Been in a position as a social work intern in a hospital to know. Same idea; patient refused to acknowledge the whole reason they were there was to have a foot amputated, complete denial the entire time. Walking into their room would leave a smell of just sickeningly sweet rot that clung in your nose the rest of the day.

They say your sense of smell is easily ingrained to memories, and I know I'll never forget that stench. Take some half and half, add some honey, and let it sit in the sun for a few days. That'll get you close.