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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Long Will He Live In The Absence Of Amputation Surgery?

my father is 72 severe diabetic and has alztimmers and dementia he refuses most medication and is currently in a nursing home he has developed wet gangrene in his left foot and is starting in his right foot as well he has been bed ridden for 2 years now and doesent know anything anymore cant feed himself or sit up does not talk anymore today they cleaned the gangrene pretty much to the bone and gave him 3 different antibiottics to be on he has already been on two others and the doctor a surgeon who worked on him today told us we will have to decide on how to proceed with this. Judging by his medical history and his health now the doctor does not believe he will live through the amputation surgery. my question is his quality of life is nil he would not want to be this way I know u cant give exact amount of time but maybe an approximate amount of time he would have left if we let him be on pain meds and don't do surgery and also would he be in a lot of pain,
Fri, 31 Jul 2015
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi, I had gone through your question and understand your concerns
At the age of 72 ,of course it is not advisable to give another stress in the form of surgery. In my opinion for any age , any condition gangrene has to be removed from the body.
It is not that easy to get rid of gangrene by even with highest effective antibiotics with highest dose.
Because the body is even not have the capacity to burden the side effect of highly potent antibiotics.
Amputation is the only best and easy treatment just you have to take risk.
Once it is separated from the body the health condition improves a lot.
May be he will become more active after amputation.
And about answer for the days left, no one can predict it.
But sure that after removal of gangrene with health care and strict glucose maintenance his life span will definitely increases.
Be confidant and give a trial.ALL THE BEST.
Hope for the good, lets have a surgery immediately.

Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Thank you.
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How Long Will He Live In The Absence Of Amputation Surgery?

Hi, I had gone through your question and understand your concerns At the age of 72 ,of course it is not advisable to give another stress in the form of surgery. In my opinion for any age , any condition gangrene has to be removed from the body. It is not that easy to get rid of gangrene by even with highest effective antibiotics with highest dose. Because the body is even not have the capacity to burden the side effect of highly potent antibiotics. Amputation is the only best and easy treatment just you have to take risk. Once it is separated from the body the health condition improves a lot. May be he will become more active after amputation. And about answer for the days left, no one can predict it. But sure that after removal of gangrene with health care and strict glucose maintenance his life span will definitely increases. Be confidant and give a trial.ALL THE BEST. Hope for the good, lets have a surgery immediately. Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions. Thank you.