Dad's just had a massive stroke

[washy21]

Hi

I'm terribly upset. My dad has just had a stroke. He's 72 and is currently in hospital virtually asleep full time. We know that it is caused by a blood clot stemming from Atrial Fibrillation and it has affected his left side (No vision, left arm and leg)

The doctor has painted a very bleak picture which was very devastating and right now at this moment it just seems that there is no hope.

Can anyone re-assure me that if he survives there is some hope for quality of life. It's all a bit much at the moment and the future is too much to contemplate.

Thanks

[sara12345]

Yes, your idea with the letters is an excellent one.  Hope that it helps.
Sara

[jozeffp]

Hi Sara, yes we try and stick to yes and no questions as he can nod his head, we are trying with the magnetic letters at the moment as he is trying to tell me something and is getting frustrated as I can not understand what he is trying to tell me. Thankyou for your help.

[sara12345]

You have a very good attitude that will help your father.  As far as communication, have you tried asking yes or no questions?  Ask your father to sqeeeze your hand once or twice or blink once or twice for yes or no. And give your father plenty of time to answer since after a stroke, it can take awhile for the brain to understand and then to respond.  I know it's not a lot of communication, but maybe it can help.  You sound very kind.

[jozeffp]

My dad had a brainstem stroke on the 5th January, he was a fit 70 year old who still worked 50 hours a week, lived independently and was full of life. He has lost all of his left side, could not swallow, can not communicate and is now bed ridden.  The doctors would not give any kind of prognosis as it was on his brainstem. The last couple of weeks has seen some massive improvements. He has had a PEG to feed intravenously so his physio can be progressed as he has managed to stand up (from a tip table) he has now started to have sips of thickened liquid every hour. He is fully cognative but is very frustrated as he can not communicate with me. I have got some communication cards and am going to get a magnetic board with letters so hopefully he can spell out what he is trying to say. I too want my Dad back, he has never been ill in his life and is deeply frustrated by his predicament now. My thoughts go out to all of you dealing with a loved one in this situation, there is light when you thought there was none. Stay positive and try to keep them positive .

[sara12345]

Depression can slow down or impair progress--physically as well as emotionally.  I highly recommend that your Dad go on an anti-depressant.  It can't hurt.

[sadgirlshell]

Dad is having some physio but they can only do so much with him as they have just found out he as now got arthuritis in is left shoulder they are trying to get is pain relef sorted he goes a couple of days where i think 1 step of many he is getting there, then now he as a water infection and is quit poorly again i think he is a tad depressed bless him its just hard seeing him like this. thank you sara