Massive stroke after aortiv valve replacement

[osujeanie]

My 82 year old Mom had a cabg 2 1/2 years ago.  They advised us that her aortic valve would need to be replaced down the road. After several CHF emergency trips we decided to go ahead and have the valve replaced.  They gave her a cow valve...everything went well that was on Fed 2nd of 2006, her mind was clear and quick after the surgery and her color was awesome too....her rehab was going well....then on Feb 20th she had a massive stroke due to 2 low INR's not being addressed. We almost lost her that first night..but somehow she pulled through... She can't speak or swallow her right side is totalling paralized.  She doesnt recognize faces or anything.  She has a G-tube in her stomach for feeding.  10 days later they advised us she has MRSA in that site.  She isnt getting any better, she's not improving from the therapy (speech , OT or PT). The MRSA is causing alot of joint pain. They put her on Bactrim for 10 days, and morphone every 6 hours for pain..  The site is still oozing green slime and her incisions started to dehiss...and she now has a decubitis ulcer on her bottom. My question to you is this....how much more can a poor old body take??? I read that after one month she should have 50% back of what she will get back, after 3 months 75% and a year 100%...so far after 1 month we have nothing....no words...nothing...the stroke affected 3 lobes, and into the white matter of her brain.  How much longer do you think she can hang on after all of this??? Please be honest...No sugar coating needed...I want the truth....

Confused and exhausted in Ohio....Jeanie

[osujeanie]

She is now bleeding some where inside...H&H is 8.6 and 25.7...what could go wrong next????

[beachglasslady]

It sounds like the same thing my 82 yr old mother had in July of 2005.  She is making some progress but i dont ever expect her to be the same. She has that garbled speech but manages to get her point across.  My brothers and I take care of her at home.  I know she is aware of what's going on.  I want to tell you to not give up hope.  No matter what the dr's tell you they really do not know.  I hope to see my mother able to walk again someday.  Maybe I'm the one being unrealistic, but without hope what do we have?  The poor thing has now come down with shingles.  What can happen next?  I have no answers.  I would be happy to share with you what we do for her if you like.  I know the feeling of hopelessness you mut be experiencing now. I get so down sometimes i don't know how i can make it through another day, then i think about my mom and how she must feel.  She was an active and vibrant woman. Up until the day she had her stroke she walked every day and went out at least 5 nights a week!

[IndianaDonna]

I am new and just wanted to say my Mom is 92yrs old and was a beautiful vibrant very active lady and had a massive stroke on April 12 and now we are going thru all the things being mentioned here.  

Hugs to all and somehow we all will make it thru this trying time.  It is just heartbreaking and sad sad sad !