zoe1zoe1zoe1

Rich came back to the Haywood on Thursday. He had to have a lumbar puncture as they were concerned about hydrocephalus but it was all clear. He is having his 49 staples out on Monday which he said is good as that marks the end of the surgery (at the moment he is saying no to the other 2 aneurisms being sorted even though one is a large one that the surgeon said has evey chance of bursting but I have told Rich we will think about it next year when he is at home - he is scared of having more ops). On the whole he is doing OK - have his next goal planning meeting tomorrow so we shall see what that holds. Still no movement in the left arm and still working on building up muscle in the leg. He is still very depressed but suppose that is to be expected.

Hi Ben, I have sent you a message as our situations are very similar. Richard now has movement in his left leg but he too is suffering the pain in hi sleft shoulder - keeps asking me to take him some deep heat. Please feel free to message me back. Zoe.

Thank you for the birthday messages. It was also our 10th wedding anniversary Thursday so that was special as I got a ring off Rich (purchased by his sister but picked by him). john - don't be fooled into thinking rich is home in a couple of weeks - his boss is getting the drive finished for me lol

Hi all. Decided to start a new thread as I seem to have lots on the go with various updates so now going to keep it all in one place. It is now 20 weeks on from Richards SAH. He has been in the Haywood Rehab Hospital in Stoke for nearly six weeks and is doing good. He can now lift his left leg off the bed. I sat in on his physio lasrt week and they had him standing with them supporting him and he had to rock from side to side and take a step forward and back. There is still no movement in his left arm. The main update is that Rich was back at the Royal Infirmkary today to have his bone flap but back in place (the piece of skull they removed when he was taken ill). He was in surgery for 5 hours which was longeer than I expected but the surgeon is very pleased with how it went. He was on the general neuro ward when I left but has been moved to neuro high dependency overnight as he has a very bad headache and his blood pressure is high so they want to keep a closer eye on him. They have dosed him up on morphine to see if that helps him. Just the 2 remaining aneurisms to go and then hopefully thats it for operations. Not seeing him now till Sunday night so will update again then. Take Care, Zoe

Hi Alan, 5 months ago my husband suffered a SAH which left him with left sided paralysis. He has spent the last 6 weeks in the Haywood Hospital Rehab Ward in Stoke and he has come on so much. He can now lift his left leg and can stand with assistance although he cannot yet walk. Unfortunately, he still has no movement in his left arm We are expecting him to come home around Nov time but they have said he will most probably still be in a wheelchair when he does come home. I have hopes that he will walk again but he has very severe weakness in his left side so only time will tell. His arm doesn't look as positive. Not the inspirational story you wanted to hear but just so you know you are not in this alone and feel free to message me at any time - it is very hard on us (the partners) although Richard thinks I have spent the last 5 months going out partying not looking after the 2 kids, the house, going to work, etc. Take Care Zoe

Richard goes to have his piece of skull put back on August 6th (which also happens to be my birthday). Glad we have a got a date - it's one more thing to take him forward.

Had a meeting today with Richards surgeon. He has said tyhere are three things to be done: 1. An MRI scan to check on coiled aneurism and see what is happening with the other 2 aneurisms 2. Put the piece of skull back 3. Treat 2 remaining aneurisms He has said that he will do 1 and 2 within the next 2-4 weeks as the skull can't be kept in his abdomen too much longer as the body will try start to break it down and it will then end up a lot smaller than the hole. When he goes in to have this done they will also give him an MRI to check everything. Soon after all of this they will then treat the remaning two aneurisms - the scan will show whether they will be coiled or clipped. On then whole a positive meeting (trying not to think of the bad things that can happen during steps 2 and 3). In terms of his progress, Rich has become very depressed this last week. He phones me in tears begging to be taken home. This is stopping him from working hard - all he wants to do is lie in bed. Hopefully this will wear off soon and he will become more motiviated.

Hi Ben, I have sent you a private message.

Had Richards first goal planning meeting yesterday. On the whole he is doing well. He is too eager to do things so has tried standing a few times which has resulted in falls. They were putting electrical pulse things on his arm but when they leave him along he turns the dials up on them so they have now stopped this. Over the next four weeks they are going to try to get him to stand from bed and transfer into a wheelchair (he has to use a board at the moment to slide across). They are also going to practice getting in and out of a car in the hope that he can come home every now and then for a night. coming to do a house visit in 2 weeks to see if the house will be ok for doing this (fairly sure it won't be but you never know). The main probs they have with Rich is his lack of concentration which makes it difficult to do things with him and he has always been know to say things without thinking but it appears to have got worse - he ha slost his inhibition so says things he shouldn;t and even though the nurses say it isn;t a problem for them it will be when he comes home - someone could end up punching him if we are out and he says something insulting. I don;t think he really likes it too much where he is as he would rather be at home but I keep saying that if he came home now all he could do is sit and watch the kids play but if he sticks it out for a few more months he could come home and join in with their games. They have said there is no chance of him being there at christmas so possibly around october time to come home. He has an appt next Tuesday to see his a neurosurgeon at Stoke. He has been passed from My Pryce to Mr Shaw so whether this meeting is just to meet him or whether they will review the remaining two aneurysms then. He also needs to have the piece of skull put back but someone said this isn't done for 6 months which takes us ot september. Have now put on here a family picture taken last weekend of us - we never have pictures taken as a family so am really chuffed with it.

Thank you for sharing this article. Rich has left sided paralysis so it is nice to read about how he could be feeling and what he is going through.

Thanks to those who replied. Karen, your right, everyone is different. I would imagain that with Rich being paralysed and haveing very little concentration we would definately have to surrender as he couldn't drive even if he wanted to.

Does anyone know whether I have to surrender Richards driving licence. I have read that following a SAH this has do be done but I'm not sure whether it is by me or a doctor. Thanks.

Richard is now able to lift hi sleft leg completely off the bed. I'm so chuffed. He keeps on about it being the only thing he can do and I have to point out that he wasn't doing that 2 weeks ago. I know the bit of brain that has been affected can control libido and his has gone through the roof. He keeps asking me to get in bed with him and when I say no I get called all sorts of names. Did anyone else suffer with this as it is driving me mad but I know he can't control it.

Rich is doing OK at Haywood. They have been putting some electrical pads on his left arm and sending pulses through them which he said is strange as his arm lifts up and his hand opens. Nurses have had a chat with him about how slow things are going to be taken as he seems to think he will be wlaking in a couple of weeks and that won't be the case. He fell off the toilet yesterday and badly grazed his back and he fell off his wheelchair today and has injured his left arm. They have said that if the pain is still in his left shoulder on Monday they will send him for an x-ray. I have told him that he has to stop trying to stand up by himself and to take things slowly. Took the kids today which got him a bit emotional. He broke down and said he had had enough and felt like giving up but I reminded him that he isn't a quitter. Our daughter has also been referred to a paedeatrician as she has suffered with headaches for many months now and as Richards nan also suffered with a SAH from aneurisms the doc feels Xara should be checked out. Will speak to you again soon. Zoe and family

Than you everyone for your replies and advice. She had a day off school yesterday (naughty I know) and went shopping and had a day together which was lovely. Took her to GP yesterday afternoon who has referred her to paedeatrician. She has suffered with headaches for many months (before rich became ill) and doc wants to rule out aneurisms as richards nan had the same and it can be hereditary. Just one more thing to worry about.

My daughter Xara is 8 and is really struggling to deal with with things since her dads SAH 14 weeks ago. It isn't him she has an issue with as she loves visiting - it is thre whole experience that has knocked her sideways - she is always complaining about feeling ill, she cries a lot, she is distancing herself from her school friends. Richard goes to Stoke tomorrow for rehab aned could be there for quite a few months so she will only get to see him once a week. I just don't know what to do. The school nurse was going to see her today but never turned up so that has upset her. I know some of you on here have young children so was wondering how yours dealt with things.

I went to visit the Haywood Hospital yesterday - very nice. If they don't get Rich moving no-one will. However, I was under the impression he would be there for 8 weeks but I get the impression it will be a lot longer (I think they keep them until they can't do anymore for them). He is looking forward to going tomorrow. Like Michelle C said, they don't really know what to do with him at his current hospital so he is left in his bed all day. Just hope he can make some improvement in the coming months.

Some good news - Rich is off to Haywood Centre in Stoke on Tuesday. He is thrilled as he knows this is what is between now and home.

Well I am now back after being away from the site for a week. Not only am I having to deal with my husbands SAH but last Friday my 4 year old was rushed to hospital with meningococcal septacemia. Thankfully due to my quick thinking (can't help but blow my own trumpet) he is fine and came home today. The other good news is that the Haywood Centre in Stoke are coming to assess Richard tomorrow for a place in rehab so fingers crossed. PS - John - how did the eye test go?

I'm very happy that your here too. Thank you so much for coming to see Richard yesterday - we both really appreciated it. He mentioned today that you and him had a good chat (although he thinks it was this morning you saw him). It is lovely knowing that there is someone close by who has been through this and come out the other side and it has definately given Richard some hope. Called into the coffee shop to see if I could see Julie to introduce myself but couldn't so will keep a look out for her.

And also very grateful to the comments I receive from people off here - especially Paul and John (and one day I will go and knock on Johns door as he only lives about 15 doors away and say hello).

Well it is now 9 weeks since Richards SAH so thought I would give you all an update. After being at North Staffs Royal Infirmary for 4 weeks Rich waas transferred to Princess Royal Hospital in Telford and is now on the rehab ward. He is now able to move his left leg a little bit (about 4 inches off the bed) but there is still no feeling or movement in his left arm. The left side of his face is also lacking in movement (his eye blinks but his mouth won't smile). He is very depressed and is having assessments with the neuropsychologist. The physios are getting him standing with a frame and trying to walk but this is going slow as he can't hold onto the frame properly with only one arm to use and the leg just drags. He has also said he is having problems with his eyesight. He can talk fine and recognises people but is still very confused (will argue till hes blue in the face that he has been for a jog) and has memory loss. Thinks he still lives at his mom and dads old address which he hasn't done for 12 years, can remember the conservatory he built a year ago for my grandparents but can;t remember building ours 6 months ago It appears to be very random. Thankfully he remembers me and the kids so couldn;t ask for more. Three days ago they started putting him in a wheelchair so I could take him for a wander outside so this is nice especially with this glorious weather. Richard has been referred to the Haywood Hospital in Stoke so waiting for an assessment to see of they will accept him. This will be for intensive rehabilitation. I can see the remarkable progress Rich has made over the last nine weeks but am petrified for what the future holds. I hope he recovers enough so that he can have some independence (washing, dressing, etc). The docs originally said there was a chance the arm wouldn't recover but guess we just have to wait and see. The piece of skull that was removed won't be put back for at least another 4 months but now his hair is growing it doesn't look as noticeable but it is still hard getting used to the stares he gets from people. The last we heard when he was in Stoke was thjat the opther 2 anuerisms would be left for now as there was a greater chance of having a stroke (which would take out his right side)during surgery than there is of them bursting so this will be reviewed later. I am thankful everyday that I still have my amazing husband. He is the strongest person I know to still be fighting this and I will be at his side to help him for as long as we are together.

Hi all. It is now 8.5 weeks since Richard had his SAH. He is getting more depressed by the day and I am now finding this very difficult to deal with. I know I have said all this before but sometimes it just helps to write things down. He now has some slight movement in his left leg but stilll nothing in his left arm. He said today he was scared of not being able to work again and look after me and the kids bit what do I say - I too am scared. Within the next few weeks the financial strain will hit us as Richard will go onto statutory sick pay and all I can think about is losing the house. We had no cover so unfortunately we are in this on our own. I am just finding this all too much to cope with and am taking it out my two gorgeous kids (aged 3 and and they don't deserve this. I have stayed so positive but reality has now hit and I am petrified. I know when Richard has been into rehab (soon hopefully) he could be much better than he is now but I still imagaine I will be a carer to some extent. We had such plans - baby number 3, me training as a midwife and now this has all changed - my life has taken a sharp u-turn that I have no control over. Sorry to be so depressing but just need to get this off my chest.

Thanx guys. I just want them to find Richard a bed and get him there now. He is just so down but so keen to get moving. Fingers crossed we hear something this week.

Thank you everyone. From how you have described it blueday it sounds like the best thing for him. The consultant saw him today and said he would start the referral so just have to wait for a bed. His SAH was 8 weeks ago and he has come on so much - can feed himself (but gets quite a lot down him), can lift his left leg off the bed, helped me change his t shirt earlie, tries to wash himself, etc. He recognises everyone of his friends who has come in and has known who they are but he struggles with remembering his nurses names. Will tell us he has walked to the toilet and will argue that he is right and then suddenly accepts he is wrong. I know he can improve and that he has the fight in him and perhaps if he is in a place with other young people rather than on a ward of elderly stroke patients this may help his mood. Paul - when he has moved I will let you know where he is.