Outpatient surgery

Pyrgos

My 92-yr-old mom with dementia needs a 2-minute procedure to remove a potentially deadly skin cancer from her face.  She got very upset when the doctor proposed doing it at the first visit when the cancer was diagnosed.  She refused, saying she's old and will die soon anyway, and that she doesn't want her face cut.  The minute we left the office, she forgot about it completely.

She's had similar skin procedures over the past 20 yrs and has never refused before. So we know it's the dementia and confusion, and not that she doesn't care if the cancer spreads. 

Since it's a 2-min. procedure, we are hoping to make it happen. If it were major surgery, we might think differently about it.  The doctor says it could be very painful and get into her neck if he doesn't remove it.  We want to spare her that pain. 

Now we must plan how we'll get her back to the office and help her through the procedure.  The doctor has proposed for us to give her Valium an hour before but has no other suggestions.  We're not sure if that will be enough.  Does anyone have any advice or first-hand experience with this problem?  Any experts to ask? Any books to read?  Thanks ahead of time. 

M1

pyrgos I bet the Valium will work.  Prepare for her to sleep through the rest of the day though, it's a pretty long-acting drug.  Not meaning this flippantly at all, but that's what my vet uses too.

LJS45

I think the valium is a good suggestion. I would just check with her physician to make sure it is safe for her to take. I took 10 mgs. when I had a tooth extracted and it was very helpful. Good luck!