My DF (85) who has had two arterial replacements to deal with blockages in his legs over the past decade has now been told that he will need his foot / lower leg amputated in the next six months. Although he was really expecting this news he is understandably very upset. He feels he cannot cope with amputation - either the long recover or the life-style adjustments - and seems to be seriously contemplating suicide.
I'm not really sure why I'm posting. I do believe in the individual's right not to have to live with debilitating conditions and to make one's own decisions about quality of life, but he is very resistant to considering that he might be able to cope, that an advanced prosthetic and adaptations to his car might make his life bearable for some time. He was already very depressed because of continual pain from ulcers and other leg issues (almost certainly caused by insufficient blood flow).
I looked at Dignitas and their criteria would not seem to consider an amputation of sufficient gravitas to legally warrant their assisted dying help. I'm very worried about what he might do.
I recently experienced the death of my DH of brain cancer and his stoicism and resolve in the face of unimaginable horror means that perhaps I am not feeling as sympathetic as I might to my dad's attitude.
Any advice would be really helpful.