Not sure where to post this because it involves a few different things. My grandma had a stroke due to a blood clot last week on August 4th, she has high blood pressure and diabetes. While in the ER waiting for her to get her own room she didn't speak at all, and was barely able to moves limbs. After getting her own room she was in and out, would open her eyes, could move her feet a little when the doctors asked, and after a few days attempted to talk but wasn't very audible. She would get anxious and tears would roll down her face when a family member would mention my sister and I. Test results showed that she had a minor heart attack a few years ago but she was not aware of it. At this point we (my sister and I) had not gone to see her, my parents didn't want us to see her in that state, and didn't want to upset my grandmother at the same time. She seemed to be getting a little better and we had planned to go see her.
On August 11th at about 6:30am she went into cardiac arrest, her heart stopped and they revived her, she had a heart attack. They put her on life support and we were told a new technique of cooling the body would be used. They sedated her so that her brain would be at ease and lowered her body temperature to 32 C (89.6 F) if i remember correctly. They wanted the body to stay at this temperature for 24 hours, and after that time they shut it off. This is when i was finally able to see her. Her body temperature then dipped to 31.7 C at around 5:30 pm and by they next morning (6am) it was back to the normal 98.6 F (37 C). This is when they stopped the sedative and waited for her to come to. She has not woken up, they ran tests and told us that there is no brain activity, they think shes "brain dead" and something about her pupils as well, not sure if it was regarding dilated pupils or lack of reflex when touched. My dad was actually in the ER after he heard this from the doctors. Its frustrating that I don't know specific details about her situation, having only been told this information from family members, and from seeing her that one time.
I've been looking at things on the internet talking about people who have actually passed on, but the life support machine makes it appear as if they are still living and can recover. Is it possible for someone to come back from having no brain activity? Apparently at her age (78) it takes longer for sedatives to wear off/the patient to wake up, but again, does no brain activity make this impossible? The doctors said theres nothing they can do, and that no decisions will be made until my dad is better and things have settled down. I'm at a complete loss for words, it was all just so sudden having just got back from a 2 week vacation a few days prior to this all happening. Not dealing with this too well, its the first time any family member of mine has been hospitalized in this sort of condition, I guess I'm just looking for some advice on the situation or information/insight/thoughts, or if anyone knows or has experienced a similar situation, anything really would be appreciated. Just praying for a miracle. Thank you <3
Not sure where to post this because it involves a few different things. My grandma had a stroke due to a blood clot last week on August 4th, she has high blood pressure and diabetes. While in the ER waiting for her to get her own room she didn't speak at all, and was barely able to moves limbs. After getting her own room she was in and out, would open her eyes, could move her feet a little when the doctors asked, and after a few days attempted to talk but wasn't very audible. She would get anxious and tears would roll down her face when a family member would mention my sister and I. Test results showed that she had a minor heart attack a few years ago but she was not aware of it. At this point we (my sister and I) had not gone to see her, my parents didn't want us to see her in that state, and didn't want to upset my grandmother at the same time. She seemed to be getting a little better and we had planned to go see her.
On August 11th at about 6:30am she went into cardiac arrest, her heart stopped and they revived her, she had a heart attack. They put her on life support and we were told a new technique of cooling the body would be used. They sedated her so that her brain would be at ease and lowered her body temperature to 32 C (89.6 F) if i remember correctly. They wanted the body to stay at this temperature for 24 hours, and after that time they shut it off. This is when i was finally able to see her. Her body temperature then dipped to 31.7 C at around 5:30 pm and by they next morning (6am) it was back to the normal 98.6 F (37 C). This is when they stopped the sedative and waited for her to come to. She has not woken up, they ran tests and told us that there is no brain activity, they think shes "brain dead" and something about her pupils as well, not sure if it was regarding dilated pupils or lack of reflex when touched. My dad was actually in the ER after he heard this from the doctors. Its frustrating that I don't know specific details about her situation, having only been told this information from family members, and from seeing her that one time.
I've been looking at things on the internet talking about people who have actually passed on, but the life support machine makes it appear as if they are still living and can recover. Is it possible for someone to come back from having no brain activity? Apparently at her age (78) it takes longer for sedatives to wear off/the patient to wake up, but again, does no brain activity make this impossible? The doctors said theres nothing they can do, and that no decisions will be made until my dad is better and things have settled down. I'm at a complete loss for words, it was all just so sudden having just got back from a 2 week vacation a few days prior to this all happening. Not dealing with this too well, its the first time any family member of mine has been hospitalized in this sort of condition, I guess I'm just looking for some advice on the situation or information/insight/thoughts, or if anyone knows or has experienced a similar situation, anything really would be appreciated. Just praying for a miracle. Thank you <3
hoping13,
You have my best thoughts and prayers about your grandmother. I can say that after her stroke she understands what you are saying just may not be able to say what she wants to say back to you. I can say that right after a major stroke, you do sleep alot. I have no knowledge about heart attacks. It sounds like a struggle for her to have a stroke and then a heart attack. But our bodies are amazing and can re-build themselves after trauma. I hope I gave you some comfort if I can. This is a good bunch of folks here and I can tell you that we all care deeply here about struggles anyone may have. Please let us know how your grandmother is doing.
God Bless,
tim
I only wish I could have seen her after the stroke, I only saw her after the heart attack when she was seduced. But i guess that means she heard what my family was telling her then. I have great regrets about this. Thats a good point, I really hope somehow her brain can recover from the trauma somehow. I can definitely tell that people here care, thank you for your words, they honestly have helped. I will keep you updated.
I only wish I could have seen her after the stroke, I only saw her after the heart attack when she was seduced. But i guess that means she heard what my family was telling her then. I have great regrets about this. Thats a good point, I really hope somehow her brain can recover from the trauma somehow. I can definitely tell that people here care, thank you for your words, they honestly have helped. I will keep you updated.
hoping13,
Please do not feel regret. All that does is hurt yourself. It is no ones fault. It just happens. Please don't blame your self for anything. I know how hard it is. I don't know how your grandmother is right know, but if you talk to her, I know that she hears you, no matter how bad. Tell her you love her, she will hear you I promise. That is all she needs right now, with a kiss on the cheek and a touch of her hand. I just don't want you to regret about anything, you are there for her now, that is the most thing that matters now. The past is gone. Love her now and you will not regret that for sure. Please let us know how things are going.
tim
I think the best thing to do would be to find out exactly what your grandmother's condition and prognosis are. This will let you know what to expect. I would go to the hospital, if you live in the vicinity and speak with her doctors.
I have never heard of anyone recovering from true brain death. Patients are often kept artificially breathing with respirators and it's the family's decision about when to turn it off.
This is a very hard thing to do, even if there is no hope of recovery. I had to do this both for my mother and my mother-in-law. What helped me was knowing that these two ladies would not want to remain hooked to machinery this way.
Since this is your first experience of this sort with a family member, I know how hard it is for you. You're not alone in your feelings. Please try not to feel regret. I know your grandmother wouldn't want you to feel this way. Hindsight is 20/20 and we just do what we think is right at the time.
She just basically never woke up from the cooling process and the sedatives, and tests show that there is no brain activity at all. After the heart attack and before the sedatives/cooling happened, they said she was trying to take a few of her own breaths which was a good sign, I just don't know what went wrong between then and now. Yeah, the life support is whats keeping her breathing, so her hearts still beating and her skin is still warm, but the brain is dead. The tests will be run once more tomorrow to see if there are any signs of brain activity. I went to see her again today, and her blood pressure started to drop suddenly once we walked into her room. The nurse said it was like she was waiting for us, and when she heard our voices she thought it was her time to go. They gave her medication to bring her blood pressure back up though. I'm going to see her tomorrow as well, and we'll see what the tests show. And have been trying my best to push the regret aside, thanks chloe1252. Still praying and hoping for a miracle <3
You are in just the right place, and we are here for you and your grandmother.
I am a survivor of 4 strokes, and was in a coma for quite sometime. I can assure you that the presence of my family was felt, but without the ability to speak or see, it is not like I could count who was there, and who wasn't. So any of your regrets about not being there are not healthy for you, they are untrue.
In fact, the truth is, I was in a twilight. I was unaware of time, and really wanted to be fully asleep. Bright lights from doctors, and noise perturbed me. I just wanted to sleep, it was comfortable.
I was recently the one that sat by the side of a dying friend until the end, and one thing really stood out. We never left his side, but the first time we did, he passed. He had been unconscious for a few days. The nurse told us that it is a common thing.`
This is such a hard time for everyone, but keep every one of her good years in sight. She is fighting so hard..
Your story is incredible, amazing to hear you have survived 4 strokes. You're right, our presence was felt by her. The first time we would walk into her room each day her blood pressure and heart rate would go up. The decision was that if she didn't pass away on her own last night, that she would be taken off life support today. She passed away yesterday on her own. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who took the time to post, its greatly appreciated. I wish good health and happy lives to you all, thank you <3
Your story is incredible, amazing to hear you have survived 4 strokes. You're right, our presence was felt by her. The first time we would walk into her room each day her blood pressure and heart rate would go up. The decision was that if she didn't pass away on her own last night, that she would be taken off life support today. She passed away yesterday on her own. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who took the time to post, its greatly appreciated. I wish good health and happy lives to you all, thank you <3
Oh hoping 13,
I just read you post and I am so sorry. I am crying. I can say one thing that may be comfort for you. When my father passed, i was able to be with him alone. I told him how much I loved him. His eyes were closed but starting to tear. A Dr. came in and said it was a reaction. I said said no, he is crying. I hope that you had some peace. It is so hard, but we are here for you if you want to talk more.
tim
I am with positive cynic, and on behalf of all of us here when I extend my deepest empathy and sympathy for you and your whole family. And like positive said, we are here for you if you need us.
Is my grandmother still alive? 
