Cerebellum Stroke

[Kate5160]

My 71 year old stepfather recently suffered a major hemorragic cerebellum stroke. The doctors convinced my mother to have a tracheotomy and a feeding tube procedure. What are his chances for a normal life?

[heavenlyitems]

Wow, here I am... not in tip top shape but for the most part healthy.  Last week on Monday, I had one of the worst headaches I have ever had.  I was nauseated and throwing up.  This went on for almost two days.  Wednesday, I felt a bit better,  Then on Thursday I had this awful tingling and numbness on my left side.. It really did not hurt it was just uncomfortable.  I went to the ER on Friday and the CT scan, ekg, bloodwork were all fine.  But they thought I should stay and have a MRI done and a TIA workup.  Strokes and heart problems run deep in my dad's side of the family so I should have put some of the early symptoms together.  But, dummy me I did not.  The Dr. came in and said I had a minor stroke in my cerebellum.  I am 48 years old and other than a bout with viral meningitus when I was 29 I have been healthy.  I have a fear now of headache and numbness.  I have a bit of balance problems and the numbness and tingling is still there along with a stutter here and there and OMGish...
I cannot remember what happened five minutes ago... Just wanted to share this.

[caregiver222]

Good advice vega1318. I don't have anything to add, but the biggest reason to "convince" a family to permoit a trach and a feeding tube is to get the patient off the intensive care unit and away from a place where an R.N. is required and they have to be paid attention to and relegate them to a situation where a less expensive aide can maintain their bodily functions. This cuts down hospital bills and nursing bills, and the urging for a tracheotomy and a feeding tube usually come at a time when the health care insurance is running out. Many trachs are caused by fluid ending up in the lungs because the respiratory technicians use bubblers. And meticulous labor intensive feeding protocols are necessary, generally unavailable in nursing homes.  A feeding tube is an excuse for proper nursing care, in many instances. Do not assume that the people giving  advice have the patients best interests at heart. Once there is a feeding tube in, it is difficult to get it removed, and it seriously affects the quality of life. In my opinion at least 50 percent of the trachs and feeding tubes are unnecessary and an excuse for not providing attentive nursing care. That being said, don't blame yourself or your mother.  The pressure exerted by the physicians is almost impossible to resist. Seventy one years old is very young. I agree with Vega1318 that 1-3 months is a good ballk park figure for you to evaluate the way things are going. Don't give up hope.

[vega1318]

The doctors should not convince someone to have these things done but they should explain what, in their opinion, the likelihood of normal life be.      having said that, cerebellar strokes can wreak havoc in the brain - if they cause swelling or require brain surgery.    if your grandfather is awake and communicating, then his chances are probably better than otherwise.   his language and motor skills should not be affected but he may require some help eating and breathing - hard to know if these will return in time.   he's also at risk for aspiration pneumonia, that is why he has a trach.   if he is conscious enough, you should discuss what his wishes are with him.  otherwise, wait a month or so to see if there is any significant improvement.   worse case scenario, he will remain this way for a very long time but you will know more in about 1-3 months.