My dad suffered a heart attack then cardiac arrest last night and is presently in a medically induced coma for 72 hours to enable his body to rest.
Otherwise fit and healthy, this has been the biggest shock ever.
The doctors are telling us that because he had some time without oxygen (although my mum attempted CPR until the ambulance arrived) that he may have mild to severe brain damage. I’m terrified. The doctor believes if and when my dad wakes, he won’t be the same in terms of personality. Could anyone else shed some light on this? How do I prepare for a stranger or is it possible my dad might be ok?
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PosieRose
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Of course he could be the same as he was, but at the moment you just don't know. My brother had a ruptured aorta and was put into a coma after a life saving operation.
My sister in law was told the same so we hoped for the best and prepared for the worse, even thinking about converting the garage, all thoughts go through your mind.
As it was he was absolutely fine.
As I said, you just won't know until he wakes up.
I hope everything works out alright but be prepared for anything.
Love and prayers to you both. Your mother's CPR may well have helped. You can only wait and see. Hold on to your memories, and share them if there are signs of damage.
I came around from a stroke and I could move my right hand and nothing else. Speech was hard. My memory shot.On day three I got out the hospital bed and walked.
It took three months to recover speech.
It took two years to achieve some normality.
So maybe you should wait to see how Dad recovers before taking dramatic action.
In the meantime I send you my prayers and best wishes.
I did get quite a lot of recovery for my damaged brain…neuroplasticity.
Something they did in ITU at the Bristol Heart Institute was put a white board at the bottom of my brothers bed, where pictures of the family were put on, my brothers name and the date (changed daily) also words of things he can associate with ie, my brothers 2 boys and his step children and grandchild. Manchester United (my brothers favourite football team) Wales, (my brothers country of birth)
I thought this was a fab idea, when my brother eventually came around (very slowly) he added to the board things he wanted to ask or say.
Something to think about in case they don't do it where your dad is.
Dad will be Dad, no matter what happens. You will continue to love him or this new version of him. You will make allowances for his different behaviour. Be patient with him because he too may be frightened.I watched my Dad change from being a strong, upright , smart, funny man to being just a shadow of his former self when Alzheimers got him.
I know its not quite the same as heart issues but to lose the person that you recognise as Dad is.
I'm sure that the Doctors have prepared you for the worse case scenario and hope and pray that everything will be OK for you and your family 👪.
I think you just have to wait and see, as others have said. I was in a coma for almost 3 months and they kept telling my family that I would have brain damage and wanted to switch off the life support. My family resisted and my brain is fine!! Fingers crossed for your dad.
My younger son had had heart failure and was in an induced coma for 3 days, the cardiologist told us they didn't know if he would be brain damaged when he regained consciousness. It was an extremely fraught and stressful time for us all. He's absolutely fine now and I sincerely hope your dad is the same. As others have said the hospital have to give you worst case scenario.
Hi, I had a Cardiac arrest a couple of years ago and was in an induced coma for about a week, the same was told to my wife and actually me when I was eventually brought out of the coma. Be prepared for your dad to have some delirium and seem quite different, I and that, that might seem scaring to you. Don't see that as the new norm, likely to be the effects of the drugs.
As far as I can tell no major changes, but perhaps some increased anxiety, but could be down to covid and issues of isolation.
I've been lucky and perhaps luckier than most, so would suggest as one of the earlier posters said, be prepared for a possible change, hope for the best, be prepared to make some allowances.
Don't try to project too far forward - only time will tell. I had a cardiac arrest out of the blue in Jan 2021 at age 45 and was put into a medically induced coma for 3 days. My family were told to expect the worst but thankfully I made a full recovery with no after effects. Its really impossible to predict how each individual will do after a trauma like that but there is a reason for hope and I hope it all works out for him.
Hi PosieRose. First my heart and prayers go out to you and your family. I had about of hospital SCA in 2014 at the age of 42. I too was put into a coma on ventilator for 9 days. My children and the rest of the family were told to prepare as if I woke up they didn't know how I would be. When I did wake up and my older sons came to see me one said when I saw him I said " you don't get rid of me that easily" and he knew his mum was back. I struggled writing at first, so had to work on that. I still have problems with short term memory. Everybody is different and your dad has every chance that he will be back with you. Doctors have to prepare you because they really don't know what will happen. Just keep hope in your heart. He will be a fighter. My thoughts are with you x 🙏
I had an out of hospital cardiac arrest back in Oct 2019, my wife performed CPR until a defibrillator arrived six minutes later followed a couple of minutes later by a doctor in the North Wales Air Ambulance.
My family was told there was a good chance that I would have brain damage due to the lack of oxygen, when I woke from the medically induced coma three days later I couldn’t remember the last month or so of my life. For the next four days every time I woke up it was like ground hog day, I asked all the same questions and couldn’t remember being awake before.
On day five I woke up and everything was back to normal, the only time I had no memory of was whilst I was in a coma.
I now walk an average of eight miles a day, cycle once or twice a week, run around with the grandchildren and have returned to volunteering with a disability charity. I don’t think I’m doing too bad for a 65 year old.
The only things I don’t do are what the consultant has told me not to, I’m still capable but take the professionals advice.
One thing that really helped me was my wife filmed me with my family during the period of memory issues and then played them back when I was struggling to remember what had happened. This seemed to make thing click and jog my memory.
Take care
Remember you are always told the worst case scenario, please don’t use Dr Google, listen to the specialists, and most of all stay positive and strong for each other.
Hey PosieRose, I too suffered a CA , induced coma, and all those treatments that shock your nearest and dearest.
My children, ( including my oldest Rose!) visited me during the icu period and similarly were warned that given my extended period of possible oxygen starvation (20mins), I may be severely affected… The statistics are awful in this situation, so keep an open mind.
I was very fortunate and made a good recovery - there are only theories about why some recover well and others less…
My children were instrumental in my recovery, don’t underestimate the emotional support that Dad (and you), will need. The early weeks are emotional and tough, but, it strengthened an already close bond between us.
Try to be strong and positive your dad will look to the family as an anchor onto which to hold. Try to be strong, I know that’s tough, but, it’s ok to have a moment or two where things wear you down to a low ebb, keep them away from Dad if you can.
My kids made lots of jokes and laughed me through the early days which was right for me, try to find what’s right for you…
Hope you’re able to be strong and the outcome is good xx
I am so sorry to read this. You are a wee bit younger than my 3 sons, so I'm guessing your Dad is a similar age to me (63). Unfortunately nobody really knows how your Dad will be ... so the best suggestion I can give is that you and your Mum take things as they come ... and follow your instincts. The Drs and nurse do great jobs ... but they are just human like us ... and your Dad is very poorly. What I do know from looking after 3 much older folks (in their 80s and 90s) is that instincts count for a lot ... and, if I felt on my own, I used to think: how would my Mum and Dad tackle this. They never let me down.
I hope your Dad recovers and enjoys a fulfilling life after this shock. Please make sure that you get a full understanding of why he arrested .... and take whatever treatment options are available and recommended to help him. It is really important that you and your Mum (and any siblings) act as good advocates for him while he is so poorly.
Take care and good look to you all in the coming days.
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