My 83 year old dad has congestive heart failure, Chronic kidney disease , COPD & Myeloproliferative disorder he had a gallbladder drain bag put in 6 weeks ago. last week he was rushed to the hospital with an infection from the drain bag tube he was admitted & treated & they replaced the drain bag and told us he is not a good candidate for gallbladder removal and would have to have the drain bag long term. Has anyone had any experience dealing with a gallbladder drain bag long term?
Also, my very fit and healthy 67-yr old husband had emergency gall bladder surgery 2 years ago and he developed a hernia (a common by-product of that surgery) which caused him pain and problems. Now he has to have another reparative surgery. So, even if your Dad could have the gallbladder surgery, it may result in yet another problem for him.
What specific questions do you have regarding the drain bag?
Is this a problem of providing ongoing sterile care?
Is this a worry about further infection?
Has a nurse been to the home to discuss with you all the care and treatment of this drain?
Whatever you are wanting to know as regards this treatment option, it is really medical questions and medical answers you are dealing with, and you should discuss this with the physician responsible for ongoing care/treatment of the gallbladder condition.
I think that, with the COPD and the heart failure, as well as lung and kidney failure, what you are looking at here is that all major systems needed for life are failing.
What preparations for Hospice or Palliative care are in place?
Hospice would give a weekly or more frequent RN check and this is something needed now for followup of this drainage device. I think that is the most important take-away from me.
You are dealing with an end of life situation. Whether Dad becomes strong enough for surgery on the gallbladder or not is somewhat a moot point given the fact he can likely no longer tolerate the anesthesia with a failing heart, lungs and kidneys. There are some VERY FEW MDs now who can do GB removal with light anesthesia and without any incisions--it is done by passing tubes down through mouth into GI tract. My stepdaughter who was too debilitated at the time to have normal anesthesia had this done at CPMC in San Francisco some years ago. I don't know that they have progressed over the years to have this procedure available or not, nor do I know if your Dad could tolerate it if MD could be found who does this in your area. I would discuss with doctors.
I sure wish you good luck and would refer you to Dad's medical team who know him and his case best.