Watershed Stroke

[margaretann]

My mother suffered a watershed stroke during or after cardiac surgery 7 years ago.  She is still paralyzed on her right side but regained other skills through my constant care and talking about memories she had lost.  She is now 88 and her short-term memory is failing.  My question is regarding mood swings.  Does this type of stroke affect one's ability to manage anger?  She is almost bi-polar with me and I don't always see the change coming.  It is very frustrating, as I am raising a teen daughter and I am trying to protect her from these incidents.  Any info would be appreciated.

[margaretann]

Thanks, I think.  My mom is a living miracle and it is that compassion that has kept her interested in sticking around.  It stems from me.  I judge not but ask for information so as to continue doing my labor of love.

[caregiver222]

Many people who are  hypoxic (in oxygen deficiency) tend to become verbally agressive and abusive. The person who has lost blood in an automobile accident often shows up at the ER using foul language that would embarrass anyone, and after they are on oxygen and get a unit or two of blood in, and the hematocrit goes up, they become wonderful human beings again. Don't assume agression means a bi-polar disorder. Part of caring for an elderly person in distress is to not let these episodes get to you. Instead of "protecting" your daughter, explain to her that illness often causes innappropriate behavior. And part-and-parcel of taking care of an ailing loved one is to ignore such episodes and keep-on-trucking. I know it may be psychologically hard on you. But people who are ill and may be near death need compassion and not judgement.