Help

[Lara22]

Hey, my father has recently sustained a brain injury after sustaining a blow to the head in a violent attack. He was knocked unconscious but came to quite soon after. We've been told that the CT scan showed contusions in the brain. His current GCS score is 13 and this has remained stable for the last three days- can anyone offer any words of support, help, advice everything seems so bleak at the moment

[cat3]

Hi Lara. Glad you've found us. It's awful to hear about the attack on your father and so worrying for you and other family members.

After a brain haemorrhage my GCS score was 4 rising to 6 after surgery so it suggests your dad's score of 13 is quite promising.

I'm assuming your father is now fully conscious and communicating ? I would hope that with rest he will make a full recovery, but the doctors will want to monitor him to rule out

possible concussion etc. and to check his mobility is unaffected.

My son was badly assaulted and kicked repeatedly in the head by a gang of yobs several years ago, as he walked home with his girlfriend. He was fortunate enough to be found by police and rushed to hospital. After regaining consciousness he received stiches and, after a few groggy days, made a good recovery.

I hope your father recovers equally well. Please let us know how he progresses.

Best wishes Cat. xx

[Kirk5w7]

I can only add my support to Cat's words my score was 3 on the GCS and although it has been a long haul, more than 2 years and I do have issues with balance and some memory problems also loss of peripheral vision on right, I am still making progress.

Patience and support are needed for you both best wishes Janet xx

[Hidden]

I'M SPPALLED TO HEAR OF THIS DREADFUL SITUATION. WHY DO SO CALLED PEOPLE SUBJECT OTHERS TO THINGS LIKE THIS. I AGREE THAT GCS 13 IS QUITE HOPEFUL. IWAS 7-9 WHICH WASN'T BAD. HOW OLD IS YOUR DAD? HOPEFULLY HE WILL IMPROVE. , IT MAY BE SLOW & REQUIRE A LOT OF PATIENCE BUT WITH A 13 I HOPE IT'S NOT TOO DREADFUL.

[Bards]

Agree with all the above - GCS score of 13 is on the one hand relatively glamorous so soon, but equally GCS is not a reliable guide to longer term outcome. Seek help/support/rehab, which you clearly are doing, so you're on the right path to helping him. If you let us know where you are geographically you may get specific info; resources are notoriously patchy and poorly signposted. Stay in contact here; you will not be alone.

[bella1234]

Hi Lara there's no need for these attacks there's to many dickheads out there I had a tbi last year after falling over and hitting my head on a brick fall while washing my van I've lost all my smell and taste and been left partially sighted I had alot of anger outburst there is support out there for your dad which he will get straight away my wife and children have only just started to get support tho after 17 months of asking I wish you and your dad all the best and hope he recovers well

[Hidden]

Just to add my best wishes for a favourable outcome. Get enough rest yourself so you can understand and digest all the information you will be bombarded with. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions.

Take care, Dev

[aqua4]

Hi Lara, I wish you both well too and as Dev said there will be lots to take in but always remember that each persons brain injury and recovery is individual to them. K

[Torquay]

Hi Lara

We found the Headway helpline and information booklets a tremendous support and advised ward staff that having such information made available to relatives would be an informative resource. We also found it helpful to link up with the named nurse and therapist for updates about our sister and discuss the management plan. This helped us to keep focused and less stressed at a time which was devastating and the future so uncertain. Thankfully rehab and recovery has been positive for her.

Keep strong. x

[Tapper180]

Hi sorry to hear about your dad. I to suffered a serious head injury in a car accident . My gcs score was 3, I was in a coma for 2 days and had a hemorrhage. After coming round from the coma I had post concussive amnesia for 10 days. This meant I was really confused and agitated and didn't know what was really going on. After the 10 days it was like the fog had cleared and I felt much much better. I've since made a full recovery and was back in work within 3 months. I wanted to share my story to give u a little insight of how these things can play out. Best wishes and hope your father makes a full recovery.