Did My Father Conceal the Extent of His Illness Before He Died?
Age: 64 Gender: Male Weight: 95kg before September; 63kg at the time of death Long-term smoker and alcohol user Suffered from pheochromocytoma; prescribed lithium and sertraline. In September 2023, my father suffered two unexplained episodes of losing consciousness. One incident resulted in five fractured ribs, which landed him in the hospital for a fortnight. Medical professionals recommended he undergo MRI and CT scans with a neurology specialist, but he unfortunately ended up on a waiting list. I presume the hospital conducted blood tests to rule out any internal bleeding due to the rib fractures. After his discharge, he was home for less than two weeks before he passed away. The death certificate indicated the cause was gastrointestinal hemorrhage stemming from a chronic duodenal ulcer. The report detailed that the duodenum had dark, altered blood and identified a chronic ulcer 25 x 15 mm in size with a depth of up to 8 mm on the back wall of the first part of the duodenum. Clot remnants were found at the ulcer's base, while the rest of the duodenum appeared normal. If this ulcer had existed for a long time and was actively bleeding, how did it slip through routine blood tests? Was this information potentially communicated to my father? He seemed to have been preparing his affairs, as a will along with bills was found neatly arranged on a card table in the living room. I consider the size of the ulcer to be critical. While the report does not mention it affecting an artery, I suspect it would still lead to significant internal bleeding. Evidence of melena was noted throughout the bed and on him. My father had a strong aversion to hospitals and medical procedures, which complicates my understanding of the situation.
Answers (1)
9/10/2025, 1:40:49 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm really sorry to hear about your father's passing and the difficulties leading up to it. It's completely understandable to have questions and concerns regarding his illness and the circumstances surrounding his death. Let’s break down your concerns to help clarify things.
Main Points
- Chronic Duodenal Ulcer: It’s possible that your father was unaware of the severity of his ulcer, especially if he had no symptoms prior to his collapse.
- Blood Tests and Clinical Oversight: While some blood tests can indicate internal bleeding, they may not always detect hidden ulcers or the extent of gastrointestinal issues.
- Communication and Preparedness: His aversion to hospitals may have influenced his decisions regarding health care, but the preparation you noted could suggest he had some understanding of his health.
Explanation
Chronic duodenal ulcers can develop without overt symptoms, and they can remain undetected until they cause significant complications, like bleeding. The presence of melena (dark, tarry stools) is a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding, which your father may have been unaware of or attributed to something else. Routine blood tests often look for signs of bleeding like changes in hemoglobin levels, but they might not always indicate that a serious ulcer is present, especially if other symptoms were absent.
Patients sometimes do not fully understand the implications of their health conditions or the potential risks involved, particularly if there is anxiety around medical interventions. Your father's organization of personal affairs might indicate he had concerns or foresight, but it’s difficult to ascertain what he fully understood about his health status.
Next Steps
- Reflect on Symptoms: Consider any changes in your father's behavior or health that might have hinted at his awareness of his condition. Were there any complaints of discomfort, indigestion, or weight loss prior to his collapse?
- Discuss with Family: If you feel comfortable, talk with other family members who might share insights into his health or feelings about medical care at that time.
- Seek Clarity from Medical Records: If you haven’t already, request a full copy of his medical records from the hospital. This can provide further insights into the care he received and any tests performed.
- Emotional Support: Losing a parent is incredibly difficult. In addition to seeking answers, consider talking with a counselor or a support group for those who have lost loved ones.
If you have more specific concerns or need further information about his medical conditions or testing processes, please let me know. Your feelings and questions are valid, and it’s important to take time for yourself during this period.
Related Questions
Unusual Heart Sensation
I’m an 18-year-old, weighing 50 kilograms and standing at 170 centimeters (and yes, I’m aware that I’m quite slender). For the past couple of years, I’ve developed a habit of smoking about half a pack of cigarettes each day. So, the other day I was lying on my left side, relaxing, when I stumbled upon an unusual sensation. It felt as though my heart was pulsating so intensely that it was almost outside my body. Out of curiosity, I pressed a bit on the area and was instantly hit with a rush; my head started to tingle, my vision momentarily blurred, and it felt as though my heart dropped. It was as if my entire system had malfunctioned. Just for context, I’ve experienced something similar before after a ketamine overdose, and it persisted for about a month afterward, occurring occasionally while trying to sleep or during random moments in bed. This current episode has me quite anxious, especially since it hasn’t happened in a while, but this time felt particularly alarming.
Mass on the Glottis
Patient Details: 63-year-old male, height 165 cm, weight 66 kg, Asian descent. Lifestyle Factors: No history of smoking or alcohol consumption. Medical History: Diagnosed with asthma and angina. Current Medications: Uses a Symbicort inhaler and takes Concor tablets. Main Concern: A mass was detected during a gastroendoscopy carried out a year ago. There is no report of pain, but the patient experiences mild hoarseness. What might be the diagnosis?
Experiencing Heart Palpitations Following Chest Impact
I'm a 17-year-old female who has struggled with tachycardia for several years, having been diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) about five years ago, although I haven't pursued further testing because I haven't completely lost consciousness. Recently, over the past month or two, I've started to experience sensations of my heart skipping beats, accompanied by difficulty in breathing during these episodes. These occurrences have become significantly more frequent, even when I'm at rest. Five years ago, I underwent a Holter monitor test, which indicated primarily tachycardia with occasional premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), but nothing alarming was found. In early December, I was struck hard in the chest by an elbow while in a mosh pit, which resulted in some pain when taking deep breaths for a few days. My sternum became bruised and slightly swollen, and it remained tender to touch for about two weeks, but this discomfort was manageable. I still feel some soreness when stretching, although it’s not severe. Additionally, I have diagnoses of Crohn’s disease and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (HEDS), and I am currently on immunosuppressants. Given these circumstances, would it be advisable for me to seek medical evaluation, or could these symptoms be considered typical?
Understanding My Experiences with Dissociation and Physical Symptoms
Hello everyone! I'm 15 years old and I’ve been grappling with intense feelings of dissociation recently. About two years back, I experienced what I now refer to as a "silent seizure" for the first time. It happened around 2 PM while I was at school in the band hall. Suddenly, I found myself zoning out completely; I was just sitting there, disassociated from reality, until it dawned on me that I couldn’t seem to reconnect with my surroundings. Feeling lost, I turned to a friend and anxiously asked, "Where am I?" She chuckled, unaware of the seriousness of my situation, but I stood up and wandered out of the classroom, aimlessly walking towards the bathrooms. The sensation was akin to being in a dream—you know you’re somewhere, yet you can’t fully engage with the moment for what felt like 5 to 10 minutes. Strangely, I even had the feeling of observing myself from above as I moved through the halls, like a scene from a dream. In a state of panic, I contacted my mom. By the time I managed to leave school, my mind was clearing. She took me to her workplace where a colleague checked my blood sugar levels, revealing it was low. I had eaten that day, so this was unexpected (especially since my mother also faces issues with low blood sugar). This occurrence was unprecedented for me; thankfully, I haven’t faced such low levels since then. In the following weeks, I experienced intermittent dissociative episodes, prompting me to visit a doctor. I underwent blood tests, an electrocardiogram (EKG), and a routine examination. Everything appeared normal, except I was diagnosed with anemia—something my mother and sister also deal with. I walked away from that appointment without any real explanations, and after a while, the episodes subsided—thankfully, a relief. FAST FORWARD TO NOW: (15 years old) (Potentially relevant context) Recently, I’ve been enduring severe heart and chest discomfort. I’ve been noticing irregular heartbeats, sporadic strong pulsations, and sharp pain localized in my heart region and upper right chest. Lying on my side can be quite painful, and sometimes I struggle to take deep breaths. I make it a priority to get a full eight hours of sleep each night, I take daily vitamins, and I’m actively involved in competitive cheerleading, maintaining a healthy fitness level for my height and weight. We sought medical advice again, underwent numerous tests, and, once more, everything checked out fine. My heart was deemed healthy, and all other measurements were satisfactory. Initially, we suspected anxiety might be a factor, but my mom is hesitant to consider antidepressants, believing that my age may limit treatment options. She has recommended that I hydrate more and practice breathing exercises (which is somewhat ironic since I struggle to breathe when these pains occur, yet I don’t argue). UPDATE: During practice today, I unexpectedly experienced my first "silent seizure" episode in two years. It was more disconcerting than I recalled. I lost track of my location again and couldn’t re-engage with reality. It felt as if I was observing those around me from a dream-like vantage point. This realization frightened me, thinking that I had moved past these episodes. It took about ten minutes for me to regain my awareness of my environment. Additionally, this week, I noticed moments of dissociation, albeit not as intense as previous episodes. I found myself vacantly staring, and my vision felt oddly lazy, frequently. It's worth noting that I do not have a lazy eye. I plan to document these occurrences meticulously, and if they persist, I will consult my doctor again. Meanwhile, if anyone has suggestions about what might be happening to me, I would greatly appreciate it. Is this potentially linked to anxiety? I’m genuinely confused about my condition!
Identifying a Mysterious Brown Circle on My Scalp
Age: 21 Gender: Female Height: 5'4" Weight: 175 lbs Ethnicity: White (Scottish/Irish) Location: California Current Medication: Testosterone injection administered subcutaneously in the thigh While I was having my hair dyed blue, my girlfriend noticed a perfectly circular brown mark on my scalp. It resembles a circle that appears to have been made with a brown marker. The size of the ring is similar to my thumb’s tip and contrasts sharply with the lighter shade of my scalp. There is no evidence of hair thinning or loss around this circle; we only discovered it because we were parting my hair. I’m curious if this could be connected to the brain fog or headaches I’ve been experiencing lately. I looked online, and while ringworm was suggested, it doesn’t match my symptoms since there are no bald patches or flaky skin. I’m open to answering any additional questions to help clarify this situation, as it's causing me some concern.