Tbi with craniotomy currently 3/52 post op are drs... - Headway

Headway

10,863 members13,088 posts

Tbi with craniotomy currently 3/52 post op are drs always right about prognosis

Olliebear12 profile image
6 Replies

Hi my partner was attacked in Spain 3 weeks ago. He received a craniotomy and approx 8 days later regained consciousness for about 12hrs he has been heavily sedated since this and he contracted a multi resistant chest infection whilst having a tracheostomy which led him to have a fever. We were told his cortex is dead on one side with only a dim light on the other. We requested sedation be removed and he has reopened his eyes although he looks vacant and whilst he occasionally tracts it is rare. We have been told there is no hope and that he is unconscious and will remain this way. We have a 7 year old son. Is there any hope of improvement or am I wishful thinking?

Written by
Olliebear12 profile image
Olliebear12
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
6 Replies
mrsdawno profile image
mrsdawno

I feel for you. This sounds similar to my husband, although he didn't have a craniotomy he did have the chest infection, the sedation and tracheostomy. He had a Glasgow coma scale of 4 so things were looking bad. He very slowly regained consciousness like yours is - only eyes open. Very slowly tracking with them - and sometimes not. The Drs were reluctant to make any prognosis at all after scans.

It took about 6 weeks to go from attack to consciousness where I knew he understood me - it was long, slow and harrowing but they never thought he would recover as much as he has. He then spent 6 weeks in a specialist neuro rehab unit to learn to walk, talk, eat etc.

He has make an amazing recovery: there absolutely is hope so keep going and having his best interests at heart, fight his corner. The Drs sometimes just don't know what is possible, the brain is a fantastic organ but we don't know everything about it.

I wish you both the best and that your husband continues to make his recovery, even if it is slow it is possible.

Dawn

Olliebear12 profile image
Olliebear12 in reply tomrsdawno

Thank you so much for helping me cling to a glimmer of hope. He is currently still in Spain and we are hoping for repatriation as soon as possible!! Hopefully his recovery will take a better turn once in uk. The Spanish drs hold out little to no hope xx

keeley24 profile image
keeley24

Not been in this situation myself but I know most doctors give worst case prognosis to avoid giving false hope. Better to have better result than expected than worse. Not sure how often doctors are wrong but it does occasionally happen so there is some hope. I always think there is always some hope as long as someone is alive.

Olliebear12 profile image
Olliebear12 in reply tokeeley24

Xxxx

sca2013 profile image
sca2013

>are drs always right about prognosis? No, they are programmed to basically give you worst case scenarios. In some cases it might be as they say, however they really have no way to definitively say it will actually turn out that way. In some cases it can turn out to be better than that. Just take things a day at a time and do the best you can each day with that day and let things develop as time passes. I'm very sorry this has happened and wish you all the best going forward.

Olliebear12 profile image
Olliebear12

Thank you xxx

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Advice for a newbie please

Hello all, I'm hoping that someone can give me some advice - 9 weeks ago, my husband suffered a...

My Partner has Diffuse Axonal shearing-TBI- 3 1/2 yrs post- would like ppl to share any experience and advise about issues relating t care

My partner lives in a residential care home, has been there a year and staff are not even trained...
JAYSEW profile image

Jobs for people with brain injuries

My 19 year old son was assaulted nearly a year ago and suffered a traumatic brain injury. We were...
Sambo73 profile image

Ups & downs again, but back on the up.

Hi everyone, been on that rollercoaster again. Son unfortunately vomited through his tracheotomy...
Nanapal profile image

It's like it didn't happen!

On the 28th August this year my 12 year old son stepped into the road in the path of an on coming...
Alice71 profile image

Moderation team

headwayuk profile image
headwayukPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.