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Dad's just had a massive stroke

Hi

I'm terribly upset. My dad has just had a stroke. He's 72 and is currently in hospital virtually asleep full time. We know that it is caused by a blood clot stemming from Atrial Fibrillation and it has affected his left side (No vision, left arm and leg)

The doctor has painted a very bleak picture which was very devastating and right now at this moment it just seems that there is no hope.

Can anyone re-assure me that if he survives there is some hope for quality of life. It's all a bit much at the moment and the future is too much to contemplate.

Thanks
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Avatar universal
In 2000, I had two strokes within days of each other. The neurologist said that I had been having "mini-strokes" or "Trans Ischemic Attacks (TIA's)" for years. All the physicians agreed that a congenital heart problem called Atrial Septal Defect was causing the strokes. After the first major stroke, however, I was not well enough to undergo the corrective heart surgery. First, I would have to build strength and endurance through physical therapy, The right-sided strokes had rendered the left side of my body numb to the touch, heavy, and extremely uncoordinated. Peripheral vision was permanently damaged. It was difficult to stay awake, least of all alert. The brain stem swelling caused imbalance, dizziness, and at times a slowing of respiration. Stroke affected vital pathways in my brain, causing constant electric-like pain on the left side of my body.
After the second stroke, machines aided life support and the doctors decided i give a traditional herbal medicine a try, since all they have done to revive me was to no avail. i had no one in mind so i have to search the internet for a traditional herbal doctor, i saw so many people talking about the healing powers of dr. kpomosa a very famous traditional doctor who base in Los angeles, and has helped so many people all over the world, i was reluctant to give his herbal fomular for stroke a try, lo and behold after 3 weeks of medication it was like he had my brain refreshed, my brain began to have control over my body system,3 months after completing dr kpomosa herbal fomular, I regained the ability to walk, speak clearly and drive very well. Am using this medium to suggest Dr kpomosa for all in need of a permanent cure to stroke or any other Chronic disease, Dr kpomosa is hope for all. write Dr kpomosa via email dr.***@**** . never lose hope ,to every problem theres a solution. best of wishes



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Avatar universal
I hope your father is better now, recovered and living his life. Stroke is just a terrible decease. My dad, 70, had a massive second stroke 56 days ago. He was just recovering from a previous stroke four months earlier that left him with mild vision problems. But this time, he firt spent 2 days in ICU, he gone to bedroom he was able to talk and  move in all body, through that week his state started to deteriorate, he spent a whole week sleeping, then he opened his eyes, i talked to him and he wispered 'dear' and hug me, it was his last words and moves. the next day his condition suddenly deteriorated, he was moved again to ICU, intubated, and there he is since then, its been more than a month. An MRI showed he just had a third ischemic stroke that day. It was caused by attrial fibrilaion, just like the OPs dad. Doctors says there is no hope "even if he leaves hospital" he would have severe disabilities, totaly paralysed for life. In these days he had ventilation removed and overal condiion improved. Sometimes he had his eyes opened. sometimes he looked like conscient, a little move in his left arm, moving his mouth, and sometimes he stared in my direction as listening to me. I  swear he could listen. But them the doctors said he won't go much further than that. last saturday his health deteriorated and he was put in a ventilator again. they called us and said it was about hours, my dad would probably die. then, happens today is wednesday and hes still there. his blood pressure just rose. while doctors say he have no chance, they offer us the option for palliative care and let him go. My wish is to save my dad's life anyway. But i know he' suffering. my brothers and mother just convinced me that let him go is the right thing to do.  Today his health deteriorated again, they told   us to call a priest. My father is a very hard man and he's not going easy. his blood pressure is low while heart beats high, his fingertips are blue/ black i know this are signs of impeding death. This is all very sad. To me there is a sense that we are just giving up. Is there really no hope? and what IF there was something??... it hurts so much to know that my dad is dying right now and there is nothing we can do! My dad is a very good man, Im really proud to be part of him, he will be always in my heart.. I have been dealing for months with his evil decease and want to sympathize with all of you who are reading this and are probably caring for your loved ones just like me. keep up on the way. remember there's a great chance of a second stroke so be aware. never give up. And enjoy every second you can with the people you love. God be with you. thanks.






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Avatar universal
Anula, My sister 84 had a stroke 2nd time in 16 months. First one gave her memory impairment(lost reading writing, speaking skills) and she became weak but last 6 months she was walking and eating well. I thought she would get better daily. But she had a 2nd one week ago and she is unable to swallow, unable to talk and right side paralysed. Feeding through (nose)tube, bed ridden and this so heart breaking.
I  was with her for 6 months supporting her recovery and returned to Australia where I live, 10 day after she had this stroke. I will be going back soon again. I am so sad I don't want her to suffer.
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Hi Jenny, my dad just had a stroke on 7/12/16 and he has lost function of his right side. I feel the therapy he's getting isn't enough but everything revolves around insurance. When did u see your dad first show signs of recovery. My dad in very tired and when he's awake I ask him stuff and he doesn't know much. He can't remember who I am. He's 70 about to be 71. I want to keep my faith strong but it's hard.
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1 Comments
Hi I hope you dont mind me asking how your father is doing? I hope he is recovering...my dad is 70 and had a massive stroke 2 months after your dad which left his right side paralyzed as well and cannot talk...its been a very long hard road since September and I was just looking for some hope...thank you
Avatar universal
These posts are quite old, but I certainly hope your father made a full recovery, and is back to
living his life.
I had a stroke in 2014, and feel pretty fortunate that I had the opportunity to receive the most
up to date stroke treatments. The clot busting drugs did not work on me, and I was transferred
to another hosp, 10 miles away for further treatment. I had a thrombectomy, which I was told was
developed just 5 yrs. prior.
I've always had an angel on my shoulder, but I think the wings were wrapped around me when I
had the procedure, which is quite delicate. It worked wonders for me. A caher is inserted thru the
body to the brain, it grabs hold of the clot, and removes it. Anythign could happen on the way in,
or out.  I am a miracle, and am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be treated this way.
I regained almost full abilities, speech, movement, feelings nearly instantly!!  The doctor that
performed this was masterful, for I suffered no complications whatsoever. It's rather ironic, for
all of this took place around 3AM, and he still had the skill ( and was awake enough!! ) to
handle this without a hitch!!!  Quite amazing.

I tell you this, so that if your father is still not fully recovered, great things have taken place in
the last few years. I still have some residual effects, and am addressing them. I'd like to ask you
not to give up hope.  Discoveries ahve been made that the brain is quite 'mendable' and can
rebound , not just in the first year, but day after day, year after year... We have the chance to
recover fully from our broken brains as time goes on.  Not everyone had the same opportunity,
based on type of stroke, and how soon treated, but I've been reading lately even those patients
can look to improvement never before ever thought possible.

Please hang in there. I hope your dad is doing well. I will say a few prayers for him as well as for
you. We all need to hang our hats on HOPE. It can take us to places we never dreamed.  Don't
give up.
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Avatar universal
My dad has a diabeties type 2. It is his 3rd stroke. First one was couple of years ago. He had been sleeping all the time except when he wanted to urinate. After weeks his speech and behavior changed like 180. He became more talkative and tone was changed. Speaks rather slowly. Then after an year he got 2nd stroke. He lost some memories and short term memories got worsened and left arm and leg are too. First he was in hospital at the bed he became more sensitive he felt like he had no hope and everytime he sees his family member he cried. My older brother wanted to let his feeling better as telling good time memories but that made him even more depressed like when he was going to die soon. I noticed that and and thought how to make him more lively and fight to stand back... in my opinion telling him good time memories not good cuz everyone thinks it is because i wanted to cheer him up cuz he had not long days to live instead i talked to him like it was not a serious problem like nothing to cry about. I told and convinced him this can be cured, after your health condition gets better i will take you to us or germany to cure. It is regular or typical common case for them to cure. I told him there is nothing to worry about you will get better by this summer and get back to work. Finally he looked more relaxed and had a good rest/sleep. He recovered amazingly fast he stood up try to walk while holding hand rail. His speech got better day by day. After couple months he can walk on his own but not perfect. He can eat on his own and goes bathroom alone. Even he started to talk with us what business we need to run. Conclusion is it all depended on his own will and belief that he could go back to normal again. Even we thought he could do it too. Two months ago we got him to bee sting traditional medical treatment, miraclously his condition was getting better, blood pressure sugar level etc. Then he got 3rd stroke a week ago. I think bee sting treatment had to have a break to recover some tiredness. Now i am sitting in the hospital corridor feels hopeless cuz this time it is more serious. He is getting worse day by day. He was responsive just after stroke for 2 days but now he seems sleeping all the time and not responsive. Feed by hose urinate by hose using diaper. I am looking for advanced technology to cure stroke through google but no help. He is only 58 yrs old young to die. I hope him to live longer for some years. He deserves it, he is a good man. He is a good father. I cant talk to him cuz nurses and doc dont allow it. That maybe let him think it is time to leave. Love each others when alive!
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Avatar universal
My mum has just had a big stroke at 60 years old and cannot talk,swallow or walk,so scared too and they can`t get her blood pressure down at the moment
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Avatar universal
I just stumbled onto this website looking for some of the same answeres as you. My dad is 83 today and had a stroke during his stay at the hospital for something else. It has been 5 days since his stroke and I feel hopeless that he will walk again. your description of your dad just having an empty gaze along with all the other typical symptoms really hit home. It is not the man I know. It rips your heart out cause you feel so hopeless one minute and then hope another just to end up feeling hopeless again.I dont feel so alone in my feelings. Thanx for sharing your feelings.

hairnursemom2
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Avatar universal
Good day.
This is one of the saddest day inn my life. After few days of battling stoke, my beloved grand father has passed away. I love him so much. I will cherish all the sweet memories that we had. I know he is in the arms of our Lord in heaven. The sad part is that I will not able to see him for the last time cause Im in abroad and I dont have money to go back home in the Philippines. I will just pray for him. I know also the he is happy and at peace right now.

To all who experienced or experiencing this kinda struggle, keep the faith in God. God offers a reason for everything.  He will never let us down. God bless us all.

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Avatar universal
hi, new here.  I was looking for forums on Stroke patients to share and find out if there are any hopes out there for Stroke victims.  My dad had a stroke 2 years ago and its been a very challenging journey.  He had suffered a massive stroke in the Left Thalamus which has left him paralyzed on  his right side of his body.  Let me start by making a post to a post i read above about Etanercept.
Etanercept (brand name: Enbrel) is for Rheumatoid Arthritis in joint pain approved by the FDA.  Please do not consider this as a hope to treat a stroke victim.  What the consequences may result from using this medication in regards to side effects could prove to be devastating.  An example of it could be Seizures.  Do not go by what you have seen about physicians giving this medication in some state/states as an alternative or a cure, even if it is short term or not.   Anyone who has a loved one that has been vicitimized by Stroke keep in mind one thing~a person keeps recovering from a stroke life long.  Eventually the person does get better but it is a very slow and long process.  My best advice to anyone is:  Get the stroke victim intense/vigorous physical therapy once they have stabilized, if you don't get it at the current hospital, go elsewhere, don't waste time!   Encourage them to try to talk which will help them get functionality back for eating--this goes hand in hand.  Speech can be recovered within a month and half of stroke.  Whatever milestones a person makes is going to be within the first 6 to 8 weeks post stroke.  Hope this helps some people who may be looking for some hope or answers.  My dad does walk in the house by himself now but needs help with everything.  But that is the silver lining.  The doctors had told me before discharge that if his life was not going to worth it 6 months down the line then there were other alternatives.  I asked him what did he mean by saying that.  He said, we could choose to remove the feeding tube that was in him so he could pass away.  Well, I got my father to talk, to eat, to laugh, to stand, to walk.  Don't give up.  God bless to all.
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1 Comments
Its really encouraging....my mom got stroke just 15 day back....she had right side brain stroke 10 yr back...and now she is paralyzed in both side of body....but give response through blinking eyes... sometimes movement in legs...doctor said it takes 4-5 month to recovery from brain swelling....but thanks to your post ....its really encouraging.. i hope she will b fine soon....
Avatar universal
my mom died due to lung cancer after six months my dad had stroke twice and its been one year now. We kind of felt he couldnt make it.He was paralyzed,lost his balance in his left part. Slowly he is recovering. He went to physio therapy and lot of medications, he is not like he used to be. His balance is not fully recovered. He stays home,doing nothing. Nowadays he has started talking in sleep. He seems little unusual. I'm always worried. He is so depressed thinking about mom and his health, There isn't any day i'm not worried and i find myself very helpless. I'm staying at home taking care of him.Life is really tough, full of worries and insecurities. I still have a hope that no matter how much time it takes he will recover.
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Avatar universal
My father had a massive stroke 3yrs ago and ive been researching and I came up with ETHANERCEPT CURE FOR STROKE VICTIMS
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Avatar universal
My father had a massive stroke on 3/28.  The doctor said that he would never walk or talk again, although from reading your posts I now understand that this may not be true.  I have a mother and 2 sisters that have banded together to keep me away from him - and may have succeeded - last time I visited with Dad, they verbally attacked me and threatened to call security if I did not leave (yes, all in front of my father who can understand and communicate by squeezing your hand). I chose to say goodbye to my father and let him know that I may not be able to see him again - my mother yelled at me that I could not tell him anything - I told her that he was right there and that he already heard everything - she told me to leave again - I told her he was squeezing my hand so she then yelled at him to let go, to let me go.  I just looked at her in amazement that anyone could be so cruel.  I have since learned that his blood pressure was up for a few days (and other family members were being told it was because of me but seriously, mom did all the yelling and threatening in front of him).  I would like to see Dad but don't want to risk being with him if one of the others come in and start their abuse and upset him - don't know if it would upset him if I never see him again, or if he yearns to see me.  Mom has always guilted me into visiting so as to not hurt Dad's feelings (I did not want to see her & put up with her abuse), but now that he cannot speak she has put down the iron fist and won't let me near him without threatening security.  This is absurd and sickening and I am still trying to recover from the shock of her behavior, let alone Dad's stroke.  What does Dad want?
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Avatar universal
Hi, I know its been years since all this happen, but I am currently going through the same thing. My mom went for back surgery on 1/12/15 and on 1/13/15 she wasn't responding so they say she had, had a major stroke. Long story short after several weeks of sleeping and no responding they gave up on her, 2 days later she open her eyes and the after she started making more improvements. So now that she's home she was progressing more but now it like she having several kind of attacks back to back. What I really want to know is how did everything turn out for you. Please give any information you can good or bad. Thanks
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Avatar universal
as a daddy's girl,watching him for 20 days on videos your aunty sent shows how much you are?700 miles is nothing nowadays with transport?
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Mum had stroke at 80 and is in nursing home.she has a peg feed and doesn't speak, but smiles at us in the right places when we talk to her. It has been three months now. Her left side is affected. We talk to her and read to her and she listens to music and he a TV in her room. We do a bit of physio with her too, as don't think anyone else is doing this. Is there anything else we can do? We brought a window bird feeder for her which she likes...
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Avatar universal
Steve15117, every situation is different with these strokes.  My Mom did not do well with hers... she had a massive brainstem stroke 4 weeks ago and has since passed.

Is your Dad aware of his surroundings when he opens his eyes?  What are the doctors saying in terms of his consciousness?
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Avatar universal
My father has had a stroke 5 days on the left side doctors have said 70% of the left side is damaged he cannot speak he opens his eyes and moves his left and right arm has anyone been told this if so what was the outcome
Thanks
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I know this is an old post but we are in the same place now as you were then. Food and water have just been withheld. Can you please tell me what happened with your Dad? I'm not getting hopes up but it would be good to know. Thanks xx
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Avatar universal
That's all that I know of that you can do.  Wish you comfort at this time.
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My Dad had a stroke a week ago. It was a hemorhaggic stroke. The Stroke is on the terminal of the brain. He is still unconcious until now. He is in the ICU. He does not respond to pain. What should we do. We have been praying and hoping that he will wake up.
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Avatar universal
Your brother said that he did not want to live if he couldn't care for himself.  He just had the stroke and could make a lot of progress.  Why couldn't he maybe take care of himself in the future? Why is anyone rushing to ask him if he wants the feeding tube to be removed?  It sounds like his wife and children have totally given up on him--just 3 weeks after his stroke!!!  And why have his mother ask him such a question when he must be very depressed after this major event.  And would he understand that to remove the feeding tube would mean death? Does anyone love this man?  He could get a lot better. And if he only gets some better, he might decide with time that he would like to live after all. I really don't understand you at all.
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Avatar universal
My brother who lives in another state had a stroke about 3 weeks ago. He can't speak or swallow and his right arm is paralized. He can move his right foot a little. I think his left arm and leg are ok, but I'm not sure. He has a feeding tube. We have been talking to his nurse and she says he is alert and aware, nods yes and no, can indicate what he wants to watch on TV.
He has a blockage but they can't operate because his blood sugar is too high. When he arrived at the hospital it was over 500. In a few days they got it into the 300's and I was told that yesterday it was in the low 200's. His wife and sons want to remove his feeding tube because he had said before if he couldn't take care of himself he didn't want to live. He has not been on any "life support" other than the feeding tube. Our mother and other siblings think this is not right because he is alert and aware of what is going on. Mom, who is 87 is leaving next Friday to go be with him and see for herself what his condition is. I've told her to ask him some odd familal questions and see if he responds appropriately. If so, she will then ask him if he wants the feeding tube removed. We don't know at this point if he knows what his wife and sons are wanting to do. I wonder if laws in that state will even allow the feeding tube to be removed in these circumstances. He and I are not really close as he is 13 years older than me but it is still a tramatic situation for all of us. I don't know if anyone has any advice for us but everyones thoughts an prayers are greatly appreciated. His name is Bill and our mother is Mary. Thanks for letting me share.
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Avatar universal
My grandma, who's 84 years old had a stroke last Wednesday. We brought her to the hospital  and during our first night at the hospital, she vomited a lot and complain that she have headaches. After that, no other recurrence happen. Her headache was gone the following day but we noticed that she couldn't open her eyes. If we ask her why she doesn't want to open her eyes, she said that she just simply don't want to. I've been reading the posts here and it seems like that situation is really common among stroke patients. However, surprisingly, her memory was really sharp. She knows us, all of her grandkids even the friends that visits her. However, she's left paralyzed on her left side-arm and legs. She had a CT scan and the doctor told us that she has swelling on her brain. They gave mannitol to her and I've read that that will help with the swelling.. But then we felt that the hospital was not really helping her and her doctor was really rude. And also the other day, one of the patient in our room died and so we got really scared. The doctor was not really helpful to us. One of the doctor told us that we can actually go home and just take care of our grandma at home because it's just normal that she sleeps a lot. But the rude doctor is really insisting to us that she'll be put to ICU and that's after being in the hospital for 4 days. However, we just decided to bring her home instead. Now, there's a nurse that's helping us feeding her through a tube on her nose because she has difficulty swallowing. She still sleeps a lot but respond to us when we talk to her. Do you think it's just better to let her sleep a lot and just talk to her once in awhile? We think she looks better now than when she's at the hospital.
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