I am in the mood to get on my soapbox. Ive been scarce lately because Ive made it my mission to make sure my 88 year old father is given the best and most conscientious medical care possible. At the end of September he went in emergency for a gangrenous gallbladder - while wrestling with an upper respiratory infection. He came through with flying colors thanks to an exceptional internist Dr Nezhad and an accomplished surgeon Dr. Bailey. Just short of 3 weeks in the hospital, he fell in the bathroom (while being attended by a nurse). Compression fracture L1. Hes also suffering from an unexplained low O2 saturation. Back in the hospital to address the back, 2 weeks later out - still low O2. Back in the hospital - solely for the purpose of allowing a timely consult by a pulmonologist ( ever try getting an appointment with a specialist in a timely fashion?) Lung guy says not problem, just a hold over from surgery - hell get better. 2 weeks later - O2 worse - back in the hospital - see a cardiologist. They determine hes got a hole in his atrial septum (PFO). So when questioned about getting it fixed - the cardiologist says - well he is 88 years old! So Daddy goes home. Im staying with him and we notice his O2 is moving between 58 and 78% - 911!!! Dr. Nezhad asks him why he decided not to have the procedure - well the cardiologist told him he didnt have to. Evidently he could just die instead!!! Im so angry!! Mostly because some Drs act like older people shouldnt be treated with the same aggression as younger people. My dad may be 88, but he plays bridge twice a week, goes on cruises once a year, plans yearly family trips to Branson, does computer work for charity AND stays involved in politics. His heart is strong. He comes from strong stock who lived into their 90s without todays medical miracles. So dammit - if you can fix it - FIX IT! What he doesnt want it to lay on his back with an oxygen mask the rest of his life.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 17:08:00 +0000
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