My son has given up on life after TBI Accident - ICUsteps

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My son has given up on life after TBI Accident

Maria1710 profile image
3 Replies

One month ago my 14 years old son was in an accident, he was found conscious and he could speak. On the spot he scored 13 out of 15 on the glascow coma scala. But as the ambulance was on the way he lost consciousness and he stopped breathing until they put the respirator.

When he lost consciousness they immediately decided to fly him with a helicopter to ICU, because it was caused by a ruptured blood vessel. They said he would most likely not make it because of the lack of oxygen and if he did he would have brain damage.

First day: When he got there they immediately did surgery to keep him stable. They put him in induced coma to lower the brain activity and so his brain could heal. He still got meds to reduce the brain swelling, because the induced coma didnt do a big impact. At some point his body temperature started increasing and they had to pack him with ice which helped.

Day 6: the meds didn’t do enough, and he had surgery again to remove a part of the scull so the brain had space to swell without damage. After this his body temperature was low and there was no trouble. He had seizures in his right face but they used medications to control them.

Day 8: They reduced the meds and drugs, to see if he could wake up from natural coma. The doctors said it would not happen because the lack of oxygen for so long.

Day 11: They did EEG it showed his brain was funtioning but not much.

Day 13: He started breathing a bit.

Day 18: His ventilator is set to supplement his breathing when his breathing is too fast or shallow. He still didnt see or react to anything. His pupils didnt react to anything either. The doctor said he would not wake up soon because of the long sedation.

Day 31: He woke up and he started opening his eyes for seconds when they suctioned him.

Day 33: He woke up again for a short period of time and regained his consciousness he sees and heard, basic reactions and reflexes. When hes awake hes upset with the ventilator and tries to take it off.

Day 39: Everytime he wakes up he has panic attacks because he cannot remember what happened to him because of the sedation. He can’t purposely move or speak. He moans and do noices sometimes. Sometimes his heartrate and blood pressure rise, and its difficult for the doctors and nurses to stop giving meds.

Day 42: He does small movements in his hands and arm. And he follows movements with his eyes.

Day 47: Several nurses rushed to his room because he pulled the tubes off, so they tied his hands which makes him more upset.

Day 50: He nodded or shool his head to questions. He followed commands.

Day 51: Hes in rehabilitation. They do speech therapy and physio.

He didnt remember who he was or I was but we got through after tons of stories and showing photoalbums. He observed a lot at first to learn new things like a kid for the first time. He still has trouble remembering names and deals if he dont write them down. Theres still some stages of his life and persons he dont remember.

After three months my son is finally home. He can walk small walks and has to sit when he showers. He has problems with thinking and remembering. He cant focus or concentrate for more than minutes. He seems depressed and gets irritable fast. He suffers from lack of sleep because of the medication to prevent seizures.

He doesnt try to come back to his own life anymore, he doesnt wanna talk or try remembering things with the visual aids. He doesnt wanna improve. He was so happy about going home and play computer games but being on the phone for 15 min was already enough to exhaust him which made him very very upset. I dont know what to do anymore. I dont want to see my son like this what can I do?

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Maria1710 profile image
Maria1710
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Sepsur profile image
Sepsur

There are several support groups, nationally, for people with a TBI.

ICUsteps.org do a very useful document

icusteps.org/assets/files/b...

If you look at their website, you will be able to find the most local meeting for you.

Locally ( to me) I know of Headway Wirral & HIP in Cheshire. Headway also has branches across the country.

I hope you & your son find comfort & support

bmwr profile image
bmwr

Dear Maria I hope you have been sent home with links to support. Most patients have a brain injury nurse specialist who is in the community. Please try and contact them. If not contact the intensive care unit where he was a patient who may be able to give you some contact details. It is a terrible experience for you all and in my experience as a nurse recovery from traumatic brain injury takes a long time. It can be life changing and is a lot to cope with.

Mijmijkey74 profile image
Mijmijkey74

I know there are houses supported for people with brain injuries where they go to stay supported and relearn things. I wish I could remember more about the house's/flats/appartments, it was shown on TV at some point within last few years. Will look to see if my TV stores watch history. Your son and you seem like you have just been dumped. Your son clearly is still not well and struggling immensely, you both are. Demand more help and physio for your son from own doctor and hospital. Do not allow anybody to brush you off. In the meantime take him out of the house on a scenic walk if you have one and he can walk a little way, take him swimming. And you must also give him time and understand his frustration. Do not leave him alone for to long staring at walls and sinking into depression. How old is he now? Still school age? Take him in even if in a wheelchair. Do some simple baking with him, get him on an excercise indoor bike if he can manage that, but keep him engaged. Just sitting playibg video games or watching TV is a sure way for him to truly sink into an isolated depressive state. Invite some of his school friends over, don't allow him to sit and dwell. He must get up and get dressed and do something every day. Trip to a nice local park. Get him active, using his muscles and senses. Give him simple word searches, but understand his anger if he throws it when he can't do, but keep on trying. Do not give up on him either. Do understand his exhaustion and need sometimes very suddenly to just drop and sleep. Make him pass you things. Eat at a table, make him set it, even if he gets it all wrong, don't mention that, thank him, insisit he makes or helps make his own bed. The more he does the better about himself he ultimately will feel, but none of it is going to be easy or fast.

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