Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

[pompeyfaith]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

Thanks for update SX glad all is going in the right direction, and positiveness is what she needs right now as that will be great comfort to her.

[SXGuy]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

Im positive! I just want her home now! and she does too, but im positive its going in the right direction.

Had my appointment with her doctor. He said that the stroke she had, did very little damage to her brain, a few little spots around an area of the brain no more than the size of a pin. He said that providing she takes her medications, it wont get any worse.

He said, he and other staff were very impressed with the speed of her recovery.

She had some more assessments today, they gave her some pictures and asked her what the objects were, she knew every one of them. I find that test a little amusing because she clearly still has all her marbles.

She had a kitchen assessment, and made a cup of tea, so that shows she can handle recalling what she needs to do and where it all goes.

The aim is to now improve her speech, reduce the fluid on her legs and get her back home.

The fluid on her legs today was so much better than yesterday. Yesterday they felt like a thick sponge mattress, today, they were more soft and you could feel space between her skin and muscle, so the diuretics are working as they should.

She will see a consultant in around 6 weeks, and would more than likely suggest my mother has an angioplasty to see if there is any blockages that can be cleared.

So right now, it looks like its just a matter of time before she comes home and starts her therapy as an out patient. Her dr is confident that she will be back home in a matter of days as opposed to weeks.

[cymruambyth]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

So pleased for you, that is sounding so much more positive.

[pompeyfaith]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

Well Done SX all being handled well

[SXGuy]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

Spoke to my mothers heart specialist nurse on the phone today, and was very encouraging. He had all her notes in front of him and we had a long chat about what to expect and where we go from here.

I told him that the dr has given her a 15% ejection fraction rate for her left ventricle but he said im not really interested in that, we go along the lines of adapting her medication to see how she improves physically.

Asked him about suppliments like CoQ10 etc, and he said that is fine, but he would advise not to give her any others until they can see if the medication is working as not only are some absorbed by the liver which can cause issues, they wont really know whether its those or the medication affecting her. So is best to get an established treatment in place first and then see what we can do to increase her energy levels.

I told him about my mothers fear of being in hospital for weeks, and he reassured me that by looking at her notes its unlikely and it should be a matter of days. The OT's need to finish their assessments and set up a care plan for her and then she should be free to leave. He also noted that had they wanted her to remain longer they would have moved her to a recovery hospital, but as they have no intension of doing that, its usually a good indication that she will be home soon.

My mother last night was really upset, she thinks shes going to lose everything if she doesn't come home soon, but I am having to reassure her that I will hold down the fort until she returns, and that if she was to discharge herself to soon she could end up having further complications which would result in a longer stay at hospital in the future.

He also told me that as hospitals are find for allowing people to go home too early, they would probably try and keep her in for as long as possible next time to avoid any further penalities.

He ended by saying, tell her im a 6'1'' 17 stone rugby player and if she doesn't behave herself he will have words lol

But he reassured me, that he can help her to recover from this and lead a somewhat normal life again, and he knows how strong willed she is, and that can only help towards her recovery.

Will be visiting her again today to explain everything.

Ive also made an appointment with her doctor to discuss the impact of the stroke to her brain and how he sees her recovery going.

[pompeyfaith]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

Thank you for your comments, I actually read your blog last night.

Its amazing just how quick some of her recovery has been already. Shes gone from not being able to do any reading, writing, speech, or even know anything was wrong, to reading a newspaper again, writing correct short sentences, and knowing when a word doesn't sound right and trying to say it correctly, in just 6 days since her stroke.

I don't know anyone who's been through a stroke before, or whether the brain can recover that quickly from such an injury but either way its very impressive.

I understand my mum will feel fatigued and sleep a lot, the 5 weeks prior to her stroke, this was happening and can now see its a result of her heart problems.

She seems to have more energy in the mornings and afternoon, and is exhausted by earning evening, so she will need to adapt to suit her energy levels. I also read that she should have her biggest meals early on in the day as to avoid feeling to tired to eat in the evening.

Thank you for the links you gave, but the stroke ward actually gave me all that information the day she was admitted. Ive learnt a lot in a very short space of time, and no doubt will need to learn more in the days to come.

Yes that is perfectly normal the most recovery will be gained in the first few months, as was the case for me, them it all depends how much grey matter has been lost if at all, the brain is a wonderful organ in that it does a good job of remapping the neuron pathways.

Of course the best recovery will be made with the best help and support she can get, she will no doubt be discharged to a local stroke team I never had them when I had my SAH/Stroke but care and recovery has made great inroads so use them and ask the questions as that is what they are there for.

[SXGuy]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

Worries me about giving up smoking after 46 years. Still using proper fags, but also electronic.

From what has happened to my mother, I would strongly suggest that if you ever decide to quit smoking, you do so gradually, in strength as well. My mother was fine for a while when she went from 20 a day to 5 a day, but it was 1 week after she went cold turkey the problems started.

If you decide to switch to electronic ones soley, id also recommend you have a high dose nic content liquid, and gradually reduce that over time also. Don't go cold turkey after 46 years!

Getting p--ssed off with typing replies. Something wrong. Takes forever!

Switch to the WYSIWYG mode by clicking the icon with the small A top left corner and big underlined A bottom right corner and it will work better.

[SXGuy]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

Yes the brain neural pathways ave been broke or lost all together in simple terms you have a car fuel pump a car and the fuel line so it is like the fuel line has a break preventing the fuel reaching the cars tank.

I had my SAH/STROKE in 1990 24 yrs ago next month my speech was bad too and in someways still struggle with communication especially face to face however it is fair to say I have made great gains in that time but even now I am still relearning what I lost.

Your mum will get fatigued easily and will drop off to sleep at the drop of a coin it is nothing to be alarmed about and is totally natural her brain telling the body it is overworked and needs resting.

So her recovery must be in her own time and not be forced to do things she does not want to do as her brain will be working at a slower pace to everyone else.

There is a long list of informative fact sheets here from the Stroke Association which I am sure you will find very useful

http://www.stroke.org.uk/information...ry/fact-sheets

http://www.stroke.org.uk/aphasia

I wish you both well and if there is anything you need to know just shout.

Thank you for your comments, I actually read your blog last night.

Its amazing just how quick some of her recovery has been already. Shes gone from not being able to do any reading, writing, speech, or even know anything was wrong, to reading a newspaper again, writing correct short sentences, and knowing when a word doesn't sound right and trying to say it correctly, in just 6 days since her stroke.

I don't know anyone who's been through a stroke before, or whether the brain can recover that quickly from such an injury but either way its very impressive.

I understand my mum will feel fatigued and sleep a lot, the 5 weeks prior to her stroke, this was happening and can now see its a result of her heart problems.

She seems to have more energy in the mornings and afternoon, and is exhausted by earning evening, so she will need to adapt to suit her energy levels. I also read that she should have her biggest meals early on in the day as to avoid feeling to tired to eat in the evening.

Thank you for the links you gave, but the stroke ward actually gave me all that information the day she was admitted. Ive learnt a lot in a very short space of time, and no doubt will need to learn more in the days to come.

[Enforcer]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

Worries me about giving up smoking after 46 years. Still using proper fags, but also electronic.
Getting p--ssed off with typing replies. Something wrong. Takes forever!

[pompeyfaith]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

She has to learn to slow down when she speaks as it is gibberish when she speaks to fast. When she speaks slower it comes out perfect, I guess its her brain having to learn all over again.

Yes the brain neural pathways ave been broke or lost all together in simple terms you have a car fuel pump a car and the fuel line so it is like the fuel line has a break preventing the fuel reaching the cars tank.

I had my SAH/STROKE in 1990 24 yrs ago next month my speech was bad too and in someways still struggle with communication especially face to face however it is fair to say I have made great gains in that time but even now I am still relearning what I lost.

Your mum will get fatigued easily and will drop off to sleep at the drop of a coin it is nothing to be alarmed about and is totally natural her brain telling the body it is overworked and needs resting.

So her recovery must be in her own time and not be forced to do things she does not want to do as her brain will be working at a slower pace to everyone else.

There is a long list of informative fact sheets here from the Stroke Association which I am sure you will find very useful

http://www.stroke.org.uk/information/resource-library/fact-sheets

http://www.stroke.org.uk/aphasia

I wish you both well and if there is anything you need to know just shout.

[SXGuy]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

Thanks guys! really appreciate the support. Another good day today, woman next to her has been suffering from strokes since 2006, said it took her 3 weeks to gain her speech back fully, I think my mother will do it sooner.

She has to learn to slow down when she speaks as it is gibberish when she speaks to fast. When she speaks slower it comes out perfect, I guess its her brain having to learn all over again.

She said that sometimes when she has to think hard, she sees lines like a crochet pattern, very strange!

Having a wash assessment tomorrow so will see how that goes.

The poor woman is suffering major incontinence issues at the moment, they have her on two different antibiotics for her infections, as well as 2 different water tablets. So as you can imagine, she's weeing every 5 minutes!

But the water retention does seem to be improving, its really only up to the top of her shin's now, so that's good.

She has a few other assessments they need to do this week, so fingers crossed she will be home by the end of the week.

[di30]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

Sorry for missing this SXGuy, sending love, hugs and prayers.

It looks like all is now going in the right direction for your mother, but can totally understand how its been for you as well, a worrying time! She will get there, sending positive vibes xx

[cymruambyth]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

That's great news SXGuy. It's good to see that she is fighting to get to home as it shows she hasn't lost her confidence. The balance between monitoring and releasing is always a grey area that isn't obvious to the patient! As my dad used to say, 'Don't want to be in hospital because people catch illnesses in them'!

[SXGuy]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

Hi Guys. Saw my mother again today, a lot better than yesterday, she seems to be improving 100% every single day, every time I see her I am shocked at the level of progress she is making.

More words are being spoken correctly, and wrote correctly. Still having trouble forming a sentence on paper, but individual words are correct, so I would assume that sentences would be the last step in recovery.

She is aware of the words that do not sound right when spoken, and tries to adjust how they sound to make it correct, which I think its pretty good considering Monday she didn't even know they sounded wrong.

My brother was unable to see her today due to work commitments and cover falling through but she did have a visit from an old friend which cheered her up.

Shes still wanting to come home ASAP and is still upset about being around people who are worse than she is, but that's to be expected.

She explained in detail today what happened Sunday night. She said, she suddenly fell over around 11pm, and couldn't move, but she could hear the tv playing music. At some point she managed to crawl from the living room up the stairs and to her bedroom, which is where I found her the following morning.

I don't think she realises just how lucky she has been to get away with appearing to only have expressive aphasia. Im not really sure which part of the brain has been damaged and what disability if any it has caused, but it doesn't seem to be showing any signs of a disability as yet.

Checked her chart today and her heart rate is now 88, so has gone down 30 points since Monday which is brilliant. Her blood pressure also appears to be getting stronger too.

Shes feeling abit sick because of the two antibiotics they are giving her for her infection, but apart from that, shes the mum ive always known and loved.

Really think we have all had a lucky escape from something that could have been very bad, and I shall take this a warning that its about time she had a break from the day to day stress and enjoy some semi retirement.

In regards to her complaint of breathlessness, they are unable o determine a cause, they tested her by asking her to walk a short distance until she felt breathless and hooked her up to a monitor, no signs of impaired oxygen to the lungs, no signs of raised heart rate or blood pressure, so they have made the decision that it is anxiety related and want her to try some deep breathing exercises.

Personally, I feel it may have something to do with giving up smoking 6 weeks ago after 56-57 years.

[MrsD]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

you can just visit and support her , make sure the staff know you are on it and reassure your Mum that everyone is doing everything possible to get her sorted and home to her own bed. One thing I would bear in mind is that when you are ill, really ill, you know in yourself that you need assistance from medical professionals. I've had a few close shaves over the years and I have always known that I need a Doctor and possibly pretty fast. that's why it's really important to listen to your own body, you just have to be your Mum's conduit here.