My dad has had blood flow issues in his right leg that we have had surgery on to fix 3 times now. The doctor says we are out of options and will need to amputate. He had a stroke 3 years ago, lost my mom unexpectedly last year, and has been under anesthesia 3 x in the previous year. He hates hospitals and has become very argumentative with each procedure. He was in the room when we discussed it with the doctor, but didn't seem to really grasp what it really meant, and now has forgotten altogether. We are still trying to get a grasp on how bad the dementia is. Does anyone have any advice on how we approach the discussion again when we get closer. Also, does anyone have experience with aftercare for an amputee with advanced dementia? To the surgery date.
Have you considered hospice for him instead?
He may not do well under yet another round of anesthesia. He may not cooperate with the basics of surgery (having an IV kept in, a catheter, taking pain meds, doing PT, etc).
You need to weigh the benefit of a possibly nightmare surgery experience that may cause him to pass in the end (infection, complications, hospital delirium) versus comfort and palliative care on hospice. Quality of life, not quantity.
I wish you wisdom and peace in your heart as you make decisions.
Please discuss his condition with hospice before you put him through amputation and the difficult recovery. Dad might not only lose his leg but also the rest of his mind. Could you live with that?
As an RN I am here to tell you that amputations OFTEN go wrong. There are clotting issues and healing issues as well as much pain due to phantom limb; there are issues of mobility. Anesthesia will/may worsen dementia. My own option would be palliative and hospice care for this senior were I the decider. Many many amputations end up not healing and further surgeries are required. This results in losing limbs an inch at a time, and constant care.
The POA or family or next of kind needs a SERIOUS conference with the surgeon regarding options at this time.
Any relatively easy way of getting a second opinion?
You might want to ask the doctor who recommended this " what would you do if this was YOUR dad?" and see what (s)he says then.
it’s the doctors job with you sitting by and to say it tactfully
do I have access to any charity organisations- in the U.K. we have St Francis ( hospice people) who woukd help ?
can u go fir a second opinion if amp is the only solution
that sort of news can send anyone over the edge