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Diverticular bleed

My dad was admitted to the hospital Thursday night (9/4/09) for what we believe is a diverticular bleed.  He is now in MICU, and has had 3 units of blood.  He continues to pass large amounts of blood.  The doctors are trying to avoid a colonoscopy because he had a mild heart attack approximately 3-1/2 weeks ago.  He is 86 years old, has many of the signs of late stages Parkinson's (diagnosed with Parkinson's but dr has not really indicated stage), diabetes (type 2), high BP & orthostatic low BP, spinal stenosis, and recenlty had a melonoma removed (they want to go back and remove more area around the site).  He sleeps 90% of the tuime, and lately is not always coherent when awake, but at other times is completely lucid.  There are definite signs of dementia, and we think there has been either several small strokes and/or TIA's.  He does suffer from depression - my mom (his wife of 59 years) passed away 5 years ago (on Sept 12, 2-1/2 weeks before their 60th anniversay).  

I am not sure what my question is, other than maybe how dangerous would the colonosocpy be?  and if they need to do a resection, it his consitio - how dangerous is the surgery?  Does anyone believe (as I kinda do) that he is holding onn until that anniversary?
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your reply.  We actually think the dimentia is more related to the Parkinson's because it was ocasionally present prior to this - but has gotten worse since being hospitalized.  The nurse says that coudl be partially due to the alrge amount of blood loss.  He is now receiving his 6th unit.

He does have a living will, which was fairly recently updated (shortly after mom passed away).  He has indicated no extraordinary means and has a DNR,

I think is someway he realizes the situation to some degree - his last statement at our last visitation was to take care of the house and everything - even though he didn't know where he was.

As for the melanoma - we have not had contact with that dr since he has been in hospital - they indicated they had to wait several weeks for the surgery on that due to the recent heart attack.  At this point, I think that is the least of his problems.

I am telling myself (trying to prepare myself) that he probably won't make it out of the hospital this time.  In so many ways I think that would be blessing for him.  I know that it is my "selfishness" that wants to keep him around.....but I know in my heart that he is miserable and do not want him to continue to suffer.

Again - thank you for your response and thoughtfulness.
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Avatar universal
How can I say anything here sympatheticly yet still get some points accross?
I don't know , but I'll try....the dementia he may be showing could be from metabolic encephalopathy , secondary to the gi bleed...The blood is metabolized in the intestines as a very high protein source, a bi-product of this increased serum Ammonia levels..It would be the toxic ammonia levels that are responsible for the dimentia. This would possibly stop after resection (as long as thats the only cause).

You're going to have to carefully weigh what you think would be his opinion were he to have a clear mind.

Was there a prognosis for a resolution of his cancer? If so taking the risk of resection may add 1-5 years to his life. That is if his quality of life would in your opinion satisfy him.

There is a book all should read titled "How Doctors Think" written by Dr. Jerome Groopman....it points out alot of differint ways both Patients and Doctors think in preasure situations such as this.

I have no idea what it must be like to live with parkinsons...What do you think he would want to do? Does he have a living will (also called an advanced directive)? if so it could give you some clues as to what his opinion might be were his mind sound>

I hope this helps & prayers go out

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