I'm new here and looking for a similar situation to mine for advice and support...

[blueandwhitearmy93]

As the title says I'm new here and I've been quite active reading posts on this forum for a few weeks - it's actually been quite a lifeline while I've been backwards and forwards to the hospital.

So 8 weeks ago to the day my gran (75) suffered a bleed on the brain for the second time - she had one in the same place 21 years ago which left her epileptic. First of all it was the shock as she was completely healthy and normal on the day of the collapse.

She was placed into an induced coma as she'd stopped responding due to a build up of fluid on the brain. The next morning she had emergency surgery to put a drain in to drain the fluid while we waited for a decision of it was operable -- thank god it was!

She went on to have the bleed coiled and she was taken off sedation a day later. It took a further 5 days for her to come round, by which point the doctors had performed a tracheostomy so she couldn't talk or breath for herself.

Eventually she was moved to a 'step down' ward and yesterday she was discharged from hospital. We are still at a very early stage I know but she doesn't seem to have had any major complication which is amazing but she is suffering from extreme confusion and tiredness.

My question is has anyone else experienced this and does anyone have any tips on how I can help the confusion. The doctor have said it may get better but with no time frame as it could take months or even years.

Thanks in advance for any advice, tips, or even a shoulder to cry on as this is a long haul journey with the person I love most in the world x

[Shon48]

I just want to send you love and support for you . It isn’t easy for any of us . She certainly had gone through the mill but as I am continually told it takes a long time to recover and at 75 she might not be the gran you love again. It’s remarkable she got through it all so give her loads of support and love . I think she is doing very well considering what she has gone through and your love and support will help her I’m sure,just don’t expect too much for a while . I am 65 and had mine coiled in June and am still very unsteady on my feet ,as the day goes on my speech is very slurred, stroke like but I know now when to go to bed no matter what time it is. The fatigue has gone but I get tired talking or if I’m out for a walk with help still. Bless you both and I’m sure every day you will see small changes for the better. My neurologist told me that because of my age they don’t always operate and have a wait and see attitude but because I was so healthy and the aneurysm was so big he decided to coil it and stent it . So there you go ,always hope . Lots of patience and love . Keep in touch so I know your progress 🙏

Shona 🤗🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[cat3]

Hi there. I had a Subarachnoid haemorrhage 6+ years ago and, for me, the two month point was a blur. I remember the confusion and the heightened emotional lasting many months but now, years on, I've learned what an enormous task our brains face in coming to terms with the after effects, the physical healing and our reaction to the event itself.

It sounds like your gran has come through this second bleed extremely well and, honestly m'love, the fatigue and confusion are more or less guaranteed after any type of brain injury. Your gran was relatively young the first time round so she might struggle more at 75, that's to say her faculties might never return to normal and her rate of progress might be slower.

But she has every chance of a decent quality of life still to come. It's important, for the first few months especially, that she rests as much as she needs to, whilst testing her boundaries, and staying really hydrated to further protect/heal her brain.

Sending all best wishes for your gran's further progress...……….. and a massive hug. 🌷 Cat x