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?