Update on progress and advice needed

[Lunalg]

Hi all

I don’t know whether you recall our story… my husband was in a RTA on 24/11 and woke from coma on 22/12.

He has now at 9 weeks been discharged from ICU and moved to a Neuro/rehab ward and is waiting assessment. After a tricky weaning off the ventilator he has now had his trachy removed.

He has shown so much improvement. Has walked a few steps aided, now asks to use bed pan, can read newspaper headlines and talks non stop. However it’s the talking that is problematic. He says some clear things but most of its is jumbled sentences, some real words some made up words, then often says ‘do you know what I mean’ at the end.

His injury is on the left side and he had a craniotomy. Am I to expect that his communication will remain this confused or is this to be expected after 5 weeks from coma.

Any advice appreciated.

[Hidden]

Hi, I had my TBI on 12/11/22 and was in a coma for 13 days. When I woke up I was talking, from what I'm told, and I made sense but also no sense at times. I did swear and old people I would "smash their face in" and then 2 minutes later not even realise I said it or what I said. I would forget what things were called, say the wrong thing and forget what I was supposed to say. I went to speech and therapy and then cognitive therapy to help me a few weeks after I had got home. I was in hospital for 4 weeks. After 3 months of seeing cognitive therapist I was discharged and I had only seen speech and therapy about 3 times at home. Its just over a year since my accident and I am definitely better with talking but I still have an odd day where I am still forgetting words. I also have no sense of smell or taste but hopefully one day it will come back. He will get there, its early days for him I'm sure but he will get there. This reply might not help but its just to say what way I was. 🙂

[cat3]

Your husband has come such a long way in only a couple of months, even whilst his brain has been fighting to adjust.

My son and daughter were spooked by my nonsensical remarks (and incessant swearing) after my endoscopic brain surgery.

But my consultant assured them that both these traits are extremely common whilst the brain is working hard, searching for new pathways around the damaged areas.

My family thought I was lost to them but, gradually, my logic restored to normal.

Coming through brain injury is a slow, often painstaking, process. So it's still early days for your husband.

During this waiting period, be sure to attend to your own wellbeing ; it's so easy to neglect one's own needs at these times...

Cat x

[BabsGregs]

the same thing happened to me, I damaged my front lobe and opcipital lobe, I only talk gibberish now when I get too tired or I am in a situation that is all too over bearing, my husband only has to look at my face to know when that happens and makes our excuse to leave and takes me home. If talking gibberish, he tells me to go to bed for a rest as I think I am talking normally.

[Nemo24]

Sounds like he has come a long way in a short period of time. Its a slow one with head injuries with bumpy roads along the way. So pleased to hear he is this doing well.

[Alibongo60]

Hi Lunalg, your husband has come a long way in a short amount of time, and like everyone has said it will take more time. We all want to run before we can walk, but these little blips remind us to slow down, and take one day at a time, I still get words jumbled or lose track of conversations especially when stressed or tired, I just laugh it off now, I’ve come too far to let it stress me, I wish you lots of luck on your journey, love Alice xx

[Popalot]

Hi Lunaig, my husband had a craniectomy on the left side and has expressive and receptive dysphasia but has improved a lot from the earlier days. He had speech and language therapy, most of this involved working on a computer programme at home once he was discharged from the rehabilitation centre. At first, it was like listening to him talk in a different language. He mixed regular words up and made up his own words. It was some time before he actually realised that he was getting things wrong and wondered why we were having trouble understanding him. Eventually he started wanting to know where he was going wrong and wanted to be corrected. He can now have a conversation with only a few errors, though often mixes up names but can definitely put his point across. Although everyone is different I would say you have every reason to be hopeful that your husband’s speech will improve and send you both every best wish. If you would like to know more feel free to ask.