Hopefully this is the relevant forum section for this. My dad had a bleed 10 days ago. They couldn’t drain it and he was on blood thinners. He’s been bed bound since. He’s unable to move his left arm, his left leg moves every so often (not sure if it’s intentional or a twitch), he’s being tube fed, currently on antibiotics for pneumonia and seems to be affected cognitively. He comes across as very tired, often responding appropriately to conversation but he only has a short sentence in him before he drifts off again. He generally makes sense but often makes odd comments. Sometimes he seems to be asleep but then briefly joins in with a conversation that we’re having. When we ask him he says that he’s comfortable, not in pain, not worried about anything, but is occasionally tearful. He is very changeable from day to day. Yesterday he had his eyes open more than we’ve seen before and I had some nice chats. The day before he was asleep throughout the visit.
I realise that everyone is different and no one can give any prognosis. There’s no way of knowing what kind of progress he might make. Whether he’s going through the brain recovery stage and getting through the pneumonia.
I think that we weren’t helped by the stroke ward’s website stating that they aim for a 10 day maximum stay. We’ve heard that others on the ward have been there for 3 months. We’ve been reassured by some carers of other patients that it is a very up and down process.
I’m not sure what I can expect regarding advice as I realise that it’s a waiting game that could be very long, and that I’m transferring my worries about the situation and the unknown.
Is there anything that we could be doing to help other than being there and chatting when he’s able?
@Daave Hi & welcome to the community. Sorry to hear of your dad’s bleed. As @SimonInEdinburgh has already mentioned nothing you have said is a surprise. I imagine your dad has fatigue & alongside his pneumonia is probably just needing lots of rest. As daft as it may seem even just muttering a few words can be exhausting after a stroke. Being emotional is also very common so don’t be too worried about that.
The recovery journey is definitely a long one & it sounds like right now your dad needs plenty of rest. Once he’s feeling a little brighter that might be the time to think about doing a few things with him. I’d check with a physio / OT on what might be appropriate.
Ignore the targets on their website. It is different for everyone & they won’t just discharge someone who needs to be there. There might come abpoint where he is moved to rehab but that’s for later down the line.
He will be tired. His brain has suffered a major trauma and needs rest. Everyone recovers at a different rate. For most people the process is a marathon, not a sprint. Hopefully you will look back in months or years and will not believe how he has come.