Brain Injury Support Group
Traumatic brain injury occurs when a sudden trauma causes brain damage. TBI can result from a closed head injury or a penetrating head injury. Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. Outcome can be anything from complete recovery to permanent disability or death. A coma can also affect a child's brain.
My husband suffered a severe TBI. We aren't sure how it happened, a neighbor found him at the end of our driveway.
Today marked the two month anniversary of my husband's coma. There has been no improvement in his condition other than they were able to wean him off of the ventilator about a month ago. Otherwise, he's basically unresponsive. He does respond to painful stimuli by withdrawing. When you tickle his feet he tries to move them away a little bit. And if you rub his lips with a cold cloth he grimaces and tries to move his face to the side. But that's about it. These have been his reactions all along and there's been no further progress. His pupils are very sluggish to unresponsive.
I'm so confused and scared and lonely. This week he'll be moving from the LTACH to a skilled nursing facility. The doctors keep telling me to consider hospice. When they first suggested this, I was like, "But he's not on a ventilator, there's no plug to pull, what are you talking about?!" And they're response was, "Discontinue the feeding tube and fluids and let an inevitable infection take him." WHAT?!!
Honestly I wish they would just shut up! I'm not ready to give up on my husband.
Has anybody else experience anything similar to my husband's situation and, if so, what was the outcome/has the outcome been so far?
Thanks for reading.
Kiki
Today marked the two month anniversary of my husband's coma. There has been no improvement in his condition other than they were able to wean him off of the ventilator about a month ago. Otherwise, he's basically unresponsive. He does respond to painful stimuli by withdrawing. When you tickle his feet he tries to move them away a little bit. And if you rub his lips with a cold cloth he grimaces and tries to move his face to the side. But that's about it. These have been his reactions all along and there's been no further progress. His pupils are very sluggish to unresponsive.
I'm so confused and scared and lonely. This week he'll be moving from the LTACH to a skilled nursing facility. The doctors keep telling me to consider hospice. When they first suggested this, I was like, "But he's not on a ventilator, there's no plug to pull, what are you talking about?!" And they're response was, "Discontinue the feeding tube and fluids and let an inevitable infection take him." WHAT?!!
Honestly I wish they would just shut up! I'm not ready to give up on my husband.
Has anybody else experience anything similar to my husband's situation and, if so, what was the outcome/has the outcome been so far?
Thanks for reading.
Kiki
And I was really touched by everyone else's sharing as well.
I think, when it comes down to it. the question should always be "What would I want someone to do for me if this was ME in that situation?"
And you clearly are giving 100% of yourself and that is so beautiful.
You are an amazing woman and wife!! Stay strong and never give up hope in God or your wonderful husband. I am new to the TBI world but just remember to take one day at a time.
Best wishes
A
kerbear, Thank you SO much for your post! Hearing of other instances of people who where slow to come out of their coma/pvs/mcs yet did, AND with such progress, do much in the way of inspiration for me. Chad is one lucky guy to have you pulling for him!! And yes, I've already determined that the docs don't know much about TBI and it bothers the hell out of me that, even knowing that they don't know, they still feel in a position to recommend that I give up on him! Gahhh!!! You know, one day I plan on marching Roger into their office and saying, "Looky here! Remember this guy? The one you gave up on? Well SHAME ON YOU!!!"
Thankfully, doctors don't know everything, and we should ignore them when they start spouting pessimistic nonsense. I know that part of the reason I recovered so quickly is the undying, loving support of my family. they also didn't listen to the doctors when the doctors tried to "dehumanize" me. they had a picture of me by the bed and said, "no, we will find the our girl eventually, because she is still here." So no matter how hard it is (it can be reallly hard when he is awake and having temper tantrums too), stay by him and don't give up, just like you're doing.
I'm so glad that your parents pulled for you! Thank you for your post.
I like your determination to prove them wrong! My family was told I was not expected to live much less ever fully function again. I am looking forward to that "March into their office" to prove just how wrong they were in person. Your family is a wonderful positive support for him. I'll remember you all in my prayers.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you and keep your loved ones and you all in my prayers.
Kiki