DH's mom is in the hospital! UPDATED 12/22

DH's mom had a brain aneurysm about 5 years ago (only 3 mo. after DH's father died from cancer). She has short term memory loss and some fine motor skill problems. The last couple of weeks she started having small seizures. Her neurologist put her on anti-seizure medication but it did not help and she was brought to the hospital yesterday after she had a seizure for 1/2 hr. She has been "asleep" as the dr.'s say since she got to the hospital at 11:00 a.m. yesterday. Her blood pressure and body temp were extremely low. She is also on a respirator b/c the oxygen in her blood was low, hence she was not getting enough oxygen to the brain. They moved her up to ICU and DH called this morning to check on her and they said she is still sleeping.

I dont want to alarm DH but She has been "asleep" (according to the dr's) for almost 24 hrs. This is definietely not ok. His brother is so laxed and thinks b/c she is in the hospital she will be ok. I dont want to upset DH but this is not looking good to me. Last night at the hospital DH touched underneath her foot to see if she would respond and she moved her foot, but when we called her she did not respond at all. I am going to meet DH at the hospital at 12 and demand to speak to a dr. and see what the story is. They have done a load of tests and still do not know why she was seizing. This is a horrible thing to happen right before Christmas! Pls. pray for her!

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UPDATE

Yesterday when we were at the hospital the attending physician said the prognosis did not look good. They believe she sustained more brain damage than she already had from her previous stroke b/c of the lack of oxygen to the brain during the seizure. The dr. said she had a 50/50 chance of waking up and most likely would have brain damage, but of course the amnt. cannot be determined.

We went to the hospital early this morning to catch the neurologist while he did his rounds. He said they did consider her to be in a coma b/c she was not sedated and was not responding over the last couple of days. Today, she showed some responsive behavior like moving when you say her name. But she still has not gained full consciousness. They are going to keep on her on the respirator for another week or so and slowly start to wean her off it. From what I gathered, she can technically breathe on her own, however, they want to keep her on the respirator to help her get oxygen to the brain she cannot get without the respirator. I am under the impression that if they take her off the respirator, she will sustain more brain damager b/c her body is not producing the amnt of oxygen she needs. Her blood pressure is still up and down. The dr. said a person with a healthy brain can be unconscious for up to 24 hrs. after having that type of seizure, unfortunatley for her, she already had a damaged brain so it will take her body much longer to "repair" itself.

I am trying to be strong and positive for DH, but I do not think it looks good. I am scared of what the damage will be if she does wake up. The dr. did say that DH and BIL should talk about a DNR and life support, etc. This is just turning out to be a horrible Christmas for us.

Message edited 12/23/2006 9:51:39 AM.

Re: DH's mom is in the hospital!

Re: DH's mom is in the hospital!

When you go up there--ask if she is "sleeping" on her own or are they giving her any sedation. If she moved her foot but isn't responded to the verbal stimuli she might be on sedation. It is common to sedate somebody on a respirator b/c it is so uncomfortable. FM me if you have any ?'s!!!!!!

Re: DH's mom is in the hospital!

I'm so sorry you both are dealing with this! I will keep you all in my prayers! Good luck at the hospital today and definitely demand some answers!!

Re: DH's mom is in the hospital!

Re: DH's mom is in the hospital!

Re: DH's mom is in the hospital!

Posted by jmf423



When you go up there--ask if she is "sleeping" on her own or are they giving her any sedation. If she moved her foot but isn't responded to the verbal stimuli she might be on sedation. It is common to sedate somebody on a respirator b/c it is so uncomfortable. FM me if you have any ?'s!!!!!!

Re: DH's mom is in the hospital! UPDATED 12/22

BUMP FOR UPDATE

Re: DH's mom is in the hospital! UPDATED 12/22

so sorry for you and DH
sending so many
to you!

Re: DH's mom is in the hospital! UPDATED 12/22

Re: DH's mom is in the hospital! UPDATED 12/22

Re: DH's mom is in the hospital! UPDATED 12/22

Re: DH's mom is in the hospital! UPDATED 12/22

My Dad had a severe stroke nine years ago at the age of 57. For the first 24 hours they had him heavily sedated on top of his inability to respond. They just wanted his entire body to rest. Please ask the doctors if this is what they are doing or if she is semi-conscious on her own.

The first 72 hours of intervention after a stroke is critical to long term recovery so please, please be as pro-active as you can be. She needs a very vocal advocate.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
This time of the year is an especially difficult time for something like this to happen.