Help please! In need of stroke info.

**TheRootedNomad** · 12-19-2006, 08:32 AM

My father was hospitalized early yesterday after apparently having a stroke sometime during the night. The doctors are still running lots of test and so far the only information we've been given is that his blood sugar is good. The doctor has not even confirmed a stroke yet and are still calling everything stroke like symptoms. I figure they'll confirm it today. I'm not completely ignorant of the cause and what he's going to do when he gets home but I have no clue about time frames for this kind of stuff and the hospital is very vauge. When he went in he could only barely move anything on his left side. However during every waking moment he continued attempting to move his arm and his leg until the movements got much bigger. Still not much control but he even got his toes to wiggle. I don't think he got his fingers moving and I couldn't tell with his face. Even though we're taking this as very positive we did keep telling hime to rest for now and there would be time later to re-coup. He's not going to deal well with re-couping later!!! This is a very active, proud man. Using the restroom, bathing, and eating on his own need to come back pretty fast to keep him positive. Anyone have an experience with re-coup time lines???? Actually any info would be great but that would be particullarly helpful. (and prayers that this can be controlled from happening again fairly easily....like by listening to the doctor and taking his meds...would be very welcome) Thank-you all in advance as after today I probably won't get to respond as quickly as I would like.

**banana** · 12-19-2006, 08:34 AM

Sorry I dont have any experience with this but I wanted to let you know that I hope your dad makes a quick recovery.

**MarshHen** · 12-19-2006, 08:42 AM

I'm so sorry your dad is going through this, and I wish I could be of help to you. You may try going WebMD to see if you can find stroke info and maybe recovery info as well. Please know too that your dad and your family are in my prayers.

**JUSTAMOM** · 12-19-2006, 08:44 AM

I had a massive stroke in 1998. My lt side was affected too. Normally a CT or MRI scan can confirm quickly. Rehab can be lengthy. I was in rehab for 6 weeks then sent home with PT for 2 weeks. It's important to know what caused the stroke. Was it a 'bleed' or a blood clot in his head? Basically a stroke is the same thing as a heart attack to the brain. There are just too many variable to explain it properly. PM me with any ? I'll try to answer. A stroke can be a dangerous thing but people CAN go on to live normal lives! WHen I got out of rehab I was able to care for my kids a 'newborn' and an 18 month old! Now 8 years later I just have minor residual loss of my left side.
Hugs! I hope he feels better real soon!

**Darlene** · 12-19-2006, 09:54 AM

Wishing your dad my best.

**PrairieRose** · 12-19-2006, 11:14 AM

My dmil had a massive stroke about 6 years ago. She still has limited use of her right side. She can walk (with a bad limp) but can't use her right hand at all. She has a lot of trouble speaking.

The one thing that they told us in rehab which proved to be quite true in her case was that she would re-gain about 90% of whatever she would get back in 4 weeks time. They pushed her hard during that time.

I'm sorry to hear this about your ddad.

I hope he improves quickly and completely.

**AprilKD849** · 12-19-2006, 11:29 AM

I'm a stroke unit RN, and the only advice I can give is to be patient. Recovery times vary among people, type of stroke (ischemic or hemmorrhagic) and treatments. Encourage and use positive feedback for accomplishments, even if it is something as small as movement of a finger that wasn't previously moving. Hope everything works out for you and your father and recovery is quick.

April

**autumnlynn** · 12-19-2006, 11:37 AM

I'm very sorry to hear about your dad. Will be saying prayers for him and your family.

**sunshine** · 12-19-2006, 03:41 PM

Many hugs, and prayers. . .

I agree-- an MRI or CT should be able to determine if there is a stroke and the type of stroke.

Recovery varies so much --- also depends on WHERE the stroke occurs. My dad had a brain stem stroke at age 58 -- according to the doctors it should have killed him, or at least made him an invalid for the rest of his life. However, he went back to work for 4 years, then gave it up when he developed syringomyelia too.

PM me if you have an questions about the medical tests, medications, treatments your dad is receiving and I'll do my best to "interpret" for you.

**MOMMYDEAREST** · 12-19-2006, 05:12 PM

well i do have some info for you. my dh's grandmother suffered from a stroke a few days before thanksgiving. she was lucky. the only noticable signs of her stroke is her right eye won't open. this has been a drastic life change for her. she is 74 years old & very independent. she would clean the house everyday, rake leaves, shovel snow, cook big meals, and all this came to a hault the day she was hospitalized. she was in the hospital for 3 days. she has been home for a few weeks, and she takes 6 different meds, and she is constantly going to the hospital/dr for tests. she has really learned to take it easy. she had a test done last week, and the dr. told her she needs to have surgery to clean out her arteries, they are 90% blocked. she is scared to death. grandma has never ever been in the hospital besides this one & only stay. when she had her 6 children, she delivered them at home, so there was no hospital stay needed. my best advice is to tell your loved one to take it easy, follow the dr's orders, don't be stubborn, take all the meds prescribed, and call the dr with any concerns & don't ignore any symptoms!!! i will keep your loved one in my prayers. please pm me with any questions. i was at the hospital alot with grandma, so possibly i could answer some more of your questions. take care!!

**Backtoreality** · 12-20-2006, 05:30 PM

I have to agree with April, having worked on the neuro floor and now ICU; there are lots of varibles. What kind, age, pt's physical condition prior to stroke, attitude of family and pt, etc. Just give him all the support and encouragement you can, the harder he works with therapy the better he will be.

**crazyBMB** · 12-20-2006, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by Backtoreality

I have to agree with April, having worked on the neuro floor and now ICU; there are lots of varibles. What kind, age, pt's physical condition prior to stroke, attitude of family and pt, etc. Just give him all the support and encouragement you can, the harder he works with therapy the better he will be.

I have to agree. I'm not a Nurse but I was in the hospital and wound up having 2 strokes 1 day apart. Support is going to the most needed thing and time. No one comes out of this 100% but, with time and perserverence things can work out well.

My heart is with you and your family.