Walter's Condition - Cancer: Lung Message Board

Cancerwife · 05-28-2003, 10:19 PM

As some of you may know, my husband posted on the board this morning about swelling in his legs. Ann, in her reply, mentioned that it may be something totally unrelated to his cancer. It turned out she was right.

Walt is back in the hospital again after suffering a stroke in the area of his brain stem. He is in a coma and is on a respirator. The doctor tells me the first 48 hours are critical to recovery.

The after effects of a stroke in this area can be anywhere from difficulty swallowing and controlling muscles to complete quadripelgia to prolonged coma to death. They have no idea what his chances are or his prognosis right now.

I do not know what to do or where to turn. I love him so much and to see him like this is torture for me. To see him ill at all is, but this is just murder.

I ask that you all pray for him. I'm just not sure what to pray for. As always, I'll keep you updated on his situation. He loves everyone here and you've all been a great comfort to us both.

Thank you very much for everything.
Dana

ann203 · 05-28-2003, 11:55 PM

Dear Dana, I don't know what to say. I am so, so sorry to hear about Walter. I will pray to God that he pulls through this. Please talk to him and tell him how much you love him, I strongly believe that people in a coma are aware of what is going on around them. And give him plenty of cuddles too, let him know you are there for him. As the Doctor said, the next 48 hours are crucial, and I will be praying constantly for him during this time.Please take care, I will be thinking of you. I wish there was something I could do, I feel so useless. God bless you both, best wishes, Ann.

Cancerwife · 05-29-2003, 11:31 AM

I spent most of last night after I posted the news here and most of today up until an hour ago with Walter at the hospital. I held his hand and talk to him and he opened his eyes and looked at me. When he tried to speak nothing came out, I could tell he knew what he wanted to say, but he could not make his mouth say the words. Instead, he ended up with tears falling from his eyes. I told him to squeeze my hand and I could tell by his eyes he understood me, but he couldn't do it. The doctor said he is totally paralyzed on his right side and more than paritally paralyzed on his left. He also has no ability to swallow at all and has to be on a feeding tube and have his own saliva swiped out of his mouth.

The idiot doctors have no idea if he will improve and if so by how much, all I know is, my husband is in their somewhere and he cannot communicate with me and cannot feel me when I hold him. He has some movement in his fingers on his left hand, so they are hoping to set him up with a communication device where he can click on the letters and talk to us that way. I'll keep you posted as always.

Thank you for your prayers.

Dana

LeisaH · 05-29-2003, 01:44 PM

Dana....... As hard as it is for you to do, you may wish to tell him that you love him and when he is ready, that you are ready to let him go. I know this is going to be very hard, mom had a stroke that paralized the right side of her body a couple of weeks before her death. Not one of us were at there for her. A stranger had to help get her back into her bed and call for the nursing staff. I can not even imagine, having to go through this with my hubby..... I can't even imagine it with my dad..... I will pray to Him to give you the strength you need and to help Walter, no matter what He choses to do. Please read the book called the Final Gifts.

Leisa

NancyEllen · 05-29-2003, 04:10 PM

Dana,

I am so sorry to hear about Walter. I will say my prayers that he may recover. It upsets me that his doctor wanted him to wait until next Tuesday for an explanation of his swollen legs. Please tell him we are all thinking of him. Also, take care of yourself and please keeps us posted.

Nancy