HE HAD A CHOICE, AND HIS CHOICE WAS TO LIVE
TV legend Bert Newton made a choice to live and to be there for his family when he had his right leg amputated below the knee on Saturday, his wife Patti has revealed.
The Australian entertainment icon was faced with a life-or-death decision after infection, stemming initially from a small cut on one of his toes sustained four months ago, ravaged his lower limb.
His doctors, Patti said, starkly set out the grim situation: keep the leg and you might have months to live, but amputate and you could have years ahead of you.
“He had a choice and his choice was to live,” Patti said.
Newton, 82, underwent surgery on Saturday and is recovering in Melbourne’s Epworth Hospital where he has been for the past six weeks.
“It is going to be a long journey, but we are all very positive, Bert is in really good spirits and he is strong,” Patti said.
“I came in on Saturday at 6.30am and I saw him before he was operated on.
“I have never seen anybody in more pain. I just felt he could not go through pain like he was going through for much longer.
“He went into surgery at 7.50am and then next time I heard anything was 3pm.
“The operation did not take that long, but it was about waiting for him to come out of recovery.”
Patti revealed Newton had undergone three smaller procedures in recent weeks to try and heal the damage from the infection, which did not work, leading to the decision to amputate.
“Because he has so much to live for he will do his utmost to make this work,” she said.
Newton’s six grandchildren — Sam, Eva, Lola, Perla, Monty and Alby — visited him on Sunday night, showering him with love.
His youngest grandson, Alby, was born in August last year and is named in his honour.
“He is lucky, he has got family all around him. The grandkids mean the world to him,” Patti said.
“We have been together for over 50 years and you just want to get as much out of it as you can in the latter years.
“You don’t want anything to happen to either of you.”
Patti has had her own injury woes. She is sporting a moon boot and getting around on a mobility scooter after breaking her ankle in two places after tumbling on a step a fortnight ago.
Friends and entertainment identities rallied around Newton and his family on Monday.
“Sending all my absolute best wishes to Bert Newton for a speedy and successful recovery post surgery.
Much love to him, Patti and the entire family,” Rove McManus wrote on Twitter.
“Sending my love to Bert Newton. I adore you and always have. I know you have that amazing family around you to bring much comfort,” posted Christie Whelan-Browne.
“Bert, you are an entertainment icon. Good luck mate,” wrote Dave Hughes.
Newton has had health issues for a number of years including diabetes and ongoing medical management relating to his quadruple heart bypass in 2012.
In recent years has also had several bouts of pneumonia, including as recently as last month.
He had a five-week stay in the Epworth Hospital in November last year, which was described as a period of rest, physical rehabilitation for existing injuries and physical weaknesses, and time for monitoring and check-ups.