My dad had a pituitary tumor removed. Post-surgery, he contracted meningitis while in the hospital. He has been in since November 1...

[skindawg]

He has become so confused. He knows us, but he often can't answer questions. he had a decent day on Tuesday (we somewhat lucid and you could reason with him, but he could not remember short term... didn't recall having the planned surgery, didn't remember us visiting him prior to that very moment, etc.). His "numbers" have been okay, for the most part. He also had DI, which causes high or low blood sodium levels, so they tell us that is also dangerous and part of the delusion. But, we are just begging to understand this disease. He is a pastor, very well spoken and articulate, and it is hard to see him like this. I left Tuesday to go back to work, but mom said that today (Thurs) he is just not finishing sentences, can't seem to stay awake, trying to take his clothes off... just completed dazed. He's been on antibiotics (some triple blend) since Saturday, I think. His fever went away and has stayed away. But, everything mentally is just so scary. Has anyone experienced this? I'm new to the group and will go back and try to read up. But, I appreciate your help. He was on a ventilator for just 2 days and is not on that anymore. But, since they set him up for awhile yesterday and since he started eating a little bit, he just isn't making any progress and can barely stay awake. I am just terrified we are going backwards.

[-emma-]

Hi! I had pneumococcal meningitis in 2009....I was on a ventilator for 3 days during my stay in ICU. When i was brought round i couldn't understand what people were saying to me and was unable to talk(think it might have been because of swelling and pressure on my brain). It took me days to understand what people were saying to me and to start talking again and like your dad it was half sentences and i would get stuck on words. I also had tunnel vision and was quite deaf so i had no idea when poeple were standing or sitting beside me, if you weren't standing directly in front of me i had no idea you were there.

Also i had no recollection of my kids who at the time were 3 years old and 9 weeks old, i didn't even know i was married..when i was asked by doctors what year it was i told them 1996. I spent a week in ICU before being put into a side room on a ward because there were no beds available in high dependency. It was at this point that i seemed to be going backwards in my recovery too but i did improve after another week of ups and downs.....

All i can say is hang in there through this difficult time x

[daffodil]

So sorry to hear about your Dads double trauma.When you read the trauma also of loved ones who are watching,it makes you realise how it is not just the person with Meningitis who suffers.

I think it sounds like it is very early days for your Dad.The double trauma to his brain will take a toll.I hope the medicas are keeping a double eye on his progress,given his brain surgery as well.

Like Emma I had a lot difficulties after being on ventilator - 9days I think.When I came out of the coma I could not see -in fact I ddnt see anything while in ITU,not even myself in the bed.I was able to hear but couldnt speak to reply.You can imagine how worried my family were as the doctors had said that if I lived,they would not know what it had done until I was awake.

After a few days in Infection unit(was in itu 9 days) my speech did slowly come back,as did my sight.My sight was very distorted for another week after -like magic mirrors in a fairground!My short term memory was really bad.Every day,every time I was checked I was asked who the PM was( I wonder about that one as to me that is long term memory???) and each day Im told I gave different answers,but never the right one!For some strange reason I felt they wrer giving me "trick "questions and then I began to get annoyed they wrer asking the same questions all the time!The nurses said that was a good sign as I then was at least rememembering that I had been asked them before!I was asked my age,what day it was and my childrens ages,none of which I could remember.After another few weeks the memories did start being retained eg if I said it was Monday,then I remembered the next day that it must be Tuesday !

The doctors said all these were normal results of the swelling of my brain.I wish your Dad all the best - there is a long fight ahead of him,but hopefully he will show improvemnt each day.

Remember the MT and everyone on forum is here to help you and your family,so never fee alone or frightened.

[skindawg]

Well, it all got worse. Over the weekend, he took a turn. Now they say he had a massive stroke. He is in a coma at present with brain swelling. His pituitary is still pretty messed up, and his sodium is very high (160s). So, we don't know what is going to happen. This whole situation is terrible.

[daffodil]

How dreadful .Thanks so much for updating us,even though this news is worse.Do remember the Trust helpline is there for you.Also that our thought and prayers( for those of us who pray) are with you and your loved ones at this dreadful time for you.Best wishes,daffodil