Cerebellum stroke, Cognition and Craniectomy

[El_Zorro]

Hello all. This is the situation with a loved one: Large Cerebellar infarct in mid-January. Was conscious, aware and neurologically ok for several days, but hydrocephalus kept worsening. Shunt didn't help. Needed emergency decompressive crainectomy on the 6th day. Were told surgery was okay. But she went into a coma and developed many complications along the way- pneumonia, pulmonary embellisms, CSF leak... endless. Also needed a trach tube to breathe. Fed nasally. She seemed to fight through many of these, but they keep on coming. Now, about 45 days in the ICU later, amidst the other complications, she wakes up, opens her eyes spontaneously and seems to track people, localizes pain well, moves her hands and feet well and can grip objects but doesn't respond to commands or indicate if she can understand us in any way.  She cries a lot when she seems more awake as if there is some anxiety and she can recognize people. She obviously cannot talk because of the trach tube. CT scans show a cerebellar oedema that is getting better(?) and a hydrocephalus that is improved. No damange seen in the cerebral cortex. Doctors are divided in their opinion about recovery. Some think she can recover her speech, regain her memory, recognize people and be conscious/functional in some time like a few months; other doctors in the same hospital think she is not likely to recover that much and will be bedridden forever. They just want to get her to a rehab place quickly. But, her case is quite rare, so we don't know who to believe.  Does any one know about such cases and what to expect?

[biegs]

sorry this has happened as i know it is hard for all.  i too had a large cerebellar infarct and underwent an emergency decompressive craniotomy and a ventriculostomy.  i actually had most of my cerebellum taken out when they did this.  doctors didn't think i would live...they sure didn't think i would recover the way i have.  do not give up hope.  the cerebellum is the portion of the brain that controls motion; balance and coordination.  no it is not going to be easy but a positive outcome is always possible.  motivation is everything along with a great support system.  the human brain is amazing in what it can do.  doctors can only go on their previous encounters and being it is "rare' to them all they can do is make their assumptions.  how scary this must be for her though and although i don't know her and the situation i am sure she knows who everyone is and needs your comforting and reassuring voices....things will get better.