One year on my brother still classed as minimally conscious

[Leab2017]

I have posted on here several times about my brother who suffered a traumatic brain injury last year , in the past year he has spoke for 2 days only hasnt spoke since and also wrote his name once , he gives me cuddles when I ask which I was starting to believe was just a habit so yesterday he had his hand on my neck I said can u squeeze your sisters neck he did ! We play the hand squeezing game which some days he’s more compliment than others, we have recently relocated him to a rehab centre as he had been basically been left in bed at a previous home with no physio etc he was declining drastically, since being rehomed the physio team have said his muscles are loosening up nicely they asked if he is in any pain yesterday and he pointed to his head (he had a metal plate put in where they removed his skull after the accident a few month back and there is still a fluid build up) I’m pleading for anyone out there who has experienced the minimally conscious state and the process of coming out of it? We know time is ticking now but we hold on to hope he’s in there as why would he write his name and also started writing my sisters name , he used to smile at story’s we used to talk about from before the accident but they all stopped when he went to the home where we have removed him from , I miss him so so badly the day he spoke he was back he grabbed my hand and was crying saying aww aww as if he hadn’t seen me in so long and wouldn’t stop shouting for our mum , any information would be greatly appreciated

[Sepsur]

Hi Leab2017

There is another community on Health Unlocked called Headway - it has about 6k members - I’m only suggesting it if you get no joy on this forum. I hope your brother improves with all his new physio regime & accommodation.

[Leab2017 in reply to Sepsur]

Thank you for your information

[Copse77]

I hope your brother starts to improve now he is in a better place with physio support. Keep talking to him and providing reassurance to him that you are there. From another sister who has seen her brother come back from being in an induced coma for over a month. With best wishes to you and your family and wishing your brother all the best for his improvement. Try keeping a diary so you can see the improvements over time.

[Leab2017 in reply to Copse77]

Thank you yes we keep a diary paper and video / photo diaries , thank you so much for your lovely reply

[Copse77 in reply to Leab2017]

I understand what it’s like. It will be such a comfort to your brother to see you and hear your voice. There is a good book written by a female consultant who ended up in A&e losing her baby and she writes about Doctors Nurses and Hospital staff showing empathy and understanding when talking to patients who are seemingly unconscious as it happened to her and she could hear every word being said but wasn’t able to respond.Now she advocates talking to patients and recognising they may be able to hear but are not able to respond. I know what’s it’s like to see my brother ill and be uncertain about his recovery. It’s frightening and turns your world upside down. I am glad you are keeping a diary. Sending best wishes to all of you and hoping for your brothers recovery. X

[Leab2017 in reply to Copse77]

Thank you again I had an amazing visit today I asked for my cuddle as I always do and he always gives me one I asked him to pull my hair and he did on 2 occasions he’s doing so much better now we have relocated him to different place I have seen huge improvements in 2 weeks thanks again for taking your time to reply

[Copse77 in reply to Leab2017]

I am very happy for you. He sounds to be making great progress. The book I suggested by an intensive care consultant is

goodreads.com/book/show/335...

Best wishes for continued improvements from one sister to another.

[stevet11753 in reply to Copse77]

The first thing I remember coming out of my induced coma was the excited smiles on the faces of my sister and niece. I still have the daily diary the nurses kept for me, with entries by my niece; it's a treasured possession.

[Leab2017 in reply to stevet11753]

We keep a diary for him to hopefully be to show him some day how far he’s come