hi there,I’m really needing some sort hope and would appreciate any positive story’s
my amazing dad 12 days ago had the worst tummy ache of his life. He had a duodenal ulcer perforation which has lead to sepsis. We had moments where we thought we might loose him but he keeps fighting. on day 11 they gave dad a tracheotomy and have completely reduced sedation but he still isn’t awake. And the doctors said they would have liked for him to of responded to something by now. Today they put him on a kidney machine to try get things moving. They did a CT scan in the brain which showed everything so far was fine. But if he isn’t awake tomorrow ( after 48 hours) then he will have different scans.
I think what I want to know is, is there still hope that he could wake up ? Even if it’s been over 48 hours ? He is 72 years old and also has type to diabetes.
this has just been so awful and I could really really do with something positive right now. Please feel free to share your stories
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Angelfran123
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I’d like to say that the docs might be being overly cautious - we live in such a risk averse society - many of us took much longer than the prescribed norm - there is no norm!!!
I also wanted to add today when I saw him his eyes were slightly open and then shut towards the end. He had a vacant look he also moved his head a little did this happen to anyone ?
Waking up isn't an exact science, based on what I and others here experienced. The time to wake up can vary greatly from person to person. I took me several days, and hearing about it after the fact, I can tell it was a process. I vaguely remember brief moments seeing my wife lean down to talk to me. But it seemed like another dream at the time. Then suddenly, or so it seemed, after living in a dream world for weeks, I was awake, asking what day it was, wondering what had happened to the last 21. I have no idea how many instances there may have been where I appeared to be marginally waking, but did not, though that seems likely.
Physicians may tend to be overly cautious. I was not expected to live at one point apparently, and nurses said it was a miracle I survived (three forms of pneumonia - viral, bacterial and fungal). But because of prayer and some great caring physicians and nurses in a small town hospital, I am here today, exactly 2 years from being on a ventilator.
Have faith and hope, and stay with him when you can. It really helps, even if we patients don't seem to know it at the time. I will pray for your dad, you and your family.
Hi everything you hear is true, everyone is different. If it helps I was longer in a coma than your dad, but I had a tracheotomy plus brain, dialysis scans plus as I was not responding, but eventually little by little I woke, bare in mind even once the eyes slowly open I was more asleep than awake by far. But I’ve just had my 1st yr anniversary a couple of days ago. So keep strong do what’s your doing and keep positive.
remain hopeful was the best advice we were given. My brother took almost a month to fully come round from an induced coma. Everyone is an individual and responds differently and his body will be recovering from sepsis which is what my brother got from flu. He ended up on ECMO as life support was not successful and his lungs were allowed to rest on ECMO and 7 years on he’s made a great recovery . Best wishes and be patient for his recovery. It is a terrible rollercoaster you are on and I know how hard it is.
honestly thank you so so sooo much for sending that link. It’s been so amazing to read the stories. I’m so happy your family made it through such a terrible time. Fingers crossed my dad will start waking up soon xxx
Don't give up. Your Dad can still wake up. 72 is not a bad age nowadays really. When he wakes up dont be shocked that he just tries to mouth words to you. That is part and parcel of coming round. Positive vibes coming your way.
hi all, thank you to each and everyone of you who sent me positive messages. It’s been a real source of comfort in the worst of times.
Dad did actually wake up a fair amount but unfortunately the day that happened he developed a bleed and had to have another surgery. It was touch and go but he survived it.
Feels like back at square one but this time round they took him off sedation almost immediately. He still isn’t awake again but lots mouth movements and lots of eye flickers so fingers crossed today he will be a little more with it I’m just concerned about the muscle waist
I just wanted to say that I also had a brain bleed when I was coming round the first time. Second time lucky though and after being sedated for 3 weeks I finally woke up.
My husband says that he was very worried at time as, though my eyes were open, there was no one home. But eventually I woke up properly.
That was 7 months ago and I'm now back at work full time and mentally I'm managing well.
There will be muscle wastage - it happens to us all. Most of us can't walk or even use our hands properly for a while but he will get support to rebuild once he's well enough. I'm 65 and still attending physio classes and getting stronger every week. I've been told it will take me 12-18 months to get back to full strength and I'm on track for that.
Keep holding his hand and talking to him, he'll know you're there - I did. Sending lots of healing thoughts to him and you X
Sorry about your dad and first of all hope he recovers well. My mom who is 73 was in ICU after cardiac arrest she wasn’t waking up from sedation and they were worried as she should been waking up quite quickly but to be fair, I advise you to stay positive and hopeful my mom took her time think was just after couple of days (not sure) she open her eyes little bit but didn’t move, didn’t talk or respond to pain she took her time, that was around the 11 dec 2023 she is now walking talking and completely aware some memory and coordination problems but from stopping the sedation till she properly move and woke up was more that 2 days. Keep hopeful I wish all the best and be strong ! (Sorry about grammar mistakes - English is not my first language)
Hi, I'm Lesley. 31st July this year, I had a perforated bowel and sepsis. I went into surgery that night and was in a coma for 3 weeks. When I woke up, I thought I had had a stroke. I could only move my left hand 2 inches. Everything else was paralysed. I spent a further 3 weeks in itu and another 3 weeks on the ward. I am home, still recovering. Apparently, it could be up to a year, year and a half to fully recover. Stay hopeful. Apparently I was near death twice but here I am. The fact your dad has survived this long is very hopeful to me.
I’m so sorry to write but unfortunately dad lost his fight with sepsis. But I want to write a little message of hope for people who might be looking for some.
Although my dad passed away he did wake up. But my dad suffered other medical issue such as diabetes and a previous stroke behind his left eye leaving him blind.
Although the ICU can be a dark place it’s also a place of hope. And like my mum always said to me when there is life there is hope. So please never give up on your loved ones.
My dad would be so proud to know how much we fought for him and how we gave him every chance but he was just to tired to fight anymore.
A huge thank you to everyone who wrote to me. In the darkest of times you were all a bright light xx
Anglefran, I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. Condolences to you and your family. I will pray for peace and comfort for you during this very difficult time.
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