Name:   Talullahhound - Subject:   I think BS is too polite a term Hound Date:   7/9/2015 5:45:39 PM

Because of the effects of anesthsia on alzheimers, it is extremely unlikely that a surgeon would be willing to perform surgery because of the likely negative outcome on the brain.  I don't have any problem with Glenn Campbell getting late stage care.  I  don't know if he is paying for it himself or if it is covered by insurance, do you?  But that is not what we are talking about.  I am talking about people with end stage disease ending up on life support for weeks or months.  Even if they survive they will still have end stage disease.  Who would want to live like that, given other options?

I had a family situation with the effects of anethesia on dementia and alzheimers.  First was very mild dementia (still living independently) followed with heart surgery (life or death).  The results of that surgery were loss of independent living and midrange dementia.  Next, there was hip replacement surgery, which left my family member with full blown alzheimers, in a lock down unit.  That progressed quickly into end stage alzheimers.  Family member eventually contracted pneumonia and family made the decision to let family member go in peace.  So much better than hospitalization and life support at the end of life.