Hemorrhagic Stroke Recovery

[Shrish]

My 55 yr old mother had a "massive" hemorrhagic stroke Feb. 18/05. The neuro surgeon said it was a large deep bleed in the left side of her brain, apparently she is lucky to have survived it and without surgery. The latest CT scan 3.5 weeks after the stroke the blood has started to re-absorb and swelling is going down. She is currently in a rehab hospital (March 18) with paralysis on the right side (arm and leg) and has aphasyia - she understands us but has a hard time getting her words out (she does put small phases together at times).A speech therapist works with her and she can read, write some (copies words) and has progressed with food (a feeding tube to puree foods to soft - ground foods). The speech therapist has positive prognosis for speech improvements over the next year. I'm wondering how paralysis recovery works? She has physio and Occupational therapy working her muscles but do people with paralysis get some motor function back and if so what type of time frame (3,6,12, months?)Is there any recent research or therapy to aid in the motor recovery process such as magnetic stimulation or emg that we should be considering or inquiring about? Any questions I should be asking the rehab or dr.'s to find out about my mother's prognosis for it....or is it giving her brain time to heal and see if rehab can help?

Thank for your time and any comments/direction are appreciated.

Shrish

[ricky677]

Hello everyone,

My uncle, 44 year old went to the hospital because he complained about a strong pain in his left arm. At the hospital they discovered that he had 4 blockages to his heart and needed a bypass heart surgery. The bypass surgery was done on October 18th, 2011. Everybody thought he would be fine and will be totally normal as most people are after that surgery. Anyways, the hospital staff tried to wake him up over the next couple of days, and every time he was conscious and alert, they claimed he was being aggressive with hand movements. In fear of that, they sedated him and put him meds for the next 2 or 3 days so, he slept most of the time. After about 6 days after the surgery they said he needed a surgery in his throat to better his breathing. Following that surgery, the next day when attempting to wake him up, they discovered he had a stroke. to the left side of his brain because of blood clot. His brain started to swell. He was air lifted to another hospital in Cleveland Ohio, where the did a surgery on his left side of the brain to alleviate brain swelling. His is currently in Icu on ventilator in stable condition. The doctor his advised us that his left side of brain, that constitutes the speech and right side of the body has been severely damaged about 70-80%. He is paralyzed in right side and they dont know if he will ever sit up and talk again. Over the last couple of days, he has been opening his eyes and moving his left arm and hands more frequently.  2 days ago I told his to squeeze my hand and he did and he also raised his left hand when I told him to do, but today he was not really responding. The doctors don’t know if he is following commands at this stage. Everybody has been praying for his recovery but, the doctors are very discouraging. I have been researching Stroke recovery blogs and they have been certainly been very positive, encouraging and informative.   Can anyone please shed some more light as to how will the recovery be for a patient who suffered sever ischemic  stroke and what are the chances of him making progress on right side of his body and speaking again? He is been in ICU for about 2 weeks now and will be transferred to rehab centre in about a week. Any Response will be greatly appreciated. God bless all.

[emem2010]

Thank you for sharing your stories of recovery and how encouragement and positive feedback can help so much.  My grandpa had a stroke last week and was given almost a death sentence a couple of days ago.  We prayed and stayed with him around the clock and gave him praise.  Yesterday he opened both eyes and squeezed my hand to answer my questions.  He knows exactly who I am.  Today, his great grandaughter (my daughter) got to see him for the first time (She is 3) and my grandpa gave her the BIGGEST smile.  I am in tears as I write this.  Thank you again for posting positive stories:)  My grandpa has a special place in my heart.

[jon31]

my dad has just had amassive stroke on the left side of the brain i would like to no if anybody has been told the whole left side is damaged. how long can it take to recover or if he ever will hes 50 years old fit n healthy its so confusing

[Kristano]

my wife 47 years old, suffered a massive stroke last week on the left side of her brain; 90% effected (she had a stroke on the right side 7 years ago but was mostly recovered).  she has complete paralysis on the right side and no cognitive comprehension.  the doctors say therapy won't be of any use because she can't understand or speak.  we are not sure if she recognizes us...  can anyone tell me if their loved one has made progress from a similar condition? and if so what can we expect?

[Kristano]

my wife 47 years old, suffered a massive stroke last week on the left side of her brain; 90% effected (she had a stroke on the right side 7 years ago but was mostly recovered).  she has complete paralysis on the right side and no cognitive comprehension.  the doctors say therapy won't be of any use because she can't understand or speak.  we are not sure if she recognizes us...  can anyone tell me if their loved one has made progress from a similar condition? and if so what can we expect?

[kim525]

My mom had a stroke 6 days ago. she had a stroke to the left side of the brain. she is still not woke yet. She has a feeding tube and a breathing tube. She is 56 years old and has a pace maker. Before the stroke she was still working and was happy. It happened so fast I dind't have a chance to say anything to her. the doctors are giving us no hope. We have faith in God that's all we have. All we can do is sit and wait.