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Bert Newton recovering after leg amputated

TV legend in good spirits after being forced to make a heartbreaking decision.

Television legend Bert Newton is recovering after making a “life or death” decision to amputate a leg.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford received a call from Patti Newton, who stressed not to report as sad news.

Several months ago Bert, 82, contracted a toe infection and has been hospitalised for the past 6 weeks but doctors delivered a heartbreaking decision.

“Bert was given the ultimatum: You only have a couple of months to live (but) if you have this operation and we amputate your leg you could have many years ahead,” Peter Ford told 3AW.

“Bert clearly chose to stick around.”

Ford added the Newtons were presented with a choice, with a leg amputated below the knee.

“Other people don’t have a choice. Bert wants to keep on living, because he adores Patti, his children and his grandkids, and he wants to have as much time as he can with them.”

He added Bert is in “reasonably good spirits”.

The Newtons will also have to adjust a double-storey home in order to keep Bert comfortable.

Newton has faced several health issues in the past, including pneumonia in 2011 and a quadruple bypass surgery in 2012. He was also hospitalised in November for maintenance, with Patti then quoting a song from Bye Bye Birdie.

“He’s got a Lot of Living to Do.”

Get well soon, Bert!

11 Responses

  1. All the best to Bert, Pattie and the family.
    My father suffered a similar fate around the same age, and he also was battling dementia. He successfully was rehabilitated with an artificial lower limb which, despite his dementia, he lead a mobile and relatively happy life.

    I wish the same to Bert and his family – it can be done!!!!

  2. Oh Bert, poor bloke, thinking of ya! Still feels like yesterday we were watching you on ATV-10’s GMA (and older generations grew up with you on GTV-9 in the 20th century). Get well 🙂

  3. Best wishes to Bert for a speedy recovery.
    Really hope everything goes well for him from now on.
    He’ s certainly had a difficult time healthwise for a while now. : (

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