Chrystal Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 (edited) Hey, My name is Chrystal and im 18. My mom was admitted to the hospital on Sept. 18 for SAH. Hoping there's some people here I can talk and share thoughts with! Here's my mom's story... My mom was admitted to the Foothills Hospital on September 18, 2010. She had just got home from work, and she complained of dizzyness while her and my dad were doin laundry. She passed out, and stopped breathing. My dad called the ambulance and administered CPR. She was taken to the Rocky View (non- trauma), initially. When they got her to the hospital, she was sitting up and responding, but very lathargic. They took her into CT, and this is when they found the SAH. After CT she deteriorated and had a second bleed. She was rushed to the Foothills hospital, and this is when my dad came and got me from work. We got to the hospital and were rushed right into things. I have never been so scared in my life. It's so crazy that she was laughing and being her busy self, and the next she has tubes shoved down her throat, and machines keeping her alive. So all the doctors came in and told us what happened. We looked at CTs of her brain and they told us that we had to decide if she would want to live with severe deficits. I thought that the craziest decisions I was going to be making this year, were what courses I would be taking in my first year of university, not choosing if my mom was going to live or die. However, my dad and I decided that we needed my mom around to see me turn 18. They put together a fabulous team of surgeons, and mom was taken to surgery at 11:30 pm. That was the longest night of my life. I sat awake in the ICU waiting room, just praying and wishing I was with her. I did manage to count the dots on one rectangle of ciling. 11, 220. At 8 am, we still hadn't heard anything from the doctors, so my dad called up. It turned out that she was in the ICU and the surgery had went well. They managed to go into the left side of her brain and clip the anurism with a titanium clip. The next few weeks were absolutly crazy. My mom battled pneumonia, was on multiple medications, had severe vaso spasm, and suffered a stroke. She also had to have a cranitomy to remove art of her skull to give the brain more room to swell. the doctors had told us that there would be lots of ups and downs, and that was definitely the case. The day of my 18th birthday, was September 28, ten days after the incident. This is was the first day that she started opening her eyes. I could not have asked for a better present. I guess this was the day when things started turning around. She was moved out of the ICU about 3 weeks ago, and is now in the neurological ward. She is dfoing very well with recovering, and is blowing all the doctors away. The doctors told us that she would not move her right side, and she has started to move her right leg. They told us that she would not speak again, and she's beginning to get some slurred words out. They told us that she would not get her skull back on for 3 months, and it went on last week. They told us that she would have a feeding tube for 6 months, and she started eating solid food yesterday. She is going to physio every day, and is doing well with it. She even stood with bars yesterday!! She is also starting speech therapy today. My mom is the atrongest person I know, and I am so proud of her. She is so tough and I can already see some of the old her shining through. She is stubborn, and I have never been so greatful for that quality.On the weekend, we got her outside in a wheelchair for the first time. She got to see her puppy, and that made her so happy. I have been up at the hospital every day, after school. It's been tough dealing with my first year of university, and this whole situation, but I am doing well. My mom would want me to keep up with my school work. I believe that my dad and I have a geat support system, and that is what is keeping us going. It's been tough, but I believe that everything happens for a reason. I can't wait to proceed with recovery, and see how much my mom can prove the doctors wrong! Edited November 4, 2010 by tennissmithy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mace Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 Hallo Chrystal, and welcome! You can indeed talk to us - most have experienced SAH and can help you to come to terms with what has happened to your mother, so ask away! I hope your mother is recovering well and we look forward to hearing from you further. Take care, Mace x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99 Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 hi crystal you have been through a nightmare to say the least i am pleased that mum is improving slowly and it would be lovely for mum to prove the dr wrong there are many days i wish my lin would prove a little more and show the drs they were wrong we are always here so welcome and i hope you get a lot of support because going through uni is hard and also helping mum makes it more so i wish you all the luck in the world and remember we are here hugs and cuddles to you and the family lins story is in carers support under my darling lin good luck sweetheart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winter Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 Hi Chrystal! Welcome to BTG and thank you for sharing your story. You have been through some very scary times! I'm so glad to hear your mom is making a remarkable recovery - she is strong indeed and so are you! Good for you for keeping up with school; while at the same time, dealing with everything that's happening with your family. Do come here often. It's a great place for support, information and new friendships. We're alll here to help each other - it's good to know we're not alone in this. Take care sweetie and give your mom, dad, and yourself a big hug! Hope to hear from you again soon Carolyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelvz48 Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 Hi Chrystal, you will get loads of support, help and advice here. Hope everything works out for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gill C Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 Welcome to BTG Chrystal. I hope you get lots of info & support on here & encouragement for your Mum when needed, thinking of her & the rest of your family Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johntaras Posted November 5, 2010 Share Posted November 5, 2010 Hi Chrystal, so sorry that your Mum had to suffer a SAH but so glad she is making a good recovery. Your account of her story was heartfelt to read. This site is fantastic for help, support, and just to have a chance to tell how you are feeling. Welcome to the site and please keep us informed of your Mums progress. Also look after yourself and your Dad because you have also suffered from the SAH as family members. If you need to talk at anytime please do we are all hear to share and help. Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayKay Posted November 5, 2010 Share Posted November 5, 2010 Welcome to the BTG family, Chrystal! Wow, you're poor mom has been through it but I can tell from your story that she's a strong woman. She's done a great job raising such a strong, thoughtful young woman like yourself. I'm so glad she's proving the doctors wrong. You take care now, and don't forget you can ask us anything - there's always someone here who's been through it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina Posted November 5, 2010 Share Posted November 5, 2010 Hi Chrystal a very warm welcome to BTG. Thank you for sharing your story....Good to hear your Mum is doing so well. Please take care...look forward to hearing more from you. Love Tina xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted November 5, 2010 Share Posted November 5, 2010 Hi Chrystal Warm welcome to the site... hope you find it useful, Ditto what everyone has said..... take care Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rod123 Posted November 6, 2010 Share Posted November 6, 2010 Hi Chrystal ,sorry to hear about your mum, but she seems to be proving them all wrong and i bet your mum is proud of you too, Good luck Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vivien Posted November 6, 2010 Share Posted November 6, 2010 Hello Chrystal and welcome to BTG Glad to hear that your Mum is making such good progress Vivien Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 Hi Chrystal Welcome to the site so glad to hear that your mum is proving the doctors wrong and what a wonderful daughter she has in you. Look forward to hearing how you're mum's recovery is going. Any questions just ask there is always someone around who will try to answer them for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelBel Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 Hi Chrystal Welcome to the site! Wow, your mum is certainly a fighter! She has really been put through it but is fighting her way back now, and wowing the dr's with her strength. That is brilliant that she is proving the dr's wrong on every level, and long may it continue. Well done for continuing with your studies at Uni whilst also having to deal with the stress of your mum being ill. It helps to have another focus and your parents must be so proud of you. Hope to hear more from you; do let us know how your mum is getting on, as well yourself and your family. Take care Kel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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