my father had an in hospital cardiac arrest on the morning of 17th December 2022. He was without oxygen for 10-15mins. He was sedated and put in an induced coma. When they lowered the sedation to wake him up after 10 days he started to get seizures and so they had to put him back to sleep. He had 2 EEGs and both came back as abnormal. The did a CT scan and it showed that there is something but can’t tell what. They did an MRI now and it’s saying he has Hypoxia brain injury. The have not said to what extent.They want to remove him from the ventilator and end his care but he has only been off the sedation for a week. He has opened his eyes slightly at the start when they took him off sedation. Then a few days later he has opened them fully but stares into space. I think that’s ridiculous they’re rushing his end of care and he needs more time to wake up. How can we argue all of this and get them to postpone making the final decision??? How are the allowed to make this decision with no warning?
advice on cardiac arrest : my father... - British Heart Fou...
advice on cardiac arrest
Hello 
I am really sorry to read what has happened to your Dad it must be so hard to come to terms with
Of course we are not Doctors but if he was without oxygen 15 mins or more this could mean if they carried on trying to keep him alive he would just be a cabbage for the rest of his life so would be kinder to let him go
However you really need to make a list of questions you want answering tell them at this moment you are not in agreement and want to speak to the head Consultant first also put this in writing and pass it on to them and keep a copy , speak to the Consultant and if you still do not agree ask for a second opinion again put everything in writing
If you went for a second opinion then while you are waiting seek legal advice
You need to act straight away and get that letter to them as well as tell them verbally
I wish you and your family all the best and I hope whatever the outcome is it will the best one for your Dad
Others may be able to give you better advice I do hope so but please let us know how you get on x
Thank you. We’ll get it in writing. We just want to give him more time.
I entirely agree with beKind.....and you must act swiftly and if necessarily get legal advice as to how you should proceed without being forced into what may be the wrong decision.A first step might be the Citizens advice Bureau and point out to them the urgency of the matter and your deep concern for your fathers welfare. I doubtthe hospital can act without your permission/knowledge.This should be one of the first questions you need an answer to.
Thank you for your advice. The ICU consultants will seek another external opinion and at the moment my father is stable. We will call Citizens Advice Bureau and seek their help.
I’m also so sorry to read about what has happened to your father and agree with the advice given by Bekind28. You have a right to more time, both to give your father a chance to improve and to allow yourselves to understand more fully what has happened so that you can make a more informed decision if you need to. Sending love and good wishes x
Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate it. They are seeking an external opinion so my father is stable for now.
Good Morning Starlight2000.I am so sorry to hear that your Father has suffered from a Cardiac arrest.
I have had 4 Cardiac Arrests and 1 collapse due to not having enough oxygen to my brain.
The 4 Cardiac Arrests have taken place within 2 months of each other.
My first was,also in A and E.
I was so exhausted fell asleep and woe up hearing a Doctor calling ot my name as I got up to walk over to the Doctor up my legs went from underneath me and I fell on to the lap of the lady sitting next to me then onto the floor crash team came out and started CPR,I then had some seizures as I was coming round not sure how many making loud gurgling noises,frothing foam from the mouth,jearking moving my whole body.
After being seen to and given drip bloods taken all clear ect I was put into a wheelchair and taken back into A and E where I fell asleep for hours.
2nd cardiac arrest I was found slumbed in a wheelchair unresponsive and unconscious they do not know how long for crash team came out I was wired up every where and bloods taken iv ect then I started to come round on hearing a man's voice saying on the count of 3 and then my whole body was shocked. The Doctor used a Difibrulata 3 times on me to start my heart.
I had seizures again and was looked after in the room for hours then taken to a single room. I couldn't speak,get up or walk for four days. I do not have any memory of what happened to me but I was extremely fortunate to have a friend with me on the occasions.
Then I was moved onto a ward for 6 weeks.
They do not know more than that as your blood is restricted your are not getting enough oxygen to the brain.
I have had many seizures way before any Cardiac Arrest ever happened and still my last was when I was crossing over the road and went down like a sack of potatoes so quickly and the paramedics came out I had not enough oxygen to the brain and was 20 minutes on the ground out cold with people keeping me warm and helping me.
I wish your Father all the very best.
Regards
Michelle
Thank you for your reply and kind words. You went through an ordeal. I hope you are okay now. Your story gives me hope. My father is stable for now and hopefully in time he recovers. We all are with him every day and hoping he is listening to us and gets better.
I am so sorry to hear about your father.
Have you considered asking for support from the Chaplaincy Service of the hospital?
You don't need to be religious to use this service.
They can, however, be a neutral party to talk to, who will listen and just be there for you as a family.
No, we have not heard of the Chaplaincy service. I will look into them. Thank you so much for your advice.
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