Dear all,
my apologies that this is very off topic but as I know you all have lots of
varying types of valuable expertise on the three lists I'm sending this to,
and I don't know who else to ask...and I have tried searching the web...
My father in law is in hospital, has been for 6 weeks now. Went in with
pneumonia, (also has emphysema, angina and has had prostate problems, but no
cancer there or elsewhere as far as we know.)
After 5 weeks on antibiotics to attempt to clear up the infection ( no
comment on the antibiotics, not my dad, not up to me) he now has a fistula -
a hole leaking from his gut to his lungs so cannot eat or drink via his
mouth.
They let him eat for 4 weeks even though the food kept being coughed back,
and only after they'd had a camera down did they say the food was going into
his lungs, now they have done some sort of video test with some sort of dye
and have "seen" the leakage. More tests are planned a CAT scan, and a camera
into his lungs.
So he is being tube fed via a naso gastric tube. We are meeting with the
consultant this week and we need to know (before hand if poss) if there are
any alternatives to husbands dad coming home with a stomach tube and
spending the rest of his life devoid of tasting his favourite meal, or
drink, or having meals out, etc.
I've searched Cochrane and Medline database and now understand a bit about
what happens in pneumonia etc, but can't find a good site that will give us
information and informed choices on this tube feeding matter.
We also want to know why they can't in simple terms just repair the hole in
his lungs and gut? I realise his age (75) and general health will be cited
as risks to general anaesthetic, but is it also cost? Or am I being overly
pessimistic?
Any ideas who or where there is a surgeon in the U.K who is expert in these
matters in geriatrics, or where I could find out?
Please mail me off list if you have any ideas, and my apologies once more
for taking up your valuable time in reading this on list etc,
Love and thanks - Jenny - reply address: [log in to unmask]
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