A week of Mixed Messages

29/7/2012

To anybody and everybody who is reading this blog, thank you for your support and for taking the time to keep up to date with Dad's recovery and the journey we are experiencing...it's good to know we are not doing it alone.  As a family we have received numerous emails and texts offering kind words and support - thank you, they are all very much appreciated.

Well...following Dad's stint in hospital last weekend, we've had another week of ups and downs.  The main issue this week being the mixed messages we have received from medical staff who just don't seem to communicate with each other.

The good news I guess, is that Dad came out of hospital on Tuesday afternoon and returned to NG.  But even that wasn't straight forward - first we were told Dad was coming out of hospital Monday evening, then it was first thing Tuesday morning...and then we were told conflicting information about Dad's scan results by various medical staff.  We hadn't got a clue who or what to believe - all adding to the confusion and causing unnecessary stress.

We requested a meeting with a Doctor to officially explain the results to us.   Mum met with the Doctor Thursday afternoon - he was the same one who assessed Dad's mental capacity last week. (Coincidently - whilst Mum was sitting in the hospital cafe on Monday during the two hour gap between visiting times - the Doctor recognised Mum and went over to ask what she was doing there - which we thought was good of him).

So from the information explained to Mum, our understanding is that the scan now shows three separate shadows of scarring, previously there were two.  This indicates that Dad has suffered a 'Transient Ischemic Attack' (TIA) more commonly known as a mini stroke. A TIA does not necessarily cause damage to the brain as it doesn't cause brain tissue to die, but it acts as a warning sign that a true stroke may occur unless something is done to prevent it.  A TIA is likely to have been what Dad suffered before his 'massive stroke' in May, but if it happened when he was sleeping, he would have woken none the wiser.

As this has occurred again after the massive stroke - it indicates that more needs to be done to manage the clots going to Dad's brain. The Doctor picked up again on Dad's irregular heartbeat, we were also concerned about this in A&E Saturday night when the monitor kept beeping the message 'irregular heartbeat'.  He explained that he will write to Dad's Consultant requesting to bring his six monthly check up in November forward to the next couple of weeks. He advised that more can be done to manage the irregularities in Dad's heartbeat. I'm not clear whether this will be done by medication or if an operation is required? Of course - I will keep you updated with any news.  Mum was also told that Dad has been put on more medication to assist in managing the seizures and epileptic fits he experienced last Saturday.  After a stroke there is a lot of electricity moving around the brain and it is common for this to come out out as spasms in the body.  So...if what Dad experienced last week were spasms - when did Dad suffer the TIA....it's not that clear to me....?

Anyway - after experiencing Dad being very emotional and restless during the few days in hospital, (on each visit we found him upset, unaware of what was going on and him telling us he thought the end had come) it was quite comforting to see him back in his room at NG. Dad told me Tuesday evening 'this doesn't feel real'.  

I visited Dad Friday afternoon - it was good to be sitting with him outside in the fresh air and we were able to push him around the grounds in his wheelchair, only experiencing a couple of minor incidents when Dad's left foot slipped off the plate and the delay in getting a cushion for Dad to sit on in the chair.

Dad remained alert, and there was no closing of the left eye - he only requested to get back in to bed after he had eaten his tea (although he repeated the request every two minutes, and the carers didn't respond as quickly as we would have liked when we pressed the button for assistance). Dad is still confused and frustrated with regards to his left side not functioning and  difficulties still occur with Dad slipping out of the wheelchair, but his core strength is becoming stronger.  

Dad gets mixed up with what he hears on the TV and the here and now.  He told Dan yesterday that he had travelled along way from Halesowen to visit him in London.  Dan explained to him that he was in Netherton, but Dad thought he was in London, probably due to watching the Olympics on the TV.  But progress is being made and it will only get better.

Keep it up you're doing a good job Dad and please, if you're reading this...keep believing :-)

Love you Dad x