I am a 24 year old Army vet, in school, but I give up all my extra time to taking care of my uncle who was diagnosed with ALS 1 1/2 years ago. He is constantly out of breath, cannot use the bathroom on his own or dress himself, his feet are purple, his hands have sort of crumpled together...he can grab things but only by connecting his hands. He still eats regularly. He can't walk, at all. I'm wondering how close is he to death? I know many of those symptoms mentioned are normal mid-ALS symptoms - But the breathing is worrying me - He also uses a breathing machine with a humidifier to sleep at night. I know dying from ALS is from respiratory failure, but can anyone tell me how close he is with the breathing?