It's a week today that my Dad fell off of a ladder onto a solid oak table and onto a concrete floor after losing his balance trying to cut back a tree. He sustained a significant head injury, broken rib, broken sternum and fractures in his spine. After putting him in an induced coma because he was agitated, he underwent surgery to cut a piece of his skull out to allow the brain to swell as it hadn't gone down after 6 hours and there was also some bleeding. The surgery was a success and they have slowly reduced the sedation and changed his method of ventilation so I believe he is part breathing himself.
After his fall, he was knocked out but when he came round managed to get up and walk to the door (he fell in the neighbours garden) and answer questions when he was sat down and all the questions the paramedics asked in the ambulance.
The CT scan came back with more brain damage than they had anticipated and they suspect he may be paralysed down his left side and have had to prepare us for the worst.
He had an MRI scan yesterday and also has an infection which they are controlling with cool towels and paracetamol. They have sent cultures off twice as this all happened during the Bank holiday. We still don't know where the infection is and I'm hoping to get MRI results today.
He has responded to squeeze my hand for me the first time being on Monday. He keeps raising his right hand to his tubes and putting it back down. On Tuesday, I asked him to squeeze my hand if he needed to be coughed and he did. Twice! His pupils are displaying and I've seen him move his head and neck. I can see him inside if that makes sense, like he wants to wake and it's like he knows we're there but can't wake. That's how it appears to me.
They put him on a little sedative to keep him still for his MRI scan which took 4 hours and they've got him on Fentanyl (?) to ease the pain/uncomfortableness of the tubes.
I'm a complete mess and I'm trying to keep it together for the sake of my 10 month old but I'm falling apart. I love my Dad so much and it's heartbreaking. I'm trying to remain positive because being a mess isn't going to help my Dad or my family get through this. I'm clinging to hope. I just want him to wake up. I've been up everyday which is difficult because I can't take my baby into the ICU ward. I talk to him and have even downloaded the music I know he likes to play to him. I just can't stop breaking down.
I just wanted to know any similar experiences and if you're going through the same thing then you're not alone. I just feel better writing this down. Thank you for reading if you make it to here.
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NebulaNeko
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Hiya and I am so sorry to hear your having such a terrible time. they tried waking me from an induced coma numerous times and I was struggling, but eventually 3 and half weeks after they first put me in one, I started to come round, my husband and family told me they knew I was coming back to them with slight eye and hand movements and that it took me days to come out of it, I can't remember the first week I was out of it, but what you have said sounds so similar to what they described and it sounds so promising that he is making slightest movements. I know it's hard but be patient and I am sure in a few more days you will have your father back xx
Thank you so much. You have given me strength and hope. They're giving him a tracheotomy tomorrow as they're having to sedate him a little still because the tubes are making him uncomfortable and he's constantly reaching for them. After that, they'll stop the sedatives and hopefully he'll come round. They had stopped the sedatives at the weekend and said he should be showing more signs but I said he's always been a heavy sleeper (sleepy through anything and everything) and they said that could be a factor. Thank you so much for your reply and kind words xx
No problem and it's exactly what I had a tracheostomy so when I did come round I had to communicate with children's books with alphabet in it as you can't talk with it in and he won't have strength in his arms to write I tried and looked like a doctors handwriting ineligible lol anything at all I can help you with just let me know even if it's just to offload x. And look after yourself as well he will need a bit of support for first few months of recovery ☺
Thank you so, so much. This means so much to me and I can share this with my mum when I see her tomorrow. You have come so far yourself too. I'll show my Dad too when he wakes Xx
Thank you for your support. I know I need to be patient but it's so difficult when I'm so anxious to have him back. His poor temperature keeps going up as well. I know it's a long process though and that is becoming easier to accept day by day. Thank you for the links. I will have a look at them today on the way to the hospital. Positivity is key.
Thank you for your reply and for giving me more strength and hope. My Dad was opening his eyes today (well tried the other but still too swollen and bruised) and blinked when I asked to to if he could hear me. I informed the nurses and they said he'd been doing it earlier but hadn't told us. He still looks out of it but it's definitely progress. He keeps going for his tubes and he's so strong! His tracheostomy was a success and now he's sedated again but still said bye and that I love him. Thank you for being there and sharing your experience too xx
Thank you. It's getting easier to accept that it's a long road to recovery day by day. I just want to make sure I can understand as much as possible so I can be there and help him in any way I can. Thank you for being so open about your experience and I'm so happy you were able to recover and I hope you you go on to heal and get better too. Just the little things spur me on and just everyone here too. Hugs back atcha and thank you for your prayers xx
Heya! Aww thanks for asking. So today was a bit 2 steps back which is disheartening but need to stay positive and remember it's going to take time. He was opening his eyes but still quite distant. He did squeeze my hand again and I know it's not a reflex or just gripping but not enough for Drs and nurses and the fact he won't do anything for them. I'm going to work on trying to get a release next time. They have put a plastic piece up Dad's nose so they can put a feeding tube down as was going into his lungs where it was before but a specialist needs to do it as more fractures (little ones lots) than they first thought. He is still on fentanyl and they have to sedate him again to get the tube down. Going to see how it goes tomorrow and just remember to take each day as it comes and be the best person I can for him. I did cry today. he's such a strong man and to see him lying there and looking so distant. I know he's in there! He's aware or the plastic piece up his nose as he kept going for it and the nurse said that's a positive sign. Xx
You will probably feel a lot of the days are 2 steps back, but you and your father know he is fighting and that's the main thing. My husband said that's what kept him going just the little attempts I tried, to your father it will be like being in one of them dreams where you want to wake up but you can't straight away. I love how your taking something positive out of every day it's the best way to be. I here anytime you need me ☺
Thank you so much. This morning my mum told me he is obeying commands for the nurses now and he tried to stick his tongue out as well. He just gave me an ok sign when I told him the nurses need to clean him and clean his teeth and it was in front of them so they can't say that's in my head. He's much more animated today but he keeps going for the pipes at his throat. He's still only able to move the right side of his body but I'm hopeful that it won't be permanent. Thank you so much for your support, I'm truly grateful xx
Hi there, I just read all your replies and comments and I'm curious to how your dad is doing and how you're holding up? My dad is in a coma right now as well. Except we live on opposite ends of the country and my baby is 6 months old. Everyone seems so sure that he's not going to make it but all his organs are doing well and his vitals are good. So I'm holding onto hope for dear life.
Hi sorry to hear your going through the same thing, but it's fantastic to hear your holding on. They told my family I wasn't going to make it and my mother kept telling them you don't know her, she didn't leave my bedside unless nurses kicked her out. So you know your father better than anyone and hang on in there especially with all vitals being good xx
Hi! First off, I'm sorry to learn your Dad is in a coma too. I find Drs in general very pessimistic and my Mum told me the other day that one of them was even taking about turning off life support. Nurses are more optimistic. It's difficult to stay strong when you fear the worst too. All I can do is send you hugs and waves of positivity. It's not easy and having a LO makes it difficult but at the same time a beautiful distraction. Your Dad is in my thoughts and prayers. It's a good sign that your Dad's organs and vitals are good. He needs time to heal and some need more than others. How long has your Dad been in a coma?
My Dad was moved from critical into a recovery ward as he is showing signs of recovery; more periods of being awake, trying to communicate, has tried to write unsuccessfully but is definitely more alert. There are good days and bad days and a lot is due to the pain as well.
Please let us know how your Dad is doing and I'll be back with an update too. I'm visiting tomorrow xx
Hi, hang on in there my partner was in an induced coma for 7 weeks, we had many times where it was touch and go and many attempts at coming off sedation! I felt just as you did! The human body is a wonderful machine that will heal in its own time! He will get there it may just take more time than you realise xx
Thank you! He is awake now and is confabulating so it's really difficult to hold a conversation because nothing really makes sense and they're all tall tales. Next step is to get him into a care home for the long road to recovery. I can't wait to have him back and I've already told myself he probably won't be the same but I just want him to get to a better place. Xx
That's brilliant news Andy didn't make sense or talk much at all for a couple of weeks! He didn't know of his dreams which were real or not and is still coming to terms with his journey!Life is certainly different but he is alive and we can work on things! You will reach a better place just don't overlook the time factor! The next choice of place is important for you take your time don't be rushed! Xx
Thank you so much. Found out why Dad had been going backwards, because of hydrocephalus. The Drs and nurses had missed it despite us telling them he wasn't right. He's had a shunt put in and is doing a lot better. Wishing you and Andy all the best and thanks for sharing your positivity with me! Xx
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