Frontal lobe anoxic injury

[Worriedfor]

Hi has anyone recovered from t he frontal lobe anoxic injury? My partner is in ICU 1 month ; wakeful, not much in communication , fingers arms moving only , and Trac fitted so vocal chords limited in communication. and I'd like to hear any survivor stories or caregivers perspective of how long it can take to resume a level of some normality. Drs are saying high order consciousness and ability is damaged ? Thst the personality intelligence will be affected? Please someone offer me hope as I'm really stressed !

[Sepsur]

My wife was told that if I did wake up, I could well be brain damaged. So she was having to deal with the possibility of me dying, me surviving but incapacitated & me surviving only to die later from the leukaemia they had diagnosed.

Icu DID affect me & I have a incrementally decreasing level of cognitive dysfunction- as time goes on my mental abilities are less & less impaired.

Make sure you do something to decompress yourself. I know that is easier said than done. Stress is a killer too.

The Huffington Post did a great article sometime ago called ‘How to survive the waiting-room’, my wife said she always wished she had read this beforehand.

[Worriedfor in reply to Sepsur]

Thank you for that . Did you suffer from hallucinations or delirium? As my partner is looking as if he is in his own world and makes nonsensical sounds moans or general sighs and nothing that is recognised ( trach fitted with valve) . He is Physically recovering better I think , upper body is active like arms movements and hand finger clenching. Eyes are wondering around looking at ‘ something ‘ . Doesn’t respond to me just looks blankly and turns away at objects. I do hope he will snap out of this and be ‘ himself ‘ so worried that he may not recognise me or our young children .

[Sepsur in reply to Worriedfor]

Yes I suffered hypoactive delirium NOT hyperactive!!

[Angelia1234]

I saw the "corner turn" events around 2-2 1/2 months. The drs arent always right as the brain is complicated. Keep researching levels of consciouness, stimulate all his senses and pray for improvement. Celebrate every improvement! I never thought by hubby would get where he is (6.5 mo post BI)

[Worriedfor in reply to Angelia1234]

Dr are saying his kidney function is requiring dialysis? So basically saying if he remain as he is he can’t get a transplant, and they may stop treatment on dialysis.

Until he shows awareness of some high order consciousness. Can the Dr s do that bully you to pull plug if organs are not performing as well if brain activity is not as we hoped? He’s got wake sleep cycles. Facial expressions, yawns etc Some upper limbs moving , fingers and head .

[Angelia1234 in reply to Worriedfor]

Just my opinion but they will "bully", tried getting me to give up at 6 wks. Glad love and prayer is patient. I was told hed never feed himself, dress himself, talk making sense etc. My hubby PROVED them wrong! A person probably doesnt qualify for organs if they aren't at a certain level. But why would they stop dialysis? My hubby neurologist had told me to give him months to improve before giving up. I think you should listen to your heart. Too many miracles around to give up and definately dont be pressured, its a life.

Side note: At this moment my hubby just texted me "i love you" - never thought id see/hear it again.

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[Worriedfor in reply to Angelia1234]

Thank you may he keep texting you and getting well.

[Sepsur in reply to Worriedfor]

I had dialysis for 7 weeks whilst still in an induced coma. I should have moved to a hospital with ECMO but at the point where I needed to transfer, they wouldnt take me because I wouldn’t have survived the journey.

No-one gave up although at this point ( week6 of 12) all bets were off. Probably the grimmest time for my family, bereft of hope - but we are people who defy the odds.

[Worriedfor in reply to Sepsur]

The lows are pretty low when the patient seems to be going downhill after a glimmer of hope. Thanks il try be positive from your experience.,