Thanks Bert. I get what you’re saying but I did say I understand they have to do these things. Surely though they could just allow patients a short while to spend with their families.
My adult niece was in hospital last year for several months following a near fatal RTA. She needed pain killing medication at very regular intervals but often nurses did not bring it for another 1-2 hours by which time she was in agony. It did seem to her and her other 5 bay mates that staff did this only when it suited them. They all decided to press their buzzers at an agreed time and when staff did appear they all complained.
My husband is not receiving any physio at present time, but i think his sitting position has improved so i am going to ask if he can be assessed again, also he has movement in his stroke left hand. I am keeping fingers crossed that he can be seen again.
Sounds like it could be a good time to ask about physio again. Seems he is improving a bit which is great to hear. I hope you can get him some physio kow there are signs of improvement.
All the staff are telling us that my husband is making really good progress since his stroke. However, he seems unable to accept this. He is very low and emotional.
When we visit he is often crying, some things we say start him off again and when we leave it takes about three attempts to leave the room. The staff tell us it is quite usual but we all find it really hard to deal with.
We have a review meeting later in the week so this is one of the things I will mention. The staff nurse said she would get the psychologist to talk to him and this has apparently happened but my husband didn’t say much about it. He says he feels lonely in his single room but that was his choice when he got there. They say they will move him to a bay if he prefers when one is available.
On the plus side, his feeding tube is out and he is feeding himself with his left hand (he is right handed) his catheter is finally out and that’s going well. The physios say he is doing fine and better than they expected. Instead of being hoisted they use a gadget called Sara which stands him upright to use loo or get in wheelchair.
Being emotional after a stroke is common, we hear from lots of people on here about it so I’m hopeful that there will be some members along shortly to offer some kind words about this.
In the meantime you may find our webpage on emotional changes helpful. You can find that here. It may help you all to know what to expect with this.
It’s great to hear he’s doing better than expected though and I hope it continues to go in the right direction for you all.
My first night in hospital after my stroke, I cried all night long. And because I couldn’t speak, the poor night nurse couldn’t even help. And it did get easier as the days went by.
But my stroke wasn’t as bad as your husband’s and shock and bereavement can take time to get over and there is no measure for that. He’s grieving his inabilities and has to work his way through them, he can cry if wants to, it won’t be for ever and its better out than in Unfortunately in his grief he doesn’t see what you see, he’s doesn’t see all the progress he’s made. But medications can also be part of the cause, mood altering effects, so it’s worth checking out what he’s on/been on whilst he’s been in hospital, because that effect may only be temporary. Heck even some cold meds can have that effect, co-codamol for pain is another one. So you see how easily it could be a combination including the lack of physical activity. If he’s been in his own room all this time, that will also be adding to extreme psychological frustration. The few times I’ve done that I was climbing the walls, it’s not the advantage its perceived to be, particularly for those bedbound! On a ward there is camaraderie, they spur each other on, giving hope and encouragement to thrive. You don’t get any of that in a room on your own. So look forward to him being moved onto the main ward
@Trisha2 I too spent a lot of time crying when I was in hospital. I had no idea why but just couldn’t stop. No one explained to me that is what normal after a stroke but that became apparent after a while. It should settle in time so try not to worry about it too much. I am 3 years on now & can still blub at the most ridiculous things but thankfully that happens much less often now.
It might be good for your husband to be movedonto a ward rather than in a room on his own. There are pros & cons to both.
Really pleased to hear he is making good progress though. That must be great for you to see / hear.
Unfortunately in his grief he doesn’t see what you see, he’s doesn’t see all the progress he’s made. But medications can also be part of the cause, mood altering effects, so it’s worth checking out what he’s on/been on whilst he’s been in hospital, because that effect may only be temporary. Heck even some cold meds can have that effect, co-codamol for pain is another one. So you see how easily it could be a combination including the lack of physical activity. If he’s been in his own room all this time, that will also be adding to extreme psychological frustration. The few times I’ve done that I was climbing the walls, it’s not the advantage its perceived to be, particularly for those bedbound! On a ward there is camaraderie, they spur each other on, giving hope and encouragement to thrive. You don’t get any of that in a room on your own. So look forward to him being moved onto the main ward 