Update: 9 days post TBI

[GranolaLover93]

Hi all,

You can find my previous posts of my profile - just posting an updating on my mum who suffered a moderate TBI about 10 days ago. She’s waiting to be moved from ICU to Neurology Ward which I think is a good thing as her vitals seem stable.

The problem is she still has no idea where or who she is. She is very unfocused, and although she sometimes recognises me and tries to speak to me, most of her words and sounds don’t make any sense.

She is also constantly agitated and they have to keep giving her more anti agitation medication.

Worried that she remains agitated and don’t settle, and cognitively still seems very damaged and far away.

[cat3]

If it helps, my son & daughter feared I was lost forever after a brain haemorrhage 13 years ago. My daughter Helen was shocked & hurt on visits by my addressing her as 'Debbie' (a neighbour). I had no clue who my son was ; awful for such a close family.

Apparently I talked gobbledygook for weeks, and only discovered how distressing my ramblings had been for my loved ones months later.

I do still feel bad for the fear and sleepless nights my family suffered whilst I lay unawares all those weeks. But the process of regaining cognition for a poorly brain is complex and time intensive whilst it creates new pathways and around damaged areas and restores lost functions.

It was around the 4 or 5 week point where I (as the consultant put it) 'Turned a corner', and I was discharged around the 3 month point, returning to normal life, albeit with some memory, mobility & emotional issues.

I'm hoping this offers some reassurance m'love, and hope of better days to come . . .

Cat x

[GranolaLover93 in reply to cat3]

Thank you Cat, this is very reassuring. Although mum’s progress is very slow, I can see some progress in that she’s trying to communicate with me. Praying she comes back to me x

[cat3 in reply to GranolaLover93]

Yes, Ten days is very early days in terms of brain injury.

Progress is usually painfully slow in the first weeks and can feel interminable for loved ones. But the passage of time is your mum's biggest ally right now. Her brain needs whatever time it needs to recalibrate . . . . and won't be hurried.

So as you watch & wait, try to focus on the healing within, and how it's contributing to those tiny signs of progress.

Hang in there m'ove..

Hugs & best wishes, Cat x

[skydivesurvivor]

sounds very much like me when I was brought round?!! The next stage of a long journey, 24 years on ! 3 year after I was able with mum to sort sale of house, divorce and take part in research study on TBI recovery at the Royal free hospital. Looks promising!! Good luck to her, for those around her all I can suggest as relief?! Is to SMILE?!! Look weird but it is relaxing honest!!

[GranolaLover93 in reply to skydivesurvivor]

Bless you, thank you for sharing and love hearing how well you’re doing now!! I’m smiling at her a lot and she’s very smiley back xx

[Alibongo60]

Hello GranolaLover, you have also got to consider your mum is on a lot of medication especially meds for agitation which they have to keep increasing, so these can make them very confused and disorientated, mum is probably not getting a very clear picture of what exactly is going on at the minute, and like Cat says ten days is very early days. Give your mum more time, I am sure she is in there and will return, when recovered, take care love Alice xx

[GranolaLover93 in reply to Alibongo60]

Hey Alice,

Thank you for your reassuring words. Just have to strap in and keep staying strong for her x

[Alibongo60 in reply to GranolaLover93]

It’s a long journey but sounds like she’s got the best support, and anytime you need any support keep popping back, lots of nice people who always willing to advise or even just a chat love Alice xx

[Stubble]

Hi, just a thought.. do you think she'd enjoy some of her favourite music to help calm her? Being in hospital is very distressing in and of itself, the regimen and the noise and disruptions are probably part of the reason for her agitation.

Some headphones and a playlist of whatever she's into might be worth a shot.

Ambient sounds can be good too as they can reduce heart rate and calm the mind very effectively.

Stay strong and make sure you look after yourself too! It's easy to forget your own needs when you are dealing with her distress full time.

X

[HopeForChris]

HeyAh, the move from ICU is good news. As other lovely people here have said, it's still early days recovery wise. , The brain just needs time to figure things out so memory will be impaired causing confusion and agitation.

Keep reminding your mum where she is, why, who you are etc and don't worry too much if little change just now.

As mentioned before this stage lasted 3 months with my brother although everyone is different. Even then, recovery continued with memory issues but it was such a relief when his agitation eventually settled and he recognised family etc. He had anti agitation meds too. You're doing great.x