My hubby

[Suzyboo]

Good evening,

Can anyone help me out there. My husband has just had a very large tumour removed from he frontal lobe, unfortunately during the op he developed swelling, and they had to remove part of the frontal lobe to end the operations conclusion. He is 8days post op, and I believe he is doing really well, he is out of ITU, he is talking, eating and drinking. But a I have a few questions, I don't seem to get definitive answers from my husbands doctors or nurses, so I am hoping you can give me done answers please.

1- my husband seems to be talking really well, then every in wand then he rambles and doesn't make any sense at all, he also is talking in his sleep is this normal this early into his recovery?

2- I have noticed since my hubby is more conscious now, every now and then he starts to stare at one fixed point, and is completely unresponsive, for a few minutes, then he seems to come back round, and starts talking again, is this to be expected? What could be causing it? Could it be some kind of seizure?

I would really appreciate some feedback, I am worried sick.

Many thanks in advance

Suzyboo

[Kirk5w7]

It is very early days and the best people to speak to are your husbands doctors, because everyone's head injury is different, I would imagine that what your husband exhibits is not uncommon, and the period of absence may be a seizure. I am no expert and my illness was nothing like your husbands, my problems have been caused by encephalitis so no surgery was involved but I was in a coma for 3 weeks and hospitalised/ rehab for a total of 3 months. It is now more than. 2 years on for me and improvements are still being made.

It can be a very long slow process, you must have patience and be very supportive and seek lots of support yourself.

This forum is fantastic for that support as is the Headway helpline, they produce lots of literature or can be accessed on line, do not hesitate to call them if you need support , or just to speak to someone.

We are all here for you too, put a post up and someone is sure to reply.

Best wishes Janet xx

[cat3]

Hi Suzy. I had a titanium coil inserted in my brain after a haemorrhage, so quite a different situation but it seems that all brain ops seem to result in fairly common issues.

I agree with Janet that the vacant periods could be seizures ; something you need to talk to your husband's consultant about. I imagine the medical staff will be watching to see how symptoms develop (or not) before considering treatment. If you're worried that you're not getting proper answers, you need to arrange a separate meeting with the consultant, possibly through his secretary. Ask for her contact no. at reception.

I actually walked and talked in my sleep at about the 5 week stage until about the 12th week ; something I've never done before or since, but I was told it is not uncommon in the early stages of recovery. It didn't happen every night ; just now & again.

The doctors & nursing staff tend not to commit themselves in forecasting outcomes after head injuries as each patient can respond so differently in terms of type and rate of recovery.

From what you describe your husband is recovering well, but It's a very slow process which can't be hurried. I hope you'll continue to keep us up to date with his progress.

Best wishes Suzy, for his good recovery.

Cat x

Just a little post-script. We had a blog a few months ago about 'vacant' episodes and many of us responded, suggesting that even after long periods of recovery our brains still seem to 'pause' every so often, possibly in an effort to protect its self from over-fatigue. So maybe you should reserve judgement on that until there's a definite diagnosis. It may well not be seizures but, if it is, there are many effective treatments available to manage it, so please try not to worry about possibilities which might never arise. xx

[mowgli123]

Hi Suzyboo

I'm so glad there are positives for you both. This is all normal from what you've written...x My husband also used to stare for a few moments & then come back round... This is definitely not a seizure (in my opinion)

Sounds like he is doing really well re the eating, drinking etc.

My husband had a SAH severe brain injury & he is excellent physically, but it is the invisible injury. He has a lot of problems with rational (frontal lobe damage). The main thing for him is to have structure, routine & calmness. Sorry if this is what you already know Hope it helps.. Anything else, you know where I am. I am happy to help. I didn't have any help at all from the doctors or what to expect so it has been a difficult & steep learning curve. This site is fab! Glad you're in you're in touch xx

[Suzyboo]

Thank you for all your Kind words and advice. Unfortunately I had a. Phone call at 7 this morning my husband has been transferred back to ITU he started having seizures, they have now sedated him and put him back on a ventilator until he stabilizes.

I did mention these absences to his ITU nurse, and she thinks it could have been the start of his seizures.

Anyway they have changed his anti seizure meds, to try and stabilize him, we just need to wait and see now.

Just hope he gets through this....

[Sem2011 in reply to Suzyboo]

I have just read your thread and responses. I am so sorry to hear your hubby has been Readmitted to ITU. My thoughts are with you, I can only begin to imagine what you are going through. Positive I guess they were quick to act, and measures in place will give his body and brain time to rest. Take care. We here any time xx

[Suzyboo]

I didn't mention that the tumour removal, was done to reduce the symptoms of his terminal cancer, to give him a better quality of life, for the time he has left.

[headchild in reply to Suzyboo]

Really sorry to hear of this can I ask if the terminal cancer is a brain tumour. My brother had a bulk removed from his brain last year to extend his life as he had an aggressive tumour.

I am sure all will be done to help your husband.

Look after yourself x

[Danslatete]

My heart goes out to you, my dad had cancer in his brain but his was metastatic. He had raidiation after surgery.

I hope you get some quality time with him soon x

[Suzyboo]

Thank you for all your best wishes and comments, sometimes everything can be so overwhelming, so it's good to hear what other people have to say about situation we find ourselves in. He has sinonasal adenocarcinoma, non -intestinal type, with no primary....which managed to spread into the brain via the skull base. By the time it was diagnosed, it was too late. On a more positive note. They have woken my husband up he is still heavily sedated but he spoke to me, and remembered my name, ours dogs name and where he lives...he could understand, and has his coughing function back. So we just need to wait and see.