Hi Everyone,

Sorry I've not posted much lately have been busy with Dad, work, my kids,
hubby etc.  Anyway, to refresh every one's memory,  My dad is the guy who
was going in for surgery for artery transplant in his legs to avoid
amputation.  My dad is diabetic and has problems fighting off infection, and
is very slow to heal.  He also has Alzheimer's, that was pretty much
un-noticeable to us until his triple bypass three months ago.  Anyway, he
had surgery on his right leg a little over a week ago, the surgery seemed to
be a success as blood was now flowing to his feet.  It looked as though he
would loose his toes anyway, as they are so badly damaged from lack of blood
flow.   He went back to the care center after only 4 days of hospital care
and was re-admitted back to the hospital five days after returning to the
care center.  His leg had become infected and smelled pretty bad.  Due to
his diabetes, and his weak heart, the fluids are not draining properly, so
the hospital manually drained his leg.  Again it is still likely he will
lose his toes, but the surgeon still thinks the leg will heal?

I am the family member who feels this surgery is a waste of time and lots of
pain to my father that is un-necessary.  My father does not have the
strength to walk more then a couple of steps, he doesn't have the strength
to hold his own weight and learn to walk distances again.  There is so much
nerve damage in his feet and legs from the diabetes, he doesn't feel pain in
his lower limbs until the problem is beyond antibiotics, and that's how his
feet got in such poor shape in the first place.  Now only 9 days after this
first surgery he has an infection that actually smells, but no one knew
there was an infection?  That's because my dad doesn't complain because he
doesn't feel it.  This is just one leg, the other is going to need more
work, they're putting in artificial arteries in the upper leg and moving the
arteries from the upper leg to the lower one.  He'll definitely loose his
toes on the left leg, and probably on the right.

I just don't understand, and maybe I'm being selfish, why put the guy
through so much, when in reality, he'll probably lose his legs.  From what
is sounds like if they do amputate, it will be above the knees as his doctor
doesn't feel he has enough upper body strength to go through the physical
therapy to learn to use prosthetics.

Though after surgery, we didn't lose a little more of him this time around.
After his heart surgery his Alzheimer's kicked in to over drive, and it felt
like we lost so much of him.  Then he had another surgery and we lost a
little more.  So if they have to put him under more and more and more, for
his legs, then I'll probably lose him a little more each time, so he'll have
his legs, but he'll lose himself.  I'd rather have him...

Jane