My father was admitted to the ICU on June 21st after he had a bad fall that hurt his head and was said he was having bleeding from the inside and outside of his brain. Luckily the bleeding stopped but the swelling was still there until day 4 of being in the ICU. His blood pressure was always low so they had to give him medicine for his pressure to go up. The pressure on his brain did a lot better on day 5 do they decided to todo an MRI that same day, but we didn't get results until the next morning. He still had the breathing tube in and he had gotten a bacteria infection in his stomach which didn't allow him to digest his food, but they told us its normal with patients like this they gave him antibiotics. On day 6 we got results of his MRI and it was not good news, they told us my dad was in a deep coma since the blood got into his cerebral cortex and damaged it. He had dead tissue on his right side of his brain which would leave him paralyzed from his left side if he ever was to wake up, which at this point they had little hope of him ever waking up. They whole time we were there my dad would show signs of coughing, a little bit of hand movement and toe movement but never from his left side. His right pupil wouldn't dialate but his left would. It would seem like my dad tried to move his eyes every time I spoke to him but couldn't open them, they told me it's all normal signs of just his body reflexes that not until he can physically squeeze my hand or lift his hands to show us he's there they wouldn't take it down. They encourage us to pull the plug, but it's only been a week. We want to keep faith and believe he's there that he can hear us and wants us to wait to give him time to heal more. His sedation medicine has been removed completely but he still hasn't woken up. Any suggestions of another neurosergian who we can show him his MRI too or a better hospital who can do more research maybe there's hope. Or if anyone has gone through an experience like this and has came out of coma please comment.
Written by
fridaog
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I was in an induced coma last year and could hear snippets but it seems your dad is in a natural coma so I'm afraid my experience isn't relevant. Please keep talking to him and the doctors, prayers for you and your family at this tough time.
Hi I'm so sorry to hear this, and I feel your pain, I was in a situation where my dad had a cardiac arrest on the 4th Aug 2016 and they fault for 40 mins to get his heart beating again, to cut along story short, my dad was in kings college hospital in London , great hospital, my dad took about 6 weeks I think to sort of open his eyes but he was brain damage 😥 The doctors in the beginning said he had moderate brain damage, but of course the longer your in a coma the worst it would be! What I'm trying to say is dependening on the hospital if you feel it's a good hospital then they are telling you the truth, I do think a week is a bit of a shock to come to terms with this! You can only do what you feel is best for your family .
My dad had the movements they also said it was reflex we didn't want to believe that! He never squeezed our hands, but if I had a chance again I would of gave my dad some dignity , my dad was never on a machine so he couldn't be turned off. We went through nearly. 10 months of hell up and down the hospital looking at my dad talking to him sadly he passed away Easter Sunday this year, we miss him terribly 😥 But you do what you feel is right for your dad not you I really feel for you , good luck xxx
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.