Stroke at 81

[MiniEggs1999]

Hello all

I put my father in an ambulance four days ago and we now know he has had a significant blood clot stroke

Recovery at this stage is currently almost nothing and he is currently 'plumbed in' in an NHS hospital, stable and comfortable.

I know everyone is different and will improve etc at different rates

I'm just trying to get a sense of the NHS decision making process and how long they continue to look after him before/how they make decisions on the next stages

Some COVID patients have been in hospital an extremely long time so I'm hoping they can give him lots of care but I accept at some point someone needs to make a decision based on his needs.

For instance if there are only small changes is he likely to still be in the ward in a months time ?

Thanks

Op, do you mean he is not responding? That is very bad I think.

My mum had two huge strokes but was aware the following day. Her speech never recovered but she regained the majority of her mobility very quickly.

She was in hospital for 12 weeks with the first stroke and then came home. Around 9 the second time (but we had at home care organised then). It will probably be quicker with covid.

As soon as they can't do anything for him medically they will be pushing for discharge, either home, to rehab or to a care home. Speed will depend on whether he is self funding or not as it takes longer to get out if you need the council to foot the bill.

I'm so very sorry you are going through this. I would prepare yourself for the worst and then all recovery is a bonus. Will they allow you to be with him? My mum responded much better to family than anyone else. I spent much of those first 12 weeks in the hospital with her and a newborn but of course that was pre covid.

My mum ended up with vascular dementia caused by the damage from the stroke. No one explained this to me at all. The brain keeps recovering for 2 years apparently though.

Also, everyone's story will be different. My mums consultant told me (even before clot buster drugs were administered) that she had suffered a life changing stroke and she oils never recover fully. Without the clot buster being administered she would have likely died that day. Push to speak to a dr.

Thanks for your reply. very sorry to hear about your mum too

It's only been 4 and a bit days since it happened. Various people have said it is a big one

He is still very drowsy, just about responds to request to open eyes but not much else and is not swallowing yet

We just have to hope he keeps responding in small increments then

No unfortunately we can't visit due to covid

I will take some photos of family photos over the next time I take him some clothes

Sounds like a couple of months is possible then so long as they think they are making headway

Thanks again

They will offer physio to try and teach him how to swallow again and try and improve continence. My neighbour had a massive ‘catastrophic bleed’ same as my aunt did. My aunt was bed bound afterwards but spent months with the physio who taught her how to speak, swallow and control her bowels - she chose not to do it as time progressed but that was due to another MH condition. My neighbour was much older and the strokes left him paralysed. He couldn’t speak, couldn’t swallow; it took 12 months but he eventually did improve except for speech and he’s now gardening and driving again.

If he's well enough they will move him to a stroke rehab ward. Although the hospital my grandmother was in is supposed to be one of the best in the country care was still pretty shocking.

Despite having a massive bleed, by a day or so after the stroke she was responding to people. It doesn't look good honestly if your dad isn't responding.

It left her with vascular dementia as the damage was huge. She also developed epilepsy. Honestly, if I had known what I do now I wouldn't have let them give her the clot buster drugs. It would've been kinder to let her slip away.

If you want to see him you should push for visitation. Lots of people are being allowed to see relatives in hospital. You need to speak to the ward sister.