Astrocytoma in left temp lobe

[pegmc]

My sister has suffered from MS for over 25 years.  About 2 years ago she had a major seizure.  She ended up on a vent and finally recovered but was left with short and long term memory loss.  She had minor seizure activity since but nothing like the first one.  She's been on seizure meds as well.  She was getting by in an assisted living facility.  About 2 months ago, she her HGB was low.  They found a small cancerous tumor in her bowel.  This was extracted with minor surgery.  This week she had another very large seizure.  No matter what meds they gave her, she kept seizing.  They finally put her in an induced coma and her brain kept seizing for 3 more hours before it quit.  She is on a vent and has been unconcious for 2 days.  Her MRI report said she has a significant mass with surrounding edema.  She has cerebral edema and severe periventricular white matter changes.  Before this, she could walk using a walker and had body function difficulties of bowel and bladder.  Her short and long term memory was not good.  She knew her family but events were lost within an hour.  Her CXR showed "rt lower consolidation."  So far lab is OK except for a FBS of 227 and low potassium.  
     We question what is the best thing to do or not do.  How much brain damage could there be from hours of seizuring?  Could she wake up and return to her normal?  If surgery was done, what would be the likely damage or residual?  What are the pros and cons to our options?  I really would appreciate any input you would have.  Thanks.

[pegmc]

She developed a blood clot in her lung.  The other day they put a mesh in both upper legs to catch any further clots that may travel up.  They put her on heparin so she can't have any other surgery until she is off the heparin.  Just today they took her out of ICU.  She is off the ventilator and talking.  Nothing much different mentally.  She is very frightened.  Thank you for your empathy.  I hope your MS test comes out neg.

[kitlyn]

I am so sorry to hear of your sister. I am in process of getting evalutated to see if my brain spots are MS, or not. Thats terrible to have seizures  that long/ What does the attending DR say? Is she any better today ?  Are the seizures directly related to thee MS? Not a pleasant thought . Take care.