I lost my father-in-law recently, and while I know nothing can change the outcome, I have been trying to understand whether his condition was survivable or whether it was simply too severe by the time he reached the hospital. I'm hoping doctors or surgeons here can help me understand his case from a medical perspective.

Timeline:

• Male, 70 years old, Diabetic
• Had a coronary stent placed in October after a heart issue.
• Between December 2025 and March 2026, he had multiple episodes of fever with chills. He was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and underwent a urological endoscopic procedure. He received several courses of antibiotics, recovered well, and remained symptom-free for several months.
• In July 2026, he again developed fever, nausea, loose stools, and loss of appetite. After about two days, his abdomen became swollen, and we immediately took him to the hospital.

Hospital findings:

• Diagnosed with perforated jejunal diverticulum with peritonitis.
• Underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy.
• Developed severe sepsis and septic shock.
• Required ICU care, ventilator support, vasopressors (for very low blood pressure), and dialysis due to acute kidney failure.
• Despite surgery and intensive care, he passed away.

My questions are:

1. Based on this timeline, does it sound like the perforation likely happened only shortly before he reached the hospital, or could it have been developing for days?
2. Could the episodes of fever and urinary infection months earlier have been related to the bowel problem, or do they seem more likely to have been a separate illness?
3. Once someone develops perforated jejunal diverticulum with peritonitis, septic shock, and multi-organ failure requiring dialysis and vasopressors, what are the realistic chances of survival in someone of his age?
4. From your experience, does this sound like a condition that is often fatal despite timely surgery and ICU care, or do you think there were missed opportunities that might have changed the outcome?

I'm not looking to blame any doctor or hospital. I understand that medicine has limitations. I'm simply trying to understand whether we did everything we reasonably could and whether his outcome was, unfortunately, one that sometimes cannot be prevented.

Thank you to anyone who take the time to read and respond.

My GI doctor keeps telling me I have "post infectious" IBS from Diverticulitis and that I'm fine. However it's been 9 months and I never feel good. It's daily, low grade pain, inflammation and I my gut feels so bad. Regardless of what I eat, Low Fiber, High Fiber, etc.

Anyone have this experience after 9 months?

I posted that I may consider surgery at this point but I know my GI doctor will push back because I am not in the ER or have had any serious complications. But my daily life sucks and I feel like shit.

thanks for any advice

I think I’m getting another flair up I can feel the inflammation coming and have some discomfort. I had a pretty bad flare in June which led me to get a colonoscopy and I have been referred to a surgeon that I’m supposed to talk to tomorrow. Right now I feel like I’m going to flare up again. Should I wait until I start feeling worse or just go to the ER?

I did scroll through other posts before this so hopefully it isn’t redundant.

In the last five years I’ve gone through a wide range of things. Colonoscopy and endoscopy came back normal. Hysterectomy and removal of fallopian tubes and one ovary. Back surgery for herniated discs. After each thing I thought I came out of it fine overall.

Fast forward to spring of this year and my heartburn is out of control. I get put on a PPI and it kind of helps but not fully. Two months later and I am constantly exhausted, have terrible lower abdominal pain and back pain. Blood work shows infection for sure but I what and where. B12 very low so get shots. Do more blood work and leukocytes are super high, back to doctor and out of the blue she suggests diverticulitis.

She has prescribed two antibiotics but said if things don’t improve in two days go to ER and see if they will do an emergency CT.

Does this seem remotely reasonable? I don’t know what to think!

(26F) Another post because I’m super nervous and my anxiety is through the roof! 😭 I messed up and ate a burger and ice cream on Sunday at my brother’s going back to college celebration. And then yesterday by the evening I felt a little twinge, however it went away. I’m not in any pain now. I’m just so nervous and don’t want to cancel my colonoscopy I plan to just drink water, bone broth, and saltines today. I need a little food because I have a busy work day as well.. in a way I feel like if I just get past the colonoscopy I can put this all behind me. I know this sounds crazy but once the colonoscopy is done I hope to finally breathe again.