Has anyone been left with cognitive problems after... - Headway

Headway

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Has anyone been left with cognitive problems after a brain tumour?

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headchild
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brighton88 profile image
brighton88

Yes, after the quite major operation it took about 3 months to begin to recover then came the radiation which took about 2 ears to get round. I understand that the younger someone is the quicker progress is. Accepting that all tumours and operations are different. The most important thing is to have the correct physio ASAP afterwards. Mobility physio speech physio fine motor skills physio along with the right adaptations to your home. At one point my house looked like a nursing home with electric hoists perching stools grab handles etc Thank fully with tremendous hard work on my part and relevant physio my house is now a home and no more adaptations

headchild profile image
headchild

Thanks for that, my daughters tumour was inoperable about 20yrs ago at 18yrs but stopped growing - so it's still there. Yes she lost her speech but it's since returned, it's taken the use from one arm and she needs a splint to one leg be able to walk just short distances in the house. She's also registered partially sighted. It took years for her to get to a point where she didn't need the lightwriter for speaking and months after that to learn to dress herself. Now living independant with support going in twice a day. It took her a year to learn how to use her washing machine (she moved from here in 2011)

Currently still having regular scans to head and spine

The cognitive side is the most confusing, she doesn't always quite understand what's been said/written although she thinks she has and indeed appears she has at times. She gets mixed up sometimes and although brilliant at mental arithmatic (she never lost that) will withdraw unrealistic sums of money out of her account. That's just a few.

If you were to meet her though you wouldn't think she had all the underlying problems which she has.

Mikesghost profile image
Mikesghost

Yes, the cognitive problems have been the hardest to deal with for me although they are not severe, I can hold down a job. My problems really are minor, for example I can no longer do sudoku puzzles and trying to use a new piece of equipment even with the instructions can take forever and sometimes I still fail and need help from a friend.

I wish you and your daughter all the very best and hope she continues to improve. It's a long hard road but she will get there I'm sure.

headchild profile image
headchild

Thanks Mikesghost, I don't think she will recover anymore now to be honest and we have to deal with and help her to survive in the world. The strange thing is she always was brilliant at mental arithmatic and was looking at teaching or going into accountancy when her condition struck. She still is brilliant at it, but the concentration span means she can't maintain for long anything that requires maybe more than half an hour. I did find the neuropsychological ass very helpful in understanding her problems, however no help was offered after it was done so I'm presuming it can't be rectified.

I am pleased you manage to work that is a wonderful achievment.

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