mate it is bloody impossible to have a go at chance/worth from a remote keyboard - but from the picture you painted in words -
IF - and only IF the pneumonia is the problem (and assuming the gut thing is just a little temp. thing)
1. before getting crook, he appeared to enjoy life.
2. His partner (we assume lives with him) thinks it is worth it. You said, you 'feel' she would want to try.
(personally I would get a bit more accurate than feel on that one ------------ after all, who is making this decision - her or you or someone else?
3. It might be difficult so far to find out why the doctors "offered" to withhold AB's - ask them - again.
4. That they agreed to administer oral - how come the subject of IV has come up?
Mate, there are a zillion questions here and in the end I don't think you are going to get firm answers. Well, you might get an answer, but it will probably be rubbery - depending on the situation - and it will only be opinion.
At this stage anything can backfire.
As much as your MIL 'may' like to have a shot -- the important thing is what would he want.
Any decision made from his point of view is the right one - that might sound difficult - and it usually is - but that is the guts of the matter.
Honestly - chance comes down to opinion and if you want an opinion or two you are just going to have to pin one of the doctors down - or a nurse with experience.
Maybe the MIL holds the key --------- if she is open to very open discussion - the answer might be there for you.
In the end, from here - the bloke has/had a gut infection - and now has a chest infection.
Crikey, someone should be able to give a rough opinion (rubbery or not) on that ------------- whether it is worth it because of other factors -------- ????????
One thing is pretty well for sure -- if the decision is made to do nothing to cure - then as plough said -- morphine is your friend ---------- very much.
It makes people comfortable AND speeds up the process by inhibiting the respiratory system.
But, that last bit is a bit down the track by the sound of it.
