, as well as early-stage Alzheimer’s and small strokes. (Courtesy of Phil Robertson)
The “Duck Dynasty” star He did not disclose details of the blood disorder, but said it caused his father to produce “too much blood,” causing it to thicken and possibly leading to the mini-strokes he suffered.
“The mental stuff is tough,” Willie said. “It is difficult to determine exactly what these causes are, especially with early signs. It’s difficult to detect brain damage from a stroke, or is this Alzheimer’s?”
He added: “I know it runs in her family. Other siblings he had also had similar things. This happened to almost all of his deceased siblings.”
According to Willie, Phil also has an “enlarged spleen, which could put pressure on the stomach and cause some appetite problems.”
“He broke his back and that’s the reason for the pain. So he’s struggling with a lot of different things at the same time.”
On Unashamed, Jase shared that Phil was “not hungry at all” and had to “force himself to eat.”
“There are a few issues we want to get to the bottom of, and this may be why. “Maybe it’s the pain, but also the blood disease that brought up some things that could be dealt with.” That too,” Willie said.
Phil’s son Jase (second from right) spoke about his father’s health issues on the Unashamed with the Robertson Family podcast and revealed that his appetite had drastically decreased. (Robertson family)
But the family is doing their best to feed their patriarch, and Willie revealed: “I just got a message from him to bring him more food. He seems to like my cooking skills.”
“I make hamburgers, I made a few crawfish dishes. I made all sorts of things that I think he always liked and ate in the past. “I don’t know if it’s as good as mom’s, but I’m doing my best,” the 52-year-old shared, adding that Phil isn’t able to “do what he normally does.” usually does for his food”.
WATCH: ‘DUCK DYNASTY’ STAR WILLIE ROBERTSON RECALLS GROWING UP WITH PHIL ROBERTSON, A SURPRISING ORIGIN OF THE SHOW
The family was able to keep track of Phil’s health issues and seek help when possible signs of Alzheimer’s first appeared.
“We noticed some of the problems and so we started taking him to the doctor and finding out exactly what was going on,” Willie said.
Willie said the family noticed problems with Phil’s memory and took him to a doctor. (AP)
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
“It’s hard to tell if someone is just getting older and forgetful or if there is actual damage. And that’s exactly what we tried to find out.”
Willie said that “some days are good and some days are kind of not so good” for Phil, but they try to “have the most normal conversations with him that we can.”
“He still quotes the Bible and still talks about his faith in God. I think that was comforting and something he hasn’t lost yet.”
Phil’s wife and Willie’s mother, “Miss Kay”, is struggling with some of her own health issues, stemming from a broken foot in the summer that affects her mobility.
Willie said she wished she could help more, but in the meantime the couple of almost 60 years spend your time together quietly.
Willie said his parents kept each other company as they both struggled with health issues. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images for A&E Networks)
Do you like what you’re reading? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
“They’re both down there, in the same place. They sit in their chairs and do the same thing. So they definitely keep each other company.”
Despite his condition, Phil is “as sharp as ever” when it comes to his faith and knowledge of the Bible.
“He comes right back to it, and we find that they are things that seem to comfort him,” Willie said. “He still quotes the Bible and still talks about his faith in God. I think that was comforting and something he hasn’t lost yet.”
“He can’t talk like before and teaches his class, and so he’s kind of taking a break from all of that and his podcast and stuff. But it’s still strong and vital for him, he just can’t always do the words and thoughts that I think he wants to do.
According to Willie, Phil’s faith is strong and “comforting” to him. (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
Willie continued, “His faith is such an important part of his life. And life is short and temporary, and he has always known that. And we’ve basically always had such an eternal perspective on life itself. We’re not sad. We’re aware that these are things that happen on this earth, and we care about them.”
WATCH: ‘DUCK DYNASTY’ STAR PHIL ROBERTSON ON FINDING FAITH BEFORE GLORY: ‘GOD SPEAKS THROUGH HIS PEOPLE’
And faith helps the whole family through this difficult time.
“These times are when the faith component really comes into play,” Willie said. “That’s what it’s all about, that’s what he lives for and for the hope that there’s something beyond that. And so, and he’s definitely a testament to that even where he is in life right now.”
Willie said that “the faith component really becomes stronger in difficult times.” (Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
He added: “But who knows? God could do some amazing things. I know there are many prayers. So it wouldn’t surprise me if he took his turn and ended up doing great, so you just never know.”
