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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Should We Try To Save An Amputated, Infectious And Failing Kidney Patient?

patient with toes amputated, infection returned, vascular disease, diabetic, kidneys failing, frail condition, family chose not to have more surgery, withdrawn all helping medications, only giving pain medications, withdrew insulin pump, no feeding tube as patient can no longer swallow-Should more been attempted to preserve this life, or slowly killing patient as it appears "merciful"
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Wed, 23 Jul 2014 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 23 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hello!While it is hard for me to comment without knowing the specifics in this case it is a classical medical dilemma care givers face the world over. If the patient is not very old ( above 80 yrs) my view is to give it everything you've got- the full gamut of medical, surgical & supportive therapy and then let the 'body' decide what it wants to do - stay on or go.
Best of luck!
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Should We Try To Save An Amputated, Infectious And Failing Kidney Patient?

Hello!While it is hard for me to comment without knowing the specifics in this case it is a classical medical dilemma care givers face the world over. If the patient is not very old ( above 80 yrs) my view is to give it everything you ve got- the full gamut of medical, surgical & supportive therapy and then let the body decide what it wants to do - stay on or go. Best of luck!