I am Retired Teacher married to a 92-year-old retired Physician. My husband wants to stay at home. He has lost one lung and has breathing problems, along with a list of other medical problems. He has rectal bleeding that has increased, but he says it's only his hemorrhoids (a doctor trying to diagnose himself) and not to worry. His son is in the medical field and said why bother to put him through any tests, if they find something what could they do.... he is 92?? Do I take the advice of family and let it go or insist on having it be check out?
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We had to practically carry her to the car to get her to her annual Medicare exam. Thankfully, her PCP understands elderly people and can only make recommendations, but doesn't push it. I have told her that it is her decision, and I will abide by it.
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I think we all come to a stage in our lives where we just don't want to be poked and prodded anymore. Me, I was so glad pap smears were no longer recommended at my age. Yeh, no more internals after 50 yrs! No, you never get used to them.
My Dad already had a know "huge" abdominal Aortic Aneursym he had had to make a decision about. As a nurse I could discuss it with him; surgery at his age was very risky. And as he took to saying to everyone "If that puppy blows I will be unlikely to have the time to say 'ouch'". As it happened he died in his easy chair watching Monica Lewinsky on Larry King Live. Didn't even have the time to say "ouch" to my Mom.
This decision is one to speak to your husband about. Most MDs I knew didn't want to do a whole lot, knowing all they knew, but the decision is his.
Follow your OWN gut instincts. They never lie or weave stories that make no sense.
Good luck!
Who is managing your husbands health, you or his son?