UPDATE on my mom after her brain surgery.
Last edited Wed Oct 3, 2018, 08:20 PM - Edit history (1)
I want to start by expressing how deeply affected I was by all the DUer's kind thoughts for my mom and my family. It was very comforting to me while I was feeling so alone until I could physically get to my mom.
I won't go into great details about what led to my mom ending up with the brain bleed except to say it was a case of negligence on behalf of the hospital when they released her from the ER. The negligence was releasing my mother while ignoring that her platelets were at 31. Without bringing out all the medical implications, that's really bad, and was the reason for the excessive weakness she was feeling that was the basis for the ER visit in the first place. Three hours after she was released from the ER she fell, hitting her head on the closet door. Back to the ER and lapse into unconsciousness, emergency surgery for a brain bleed.
She's still in the Neuro ICU. Today is the first day I would say she's showing sign of regaining consciousness, eyes open and focusing, responding to verbal commands, able to answer questions by blinking her eyes or gripping your hand.
Here's the fucking nightmare though..... The reason her platelets were so low is because she has lymphoma. They have not been able to determine what type at this point due to concerns about doing a bone marrow test until she's stronger. Now we are faced with hoping our mother regains coherence, only to be faced with having to tell her she has cancer.
One day at a time, one day at a time.
Sorry it took me a bit to update, just wasn't ready to write about it.
Edited to add:. It's been hard telling family (all living very far away) what's going on with mom. We've told them about the brain surgery, but not that they found cancer. It feels wrong to tell them before my mom is told.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Never give up.
The hospital was hugely negligent in letting her go home. You need good legal advice!
All my best vibes to you, your mom and your entire family. You have been through a great deal and I feel very sad for all of you.
Please hang in there and know we all have your back.
How lucky that you're a lawyer. Even if this isn't your field, you know where to go and who to talk to.
All the best!
I am glad that she is at least responding to verbal commands.
Yes, one day at a time. 
well.
is living far away. I hope you have some support from people who are closer. This must be terrifying.
We're all keeping you and your mother in our thoughts and prayers.
recognizing those who love her. Fingers crossed for no brain damage and one of the most treatable lymphoma.
Nevilledog, I hope you can reach out to your family for moral support.
I'm sending healing thoughts are prayers to you and your Mom.
I wrote on here about my mom falling while we were waiting to get into a shelter because of Hurricane Irma. She had a brain bleed too. She has been in about 5 different hospitals and rehab facilities, (including a 2 month stint living with me) since then. Now she is in an assisted living facility and I think this is where she will stay now.
I'm not going to lie; it is really hard. But you do what you have to do. And the funny thing now is I am so close to my mother after all of this. I hate that she has to go through it all but I do believe there is some Divine reason for it.
My mom is 86. That is quite old. Right before this happened we found out that she had breast cancer. I remember years ago her telling me once that if she ever found out she had cancer she wouldn't do anything about it. And that has come to pass mostly because of her fall. You can see the cancer growing on her breast but it seems to be localized there and it doesn't hurt her.
Find the beauty.
