Cirrhosis PAD diabetes and now a necrotic toe can it get any worse!!

[SRE3]

Last September they sent my husband home on palliative care weighing only 53 kg and confused. 5 months later I have got him back to 65 kg no confusion odd bouts of forgetfulness that’s all and he has a quality of life. Now after removal of an ingrowing toenail he has a necrotic toe! 4 days in hospital for an angiogram he’s totally confused again weak and wandering and they basically said an angioplasty only has low chance of success and significant risk of bleed or full limb amputation bypass is very high risk but we could amputate above the knee! For a toe! Is there any pain relief he could take I know he wouldn’t pull through any major surgery and he would lose all independence with an amputation as he has severe muscle loss. I brought him home as he is much happier at home but should I have risked the op? I really don’t know what is best option. He hasn’t had a drink since August

[Laura009]

Hi. I am in no way qualified to advise but my Mum had lymphedema in 1 leg for years following surgery to remove a tumour. 30 years on became disabled, cut the underside of her little toe which turned gangrenous. Initially her consultant/ surgeon thought removal of the toe would be sufficient. On closer, more detailed investigation it was decided a through-knee amputation was necessary. My sister and l were called to the hospital to recieve the devastating news that the surgery had been sucessful, they brought Mum round, asked if she was comfortable to which she replied yes thankyou, closed her eyes again and never woke up. Now I'm not saying by any means that this is the norm, just thought l would share this with you as you are in a similar situation.

Best wishes

Laura

[SRE3]

Thanks Laura sorry to hear about your mum that is an awful thing to go through; my initial thoughts were he will not pull through an op he’s too weak and he’s happy at home I feel as long as we keep pain under control we should just carry on.

[Laura009 in reply to SRE3]

Thankyou. Having seen what happened to my Mum, I'm inclined to agree with you. It's in no way a critisism of the care she recieved in Cheltenham general because l can not fault it, it was just damn bad luck . But not a bad way to go all things considered pain free and peaceful ❤

All the best to you both

Laura xx