Dad won’t wake up after cardiac arrest

[Lusine30]

Hi, I’m looking for some hope with anoxia brain injury patients. My father is 59 years old and had a cardia arrest for 4 min on October 16. Details on how we got to that day. On October 14 he had his 4th ischemic stroke within one year. On October 15 he had Carotid artery surgery in his neck to open the blockages. Initially the surgery was very successful, I spend the entire day with him after surgery and he was very alert, he ate dinner, he got out of bed and even walked. I left around 8pm and that night he unfortunately had a hemorrhage and by the time they got him back to surgery his neck got so swollen that he chocked and his heart stopped. By the time they brought him back it was 4 min. Fast forward to today. He has not waken up. First 7 days he was in a induced coma and once they tried to wake him up he didn’t respond. This week he has opened his eyes and trying to track. He doesn’t respond to any commands. I feel like he can hear me when I talk to him on FaceTime because visitation is no longer allowed because of covid. I’m looking for hope of patients who woke up after 5 weeks with cardiac arrest. Doctors are not giving me much hope and saying wait. Initially doc said if he has anoxia brain injury it’s mild but since he’s not waking up I’m getting very concerned. Will he ever wake up. I need my dad he’s my best friend. He means the world to my sister and I. Mri doesn’t show major damage. And eeg shows slow waves.

[FamilyHistorian]

Hi Lusine30

I am 72; a year ago tomorrow I was admitted to our local hospital where I had a heart attack and then caught pneumonia. I was discharged but within a few days readmitted with pneumonia/ sepsis and they then discovered that my artificial aortic valve was rapidly deteriorating and I was rushed to the QE in Birmingham. I was admitted to ICU sedated and ventilated and just before Xmas had a replacement valve. The family were summoned twice!

I too took a long time to wake up - nearly 2 months - the doctors were very accepting that it would take time even though they tried to reduce the drugs. I had a trachy as I wasn’t tolerating intubation. I am told that when they tried to bring me round I did communicate but I have no knowledge of this. Once I came round the work really started I had to learn to swallow, talk, eat and move. I lost a tremendous amount of weight which included muscle from all parts of the body. I came home mid March and continue to recover.

The most important thing at the moment, for you, is to take care of your self.

[Lusine30 in reply to FamilyHistorian]

Thank u so much for your response. My father has a trachy too. He has been off all sedations now for 4 weeks. I truly hope he starts to wake up. I have been trying to take care of my self it’s very hard especially since we are not able to visit him. Your story is very encouraging and gives me hope. Thank you.

[Rhyl1 Partner Moderator ICUsteps]

It is encouraging that his MRI doesn’t show major damage. If he has had a lot of sedation it can take a long time to clear from his system. I would push for you to be allowed to visit (in full PPE) to stimulate and encourage him.

[Lusine30 in reply to Rhyl1]

Thank you for your response. He had sedations for one week is had been off all sedation for 4 weeks. I have been pushing it’s been so difficult they will not allow anyone inside unless it is end of life. I have escalated to the head of the department and they still say no.