My daddy

[southernlady]

We thought he had a heart attack this afternoon, he had all the classic symptoms. Sky high BP, sweating profusely, and vomiting. He was working with the PT so they got to him very quickly.

I had taken Rose, his JRT, over to spend the day and he looked fine this morning. I left her and dh was suppose to pick her up on his way home.

Right about 4PM, the nursing station called me to come get Rose, they were taking him to the local hospital. So I grabbed my purse, her leash, and headed out. When I got there, turns out the ambulance was still there...they were stabilizing him and getting readings AND trying to decide if it was gonna be St. Luke's (a very small but good hospital) or the one down in Spartanburg...they decided on Spartanburg.

Turns out he has a brain bleed, deep in. It is inoperable but could heal on it's own. He does have weak spots in his brain due to a cranial fracture a couple of years ago.

When I first got there, I honestly did not think he would make it...neither did Cathy, my step mother, or his ER doctor. BUT he stabilized and while it's still very critical, he may actually pull thru. Cathy and I felt it was safe enough for me to come home...she will call if things change. If they don't, I will go back down in the morning. They were also finding him a bed in ICU.

That's where we are right now.

Liz

 

[brooklyngirl]

Ugh, Liz that's horrible. If you need anything up until tomorrow afternoon, let me know. I'm leaving for the airport around 3. Sending good vibes up for your dad!

 

[DianaCox]

I'm glad to hear it may be more hopeful than at first thought - get some rest and try not to worry too much (yeah, I know ... not possible).

 

[Terri]

Sending healing thoughts. Rest as much as you can. Sounds like daddy is tough coot .

 

[JackieOnLine]

hoping for some good news this morning...

 

[kirstabelle]

Thinking of you.

 

[Larra]

So sorry to hear this! The body has amazing healing powers, and I hope he pulls through.

 

[aaa]

Good thoughts to the both of you.

My father has had 3 major brain bleeds since 2004 (and according to scans -- many tiny ones). None have required surgery. His are called hemorrhagic strokes which may be what your father has had.

 

[newanatomy]

I am so sorry that you all have to go through this. Take care!

 

[southernlady]

Update:
Last night, they did a CT scan that showed a 4cm tear in the cerebrum. The scan they did this morning (about 6AM) showed it at 5cm. When it increased is anyone's guess. It could have increased just after the scan last night and then stabilized. They are keeping him in Neuro ICU til at least tomorrow as that is when he is scheduled for another scan. IF it hasn't increased by then, they will move him out of ICU onto the floor.

He was seen/assessed by PT/OT late morning but when they sat him up on the side of the bed, it was time for a BP reading and his BP skyrocketed...so they immediately laid him back down.

He's on meds to lower his BP but not too much. They want it below 150/90 but not much below for the time being. Last night at one point it was 204/121.

Neuro said that while the next 24 hours is critical, swelling can cause more issues at the 3-7 day mark.

He understands what is being said around him and to him but he is having trouble getting his mouth to cooperate to speak. When he does tho, he makes sense.

Prognosis is very guarded but hopeful. They do not know if independent living will be possible later on...if that is the case, it will emotional kill him. He does not handle being dependent on any one for long. HATES hospitals, being sick, taking meds, etc. So the fact that he is just letting them handle him is a major issue...he's not fighting back YET.

 

[JackieOnLine]

could be worse - and Liz, lots of people really hate being sick and in the hospital, especially in his generation. but they adjust, if they have to.

thinking of you and your family!

 

[southernlady]

could be worse - and Liz, lots of people really hate being sick and in the hospital, especially in his generation. but they adjust, if they have to.

thinking of you and your family!

He will find a way to not adjust....one way is just avoid taking his meds...he's done that once before hoping it would kill him. It didn't.

And thanks.

 

[shann]

I'm so sorry, Liz. Thinking of him and praying for peace for you!!

 

[Jo777]

You are in my thoughts, it's a tough place to be.. just try to weather it as best possible.

 

[southernlady]

Okay, update. His first CT scan on Thursday night showed a bleed 4 cm in length, the one the next morning showed 5, but the one this morning showed no change from yesterday.

He's starting to get grumpy!

We are trying to get pain meds in him but he refuses but it's making his blood pressure higher.

He has a clot pressing on his optic nerve causing him to see double. The clot is the size of an egg.

So we are NOT out of the woods but we are seeing positive signs. His worst problem is his mouth doesn't want to cooperate with his brain when he tries to talk. Not aphasia tho. When he does manage to talk, it makes sense.