Zsa Zsa Gabor given last rites, declines surgery that "would give her a 50-50 chance survival rate"

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Zsa Zsa Gabor to spend final days at home
93-year-old star is in and out of conciousness, declines additional surgery

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38716352/ns/today-entertainment/

LOS ANGELES — Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor has decided to spend her final days at her Bel Air home after declining to undergo any more surgery, her publicist said on Monday.

Gabor, 93, was given the last rites by a priest in hospital over the weekend after undergoing a series of setbacks following hip replacement surgery a month ago.

Doctors wanted to perform surgery on her liver that would give her a 50-50 chance survival rate, but Gabor and her husband, Frederick Prinz von Anhalt, decided "she wanted to spend her final days at home," publicist John Blanchette said.

"Frederick said he did not want to torture her anymore," Blanchette added. He said the star, who has been a Hollywood fixture for 60 years, "is in and out of consciousness."

She left a Los Angeles hospital on Monday and returned home.

Gabor, whose string of movies, television shows and wealthy husbands dates to the 1950s, was released from hospital last week but was taken back on Friday to treat two blood clots.

She broke her hip on July 17 when she fell out of bed while watching the television game show "Jeopardy." The actress was partially paralyzed in a 2002 car accident.

"She had a great run," Blanchette said. "She's 93. She knew five presidents ... she knew kings and queens, celebrities."

[Common Sense Party]

1. They don't call it "Jeopardy" for nothing.

Ta ta, Zsa Zsa. I don't blame her for not wanting the surgery. When it's time, it's time. May she go in peace.

[niyad]

2. be at peace, dear lady

[Blue_In_AK]

3. She's had a long and interesting life,

but has suffered in the last few years. I don't blame her for welcoming the end. Who needs any more pain?

[napi21]

4. Why do so many oldpeople die after a broken hip?

I realize it's always some complication, but why is THAT surgery the one that seems to end up being fatal?

[mike r]

6. It's the lack of mobility during recovery

which tends to lead to infections - such as pneumonia.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. Most likely it's due to the fact that this immobilizes people.

And due to her advanced age, she's fragile, and once you go to bed, and stay there, all manner of things can go awry.

The skin starts to break down, the blood flows more sluggishly, bones start to decalcify, digestion slows down.

It's called "The Hazards of Immobility" and as a beginning nursing student, I read this many years ago. It's why patients are gotten out of bed and made to move much more quickly than they used to.

She's ready to die, and she will, hopefully without pain or distress.

I hope that helps. And let me hasten to add that the the changes I listed above don't start immediately upon going to bed. They take time.

[napi21]

8. Thank you. That makes a lot of sense, and I have wondered

about the cause formany years.

I too wish Za Za a painless passing. I completely agree with her decision and would do the same if faced with a similar problem.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. mike r was also right...

Immobility can lead to infections, especially lung infections. Pneumonia can result.

Glad I could help!

[sarge43]

13. The ones I've been warned about (67, hip joint replacement today)

Respiratory complication

Throwing clots (blood or fat, always a danger with large damaged bones)

Post op infection

Healing time increases with age

[Cleita]

14. Also, it gets harder to heal from anything when you

get old. I think entirely too much surgery is done on old people. I wish specialists would try to find other ways to effect cures and only use surgery as a last resort.

[dkf]

5. So sad. :(.

The Prince seemed like such a flake but his concern is touching and he is taking care of her.

[saracat]

12. I doubt that. Who knows what Zsa Zsa really wants? The Prince is disgusting,

His whole background is that of a leech and con man. Ugh. He probably wants to hurry her along.

[old mark]

9. I hope you had a great time - we really loved having you here...

You made it a better place.

mark

[saracat]

11. And just when is anybody going to prosecute the fake Price for his con job?

Frederick Prinz von Anhalt is the most disgusting creature I have ever read about.Ugh. He took advantage of an old princess to buy a title, that really isn't legit and then "adopted" grown men while with Eva, and everyone knows he was "selling" the title illegally. He will do anything for publicity, including strip himself naked and call the police or claim to be the father Anna Nicole Smith's baby or announce a run for governor! What a slime. I hope Francesca Gabor, the only child of Zsa Zsa inherits. She is the only child ever born to any of the Gabor sisters and it would be a shame if she is denied her inheritance by this charlatan.
God speed Zsa Zsa. It was a heck of a run!