Lisa_P
11-13-2006, 12:09 PM
My mom (73 now) had stroke almost three and a half years ago. We have all sorts of questions and regrets --"why didn't this or that happen in the hospital?" "why wasn't the PAD treated" (one PA picked up on it, but never followed through)" ET CETERA!! Hindsight sucks.
I think the main problem was that 911 really didn't help. My brother had her in an ambulance withing 20 minutes or so of the stroke/heart attack-- that story was a miracle in itself-- but what good did it do?? The doctor and nurses at the hospital didn't DO anything. The ambulance people weren't ALLOWED to do anything. Not even an aspirin! And THEN the hospital had to transfer her to a cardiac unit of a larger hospital, so THAT hospital -- an hour and a half away-- had to send THEIR ambulance to come get her. Why couldn't the local hospital say to my brother that she needed to get to this other hospital and the quickest way would be for him to just take her himself. As it was, her "critical care" was postponed nearly 4 hours! And the local hospital doctor KNEW it was a stroke, and don't all doctors know a stroke must be treated quickly?!?! The only explanation we ever got was that she was treated according to "hospital policy."
So. She sits in her wheelchair, paralysed on the right side, and feeling like her life is over. I want to help, but I'm not even living in the same state anymore! How can I keep this from happening to others?
I think the main problem was that 911 really didn't help. My brother had her in an ambulance withing 20 minutes or so of the stroke/heart attack-- that story was a miracle in itself-- but what good did it do?? The doctor and nurses at the hospital didn't DO anything. The ambulance people weren't ALLOWED to do anything. Not even an aspirin! And THEN the hospital had to transfer her to a cardiac unit of a larger hospital, so THAT hospital -- an hour and a half away-- had to send THEIR ambulance to come get her. Why couldn't the local hospital say to my brother that she needed to get to this other hospital and the quickest way would be for him to just take her himself. As it was, her "critical care" was postponed nearly 4 hours! And the local hospital doctor KNEW it was a stroke, and don't all doctors know a stroke must be treated quickly?!?! The only explanation we ever got was that she was treated according to "hospital policy."
So. She sits in her wheelchair, paralysed on the right side, and feeling like her life is over. I want to help, but I'm not even living in the same state anymore! How can I keep this from happening to others?
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plasva
11-16-2006, 02:45 AM
I am very sad for your mother :(
I don't know the protocol for treating strokes, but after my grandmother had one, there wasn't much the hospital could do but monitor it. It took many many hours (over 24) for a neurologist to see her, for reasons I still don't understand.
But apparently, once the brain has been damaged from a blockage, treatment would be to minimize the chances of another stroke, and it's "wait and see" as far as the results of the stroke (not much can be done to prevent the symptoms, such as paralysis.)
You could try to talk to a lawyer who specializes in medical cases to find out whether a standard of care was breached. Maybe someone here will have some idea why things were done this way at this hospital?
My heart goes out to you and your mother.
I don't know the protocol for treating strokes, but after my grandmother had one, there wasn't much the hospital could do but monitor it. It took many many hours (over 24) for a neurologist to see her, for reasons I still don't understand.
But apparently, once the brain has been damaged from a blockage, treatment would be to minimize the chances of another stroke, and it's "wait and see" as far as the results of the stroke (not much can be done to prevent the symptoms, such as paralysis.)
You could try to talk to a lawyer who specializes in medical cases to find out whether a standard of care was breached. Maybe someone here will have some idea why things were done this way at this hospital?
My heart goes out to you and your mother.
lauren2404
11-26-2006, 12:29 PM
Hi, I am really sorry to hear of your frustration. I can kind of relate to what you are saying. My father suffered a major stroke last year as he was getting up to go to work. My mum acted quickly and called an ambulance, which arrived in 10 minutes and got my dad to the hospital within an hour. I don't know how they treat strokes in the USA, but here in England there's a new drug available (can't remember the name but it begins with an R) and if u administer the drug within 4 hours since the stroke started, it reverses the symptoms of the stroke so you are less likely to suffer paralysis/sight loss or whatever symptoms occur due to the stroke.
But although my dad got to the hospital wihtin an hour of the stroke, because it took so long for the doctor and stroke co-ordinator to do anything, by the time something could be done 5 hours had past! And my dad was unable to be prescribed the drug.
This was very frustrating as we was waiting at the hospital for hours, knowing very well he had suffered a stroke. He has now lost half his vision, which could of been prevented had he been seen in time.
I felt like complaining to the hospital, but didn't end up doing it. But sometimes there are situations that can't be avoided. Don't let it get to you, concentrate on your mum's recovery, it'll only make you more angry the more you think of it.
xx
But although my dad got to the hospital wihtin an hour of the stroke, because it took so long for the doctor and stroke co-ordinator to do anything, by the time something could be done 5 hours had past! And my dad was unable to be prescribed the drug.
This was very frustrating as we was waiting at the hospital for hours, knowing very well he had suffered a stroke. He has now lost half his vision, which could of been prevented had he been seen in time.
I felt like complaining to the hospital, but didn't end up doing it. But sometimes there are situations that can't be avoided. Don't let it get to you, concentrate on your mum's recovery, it'll only make you more angry the more you think of it.
xx
Lisa_P
11-26-2006, 01:31 PM
Has anyone heard if constraint induced therapy (it's called something like that) can help someone who has total paralysis of a limb? I know if they have partial use of the limb, this helps them regain some functionality. We can't get her into a formal study or program BECAUSE she has no use of the arm or leg, but I'm thinking just the repeated EFFORT would help rewire the brain. So I've told her to fix up a sling and TRY to do something for 20 minutes to an hour every day-- even just concentrating on holding something. Any ideas?
DVD
11-28-2006, 09:23 PM
I'm living overseas debating going home for better medical treatment. I had to go to another country to get attention after a TIA.
The first clinic sent me home. The next day a hostpital noted the infarct on a CT and let me drive off (an hour) to my doctor.
My case wasn't as serious, but it's clearly hard to get a sense of urgency in some people.
The first clinic sent me home. The next day a hostpital noted the infarct on a CT and let me drive off (an hour) to my doctor.
My case wasn't as serious, but it's clearly hard to get a sense of urgency in some people.
Lisa_P
11-30-2006, 02:48 PM
I talked to my mom about your recovery and she is very interested in the exercises you did. This is the first real hope she's had in a long time, even though she does acknowledge that YOUR recovery is not HER recovery.
She WANTS to try something, but her experience with the rehab people have been just about as helpful as what you describe. Would you be willing to describe one or two of the exercises -- especially for the hand because she too lost her dominant side. Her greatest wish is to write again (this is a woman whose thought processes were so tied up with writing that she just feels crippled far beyond belief-- even her prayers were written out daily to organize her thoughts...).
She has gotten some movement from the shoulder and she can clench her fist a bit...
She WANTS to try something, but her experience with the rehab people have been just about as helpful as what you describe. Would you be willing to describe one or two of the exercises -- especially for the hand because she too lost her dominant side. Her greatest wish is to write again (this is a woman whose thought processes were so tied up with writing that she just feels crippled far beyond belief-- even her prayers were written out daily to organize her thoughts...).
She has gotten some movement from the shoulder and she can clench her fist a bit...
madfit
12-04-2006, 06:03 PM
Hi,
Here are some tips:
1. With the affected hand, pull the fingers on the opposite hand, one at a time, and keep stretching them out. Stretch each joint on the finger, the 3 joints on every finger. I constantly did this. My hand used to be like a claw. You should see it now. I am even touch typing this note using every finger on both hands. It takes a strong will, perseverance and a lot of work.
Take the good hand and pull on the thumb stetching it, farther and farther from the index finger. After a while, you'll notice you can separate the thumb from the index finger until it is normal like your good hand.
2. Then when you have accomplished this, just try opening and closing the fingers, over and over until they become strong.
3. Use a tight springed clothes pin, and keep pressing it open, this will also give strength to the fingers.
4. Put some small type shaped pasta or marbles in a bowl and try picking one at a time up. This gives coordination.
5. Did they give you puddy in therapy? That was also good to build strength.
6. Stengthen your whole arm including your fingers, by taking a plastic grocery bag and put a few groceries, adding more and more weight when you think you can. You'll be surprised, by carrying the bag with 2 or 3 fingers, you'll see how strong both the fingers and arm become but the muscles will loosen up.
7. It's very important to do exercises all the time. Just relaxing in bed, sitting in a chair or anyplace. I even used to do this when someone took my by car shopping, after a while it will be instinctive. I can personally attest to these exercises helping.
8. Take your arm, and with the other hand massage the affected arm, trying to loosen the muscles. If you keep doing this, eventually it will loosen them. Maybe your doctor can order some more.
9. Use the squeeze ball method to gain strength, while watching TV, in a car, etc.
Hope this helps you! Good luck.
Here are some tips:
1. With the affected hand, pull the fingers on the opposite hand, one at a time, and keep stretching them out. Stretch each joint on the finger, the 3 joints on every finger. I constantly did this. My hand used to be like a claw. You should see it now. I am even touch typing this note using every finger on both hands. It takes a strong will, perseverance and a lot of work.
Take the good hand and pull on the thumb stetching it, farther and farther from the index finger. After a while, you'll notice you can separate the thumb from the index finger until it is normal like your good hand.
2. Then when you have accomplished this, just try opening and closing the fingers, over and over until they become strong.
3. Use a tight springed clothes pin, and keep pressing it open, this will also give strength to the fingers.
4. Put some small type shaped pasta or marbles in a bowl and try picking one at a time up. This gives coordination.
5. Did they give you puddy in therapy? That was also good to build strength.
6. Stengthen your whole arm including your fingers, by taking a plastic grocery bag and put a few groceries, adding more and more weight when you think you can. You'll be surprised, by carrying the bag with 2 or 3 fingers, you'll see how strong both the fingers and arm become but the muscles will loosen up.
7. It's very important to do exercises all the time. Just relaxing in bed, sitting in a chair or anyplace. I even used to do this when someone took my by car shopping, after a while it will be instinctive. I can personally attest to these exercises helping.
8. Take your arm, and with the other hand massage the affected arm, trying to loosen the muscles. If you keep doing this, eventually it will loosen them. Maybe your doctor can order some more.
9. Use the squeeze ball method to gain strength, while watching TV, in a car, etc.
Hope this helps you! Good luck.
Lisa_P
12-04-2006, 06:49 PM
Thanks so much, Madfit!! I'm sending a copy of your list to Mom ASAP -- she sounded very encouraged when I spoke with her on the phone. :)
Thanks again.
Lisa
Thanks again.
Lisa
madfit
12-04-2006, 07:04 PM
Hi Lisa,
I'm glad your mom is encouraged. But be sure to tell her it doesn't get better overnight. It's a long, repetitious time, with a strong stamina and a very strong will.
As I have said before, there is no plateau or time period. She will be able to function as long as she does the exercises over and over. At first she'll have movement, then the strength will gradually come in to play.
Let me know how she is doing from time to time.
Madeline
I'm glad your mom is encouraged. But be sure to tell her it doesn't get better overnight. It's a long, repetitious time, with a strong stamina and a very strong will.
As I have said before, there is no plateau or time period. She will be able to function as long as she does the exercises over and over. At first she'll have movement, then the strength will gradually come in to play.
Let me know how she is doing from time to time.
Madeline