blocked bile duct

  • Thread starter Thread starter LetaRae
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LetaRae

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Surgery was not an option for 87 yr old mother with heart problems. Couldn't drain the gallbladder due to low platelet count and acute infection from gallstones. Antibiotics did not change anything. Her stats yesterday dropped to 108/40. Care center making her
 
I dont think this finished but they absolutely need to do something. They cant let her die from gallstones. If they arent able to get any medications to work then they need to be doing laproscopic surgery on her.
 
They can perform an ERCP on her. It's like an endosocopy but only the instrument has small scissors at the end. They cut open the bile ducts and let they drain. Good luck
 
Thank you for your reply. Mother passed away 3/1st after several days in the hospital and several in a care center. She was transferred when the hospital said there wasn't anything more they could do for her. We were told they couldn't do any procedure until they managed the infection and nothing was helping. They couldn't do a blood transfusion because her system was compremised with staff infection (MRSA). I haven't seen the death certificate yet, and yes, we are upset as to what really happened.
 
Im very sorry for your loss....I'd be curious to know what the hospital has to say about letting her go like that...In my opinion it could have been prevented. Im sorry.
 
Thank you for your note. I agree, everyone is telling me her situation doesn't make sense. I hope to sit down with her doctor but I don't think I'd get the information I need. I am going to see if I can have a copy of her medical recorRAB (I have legal Power of Attorney on her health care). THank you again,.
 
My mother who is 90 was diagnosed with blocked bile duct 3 years ago. At the time the hospital assigned doctors decided she had cancer and placed a metal stent which I understand is only used in terminal cases. It turned out she did not have cancer and for 3 years has been in and out of the hospital for stent cleaning by endoscopy every 3-6 mos when it would be blocked again. Finally, she went into the hospital 3 weeks ago, had the stent cleaned and it was filled again in 6 days. Upon further investigation, she was diagnosed (really this time) with cancer of the bile duct. They said they could do no more for her (terminal) and since she has a living will, she is now home under hospice care. My question is what to expect from here on, what can we expect. The doctors or the nurses did not give us a time line for what is to happen next. How long can she linger this way? I am out of town and other relatives talk to the hospice nurses so I don't always get the entire picture and feel in the dark.
Thanks in advance.
 
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