Struggling to cope with my Dad and his brain injury.....

Hi All. I have just joined this forum as i am struggling to cope with my dad's injuries after 5 months in hospital. My dad got knocked off his push bike in July and remains in hospital. He can't talk or do anything for himself and can't move the right side of his body.

He was admitted by air ambulance to critical care and then moved into high dependancy, he is now on the neuro ward. He had a tracheotomy and has recently had this removed along with his feeding tube. We thought he was progressing, but slowly. Recently he seems to have digressed. He has picked up a bad chest infection and he seems to be coughing up lots of flem. His feed is going into his peg, but there may be problems with his peg as he seems to be being sick when coughing. Has anyone else witnessed this? He looks very down in the dumps and very uncomfortable when coughing. As he can't communicate i feel helpless as i don't know what he is thinking/feeling. He seems to hunch over and not lie back on his head, the physio staff are working with him on a daily basis.

With visiting and working full time i am exhausted! I have visited today and feel very emotional and helpless. I only wish i knew what the future would bring!! He doesn't deserve this! The court case is imminent also. I think the last 5 month have finally caught up with me....

If anyone else has witnessed a loved one going through this experience and can offer any help/advice it would be very welcome.

Hospitals are very sad places especially at Christmas.

Thank you!

[cat3]

Hi HELEN. I'm sorry that you're in such a bad situation with your dad's state of health but it has rung an alarm bell for me. I'm probably way off the mark but............my ex-husband had a problem after a brain haemorrhage. He seemed to rally a little but then developed a chest infection and a cough which, it turned out, had been caused by his feeding tube being inserted in such a way that it punctured and entered his lung.

Although it is an unusual event and pretty unlikely, it is as we discovered, a possibility which can be easily identified by means of a scan.

Yes hospitals can be sad places, but I was hospitalised over Christmas 2011, also with a haemorrhage and, whereas it was sad for my family, I was perfectly contented to be so well cared for.

Best wishes for some better developments regarding your dad's progress. Cat x

[Hidden]

Hi Cat,

Thank you for your reply. I know what you mean about the feeding tube as that has already happened to my dad and he ended up back on ICU.

He has a feeding peg now but it seems to be causing more complications.

Fingers crossed for more positive progress soon!

Best wishes

Helen

[cat3]

Helen, can I ask which hospital your dad is in ?

My ex (Geoff) hasn't spoken for months but he does understand what others are saying and responds to specific inquiries by nodding or shaking his head and he still has a ready smile for visitors and funny stories.

I hope the doctors/staff get to the bottom of your dad's immediate discomfort so that he can be more rested. All you can do for now is keep talking to him and coaxing to get some kind of communication going..........or just to let him hear your reassuring voice.

And if you feel you're in over your head you might consider phoning the Headway helpline 0808 800 2244 for extra support & advice.

Regards x

[Felloffhisbike101]

Hi. I had a cycling accident 3 and a bit years ago and sustained severe head injury. I was hospitalised for a few months and ended up being peg fed. Apparently I, also, developed chest problems. Due to PTA I can't remember it! Anyway, if is any reassurance, I am now home with my family and trying to get on with life. It is, sometimes a struggle (in addition to, conventional brain damage stuff - e.g. cognitive and emotional problems, I am also, now, partially sighted!) but I try to count my blessings. I don't know how, but my chest problems were sorted out. Hope all goes well and I am optimistic for you. Happy Christmas. Phil