Dad refused amputation. What now?

So, this happened to my grandma back in the 1970s. She developed gangrene (sounds like his toes are gangrenous).

Is he getting hospice services? He needs to be kept in a sedated state and out of pain.

Your father has serious health conditions that require immediate medical treatment and he needs to go to his doctor immediately or go to an emergency department immediately as his conditions are life-threatening. The blackness of his toes is gangrene which will eventually result in septic shock if the bacteria from his gangrene passes into his bloodstream. Get your father medical attention immediately.

Welcome to the Forum, Caroline.

Doctors do not do amputations except as the last resort and as a life-saving measure. Does your father understand that?

It is time to have a good sitdown with your Dad, his doctor and yourself--interpretor as needed, to discuss the outcome. Your father will likely qualify for end-of-life care through hospice if he wishes to continue in this refusal; I hope he will not. The black and shiny does sound like a symptom of gangrene. This will spread deep into the tissues, and it is deadly. The odor alone of the decomposing flesh will be overwhelming to all around your father.

I hope he can be dissuaded from this deadly decision, but at times patients cannot.

I hope you will update us after you and your father meet with a surgeon to discuss.

You should ask his doctors. In the U.S., it would be time to ask for a hospice consultation.

A friend who was in your father's difficult situation also refused amputation. He died after 3 weeks in hospice care. He didn't suffer because they kept him comfortable.

I am very sorry and wish you luck in finding peace.

You don't mention diabetes on your profile.

The doctors have not told you what will happen with out the amputation? Your father may also be suffering from poor circulation. Not enough blood getting to the toes. The black is probably gangrene. Its were the tissue dies and eventually will cause sepsis which can kill.

Also, with your Dads heart and lung problems, going under may be a big problem for him. Having a leg amputated can shock his system. There the healing and the pain. You Dad has probably weighted all the info and found he rather not put himself thru it.

I am sorry your Father has poor health.

Amputation is a painful & very burdonsome procedure. It is a very serious decision to make. I hope his medical team have told him & yourself their honest opinions: for the amputation & and against.

Carolinexx, I don’t have experience with this situation but I just wanted to convey my concern and best wishes for you and your father during this very difficult time.

Please ask the doctor. It’s a medical question. Only the doctor knows the correct answer.