My Step-sister

[mommasita]

Hello friends.

I have a step-sister who unfortunately has a history with brain aneurysms. This is her 4th, and according to the Dr's, they have never had someone survive 4.

They did find this 4th one, and she had coiling done on Tuesday. Unfortunately she had a stroke during the surgery, and it left her with some vision loss in both eyes. An hour into recovery they discovered she also had a blood clot. They go back into surgery and discover she can't move her right side. It was tough and go and very critical for a few days. She is still in critical (but stable) condition. They must keep her blood pressure HIGH to increase the flow of blood to her brain as some veins collapsed. When they do this, she has some movement of her arms and legs. They are hopeful this will come back, but they eyesight not so much.

Last night at 10pm they called to say her heart was racing and they were afraid it couldn't make it. Thankfully today she is better.

I traveled for a weekend to NYC with her and my step-mother last October. I don't wish this on ANYONE, but she has to be one of the nicest, most kindest human beings that I have ever had the pleasure to know. Her husband left her after her first one, where she was airlifted from Dom Republic (on vacation) and was not supposed to make it. He did not want someone "sick" . She had a 3 month old and a 4 year old. She has a wonderful kind boyfriend now, and her children are 21 and 17.

If you could keep her in your thoughts and/or prayers (if you are inclined to do so), it would be so appreciated. It has been a rough ride, and it will continue it seems for a spell. She is only 46.

Thank you everyone.

 

[quasar4legs]

Sending special hugs to your sister, I am sorry she is having to endure all these difficulties.

Hope she is on her way to a full recovery

Thinking of your whole family

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

What a difficult series of events for her.....
Sending you, her & the family lots of love.
Bad things always seem to happen to the nicest of people, don't they?

(I am still angry about the ex husband leaving her. Guess those vows of "for better or worse" didn't mean much).

Keeping you all in my thoughts & prayers this weekend.

 

[mommasita]

Thank you ladies.

They do seem to happen to the best.

Well, she is stable, perhaps a little more so. They have the blood pressure and heart under control. She sat up today, and they are trying to get her to eat as she is soooo tiny to begin. She has some movement. She is aware and upset about her vision..

The sad thing is her memory. She knows her name and the basics, but thinks it is 1962, and she wasn't even born yet. They continue to be hopeful that it returns gradually, at least a bit.

I haven't been to the hospital but have spoke to her on the phone, and am dog sitting her 2 pups. We are tentatively leaving for a MUCH needed vacation, especially for my DH who is working like nuts, but I feel so guilty. I know I can't change things, and all of that, but I just don't know, I may not go.

Thanks again.

 

[kadesha]

I will be praying for her and your family!

 

[disneychic2]

My prayers certainly go out to your step-sister and you and the rest of your family! My brother died 3 weeks after his 18th birthday of a brain aneurysm so I relate completely. I hate to think of anyone suffering what your family member is suffering. God bless you all.

 

[ETHANSMOMMA]

i'm so sorry to hear about your sister. I will keep your family in my thoughts. As far as vacation, what would she want for you? It may be a needed break but it is a hard call.

 

[mommasita]

Thank you everyone~~

disneychic2. I am so sorry, I can't imagine the pain your family went through.

There is some good news Her boyfriend proposed to her beside Friday night, and she accepted.. The ICU is now warm and fuzzy.. They had tentatively spoke about 2014, but I just melted hearing this.

She is stable, much more so. Her son visited her Thursday and she didn't know who he was, but today she did. The Dr's really seem to think she will regain her full memory. I hope so. The tunnel vision is what they are totally unsure of, however if that is all that lingers, we will all deal.

My step-mother and father think we should all go, but I am still on the fence. It will be a last minute decision. It usually is anyway, but a little more so. She would say to go, but there is always that little tug at my heart saying should you.

Thank you all again, you warm my heart

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I'm so happy to come back to this thread and hear of some promising news. How sweet that he proposed...that should give her a little boost in strength perhaps!

As for your vacation, I think you should go.
When my dad died over a year ago, we already had a Disney trip planned for 5 weeks later. We went, and I was able to take a little stress off because I was "distracted" by all of the fun we were having.


As for the 1962 comment from your step sister, that gave me chills. But that's for a different thread!!

 

[mommasita]

I'm so happy to come back to this thread and hear of some promising news. How sweet that he proposed...that should give her a little boost in strength perhaps!

As for your vacation, I think you should go.
When my dad died over a year ago, we already had a Disney trip planned for 5 weeks later. We went, and I was able to take a little stress off because I was "distracted" by all of the fun we were having.


As for the 1962 comment from your step sister, that gave me chills. But that's for a different thread!!

Thanks, you are so sweet, but now you have be curious..LOL

She is now breathing with no help at all, and tomorrow a physio specialist will be going to access the situation. She just has some very down moments asking when she will be herself again. THose are the most difficult, but she has come SO far, and gone through so much..

We are off in the AM for Mexico, and coming back very late Sunday night. We have internet access, and I will be calling.

Take care everyone.

 

[quasar4legs]

How lovely that your sister's boyfriend proposed, he sounds like a keeper.

I hope your sister continues to improve, it is wonderful that she has such strong and loving family support.

Enjoy your break in sunny Mexico.

Quasar

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Safe travels to you in Mexico...so glad you decided to get away. EVERYONE needs a break, and sometimes even during the most stressful of moments, is when you need it the most.
Keep talking to her about wedding plans and little details that every bride to be gets excited about. That should add some excitement and hope when she is feeling down.
Hopefully the specialist can shed some light on the situation and have a treatment going forward with this all.

Enjoy the sun, sand, beach, culture, and most of all....the pina coladas!



....the 1962 comment is based on my beliefs regarding past lives

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Prayers for your sis . Her dbf sounds like a keeper for sure. And he really does her...in sickness and in health!

Saying prayers for you too that you will have a wonderful vacation and I hope you and your family are safe and not in the earthquake areas.

 

[LovableGluttons]

Hi disneychic2, I just posted in another thread about my stroke. I hope your sister in law makes a full recovery!!!


Nicole

 

[mommasita]

Nicole, I think you meant me, and thank you. I am SOOO happy to hear you are ok and on the mend I did read your thread.

Well, we are home. Had a wonderful time, and thankful for internet to keep up..
The weather was perfect, and we relaxed ate and drank some .. Thank you all We were not affected by the earthquake, and had sooo many family members concerned.

My sister is now out of ICU, in a regular room, and is in need of rehabilatation prior to going home. She has some severe memory issues, and some walking and coordination issues. They are still hopeful that they can correct this somewhat, if not completely. As stated before, the eyesight they are doubtful of. But the family is so happy with how far she has come. It was touch and go for a while, and thankfully that has passed.

Off to read some posts.

 

[quasar4legs]

Nicole, I think you meant me, and thank you. I am SOOO happy to hear you are ok and on the mend I did read your thread.

Well, we are home. Had a wonderful time, and thankful for internet to keep up..
The weather was perfect, and we relaxed ate and drank some .. Thank you all We were not affected by the earthquake, and had sooo many family members concerned.

My sister is now out of ICU, in a regular room, and is in need of rehabilatation prior to going home. She has some severe memory issues, and some walking and coordination issues. They are still hopeful that they can correct this somewhat, if not completely. As stated before, the eyesight they are doubtful of. But the family is so happy with how far she has come. It was touch and go for a while, and thankfully that has passed.

Off to read some posts.

Nice to have you home and glad to hear you were not affected by the earthquake. Put me in the camp that was worried when I heard about the earthquake on the news.

It sounds like your sister is making good progress but I guess it is going to be a long journey. I shall keep her in my thoughts.

It was good to hear that you had some time to relax, I hope the laundry basket doesn't look too hideous.

Take care
Quasar

 

[sunshineNJ]

Your sister's boyfriend sounds so special. Prayers to your family.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Welcome back! Did you think the trip helped you to de-stress?

Glad to hear a little bit of progress is being made. Hope to hear even better updates in the future.

Continued prayers....

 

[mommasita]

Thank you. Sorry to be so late in replying back, a few sickies in the house . I do think the trip helped a lot.

For an update: She was allowed home for the weekend, and was obviously extremely nervous, but all went well. Today she was moved from the hospital to a rehab center specifically dealing with brain injuries. There are 41 beds, and it is in-patient, but she can go home in the evenings for supper. They approximate it at 8 to 10 weeks minimum.

When I was there Thursday with my Father and his wife we told her we were going to a specific restaurant for lunch, and in 2 minutes she asked where we were having supper. She received a plant, and couldn't read the card, and cried so much it hurt. She is aware of everything, and of sound mind, and KNOWS she should know.

The good news is on Saturday she could not add 2 + 2, and by SUnday night she knew all her times tables, so it does seem to be coming back with practice.

Thank you everyone