MIL had stroke

[ReindeerBollocks]

My MIL has had a stroke and seizure this morning. DH has driven over to see her (we're an hour away and I've got the children), DH says that she has now had a CT scan (clear thank goodness), but she is still unresponsive. She has been unresponsive since the stroke first thing this morning.

What the hell does that mean? Apparently doctors are being very vague, and not giving too much away. I've packed bags for the children just in case they need to stay else where if DH needs me. But I feel so useless, and want to do fix this. DH has already lost his father, and his mum is barely 60. I really don't want to lose her, she is everything to DH, me and our DCs.

Sorry for typing this here (i've no idea where it should go) but if anyone had any experience of situations like this ending well then I'd really appreciate it.

Plus, what can I do to support DH?

Sorry, the thread is really just rambling thoughts, I am trying to distract myself on MN whilst the kids are busy, and there's no more news.

Strokes take a while for them to figure out what the prognosis is - a few days. The prognosis can be anything from almost complete recovery to partial disablement, and right the way through to no recovery.

Is it a bleed or a clot ? What sort of treatment are they giving ?

Is there anyone who can have the kids for a day or two ? If so worth maybe arranging it and going over to be with DH until you know more about what is likely to happen.

Sorry to hear your news. Waiting is the worst isn't it? No advice for you as I don't know anything about strokes but hope she recovers as she's so young. Just wanted to show you support.

I am very sorry to read about your MIL. Strokes are always serious and the treatment she receives in the hours post stroke are crucial to her long term wellbeing.

Is she also in a specialist stroke unit?.

You can educate yourself further re strokes and what the implications longer term are. This is the type of situation as well where you find out who your friends really are. Use and seek out all the help and support you can.

org.uk

The above is the website of the Stroke Association. I would suggest you look at their website asap and make contact with them when you are ready to. You need their support too.

I wish your family well in these difficult days.

www.stroke.org.uk

Oh that's horrible for all of you.
Is there anyone you can leave the kids with so you can go to him ?
I've no experience with strokes but if I were you I would repost this on chat as there are plenty of medical bods on MN, someone might have helpful information.
Hope she has a good outcome if she recovers from the stroke.

How do I repost to chat?

I know the hospital unfortunately delayed treatment as they weren't sure what had caused the stroke, and they still don't know. But what concerns them most is that she shouldn't still be unresponsive, but she is :(

DH has asked me to stay at home until further news. DS has quite complex needs so can only be dropped off to a small number of people, and I don't want to do that unnecessarily.

I've kept busy most of today with children, but now they are distracted and I've gotten a bit upset.
Poor DH and poor MIL, I love them so much.

I've not googled for obvious reasons, but will look at that stroke site now, thank you.

I have just been through this with my DM over the last few weeks. . The first CT scan does not always show up any damage as it is too early for it to appear.

The can also only give certain preventative drugs until they work out what kind of stroke it is.

The best thing to do at the moment is keep family life going, although that is extremely difficult. Stroke recovery is very much long term and at the moment they will be monitoring her very closely to try and minimise the risk of further episodes.

I do feel for you - its an awful time. She'll be getting excellent care. Stroke patients are fast-tracked through A&E as the sooner they start to medicate, the better chance there is of a recovery.

I wish you a good outcome.

Thank you Alldownhillnow.

I have reported this in chat now (just c&p'd it).

How long does it take for damage to prevent itself?

Reposted not reported, sorry.

sorry to hear your news.
strokes are really wait and see as far as i know - my grandad had one this time last year - he is 87.he recovered but is too frail to live on his own and now lives in a nursing home.
my nan had one nearly 20 years ago - she didn't come round but she was 10 years younger than my grandad.she stayed in hospital for 6 weeks and then eventually succumbed to another stroke.
it is an awful thing to happen and you really are in limbo until the patient starts to come round.same with my dad when he had a head injury the doctors can't tell too much and the recovery will take a long time.
sending best wishes.