Ischemic Stroke, dominating hemisphere

[gabusG]

My father, 72 years old, caucasian, non smoker, drinks one and a half glass of red wine only with meals (doctor recommended), high blood pressure untreated, overwight, was admitted in the ER, unconsious, due to a seizure and convulsions he suddenly suffered at work.  He was taken a tomography that showed, according to the doctor, an important area affected shown in white or gray in his dominating hemisphere (he is right handed) and was diagnosed as a massive ischemic stroke.  The doctor told me that I should expect him to die, or, if he survived, severe sequels such as loss of independency, speech, ability to swallow, voluntary movements of his limbs, and the worse imposibility to breathe on his own.  He was transfered to a specialized clinic to the intensive care unit.  The admiting doctor there, said more or less the same diagnose as the first doctor.  I was allowed to see him after 4 hours of the first studies conducted there.  He was in a coma.

The next day, I visit him, I´m told that he has awaken from the coma.  He opens his eyes, he recognizes me, but cant speak, although he tries, due to the respirator tube.  I can see he moves all his limbs, with some effort, but he moves them all... he lookes bothe ways of his bed where me and his best friend are standing talking to him, he recognizes us, understands our questions and implores to not make efforts to speak just assent or negate.  that night, on visiting time allowed, he kind of asks for water, moving his lips.  But doctors and nurses say no.

The day after, he looks better, the respirator tube is taken away fron him, asks again for water and we are allowed to give to him with a syringe.  with effort he leans to one side as almost sitting, and takes away the glass of water in my hand and drinks it all and swallow just fine.  He is more consiouss, recognizes everyone, although he is awake at times, and goes back to sleep, just to wake up again.  At night that same day, he is able to reacomodate his position... he is sleeping on his side.  When I get there he switches to horisontal position, and even asks me to take him home and gets upset when I tell him that he will go home when the doctor sais so.

Today he even looked better.

My question is... ¿was the first and second diagnose wrong? One doctor here said to me that probabbly the cerebral infarction was already existing and he didnt know it, and thats why he can move, didnt loose apparently his senses.  And if this is the case ¿Can we be hopefull about his recovery?

[PowerPC]

Dont believe everything a doctor tells you because you can bet that they do not believe anything you tell them halof of the time. The brain is an awesome organ and can work and repair itself in magnificent ways. I hope all is well and that he proves them wrong...sounds like he is well on his way.

[gabusG]

Update:

My father was released from the clinic two weeks ago.  Had home internation for seven days and was released from that too.  He didnt lose his senses nor independance, however the stroke left us a little sequel:  his ability to swallow is compromised and has a paralisis on one vocal chord.

He has to go to rehabilitation to regain the ability to swallow and be able to eat normally, right now he is taking liquid food throgh the nose.  He cant drink nor eat until the doctors say so.  His speech is also impaired, it is very hard to understand him, however he can write, but I see that he has some trouble with formulating correct sentences... even though I have to admit writing was never his thing.

He is taking several medications such as anticoagulants, anticonvulsives, pressure pills, cholesterol reductives, and aspirine.  He has to see on regular basis a cardiologist, a hematologist, a neurologist, neumonologist, and rehab tecnicians.  The stay in the clinic and the studies performed there revealed other conditions such as respiratory difficulties due to small leaks in his lungs, a small tumor of no consequence in his neck behind the parotidae, and of course the obvious overweith that needs to be taken care immediatly and the control of his high blood pressure.

According to the doctors his rehab will be long, and much will depend on him.  I belive God has given him a second chance; the first admiting doctor cant belive how well he came out of this incident and assures me that these little complications are nothing and will be recovered in no time.

I would like to thank this space for allowing me to express myself in those difficult moments when I expected the worse, and thank those who read about this case.  I would also like to give hope to all those who are undergoing the same grief I went through.  Also a lot of hope to all those who are suffering the consequences of strokes.  I belive that if something can be prevented it shouldnt be called "accident" (in my language stroke is called "cerebrovascular accident").  A lot needs to be done in public policy to make people aware of the dangers of stroke and the need to be atended with urgency, especially in workplaces, public buildings and major businesses... the first aids and CPR courses should be enhanced worldwide with knowledege of how to deal with stroke victims right away.  Time is "gray matter".

Thanks, and best wishes to all.

[gabusG]

Update:  

My father was released yesterday fron de intensive care unit.  He is still in the clinic.  He is much better:  he moves all his limbs, talks with difficulty as if he had a very bad sore throat, sits down, and even walks... today he even went to the toilet by himself and cleaned himself up alone... only helped him not to fall, he can read and count money.  However he sleeps a lot, he only stays awake for 5 minutes and goes back to sleep, and breathes very heavily, as if he was a heavy smoker, but he never smoked in his life... Im a bit worried about this.

I will have a meeting with the doctors in charge tomorrow... there is a lot I need to know about what happened, and what to do next.