Could this person have a serious illness from alcohol?

My daughter’s father in law, 58, is an alcoholic. He has a real sweet side to him and a cuteness but my daughter tells me he’s always drunk. I’ve seen him or been inside his house for parties about a dozen times so the last time I wanted to give him a big hug. What I felt was worrisome to me and something I had never felt. His body felt like mush. Like he had water underneath his skin. Think “waterbed.” My daughter said it’s probably liver damage and/or edema. She is a nurse. This sounds serious, does it not?