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[Halsdaughter]

I’m new here my Father just got labs back and his bun is 92 and creatin is 3.63 we’re heading to the doctors today. He’s 92 and has stage 4 kidney failure stage 4 COPD and heart failure. Do you think the doctor will recommend dialysis or hospice? I know no one here is a doctor but I’m struggling right now.

[lowraind]

What does your father want to do? It is best to educate yourselves about the pros and cons about each alternative available, and then make decisions along with dr. input. I am at stage 3 but have already decided that if I ever do get to esrd, I want palliative care. I have had too many other health problems to want to put my body through more, but that is my decision. Others may want something else.

[Halsdaughter in reply to lowraind]

I don’t think my father wants to do dialysis we went to the doctor yesterday and he said that since he is not clinically looking bad they want to do a ultrasound first and then go from there. The problem with my father is that he does not remember short term things so the fact that we even went to the doctor yesterday he has already forgotten.

[lowraind in reply to Halsdaughter]

I think it will be very important for you to scribe everything, not just what the doctors say, but also what your dad says each time. It also might be a good idea to find a senior advocate who can become involved to help make sure that his desires are carried out by the medical community. At stage 4, there is much that can be done through diet, hydration and moderate exercise (if he is able).

[Gotthecall_123]

I agree with the other comments,at your farthers age it up to what he is comfortable with? Dialyses is rough on the body at any age! He should enjoy what time he has left🙏

[mingmiley]

If dialysis is the option, he has to go through the graft or fistula surgery, that will take two or three months to be able to use. In emergency situation they'll make a catheter on upper chest to be able to do dialysis right away.

[Halsdaughter]

I am my dads advocate and the best person to do the job Ill always do it’s best for him ♥️ His ultrasound is today and labs. It will be a very long hard day and he’ll sleep for the rest of the day, because he’s also in stage 4 COPD it’s very taxing on him to do anything, he can’t walk so I have a wheelchair for him.