recovery after massive stroke

[aunt juju]

My 59 year old (otherwise healthy) mother had a right side brain stroke two weeks ago. The DR. said it was prety massive on most of the right side, leaving her unable to move her left side.  She is able to talk, eat, drink, and able to answer any question. (still not completely normal in thinking and talking, but really close.)
She started a live-in rehab last thursday (3 days ago) and now can move her left leg some.  Stil no movement of the arm.  She does have the neglect of the left side. my question(s)
1.  How long does the brain swelling take to go completely away?
2.  Well the neglect she has get better?
3.  Well she be able to walk and move her arm, and if so how long with rehab will that take?

[Lynn1980]

My dad is 69 years old and in the ICU now, he suffered massive stroke. He cant move his right hand and leg and cant talk. He has tube for his breathing. The Dr said we have 2 options for him. Option 1 he will stay in the hospital and given medications until the swelling of his left brain will subside. Option 2 we need to have him brain surgery to remove the left brain that has been damaged and prevent it to go to the other side. My question is how much is the assurance that he will still alive and back to normal after the surgery? Anyone who has same experience, please enlighten us. We need your ideas.

[Lynn1980]

how is he now?

[LU1520]

I am in the same situation right at this moment. My mother who is  86 y.o Had a stroke and I think we missed all her chasces of meaningful recovery because the doctors are not presenting things objectively based the survival of my mother but they are insinuating that she is dead because half of her brain had massive injury due to massive stroke. The doctor said, " if I remove half of your brain, are you going to live?"  and discouraged surgery.  On the fifth day my mother is still fighting  and the intensivist ask if he can call georgetown but during that time she was already presenting with anequal pupils. My question is, why did they discouraged us when she had all the chances. Base on this experience, I would say, go for surgery if it is an option . It is difficult to determine the extent of brain swelling during the first 3 to 5 days because of the swelling around the injury. It may not be as bad as it may appear in the CT scan. Health personnels including doctors and nurses are already sensitized and are always talking about comfort measures but this is equivalent to mercy killing or euthanasia. There may be prolonged recovery and in massive brain injury including stroke, it may take 3months for the brain swelling to completely subside.and it may take 3-6 month to see any improvement. Don't forget that the human brain has the ability to adapt and cells of the brain is capable of redirecting impulses to the functional parts of the brain to take over the cells that are injured (Plasticity of the human Brain). and most of all, humans has limitations but everything is possible with GOD. If GOD can bring the dead to life, then He can restore the functions of our body. Praise be to GOD for His is the Kingdom, the power and the glory.

[Debbie83402]

My sister-in-law had a massive stroke 7 days ago. She had part of her skull removed and place in her abdomen for safe keeping. She will not open her eyes and sleeps all the time. She has no movement on the left side. Could her vision on the left side be impaired as well? If you force her eyes open she can see

[mary1956502]

what did they do about the bowel ob.

[sara12345]

How nice of you to give me such kind words. Strokes can certainly change your life, but it can still be worthwhile.  Your husband does sound amazing.  It must be especially hard for him having been so active before his stroke.  You sound like an excellent and caring wife for him.  I really wish the best for your husband.  And keep me posted in a few months about how he is doing.
Sara