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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

tell me about strokes :(

82 replies

MrsShrek3 · 20/05/2013 07:44

MIL found at the bottom of the stairs by BIL 6am this morning. she doesnt get up early so chances she has been there some time and golden hour well gone. DH gone to hosp (she has gone in ambulance obv) dh in bits and has only finished chemo in Jan so not very resilient. wtf do we do? what to expect?

OP posts:

Report

archfiend · 21/05/2013 06:32

Just woken up and come to check in. Am so sorry things aren't looking as good . Will keep everything crossed for you all.

MrsShrek3 · 21/05/2013 07:17

arch, thanks again
hope she has had a settled night. DH going to ring icu now.

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Turningupsidedown · 21/05/2013 08:26

Oh MrsS just checking back as well, so sorry it was a difficult night. Hope you get better news when you ring this morning. So you have this to deal with too. Hugs

MrsShrek3 · 21/05/2013 08:44

critical but stable this morning. they are keeping her asleep and ventilated. dh going to visit when allowed. visiting hours only

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QuintessentialOldDear · 21/05/2013 08:50

So sorry this has happened.

My dad had a stroke 11 years ago. I am sure a lot has changed in terms of treatment and care over the last few years. But he was deteriorating for a while after getting to hospital. He got in while the stroke was still in progress, so he walked into the ambulance. This was 27th December. On new years eve he was still able to sit up in bed and hold a plate of cakes, and eat cream cake with a fork. But as the areas in the brain that was flooded with blood, got starved of oxygen, these brain-cells did not recover. It was a slow process. He was in hospital a couple of months, then went into rehab for another few months.

We did not know at the time, but he had a bleeding stomach ulcer, and nobody check his iron levels, nor questioned why his stools were so black. He got severely anemic, and for that reason was too unwell and faint for recovery. He only started recovering in October the following year, after he had a couple of blood transfusions. By then, it was too late for efficient physio and training.

I know you need positive stories now, but please follow her care very closely and dont let them overlook things like they did with my dad.

MrsShrek3 · 21/05/2013 09:12

Sad story, Quint but will take all of your advice
Already unhappy that she was quite ok and then left 9 hrs with naff all observation to deteriorate

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Pandemoniaa · 21/05/2013 10:23

I'm so sorry to hear your news, MrsShrek. No practice advice or experience to offer but thoughts are with you and hands held.

SomeBear · 21/05/2013 11:05

I'm sorry to hear this has happened to your MiL, and I hope she is receiving all the care she needs.

My lovely FiL had a massive stroke 2 years ago which affected his entire right side and left him with aphasia - his is total speech loss, not just getting words wrong. Like your MiL, he was found several hours after he had the stroke and was very ill, spending several weeks in ICU where he contracted pneumonia which then delayed his physiotherapy. He spent a couple of months in a specialist stroke unit and was then allowed home to be cared for by my MiL.

He has recovered some mobility but no speech which is frustrating - we were warned there is less funding for therapy for the over 65s. Even now, he is immensely tired and struggles with family gatherings as they are too chaotic with noise and chatter, but despite all our expectations is happy and coping well. The Stroke Association have been incredibly helpful, once you have a more clear idea of what care your MiL will need
it might be worth giving them a call or looking up your local branch.

Our children were almost the same age as yours at the time. We gave them simple facts that granddad was in hospital because he had a bloodclot in his brain that meant he couldn't use one side of his body. Because he was in ICU, no children were allowed on the ward so they only saw him once he was mostly tube and machine free. Offering you a virtual hand to hold and will be thinking of you.

archfiend · 21/05/2013 14:12

Stable is good. I hope that your DH manages to see her soon - I guess visiting hours only are to minimise disruption in ICU but it's hard not to be able to see her sooner. Is there any way he can speak to a consultant before then? Agree that 9 hours is too long - the main thing is that she is hanging in there and that she is now in the right place.

Will be thinking of you all.

MrsShrek3 · 21/05/2013 19:04

she is sedated, ventilated and pipes, monitors and tubes absolutely everywhere (as expected but the technology....ohhh my) DH still very upset, understandable. Wires and tubes aside, she actually looks ok. awesome black eye from the sugery.

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archfiend · 21/05/2013 21:52

Hoping for a good night tonight - here's to less technology being needed soon!

PoohBearsHole · 21/05/2013 22:06

Op, both my parents have had strokes. Recovery can be a long process, be patient, and be prepared that the person she was might not quite be there any more. With df his mathematical ability has diminished and where timing and knowing business was important to him he now can't grasp it. This frustrates him and at times he behaves like a grown toddler, he loses his temper and gets very tired quickly. Dm seems to have the memory of a gnat :) ther is a lot of repetition, which again is frustrating as physically she seems lose to normal. Thy have both become a little more selfish too, but quite frankly I don't really blame them :(

PoohBearsHole · 21/05/2013 22:08

I meant to say, hope the night goes well.

MrsShrek3 · 21/05/2013 22:17

PBH thank you. At this point I think we will just be happy if she survives tbh. we will deal with bossiness later

arch, yy. :)

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PoohBearsHole · 21/05/2013 23:06

Hopefully it will all be fine after a time :). Rest, look after dh and keep yourselves well hydrated and fed :) you will then be prepared for the days to come.

they aren't nice, but hopefully there is going to be good news (hugs)

Glad my nn made you snigger :)

archfiend · 22/05/2013 14:27

How's it going today MrsS? Hope that at the very least things are still stable, if not improving.

Turningupsidedown · 22/05/2013 17:46

Still thinking of you MrsS hope you have had better news today. Hugs

HadALittleFaithBaby · 22/05/2013 18:03

Thinking of you MrsS, sorry to hear she deteriorated.

MrsShrek3 · 22/05/2013 21:14

things much the same today apparently. She has had another scan and the surgery appears to have worked. she remains under sedation and ventilated in ICU. That place shows you just how fragile life is.

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archfiend · 23/05/2013 07:41

It's good the the surgery has worked. I suppose sedation etc necessary to allow time to heal. Will continue to keep things crossed for you.

MrsShrek3 · 25/05/2013 21:43

appeared to be going well yeaterday. she was writing notes and having fun.
today there are problems and it appears that there is no blood supply to her bowel. she is back in surgery now. DH has cried and screamed constantly since he got home.

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Turningupsidedown · 25/05/2013 23:22

Oh no so sorry to hear this it is so cruel after a better day yesterday. You have had so much to cope with recently i am not surprised that your dh is terribly upset its so hard. Everything crossed here that the surgery goes well and there are no further complications. Hugs and Hand-holding while you wait

MrsShrek3 · 26/05/2013 01:26

OP posts:

archfiend · 26/05/2013 10:44

Oh bloody hell MrsS - I'm not surprised your DH is upset, it seems like one thing after another. . Another hand and positive vibes being offered here!

Turningupsidedown · 26/05/2013 14:05

How are things going? Hand still firmly held for as long as you need

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