Keep the Faith

[EdinCat83]

Hello All,

This forum has been so important to me in the last few months, following my mums hypoxic brain injury due to cardiac arrest in June this year.

Just wanted to share progress in the hope it gives others hope that no matter how bleak things seem, there is always hope. Hang on to the hope.

Mum was in an induced coma for 6 weeks whilst the doctors tried to manage seizures (new super refractory status epilepticus). She was then in unresponsive wakefulness (vegetative) mode for 8 weeks. Doctors told me she would remain like this forever and that her age (67) and weight were against her.

2-3 weeks ago she started to respond to questions with nods and head shakes. Consistent. She knew who I was. She knew where she was. She wanted to see my dog. She remembered her mobile phone. She wasn’t in any pain (a relief). She had been aware for some time and not able to communicate. She nodded in response to these questions. She shook her head to others. She can understand questions in English and Welsh.

A week after the nods. We got words on command. “Hello,” “I missed you “, “ thank you” , “pain in my back” and she said my name. She also told me the other day she was “shattered”.

Still a long way to go. She is still weaning from vent (hence the shattered comment) but doing well. Speaking valve in 6 hrs a day. I know that we are still in the woods but we are a few steps forward toward the light.

Earlier days were bleak and I kept hope when everyone told me there was no hope. Some people on this forum helped me with that and I remain very grateful

thanks too all on this forum for their advice and guidance. Whatever happens I am so proud of my Mam. ❤️