Trying to be positive

[Deadstar]

Hi All, I'm new here and found this group through the Headway site. My BF suffered a Hipoxic brain injury to the Basal Ganglia and surrounding cortex 5 weeks ago.

He is out of ICU and on a ward and although he is conscious and responds to some instruction he is unable to talk, (mainly due to his cuffed tracheotomy) I visit him every weekend and a few times during the week but miss him so much.

I guess i'm looking for positive stories from people to help keep the hope that he will pull through this.

[cat3]

Hello and welcome Star. The tracheotomy will certainly inhibit your partner's speech and general responsiveness.

I was in a 4 bed ward (all 4 of us recovering from bleeds on the brain) and one lady opposite was motionless for 6 weeks. But once her tube was removed she was transformed, sitting up and speaking.

5 weeks is no time at all for brain injury recovery. There are so many issues for our brains to address which are invisible to others but, be assured, your boyfriend's brain is fighting to recover every minute.

The waiting (so my family tell me) can seem endless, but time is your friend as it's the main player in terms of recovery.

Sending best wishes for some positive changes soon m'dear. Please keep us updated on your partner's progress. Cat x

[bexx87]

Hi,

In that small story I can see positive things: he is out of ICU, he is conscious and he has visits from you to look forward to, look for the little achievements and progression he will make as soon you and him will have your own positive story

[sca2013]

It helps when you can take it a day at a time. You may find it useful to keep a journal of his daily changes. Then when you look back to the beginning it is easier to see the progress he's made. The creation of his new life takes time and is usually much slower than he or anyone else would like. Wishing he and you the best going forward.

[keeley24]

I had a trach tube in when I first woke up after being in coma. I had to try to write what I wanted to say on a magnedoodle. When the doctors feel your bf is ready they will take the trach out which is as simple as pulling it out and covering the hole with a plaster and he should be able to talk as normal. Some people can need speech therapy to talk properly but others don't. In time things do get better but it can take a few year. For me I was affected more physically and cos I was so keen to get back to normal I had physio every chance I got so managed to get back walking in under a month. Again not everyone needs physio so it is more wait and see what happens as everyone is effected differently.

[Deadstar]

Hi all, just a bit of an update, now 8 weeks in and he had the trach removed last week, he has managed to speak a little but is having regular speech therapy and physio to help him get up etc. he wants to leave the hospital but it's so hard to tell him that he is not well enough yet. He is smiling and sitting up alone (to a degree) he is generally mouthing words and attempting to sign them (he spoke fluent BSL before this happened).

Things are looking more positive than they were but am under no illusion that this going to to a long long road to recovery.