Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

General health

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

Anyone with experience of traumatic brain injury in a loved one?

7 replies

Notreadyforit · 19/11/2025 02:29

Would you be willing to share your experience? This is my situation.

OP posts:
OP posts:
Changeisneeded · 19/11/2025 08:05

I am not fully sure of what you are looking for but this sounds identical to what happened to my Dad. There are some differences and I am going to be vague as they are really outing.

however, he ended up with significant bleeding on the brain and skull fractures. He didn’t live in the UK and waited for appropriate medical care. Like your Dad they didn’t operate as the operation would have made things worse. The thing I found was that it was a difficult balance in terms of you do this you get x result you do that you get y result and realistically few results were good. My dad was in a country where they prioritise saving the individuals life regardless of the quality of life afterwards and that’s what happened.

long story short when my dad finally recovered he had significant difficulties. He had no short term memory so no clue where he was, he couldn’t speak properly so there was no opportunity for a conversation, he couldn’t walk and so on. He did have physio and ot but due to the brain injury he fatigued easily and so it wasn’t safe for him to do much beyond mobilising into a wheelchair. As much as I wish my Dad had survived initially. Ultimately his condition was awful and he was pretty much bed bound, staring into space and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. He died several months later from something completely unrelated but likely caused by stress.

if this had been in the UK my Dad would have died much earlier and I would have been devestated and screaming into the void. But with hindsight and going on the journey we went on knowing what I know now and how tough, gruelling and frankly horrific the journey for my Dad was I wish he hadn’t been kept alive and that is a regret I will carry with me forever.

It is the most horrific experience when a loved one has an accident like this so so so meaningless and it changes you. I’m not a dr but it sounds like your Dad got the right care it’s just the worst most impossible of situations. Sending love to you and your family and most importantly your Dad as you take the next steps forward.

Lovecatssowonderfullypretty · 19/11/2025 10:47

May I recommend the charity "Headway" if noone had mentioned you to them to you already?

They are excellent

ForeverDelayedEpiphany · 19/11/2025 12:44

Yes, I've had three concussions and post concussion syndrome. I'd be happy to help in any way. ❤️

mummabubs · 19/11/2025 12:56

Another vote for Headway as their website has a lot of helpful resources and there might be support groups local to you OP.

MarioLink · 21/11/2025 14:38

Yes. They were unconscious though, had surgery to put a pressure monitor in and were in a coma for a week and had amnesia after. We were told they might die or be severely brain damaged. They did make a good recovery though. There are major issues but their personality is the same, their memory is mostly back and they can live reasonably independently. We relied on Headway for information at the time.

Wellbeing24 · 21/11/2025 15:18

So sorry to hear of what's happened to your dad OP 💐

Can I ask, is your dad in a specialist neuro ward or are you at a local hospital?

Patients often have to be transferred to a specialist unit for emergency surgery even if the medics at the time say they are highly unlikely to pull through.

Could your dad's age be a factor in what his medical team is or isn't doing?

Don't be afraid to challenge them, ask them to document in writing every refusal to offer treatment - you also have the right to ask for second opinions, if the hospital doesn’t have a specialist unit they should be seeking advice from one who does.

Sending hugs 🫂 OP 💐

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread