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Austin Babies
MrsBeckO
member
Monday update - good and bad.
MrsBeckO
member
The good is that he had a physical therapy evaluation this morning and did much better than we expected. When they were touching different areas on the left side of his face, he could feel it about half the time. He has zero control over his left arm -- can't raise it, twitch it, squeeze your hand, but he does still have sensation. He could definitely feel the blood draw stick! And his left leg has very minimal voluntary mobility, but *any* mobility is an improvement. He was able to push against the nurse holding his foot up, and slowly and with much-focus, he was able to side-step a little when they were standing him up. But getting him into a sitting and then standing position was very difficult and he had a hard time maintaining balance and posture... kept slouching to the left.
He also had an echo done this morning that they said look good.
The not so good is that the MRI does show brain damage. And he has had rapid heart beat and high blood pressure almost all day, along with complaints of crushing chest pain. He is on the schedule to have 2 procedures done tomorrow morning - a cardiac cath and a TEE, to check his heart. They are a little worried about more clots, in his lungs now, because of the pain he's feeling and the way he's breathing. Soo.. they are doing some tests for that as well.
They did some doppler of his brain to check for any blockages there, and they said the left side sounds good, but the right does not. The clot they removed was on the right, so I guess that is expected..?
My sister and I are staying another night to be here for the tests tomorrow, and depending on those results.. we may stay the whole week.
He hasn't eaten anything since he was admitted saturday night, so they are threatening a feeding tube and we are trying to encourage him to eat.
Its so hard to see him in this condition. To need help with such basic functions. My dad is a big dude with a tough, hardass exterior.. so seeing him dribble drink out of his mouth, needing help to lean forward or even move his leg.... really hard.
And I miss my sweet Cam-A-Lam like cuh-razy. This is my first overnight away from her, and what shitty ass circumstances. I want to see her and hug her and cuddle her, but I'll be away from her again tonight. 
Continued prayers would be MUCH appreciated. For good results tomorrow, for continued mobility improvements, for positive attitudes. All of it.
Thanks guys!!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Monday update - good and bad.
sorry .. i had no idea how lengthy that update was til now.
sure i'm boring you all to death with all this info. i've been taking notes like a crazy person about everyone who comes in or anything that happens... and i guess since its all in my head, when i start talking about it.. it all comes out.
The O'Baby Blog
Meredith, 6-1-06 and Alex, 11-5-09
Ugh, I know how much it hurts seeing your dad in such a helpless state. Breaks your heart.
Hope he continues to show lots of improvement and that tomorrows tests show excellent results.
(((hugs)))
The Blog
Thanks for taking the time to update us. I've been thinking about you and your dad all day and will keep you guys in my thoughts.
continuous {{{{{hugs}}}}}
I'm sorry you have to see your dad like that but it is so very encouraging to hear all the things he CAN do! Missing Cam makes it extra difficult I'm sure.
Lotso positive thoughts, prayers etc!
Our Family Blog
I'm so sorry to hear about what happened with your dad. I take care of stroke patients on a daily basis and it is one of the most difficult illnesses both for the patients and their families. It sounds like the work up they've been doing is completely appropriate....the TEE to look for clots that may have caused the stroke and the cardiac cath sounds like they're investigating the cause of his chest pain. It will reveal any blockages in the arteries that may be causing the chest pain and/or the rapid heart rate. The findings on his MRI are expected given his new deficit...a stroke is essentially a heart attack to the brain. That area that controls the left arm is on the right side of his brain and has been affected by that temporary lack of blood flow to the brain. If its any comfort, many people do have recovery of their strength. Its hard to predict but I have even sent one patient home walking with assistance who was initially completely paralyzed on his left side. It was amazing and physical therapy is so important for that. Usually after a stroke, patients will require rehabilitation in a facility that focuses more on physical therapy and less on the medical portion of his illness. The doctors will probably address that when he is closer to being ready for discharge.
I would expect that if they find a clot in his heart on his TEE, they will start blood thinners to prevent any future strokes. Usually this is initiated 7 days after the stroke to prevent any hemorrhagic conversion of the stroke.
Please feel free to PM me with any questions. Treating stroke patients is a huge part of my job and I'm happy to help you navigate through this.