My Dad is in a Coma...Will he wake up?

[WolfG65]

Yesterday morning my dad, 52, was complaining of shortness of breath. He does not have asthma but it was pretty severe. An ambulance was called and once they arrived, he collapsed. They were able to do CPR on him immediately, but unfortunately it took 20 minutes to get him back. On top of that, his heart stopped two more times, but they resuscitated him. He has severe brain damage because of the lack of oxygen, anoxia brain damage. He's currently on life support, but his heart is beating, vitals seem good, and is in no pain. They didn't put him to sleep since he was already unconscious when he arrived to the hospital. They hope for him to wake up on his own. I'm terrified of losing him, especially since he's so young. The doctors said there is little chance that he may wake up, but I think it's way too soon to tell. The body may have to shut down sometimes to repair itself right? I know there are some miracle stories out there and I wonder if there is any hope for him. Anything would be appreciated.

[FamilyHistorian]

Hi WolfG65

So I can’t comment on your Dad’s particular medical condition but I can tell you what happened to me.

I’m now 72 back in November I was taken into our local hospital where I caught pneumonia and they discovered that my old aortic valve needed replacing. I was sent home but within a few days I was back in and transferred to the Birmingham QE. I moved into ICU and then just before Christmas my valve was replaced. The family were called in several times as I wasn’t expected to make it. I was sedated / ventilated for 6/8 weeks and had a trachy I wasn’t ready to come round when they expected me to so it was a waiting game. Mid March I came home into lock down.

It is early days but the hospital will look after your dad and you MUST look after yourself.

We are here to support you.

[Sepsur]

Hi @WolfG65

I hope you get some more reassuring news soon.

The staff had to restart my heart a few times, they were extremely concerned that hypoxia would mean I would be severely brain damaged. They believed that the severity of my ARDS would leave permanent damage to my lungs & my kidneys might never work properly after 7wks of dialysis, that the severe muscle loss, neuropathy and the depletion to my musculoskeletal system meant I might never regain use of my faculties. All of the above have largely repaired. I left hospital with a resting heart beat of 130, today it is 53. My kidney & liver function is perfect, 2wks ago I went on a 30mile bike ride - my strength & lungs have repaired too.

It would be cruel & irresponsible to claim everyone has remarkable recoveries - what is true - is that some of us do come back from the edge of life & recover much of our past lives, happily.

[Woo2]

Never give up hope!

I'm 56 and spent 3 weeks ventilated and sedated earlier this year.

More than once my wife was told to prepare for the worst.

It's a long hard battle, but where there's life there's hope.

Think positive thoughts about your dad (pray if you're religious).

My thoughts are with you.

[Amanda_J]

I spent two weeks intubated and in ECMO. My family was told to prepare for the worst twice, but I came out of it. Two days after waking up, I was discharged, and within two months I was back to jogging. There’s most definitely hope.

[Copse77]

I hope your Dad recovers. My brother was a few years younger than your Dad when he became critically ill. I hope your Dads relative youth helps him. Best wishes toyou and your family.