Severe Hemmorragic Stroke

[pixie822]

My dad had what the drs described as catastrophic stoke 11-21-07 (day before Thanksgiving).  He was not expected to make it through the night.  He did.  He lasted 3 weeks on a ventilator then and wasn't expected to make it after we decided not to trach him.  He is breathing very well on his on without oxygen. He is cognizant.  He tries to communicate but feels trapped.  He was a mover and shaker and is not used to being still longer than 10 minutes!  He is on a peg tube something I had a hard time okaying.  He failed a swallow test though he has eaten by mouth several times without aspirating.  Drs say he will NEVER walk or talk again.  And some negative friends say pull the tube.  But I think he has a will to live.  You see after we pulled the ventilator he was sent to hospice to die (of course).  His body was dying...and we felt like and they said 72 hour MAX.  He fought off death and did nothing but improve at hospice, after 3 weeks they gave him the boot back to teh hospital were they did the peg and sent him to a nursing rehab.  His right side is constricting.  Any help for this.  They do some restorative therapy.  But are redicent to do true PT because of no insurance ;-( I'm really trying to keep faith because God tells us to BELIEVE 1ST then we get the BLESSING. Just wondering how long before he talks and walks again.  I really feel like he will because he's come so far.  Even told me last week "I CAN TALK" and has spoken other random words.  I;m building a website for him and will link it in a week or two.  Any advice or encoragement is needed.  Thanks  

[PamRam228]

Oh, Joy!  You have such faith and that is so wonderful!  I hope your dad makes a truly blessed and miraculous recovery!  Please don't let the docs tell you your father will never walk nor talk again.  They don't know.  Your dad DID talk, so that proves docs don't know it all.  It's all about how the brain heals.  If your dad is having problems with constriction, which I think it's probably spasticity, you may have to have the docs prescribe some medicine.  My husbands doctor put him on Flexeril for the spasticity, but he has yet to take them.  He's not too keen on prescription pain killers.

When you get the website up I'd love to see if.  Please keep us posted and God bless and keep you and your family.

P.S....Friends?  It's sad to say but after this you're going to realize how few you actually have.

[pixie822]

Thanks for the reply.  I enjoyed reading about your husband.  He is a MIRACLE! And I'm glad you are encouraging others.  Today it's been 3 months since his stroke and he talked ALOT (for him that is)  Some very clear, some jibberish.  But the nay sayers are like, yea but the 1st 3 months are when you  get what your are going to get back.  I just can't go for that right now.  I have really trained myself to say.  I God says are sins are forgiven and we are healed (James 5:15) by faith than it's so.  SO I'm just asking him to manifest my dads healing sooner than later.  This has been a tough road as my dad and I are best friends.  I will make sure to post his site as soon as it's ready.  He's a great guy.

[pixie822]

I'm 822 your 228 ;-)

[PamRam228]

Ah...co-inky dinky, huh?  228 is my husbands and my anniversary.  We've been together 24 years this year but have been married 11 years on the 28 of February.  He's my best friend and my heart.  

Here we go again...nay sayers putting a cap on healing time.  It's been almost 8 months and my husband is still improving.  True, the most noticable healing comes within the first 6 months or so, but your dad is going to keep healing.  Just this week my husband started raising his affected arm higher than normal.  Little subtle changes will keep happening...just remember to celebrate them.  I always get excited and jump for joy when a small improvement happens, but my husband doesn't notice and doesn't relish in my joy!  But, that's just the way he is and has always been...not easily excitable.

Keep the faith and please continue to let us know how well your dad is doing!

[pixie822]

I hope he continues to move by leaps and bounds.  He's been talking up a storm since he figured out he can. 1/2 is still not understandable, but 1/2 is!  He has a strong will.  I hope he gets is all back withing the next 3 months.  As this is month 3 of his recovery.  I just always hear it's a SLOW process.  God id able though.  He's come so far, surely this isn't it. Everyday he's wowing us.  

[pixie822]

I hope he continues to move by leaps and bounds.  He's been talking up a storm since he figured out he can. 1/2 is still not understandable, but 1/2 is!  He has a strong will.  I hope he gets is all back withing the next 3 months.  As this is month 3 of his recovery.  I just always hear it's a SLOW process.  God id able though.  He's come so far, surely this isn't it. Everyday he's wowing us.