Hemorrhagic Stroke/Recovery Times OK?

[pookiemon]

My sister-in-law had a hemorrhagic stroke with a intracerebral hemorrhage. This was on May 18th. They have done a Ventriculostomy. The gas man found her in the driveway. We figure it had been somewhere between 20-35 mins. before she was found. They have her in a medically induced coma where they say she will stay for the next 3-4 weeks. Is this normal? Also, they did a cat scan on the 18th, and 19th and we were told the bleeding had stopped. They are doing another one tomorrow, and they are now talking about putting a shunt in. Once again is this normal? They say if she survives (her chances are 50/50, she is still in critical/stable condition) she will have slurred speech, minimal movement of her right arm, and a limp with her right leg. Should they be able to tell this while she is in the coma? She was concious after they flipped her over in the driveway and upon arrival at the hospital which is approx. 40 miles away.We look forward to your response. Thank you,

Lost without her hanging with us!

Barbara

[Djenkins69]

I had a massive stroke on October 27 2013. My wife found me on the floor while I was painting the bathroom. Her and my daughter found me within 1/2 hr. I really don't remember much of it so I will let you know what I went through. My stroke happen when I got hit in the head from a fence post fallen while my son and I was taking down a roof from our screen in porch.they found me in enough time for the ICU to give me the drug called TPA. The first hospital I was in wasn't equipped to handle a massive stroke like I had. They ended up medic vac to another hospital. In the ICU at the second hospital is where thing went down hill for me. While there I got a lot sicker. I ended up getting ARDS,ARFS, septic shock, pnamonia. My wife had to make the decision along with my parents and sisters to put me in a medical induce comma to save my life. My organs was starting to shut down. They couldn't control my heart rate or my breathing that's why they had to put me in a comma. They told my family that I only had a 20% chance of living. I had some nights that they all thought I was going to die. I was on life support and in a comma for 8 days. They had to drill a hole in my head to install a bolt to measure the pressure. After I started to be better they woke me up and then I was awake for 8 days straight. I spent 3 weeks in the hospital and 1 month in rehab learning to walk again. My stroke was on my right side so my left side was affected. I walk with a limp and don't have much feeling on my left side. With little feeling in my foot it makes walking a little difficult. I have to do most every thing by visual for my left side. I always kept a positive attitude through all of it. I was out of work and in a wheel chair for 7 months. My nurologist wanted me to go on permitted disability I told him that wasn't going to happen. I walk with a limp can't lift anything heavy with my left arm. Just tell her not to give up.

[jamreed]

remember doctors don't always know everything and if you're seeing progression  that''s all that counts.Eight months ago my mom who was superwoman doing things everyday to help people suffered a  hemmorhagic stroke while putting air in one of her tires en route to church.I had spoken to her barely fifteen minutes before on her cell was called by my niece who had been called by someone who had found my mom unconscious at the wal mart gas station and called the last number dialed reaching my niece who called me and I rushed to the scene thinking mom had fallen,possibly broken her leg,when I got there and got into the ambulance it was heartbreakingly obvious mom had suffered a stroke;she gazed up blankly beyond myself and the paramedics,no idea who I was.However by the time we reached the hospital and she was being examined she knew who  I was,who my fiance was,my sister and niece,her sisters,even members of  her church.The er doc predicted death based on scans they had run,but I knew she was better because she went from not knowing me to knowing not only myself but everyone else.He had suggested surgery which could kill her yet a neurosurgeon came in and didn't feel surgery was necessary,had seen worse cases than ours that didn't demand surgery.It's been a very slow progress but for once,for example a lot of stroke survivors suffer from pnumonia,some unable to fight it and prior my mom was highly susceptible yet while in lifecare during winter she never came down with it so again that was a sign to me.People constantly asked what were the doctors saying,which was only time will tell because there is no way anyone can tell you when your loved one will recover,only God knows that.Sometimes we go through things to make us stronger and those things will take a scenic route rather than an expressway.Mom spent 3 weeks at lifecare,90 days in a nursing home with her memory in tact.Paralyzed on her right side with speech problems.,but still mom,still bossy.I believe she will recover fully or at least have a quality of life that's not submerged in stress.I hope this inspires you never to give up.Good luck,my prayers are with you

[needanswersinmississippi]

My 35 year old cousin had a brain bleed stroke, they did not do surgery, the bleeding stopped on its own. She is morbidly obese and has high blood pressure. They have kept her pressure down, occasionally she will have a fever cold compresses gets it down. She has a trach and a feeding tube in her nose. She is given her daily meds through the tube. She will open her eyes for a few minutes and then close them again. They are trying to ween her off of the ventilator but each time she goes into distress and they have to put her back own. It has been four weeks since she had her stroke and they say that she is not getting any better and she is not getting any worse. She responds to pain, yawns, moves her mouth like she is eating, and blinks as if she is understanding what you are saying. What are the chances of her survival and what frame of mind would she be in?

[pebs9]

Pree92,

I know it's a difficult time for you right now.  But let me tell you a little story.  On September 14, 2009, my Mom had a homorrhagic stroke.  I live in Texas, she lives in CA.  I had talked to her earlier that morning everything was fine.  I got a phone call that evening with the news.  I headed to CA on a red eye flight.  I was NOT prepared for what I saw when I arrived.  She was in ICU in a medically induced coma.  They asked permission to drill a hole in her skull to release pressure.  I said yes because at that point I wanted them to do everything and anything they could to save my Mom. Now this is where the story gets interesting...they told me she may live 3 days to 3 months...on September 14th 2013...it will have been 4 years...God is sooooo goood.  It has not been easy to my Mom or me during this time.  She has gone thru sooooo much.  I go visit her once a month but talk on the phone to her every other day.  I talk to her as if nothing is wrong with her.  When I visit her I sing to her, play her favorite music, show her pictures, message her scalp, give her a pedicure (which tickles her feet...she's found a way to let me know that).  This past weekend I was visiting and I motioned to her..."I LOVE YOU"...she just started at me.  Then I motioned in reverse to ask her if "She LOVED ME TOO"...and guess what...she slowly shook her head YES (I'm in tears right now). That was be best gift she could have given to me.  So many had told me I was being selffish to keep you here.  I should just let her go.  I'm so glad I did not listen to family, friends or even medical professionals.  Everyone is different therefore the healing process will be an individual one for your Dad.  The key is to keep him spiritually motivated.  Don't let him give up.  Also the body is amazing.  I believe it will heal itself if given enough time to do so.  Also keep praying...pray for him and with him.  I wish you and your Dad the best of luck and a speedy recovery...remember DON'T GIVE UP.  

[pree92]

my father who is 55 years old had undergone a brain stoke on recently it has been 22 days that he is in the ICCU, doctors say that a blockage has occurred in the cerebrum ,he is under ventilation and with feeding tube.Doctors say that the time is uncertain i.e they cant say when he will cure up and even if he cures up he will only breath and nothing else.. bt as i visit him, i see him improving and when i call him he stares at me and starts crying even he tries to bend forward and i feel as if he is trying to speak something to me. can anyone tell me that whether he will be alright? the time to cure up? hearing everyones story i am feeling Quiet good..  plz do reply..                        -its pree (with lots of prayers and hopes)

[Ftworriedson]

Hi Tommahwk, no update from your site. Hope your mother recovered well and living healthy life.