Alexfromfrance Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 Hello everyone, first of all, I want to apologize for the faults you will see in the text, I'm from France, but it's the only website where I can find answers. My name is Alex and I'm 28 years old. On october 22th, my 22 years old little brother suffered 2 ruptured aneurysm... he was sent very quickly to an hospital, where the doctors healed the bleeding brain by putting spirals inside ( i'm really sorry, I don't know th real term). After 1 week of artifical coma, he woke up very easilly, was able to talk, to see very well, to hear and even to move (only the right side) But, because I have the feeling that there is always something wrong when he gets better, 10 days after, he stil has no short term memory, for example, when somebody leaves his room after a visit, he forgets everything, he can't tell me who came to visit him. I feel really upset and sad. Do you know if there is a chance for him to get better? I know that our lifes will never be the same again, but I really hope that he will be able to get a " independant" life. he's my little brother, the only person that matters to me, since my parents passed away... I don't want answers, I know it's impossible without being a neurosurgeon, but at least, hear about your stories, if anybody has ever been in this type of sitution. Thanks and sorry again for the bad english. see you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClareM Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 Hi Alex Welcome to Behind the Gray and congratulations on finding us! It is interesting that we were one of the only sources of information you felt comfortable asking advice from. Don't worry about your english, it is much better than the french I use in emails when looking for ski accommodation! We are unable to give medical advice but we have a wealth of experience in the progress of recovery and I am sure many other members will share their stories. Your brother is in such early days and has a long way to go on his road to recovery. Let me tell you that when I was in hospital my children reported exactly the same as you are saying about short term memory. I would greet a visitor and know their name and speak to them. If they left the room to visit the toilet or speak to someone, when they returned I treated them as if it was the first time I had seen them that day. My children laugh about it now, though at the time they were very worried. By the time I left hospital I was retaining much more and able to remember better. Short term memory is often one thing that takes a long time to recover. People who have suffered a SAH (Sub Arachnoid Haemorrhage as we call it in the UK) often have this long term though it usually gets better over time. I still suffer mildly now though it does not affect my life and I manage to work - I just have to write everything down. Keep talking to your brother, hopefully his long term memory is ok? I will look forward to hearing from you again soon and how your brother is getting on. Clare xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winb143 Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 Hello Alex, It is very early days for your Brother but he has youth on his side. I can only say what happened to me and hope it will be of some help. SAH4 and was coiled Firstly while feeling tired all day, I passed out as about to have a glass of wine. 2009. I remember nothing until I woke up 2010 after having a shunt put it for Hydrocephalus. I was told I spoke a little but remember nothing and my Sisters sang to me, so I am. told. All what happened to me from July 2009 until August 2010 I remember nothing. After shunt was fitted I sang to the nurse and was allowed home after only 2 days I was given up on by OT's as I could not do a thing because of hydrocephalus, but luckily I have a good husband, Daughter and a family that sang to me. Keep your Brother stress free and keep him away from doom and gloomers.. Keep him happy and talking to him. It is a long haul but watch out that all is okay with him and talk to hospital about any concerns . Good luck to your Brother and you xxx Remember keep his spirits happy. xxxx Happy Talk only xxxxx and if he has catheter in make sure it is emptied regularly and plenty of water for brain. Winb143 alias Win xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexfromfrance Posted November 8, 2017 Author Share Posted November 8, 2017 Hi everyone, Thanks for the answers you gave me, it helps me keeping hope ! I know that each person is different, but reading about your stories will help me fight for sure. Of course, I understand that it s a long long way to the recovery, but he is a warrior, all the bad things the doctors told me about the surgery, he destroyed them so easilly that even the surgeons are impressed and optimist. Do you have any advices to help him for the recovery ? Waht can I do to work his memory? Yes Clare, his long term memory has no problem, he is able to recognize everyone, and remember things from the past very easilly. Thanks for all the good things you told me, I hope you feel well !!! I ll come back to tell you about my little bro !! See you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris G Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 Hi Alex, Best wishes from the US. Short-term memory loss seems to be one of the common items after our injuries. Mine was affected, but has gotten much better over time. I hope the same thing happens in this instance. The brain is a miraculous thing, but even it needs time to heal from something like this. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffodil Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 Bonjour Alex, I hope your brother continues to improve, it sounds like he was treated quickly and that will help him as will his young age as well as he begins to recover. I was told quite quite a while after mine that the damage caused by a bleed is different to a traditional stroke because when that happens the clot blocks and damages a specific area whereas when a bleed happens it soaks the surface of the brain and the impact of this means our short term memory is often one of the things most affected. It isn't not that he hasn't got the memory but his function to file it as a memory is impaired. will it get better? Yes I hope so, many of us see improvements, some of that is healing, some is adjusting and learning but for the most it gets better, I was like your brother and Clair and could remember nothing and even now if I don't pay attention I will lose a memory of something said to me , or something I did. I shared some tips on this after attending some sessions with a SAH patient group, it might help main thing though is try to help your brother do things one at a time for now. Don't talk all at once, if there is background noise know he may be slower to respond or remember, be patient as he tries to recall things and try not to worry, it's a slow process but you can have hope things will improve. Bon chance. (You have excellent English by the way) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winb143 Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 Many of us are given up on but remember to sing and smile a lot around brother. Singing songs can help memory (If I could only remember the new ones lol) xx Keep talking to him and if he sleeps he must need it But because I wasn't fully functional my Daughter used to tell my Sisters to include me in on conversation, as though I was as I was before SAH. We do not remember what was said to us 3 minutes ago in the early days. I have got better at remembering just lol xxx Good Luck Alex to you and your Brother xxxx smile xxxx Win Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexfromfrance Posted November 25, 2017 Author Share Posted November 25, 2017 Hello everyone, I'm back to tell you the news about my brother. One month after his ruptured aneurysm, he left the hospital ! He's now in a reeducation center, to help him getting better. Of course, he is still confused and his short term memory isn't better than the last time but we can see ameliorations, for example, he's now able able to smile and laugh like he used to do before, and on top of that, he's able to walk without any help! I know this will take a long time to recovery, but thanks to you, I m also getting better! He will begin the reeducation on monday, and I hope we will see improvements with the exercices he's going to do ! Thanks everyone I'll come back in a few days to tell you more about him. See You Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Mario Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 Alex, thank you for the update on your brother. I see the news as being positive. Hope the rehabilitation brings about many more improvements in his recovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClareM Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 Great news about your brother Alex. Hope he continues to make progress, sounds like he is being looked after well. Glad to hear that you are feeling better too, hope you are becoming more positive about your brothers recovery. Keep with him as I am sure he appreciates your support. Be good to hear how he is getting on, keep in touch. Clare xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 Great news for you all - so pleased for you xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winb143 Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 That is Brilliant Alex, Keep him happy and always act like you are not at all worried. As when he gets better you can then say "You had us all scared" ha ha Thanks for letting us know how he is doing xxx Keep Happy and remember to rest also. Regards Win Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffodil Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 Well done to your brother for getting this far and getting out of the main hospital, there will no doubt be some ups and downs but the specialist help at the recovery centre will be so helpful for him and and a chance for all the family to see and mark his progress. You will seem more glimpses of what is possible as he learns new skills and hopefully regains others , lots of encouragement and patience is required and a lot of stubbornness too. Wishing him and you all the best of luck with this next phase in his recovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 Hi Alex, Try writing some things down so that he can read them after you have gone. Allow some time to lapse and then repeat some stories to him. If he cuts you off, you know that he has retained it. With repetition, it will transfer the knowledge to his long term memory which is often not affected as badly by SAH as short term memory is. That is what people did for me and it helped me very much in the early days and weeks. It is something you can try, at least. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winb143 Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Alex and Brother, When I came home from hospital I could not remember my address !! My Hubby wrote it on a piece of paper and every morning before he left for work he'd ask me "Where do we live Win ?" I'd look up at where note was and he'd cover it up. I eventually remembered where I was and not at old address so give Brother time and he will eventually get his memory back xx Short term is a problem with us who have had a brain injury but we get there eventually. I even forgot my Dad had passed away xx Wish your Brother good luck and never give in xxxx Both of you XX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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