Anthony (my brother) and Samantha were with mom all morning and early afternoon today. She opened her eyes for Samantha and looked a lot like she was trying to talk. When we say she opened her eyes, she does so, but not more than a few seconds at best--its hard for her to do. It still seems like she is no longer communicating with her eyes...but moreso with her mouth now (though no sound comes out due to the trach).
Mom didn't get the shunt today because they had her on the neuropsychological stimulant until 5 p.m. (which is when the shunt was scheduled) and her blood pressure rose and her vital signs were not stable (all part of the reaction to the stimulant drug).
Doctor reported that she did respond to the command to open her eyes, and other things like raise your hand...
Doctor reports: (Dr. - associate of Dr. who spoke to us Monday)
-She is making slight, slow progress (PTL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
-There is no structural brain damage evident
-Blood is flowing well through brain and head
-No residual blood left on brain
-No major red flags as to why she won't wake up
-It could take 3, 4, 6 months to wake up so be patient (he said he has seen 85 year olds wake up after months and walk home)
-They clamped the drain which cut it off---the drain is in the top of her head and it lets out the fluids that naturally accumulate in the head. They will observe the effects of this and see how her brain naturally drains the fluid (not sure if this means no shunt at all now...tend to think they'll do it anyway.)
-Shunt will be done in the safest way possible and when mom is ready for it
-If the doctors say mom's progress is the "SAME" -- not necessarily bad...could be just healing internally... only so much can be seen through modern technology)
Claudia and Dad received this report. They saw mom today with Aunt Sophie. I didn't get to see mom today because I visited one of the rehab centers then went to work (Mon./Wed. nites 6-9 p.m.)
Claud asked doctor and stroke specialist about the rehab centers we saw and asked questions about therapies.
We are all leaning toward the facility near me---it appears to be much more specialized in handling vent patients and doing aggressive respiratory therapy---
North Shore doctors said to inquire about getting mom cognitive/neurological therapy (conducted by a neuropsychologist) in addition to respiratory therapy.
The doctor Claudia and dad spoke to today stressed how some doctors lean toward more cautious, worse case scenario reports....
Bottom line...I choose HOPE. The glass is still half full in my book, not half empty. My opinion...we don't know a lot about the brain...it's the new frontier of the 21st century...God is my mom's Healer and Great Physician.
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for...the evidence of things unseen." Hebrews 11:1
Keep praying our friends!!!! Love to you all, Kath
Mom didn't get the shunt today because they had her on the neuropsychological stimulant until 5 p.m. (which is when the shunt was scheduled) and her blood pressure rose and her vital signs were not stable (all part of the reaction to the stimulant drug).
Doctor reported that she did respond to the command to open her eyes, and other things like raise your hand...
Doctor reports: (Dr. - associate of Dr. who spoke to us Monday)
-She is making slight, slow progress (PTL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
-There is no structural brain damage evident
-Blood is flowing well through brain and head
-No residual blood left on brain
-No major red flags as to why she won't wake up
-It could take 3, 4, 6 months to wake up so be patient (he said he has seen 85 year olds wake up after months and walk home)
-They clamped the drain which cut it off---the drain is in the top of her head and it lets out the fluids that naturally accumulate in the head. They will observe the effects of this and see how her brain naturally drains the fluid (not sure if this means no shunt at all now...tend to think they'll do it anyway.)
-Shunt will be done in the safest way possible and when mom is ready for it
-If the doctors say mom's progress is the "SAME" -- not necessarily bad...could be just healing internally... only so much can be seen through modern technology)
Claudia and Dad received this report. They saw mom today with Aunt Sophie. I didn't get to see mom today because I visited one of the rehab centers then went to work (Mon./Wed. nites 6-9 p.m.)
Claud asked doctor and stroke specialist about the rehab centers we saw and asked questions about therapies.
We are all leaning toward the facility near me---it appears to be much more specialized in handling vent patients and doing aggressive respiratory therapy---
North Shore doctors said to inquire about getting mom cognitive/neurological therapy (conducted by a neuropsychologist) in addition to respiratory therapy.
The doctor Claudia and dad spoke to today stressed how some doctors lean toward more cautious, worse case scenario reports....
Bottom line...I choose HOPE. The glass is still half full in my book, not half empty. My opinion...we don't know a lot about the brain...it's the new frontier of the 21st century...God is my mom's Healer and Great Physician.
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for...the evidence of things unseen." Hebrews 11:1
Keep praying our friends!!!! Love to you all, Kath
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