sally

Hi there m150984 ! My sister had a bleed 18 months ago and told me afterwards that she was totally unaware of anything while she was in intensive care. It was like she was in a deep sleep and gradually woke up until things became clearer. I found that she would respond to commands later than asked as it was such a big effort to just open her eyes! Squeezing my hand or blinking happened about 10 minutes after I asked her. One of the nurses told me it's like the worst tiredness you could imagine. It took nearly 6 weeks for my sister to properly wake up. The brain is repairing all the time! Please remember to look after yourself as I was in a kind of vacuum and looked back after two months and realised I had lost 2 stone from rushing around! My sister is lying in her bed just now as her brain is repairing a little again and this causes the tiredness! But, she has progressed slowly and is now at the gym 3 times a week to build up her strength. We have also been on holiday abroad. So keep going and help your brother! Remember about the tiredness in the future and cry when you feel like it! This is a big shock for you as well! Sally.

My sister went through a very similar experience to your husband. Tracheotomy, mittens and distress! I suffered such pain watching her as I could only imagine how bad she must feel! Later, when she was clearer in her thinking, she let me know that she didn't remember any of it! She was still only semi conscious! I wanted to share this with you as I wish I had known this at the time! It is now 16 months later and she is so much better. The brain is amazing and distressing as it repairs, but please remember, every day it will be a tiny improvement! Look after yourself and cry as much as possible! Sally

Hi everyone. My sister suffered a SAH on 7th May 2012. She is progressing and is now starting to eat more and is enjoying food again. She suffers every few weeks from bouts of sneezing and a feeling like fluid running down the back of throat. Has anyone else experienced this? The muscles in her arms and shoulder are sore a lot of the time. She does not suffer from headaches at all. Sally.

Sally here again! Lynn says to concentrate on the vanilla and strawberry drinks as the others were horrible! My user name is Sally, if you want to ask anything. I feel you are going through exactly the same as me. Sally xxx

Hello! My name is Sally and my twin sister, Lynn had a SAH in May 2012. Your husband is at a very early stage and you must not worry about his lack of eating. Lynn also started on Ensure drinks etc, but had no appetite and her taste was all over the place. (See the my story section) Keep using the drinks as food may be alien to your husband just now. Lynn has taken months to regain her sence of taste. A Nurse described an SAH to me as the worst case of flu ever! Lynn wants to eat all her favourite things and is disappointed when they taste yucky! It is only in the last few weeks that Lynn has started to eat asparagus soup, crisps, chocolate and dates! For months, she lived on creme caramels and Ensure drinks! She has lost a lot if weight, but will put this on again. Lynn wanted sweet things initially. Please don't try to force your husband to eat normally. The hospital staff won't understand this aspect of his recovery! I just told Lynn about you and she said "drink Ensures and take time!" I described the recovery as the baby stage! It's like people who suffer this have to go back to the start, but on fast forward! Lynn still had aching muscles and bouts of sneezing, just like flu. Lynn and I are thinking about you both as we know how you feel! Big big hugs! Sally.

Thanks, Mary, Hi WinB143 Thanks for your help and understanding. Thanks Daffodil! Thanks Juliette. Thanks Penny. Lynn can't drink tea or coffee, but enjoys lemonade! Thanks Louise! Sally and her sister, SAH Lynn!

Hi everyone! Has anyone had problems with a lack of appetite and funny tastes? My sister suffered a SAH in May and can only eat milky puddings and drink nutritional milk drinks. She says things are either too strong or taste chemically. Does anyone have any solutions? She's also had a couple of bouts of sickness and is still very fatigued at times. Thanks, Sally.