My Father's stroke
My Father had a stroke in late August and was rushed to Solihull Hospital. He was declared medically fit and able to discharged back home in early October. The stroke affected the left hand side of his body, paralysing his face and limbs. It took about 2-3 weeks for him to regain full control of the left of his face, he used to keep a constant supply of tissues to catch any dribbling. He has limited movement in his leg, he can move it slowly and carefully but he requires three people to help him walk. His upper arm muscles do show resistance but there is no movement in the fingers. His voice is a bit weak and the left leg muscle spasm in pain at times but I hope that will improve with time.
Right hand strokes tend to affect memory and speech. It can rob some people of their personality or reduce them to the mental age of a two year old. The experience of visiting my father (3-5pm most days or 7.30-8.30) was that I got to see him improve bit by bit as the weeks went past. He is on an upward trend of improving health and regaining mobility and ability to function. I got to witness the families who visit loved ones who didn't improve or who couldn't meaningfully communicate. Patients who lay in their beds with blank or perturbed looks, who would burble or mouth guttural sounds. Yet those families would continue to come in with photo albums, treasured mementoes, trying to revive a measure of self. Emotionally and physically draining.
The nurses and physiotherapists are in constant attendance, never more than a few feet away. Solihull has a physio gym just by the ward where the patients get daily treatment. The hospital does not have robocop/robot devices to aid the patients but they are in use around the world. Powered limbs help to restore the brain/limb connection if used on a regular basis. Some apparently come with mountings for Uzi 9mm's. Not all patients are fit to receive physio treatment. The hospital's job to make people medically fit so that they can be released back into the community. The nurses are skilled in warmth and compassion, creating an atmosphere that invites anyone to approach them with any questions. Allowing people to express themselves on their own terms and in their own voice. I experienced the opposite of this when I went to buy a mobile broadband dongle so my Father could use his Mac during visiting hours. I asked the store whether there was anyone who could install the dongle and get it running, guaranteeing the promise of internet access to a bedridden parent. A man stepped forward and proceeded to install it while dragging the story of his ill health from me. He was keen to express how sad he was for my Father's condition and equally keen to see me express a similar measure of emotion. The conversation wasn't about me or my Father but the salesman's need to express his emotions. It was the social reverse of the Stiff Upper Lip and equally as manipulative.
He was discharged through the early stroke discharge scheme back to home. The first 6 weeks of care are free and then you have to pay if your net worth is more than £23,500. Many of the elderly, infirm or unaware are sent on to Care Homes or Nursing homes. For my Father to be sent home to recover was seen as a victory by the ward staff. A Thank you to Nats for her comments on medical issues, Stuart for his advice on social care and to the staff for their care and devotion. A Thank you to everyone else for their thoughts and prayers.
Right hand strokes tend to affect memory and speech. It can rob some people of their personality or reduce them to the mental age of a two year old. The experience of visiting my father (3-5pm most days or 7.30-8.30) was that I got to see him improve bit by bit as the weeks went past. He is on an upward trend of improving health and regaining mobility and ability to function. I got to witness the families who visit loved ones who didn't improve or who couldn't meaningfully communicate. Patients who lay in their beds with blank or perturbed looks, who would burble or mouth guttural sounds. Yet those families would continue to come in with photo albums, treasured mementoes, trying to revive a measure of self. Emotionally and physically draining.
The nurses and physiotherapists are in constant attendance, never more than a few feet away. Solihull has a physio gym just by the ward where the patients get daily treatment. The hospital does not have robocop/robot devices to aid the patients but they are in use around the world. Powered limbs help to restore the brain/limb connection if used on a regular basis. Some apparently come with mountings for Uzi 9mm's. Not all patients are fit to receive physio treatment. The hospital's job to make people medically fit so that they can be released back into the community. The nurses are skilled in warmth and compassion, creating an atmosphere that invites anyone to approach them with any questions. Allowing people to express themselves on their own terms and in their own voice. I experienced the opposite of this when I went to buy a mobile broadband dongle so my Father could use his Mac during visiting hours. I asked the store whether there was anyone who could install the dongle and get it running, guaranteeing the promise of internet access to a bedridden parent. A man stepped forward and proceeded to install it while dragging the story of his ill health from me. He was keen to express how sad he was for my Father's condition and equally keen to see me express a similar measure of emotion. The conversation wasn't about me or my Father but the salesman's need to express his emotions. It was the social reverse of the Stiff Upper Lip and equally as manipulative.
He was discharged through the early stroke discharge scheme back to home. The first 6 weeks of care are free and then you have to pay if your net worth is more than £23,500. Many of the elderly, infirm or unaware are sent on to Care Homes or Nursing homes. For my Father to be sent home to recover was seen as a victory by the ward staff. A Thank you to Nats for her comments on medical issues, Stuart for his advice on social care and to the staff for their care and devotion. A Thank you to everyone else for their thoughts and prayers.