My Dad is very physically fit for a man of 82. He is having no symptoms that would indicate an issue. He has no family history of cancer. I don't know if I could watch him closely enough to keep him on a clear liquid diet for 24 hours or get him through the colon cleansing process. The entire process will cause him to become very agitated. I can't see any real value in putting him through this. Am I wrong?
Burnedout, That dr makes no sense but to make money if he cannot offer treatment to help her. wtf! I ask what the use of the test if he cannot help her? Some of these dr just make no sense. Does she have a primary physician for I would ask that dr what he thinks about the situation. Good luck n go with your gutt instincts.
My 89 year old dad just went through 3 months of surgery and rehab - I now have specialists calling about more tests and more procedures. He barely survived the last surgery - I told them he needed some time to recover and they are adamant that I go forward with these test. Same thing with my mom who is 86 and weighs 93 pounds. Her doctor recommended a 3 1/2 hour stress test. When I asked him if he would then recommend treatment if anything came up, he said no - she is too frail for treatments. What is going on?
I don't know whether it's greed, a doctor's desire to keep everyone alive, or a fear of being sued that makes them recommend things that are so stupid given the patient's situation. Thank goodness your dad has you as his advocate. A lot of people would just go along with whatever the doctor recommended.
But with no symptoms, I'd not put him though that misery...especially with ALZ when he can't understand what's happening to him. I'd talk with the doctor quite frankly and ask him why he thinks this is necessary and if is worth the misery for your father.