And I thought EC was the worst thing that could happen

in our Prayers
You & Bill are in our thoughts & prayer, Kateel. I hope for better days for you both.

Terry
Wife to Nick
dx Stage 3, May 19, 2011
THE surgery, Sept 8, 2011

chemosmoker said:

KEEP HOPE ALIVE !!!
Kateel,
My grandmother had a horrible stroke, couldn't even squeeze a hand or give that thumbs-up. They also moved her to long-term care the same.

Low and behold, over the next few weeks, she started to come out of it, opening her eyes, and from there she recovered almost fully. "They" said she wouldn't ever and even had suggested stopping treatments, such as the respirator (yes it got THAT bad at times then) and a DNR was talked about too.
Glad we didn't listen.

She had to relearn to walk (with a walker) and talking was a challenge at first. She had right-side issues that it affected most, but she came fully back to us and went on two years more, even living on her own again in the end! So DO NOT give up hope. It sounds like Bill is MILES ahead of where my Grandma Lelia was, with him able to respond.

He HEARS you, that I know even if they are not "awake" or responsive at all.
SO talk to him, read to him, encourage him to fight constantly. The reading was what my Grandma said she felt the most when she was at her worst. We read the Bible, books, told stories about us grand-kids. Just whatever kept us talking to her.
I hope this is helpful, as when I saw her (I was younger then too) I though she was gone. We all came to say our 'goodbye's' and I am glad I didn't have to.

So keep hoping and fighting. Bill IS there. He loves you and he KNOWS you are waiting to talk to him again. I am sure he is struggling and fighting to get to that point with you and for you, too. He beat the cancer beast, I think he can beat this, too. I am so sorry you have to fight this now, instead of enjoying the first victory.
I know it IS very unfair indeed.

You are both in my prayers.
Take time for YOU right now too. That is VERY important. Get rest, eat, etc.
I will hope for progress and an update when you have time again.
May God bless Bill and heal him quickly.

-Eric

I second that emotion
I completely second the thought to keep hope alive. My best friends MIL had a stroke went into a coma for several weeks and then made a complete recovery. Also my aunt had a stroke and we were told her brain was like scrambled eggs but we saw her trying to communicate and it turned out she had a perfectly clear mind. But every stroke is different and every person is different but the fact that your hubby is responding so quickly means more hope. But it does suck big time that he beat the cancer and now has to face this. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and hope that the rehab goes along and he gets back on his feet. take care,
Donna70

Duplicate post
Sorry duplicate post

So sorry
I'm so sorry for what your family is going through Kateel; you know you have the love and support of everyone here. Sending him strength from afar.

Thinking of you both,

Lee

You're right - it's awful!
Hi Kateel,
I've been kind of waiting for another post from you on how Bill is doing. The fact that he's showing signs of movement and brain activity are very encouraging. The human brain is an extremely complicated organ and while maybe one or more parts aren't working correctly, some are working just fine. I remember when my husband had his stroke and the words were there but they just wouldn't come out of his mouth - except for the swear words! They came out like crazy!! The doctor explained to us that the part of the brain that stores those kinds of words that he knew were bad words was way inside the brain and that part of the brain rarely gets damaged. I think it can be the same with dimentia patients. Even though those words were not words we liked for him to use in the hospital - especially with grandchildren around, they did provide some much needed comic relief.

The others are right about him being able to hear you. I remember when my mom was in a coma due to a heart condition, the nurses telling us that the hearing is absolutely the last thing to go. Keep talking to him, whisper right into his ear and have his other family and friends do the same thing. When you're not able to be right by his side, play his favorite music or books on tape so his hearing and his brain are constantly being stimulated. You may notice eye flurries or twitches here and there as you do this and it's all good signs. Sometimes it just takes a little longer for the body to come back from a traumatic brain injury like a stroke.

When my husband had his stroke just 9 days after his EC diagnosis it was really tough. He's done very well coming back from the stroke but now he gets to fight this other beast. Sometimes it just doesn't seem right to have so much piled on your plate at once. I've heard that God only gives you as much as he thinks you can handle but in the words of Mother Teresa, I just wish he didn't trust me so much. Eric is absolutely right - make sure to take care of yourself too. Don't get too run down now because when Bill wakes up you're going to need your energy. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Rita

Sending prayers for you
Sending prayers for you both.
Hugs,
Julie