Hello all, My father had a massive stroke 19 days ago. He was life flighted to Vanderbilt and thankfully made it to the surgical unit within 30 minutes. The doctor who performed surgery came to speak to us. He said dad had made it through the surgery. Dad had 3 blood clots. The largest one was on the right side of brain and it was removed (I forgot the term they used, maybe busted up?) The doctor was not able to get through the 2 smaller ones on his left side of brain. He said they normally try 3 times but he did 5 times because each time alittle more was pushed through. but had hoped the blood thinner would help them. My dad was then sent to critical care. He was not breathing on his own and they had a really hard time regulating his blood pressure. Unfortunately, he had bleeding on the brain, vomiting blood, UTI, fever and possible pneumonia. He fought through it and on the 5th day he was taken off the ventilator and breathing on his own. Shortly after, he woke up and was trying to speak. The 6th day he was speaking full sentences, recognized everyone and joked with the nurses. His speech was a bit garbled though. He had a swallow test and he is an aspirator. He could not open keep his eyes open long and he cant hold his head up. They kept working on his swallow issue but he still couldn’t swallow 5 days after rehab. The decision was made to put the PEG in. Of course, the drs really were trying to avoid another procedure but really no other choice. Dad hasn’t been able to speak since then. They moved him to a inpatient rehab center 2 days after surgery. He would still wake up and communicate thumbs up and down but no longer opening eyes and no speech. When he got to the inpatient rehab, it was determined he could not engage in the rigorous therapy. 2 nights ago they moved him again to a skilled nursing facility. Once again, no speech, not waking up and not opening eyes. I’ve noticed he stopped squeezing hands and his therapy ball. He could use his right hand prior to this and was actively using it. My brothers and sisters as well as my step mom are just heartbroken. ** by massive stroke, it affected both sides of the brain. I did not see the bran scan but apparently the damage was extensive. I am trying to be positive but it’s such a roller coaster. Maybe I am grasping for something, I don’t know but the encouraging thoughts and prayers on this forum prompted me to post. Thank you
Moderator Action
Welcome to the SDMB, Dadsgirl72.
The General Questions forum is for factual questions. Since I don’t see a question here (factual or otherwise), I am going to move this to our Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS) forum. Despite its name, many things posted there are neither mundane nor pointless. Since you do not seem to be asking a question, this is the most appropriate forum for your post.
If you are seeking medical advice and opinions about your father’s condition, let us know and we can move your post into our opinion forum, called In My Humble Opinion.
Best of luck to you and your family in this difficult situation.
Moving thread from General Questions to Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS).
Thank you for the help.
Dadsgirl72, wishing you, your dad, and your family all the best, and the strength to carry on.
Welcome to the SDMB, sorry your arrival wasn’t under better conditions. Hope your dad makes a speedy recovery though.
Oh, and mundane pointless doesn’t mean your thread is either mundane or pointless. It’s just sort of where things go when they don’t fit elsewhere.
Moderator Action
Moving thread from MPSIMS to IMHO.
Welcome to the SDMB. I’m very sorry to hear about your father and I hope he has a quick and full recovery. Strokes are insidious things, and I know how horrible it is to see a loved one struggle with one.
My uncle had a massive stroke about nine years ago. It was looking really bad for a while and he needed some serious surgery, but he made it through and had a near full recovery. Right after it happened, all he could say was “yeah,” but over time he got most of his speech back. He can’t modulate his voice very well and his speech comes out a bit clipped, but he can easily be understood. I hope your father has at least as good of a recovery, hopefully an even better one.
One very important thing, for people who can’t speak, is to try to find some way for them to communicate – whether it’s with a clipboard and paper (if they can write), or some kind of computer-assisted technology, or even a ouija board. From the horror stories one reads from time to time (there was another thread here a week or so ago that touched on that issue), it seems like some care providers or institutions overlook that.
If it seems like your father has some reasonable cognitive ability but just can’t talk due to physical limitations, please get after the nursing home or rehab facility and see to it that they work on communications one way or another, if they aren’t already. Stay on their case however much you have to.
Please accept my best wishes. My father also suffered a massive stroke, and I understand how difficult it is to be in your position.
One thing you can do is to continue to communicate with him, even when he seems unresponsive. Talk to him, read, even sing. Squeeze his hand so he can feel your presence. All those little things help you and your family, as well as him.
My very best wishes to you and your dad. I wish I didn’t know what you’re going through, but unfortunately I do. On the bright side, three weeks is still early days and he might well surprise you. I don’t claim any special wisdom, but my instinct is to try to keep him engaged as much as possible when he isn’t resting. Even if it’s just a loved one’s voice or touch.
Best of luck, Dadsgirl72.
Welcome. Both my eldest sister and my mother suffered severe strokes. It’s a very heartbreaking experience, I am so sorry you are having to go through it. I wish your whole family the very best as you navigate very painful decisions and experiences.