Need Your Prayers For Squirrellycakes
Lounge By veejaytx Updated 10 Aug 2008 , 3:46am by melodyscakes
Just when I was beginning to really worry about what was going on, I received an email tonight...her internet server was down for almost 24 hours!
DH is still progressing well, she said one more test to do, and then maybe they will get some answers!
She thinks he may be able to go home by the first of next week.
You CC folks must send powerful prayers and messages! Janice
Janice thanks again for the update! I will continue prayers for a speedy recovery for Mr. SQC and for strength of body and mind for SQC. Please tell her prayers are still coming!
Last night's email was short, SQC is very tired and worried again. They have figured out that DH had actually had 3 strokes during that time, 2 from one area, and one from an area that involves his heart, so that one more test they need to do will finally tell the tale of how much damage was done and the path of treatment.
Scary times again for them. Janice
He won't be able to leave the hospital until his pressure is stabilized, I'm thinking. I am not a nurse but know from my mother's stroke, that's what happened with her. Up and down pressure but hers was mostly up. She needed blood thinners and just had surgery to put in stents and will need an aneurysm removed soon. I hope SC's hubby will have minor repairs and recovered to good health soon. Sending love SC!
Thanks everybody for your prayers.
Zamode, early Friday's email SQC did say DHs blood pressure and sugar were fairly stable, so that was a relief. I think one reason they are considering sending him home is that the hospital is overcrowded and they are trying to make room.
Kinda scary that they would send him home before it is safe, just to make room in the hospital.
I'm so sorry to learn that you have so recently been through this with your mother, and wish all good things for her, and for you.
We will include you and your mom in our prayers.
Janice
Well, SQC emailed last night, she is so tired she is having trouble concentrating. She was trying to clean house a little, said she wanted it done before DH comes home, although she doesn't really know when that will be except probably sometime this coming week.
It is amazing, sometimes the doctors are encouraging, and then turn around and add something new that is discouraging...I guess that is just the way it goes with illnesses, but sure makes it hard to deal with. Janice
Hi, I got a long email from SQC just now, she cannot read or post in the Lounge, and asked me to pass this on to you:
"What a day today. Please forgive any typos or spelling mistakes as I am beyond checking for these errors.
First of all, well they managed to bump up hubby's test until tomorrow morning at 8 am. This is the TEE, which is the camera down the esophagus to see how the heart is. And if it looks good and if they figure it isn't a heart issue, they will change him back to the original blood thinner they put him on after the stroke. Now that is a good thing because it doesn't have all the issues the other blood thinners have. So it would be a bit less to worry about but we will accept whatever the drugs they prescribe are. And he will see a neurologist/psycologist in the afternoon and be released sometime later in the day.
I have requested specialized mental evaluation. Now what that is, is for him to be assessed to see what the deficiencies are. In his case, because he has a Masters Degree in Criminology, an Honours Bachelor of History and Bachelor of Education and was extremely bright, he requires specialized assessment. Haha, not bragging here at all, it is just that the man is incredibly smart, way smarter than I could ever be even with the brain damage he has suffered. Normally that testing is not done as most patients are of normal intelligence or are elderly etc and it is easier to see new brain deficiencies. But in extremely bright people, well it is more difficult. And the reason we want this done is he wants to return to work. He works self-employed since taking an early retirement from the government. Since he works with politicians and people with extensive educations, we need to determine if he can still function well at that level. If he cannot, well it would be frustrating and possibly embarassing to him. And he would need help in getting around the issues that don't work as well with him now. So I would like him to avoid feeling frustrated with himself as much as we can avoid it. But it will take some time to be able to get him this kind of testing as it isn't readily or easily available. He previously functioned at about a near genius level and had an amazing memory so it would be hard to determine the deficiencies by normal test standards. And quite honestly, the deficiencies are really hard to determine. He still can go from French to English, translate effortlessly and such and you would never know he had a stroke unless you know him really well. He has very minor problems. Which means he functions better after a stroke than I do on my best day. Actually several times better, haha!
I have also requested eye examinations since there is a deficiency there. Initially we were told he lost his peripheral vision only on his left side since the stroke affected his left side. However, it affected his left field of vision which means it includes the left field of vision in his left eye. So that is a problem.
And why I want this all done is to try to alleviate as much frustration for him, as is possible.
Now on to why this was a tough day.
We got to know the other patient in this semi-private room, quite well, as we did the previous patient. He was scheduled to be released today or tomorrow. He had told us his wife suffers from depression issues. Well today we got discussing mental illness. And we got on the subject of his wife who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. It is a subject I know a fair amount about because my father also suffered from it, so it is near and dear to my heart. Anyway, we were talking and suddenly he looked off in the distance like he was lost thinking about something. I worried that perhaps the subject upset him and after he was silent a few seconds, I asked him if he was ok. He just said,"uh-oh", after a few moments. I again asked him if he was ok and he said, something was wrong. I asked him how he felt and he said he couldn't see, he was blind. Well I rang for the nurse, she came on the speaker and I told her to come right away. She didn't so since he was sitting rather funny on the edge of his bed and I was afraid he would fall head first, I made him lay back and I told him I was lifting his legs onto the bed. Then I told him I was putting the sides of the bed up so he wouldn't fall. Then I went running down the hall, found two nurses and told them I needed them right away as I thought this man had had a stroke. Well all hell broke loose then. He did have a stroke, went blind and got really confused and scared. He asked why God was punishing him, asked God to let him die, oh gosh, it was so sad. I tried to reassure him, I told the nurses and the neurologist exactly what had happened. They brought him for a brain scan. Apparently he had bliateral damage. When I left the hospital tonight, he didn't know where he was, his address, the day, nothing. Poor soul.
The doctor said it was good that I was talking with him as I was able to pick up something was wrong so quickly and get him help right away. But it was so sad to see him so frightened with nobody he knows around him. His wife will not leave the home due to her illness and he has nobody visiting him. So we have always included him in discussions and my girls make a fuss over him. He is just a lovely person.
How quickly this happened, he was bright and cheerful and talking away just fine one minute and had a stroke the next. And blind. That is how quickly this happens.
Now don't mind my going on, I am by no means any expert on strokes but I am sharing what little recent experience I have with the hopes it will help someone.
That miracle drug, tPA, cannot be used on all patients especially it cannot be used on people taking blood thinners as he does. So whatever you hear about it, the facts are:
1. Someone has to be able to chart the signs of the stroke and the timeframe in which they happened.
2. A scan of the brain has to be done to insure there isn't any bleeding in the brain as you cannot administer that drug when there is bleeding.
3. It cannot be used on all stroke victims.
4. It can actually kill some patients so it doesn't work on everyone and there is a very limited window - 3 hours from the first signs of a stroke, when it can be used. Sometimes it is used when there is no hope otherwise.
In my hubby's case, it could not be used.
My hubby and I felt so bad, words cannot describe. We told the nurses and doctor anything we thought that would be useful including his wife's illness as they would be calling her and not be aware of her mental state.
If you are on the blood thinner coumadin, the only safe drug to administer right away is an aspirin if the person can swallow. The nurse gave this patient an aspirin to chew right away as this has the least risks of causing brain hemorrages.
If you suspect someone has had a stroke and they can swallow, an aspirin is a good think to give them as long as you know they can take aspirin.
I would like to ask folks to please keep this dear man in their thoughts and prayers. The nurse also, poor dear. Two of her patients had strokes today, she had a very bad day. I have a great deal of respect for people in this profession, they are amazing!
My pal veejaytx tells me that there are more messages on this thread and I know when she has a moment, she will pass them on to me. She has been unbelievably kind and supportive! I cannot see them as I cannot access the Lounge Forum but she and others have kindly copied over messages to me.
People have been so kind, on Cake Central, on Cakes Canada where Labrat posted about this,
on R-bDesigns and Sarah and the folks on Baking911 as well. I get messages from folks from the Wilton site too. I could never find the words to express how much this kindness has uplifted my spirit and that of my family's. It is just amazing to know we have this support and thoughts and prayers. I have not for one second, felt alone in this. It is just such a special experience to come out of such a frightening experience, it is incredible. I will never forget this. I receive emails and messages and whenever I could not sleep, I would sit here and read them and gain strength from them all.
Sometimes in life, we lose faith in people. But this experience has taught me that there are still good people in this world who will take time from their precious day to help others. Kind words make such a difference in bad times. Sometimes late at night when I cannot sleep or am worried, I think of the support you folks have given me and I smile and feel warm inside and that is the greatest gift that I could have ever received. I know the road ahead will not be easy and I know there are no guarantees, but you folks have touched my heart and for that I will truly always be grateful. I didn't think there was much anymore in life that could surprise me but your responses have. I just never in a million years would have thought such responses from so many would be possible. You have made me feel like a miracle has happened. I do believe your prayers and good thoughts have made a difference in my hubby's recovery. I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Many hugs, Squirrelly"
My dear friend ML I keep you and your family in my thoughts often and I will include dh's roommate.
It sounds like in spite of this incredible medical trauma dh is doing well. In the states we have Vocational Evaluators. They evaluate individuals after accident or injury to determine if they can still perform their preious job or what job they would be able to perform in light of the accident/injuries. If you have something like this in Canada that may be a great person to evaluate dh's skills as well.
Also like I told Janice, he can continue to see changes and improvements for 6 months to a year after the stroke. If he does feel like he has some cognitive impairments he might even be able to work with a speech therapist would can provide exercises for cognitive skills but given his high skill level you may need to find someone creative who is willing to find the type of exercises that he needs because they are so used to working with individuals who are trying to regain some of the most basic skills.
Anything you need, just let us know. We're here. 
SCQ,
Tears just are streaming down my face as I read your note. Prayer is an amazing thing. There are lessons to be learned here for everyone. Life is short and unpredictable. We should all stop taking advantage of it, and learn to enjoy it more. I will add your new friend to my prayer list.
I am glad your DH is doing as well as he is and pray for continued healing.
SCQ, I know you want to be by his side at every minute, I would do the same thing. Please remember to take care of yourself through this too. He is going to need you when he is released too. You can't run yourself into the ground. I will continue to pray for strength for you as well.
All my love
Kimberly
Hello, me again! SQC says the TEE test results were good, I hope that means there was no heart damage. They ran some other tests that were also good, and again are hoping maybe to be ready to go home tomorrow.
She also says to let you know that the man in the room with DH is also improving a little, he recognizes them and has gotten a little vision back.
She helped him call his wife today, he is very disoriented with the vision loss, and DH is looking after him now.
I sent her the remainder of the posts you all have made, and she said to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, and feels that all of those were a tremendous influence on DH recovery.
She sounded more upbeat in her email tonight, so maybe they have enough information now to help her feel more secure that DH is going to be all right.
Thanks from me too, I appreciate all of your great posts and responses! Janice
Prayers and hugs for Squirrellycakes and her husband and family. Sounds like a very difficult time for them. I know God is able to perform miracles and that is my prayer for them. I hope someone will keep us updated. (I do not know what happened, but I have really missed Squirrelly on this site. I loved reading her posts and learning from her.) Gail
Veejaytx I want to personally thank you for keeping us up to date with SQC's DH you have kept us so well informed and you are surely one of there dear friends please continue to keep us informed as we will continue to lift them up in our prayers along with the doctors and nurses who are treating them at the hospital. May God continue to heal him and bring him home soon!
Thank you, Novicebaker. I haven't heard from SQC since Tuesday night, but notice the temps are below 0, so they may be having weather or server problems .
It may also be that DH got to go home and SQC is busy getting him settled. When I hear from her I will let you know. Janice
Thank you! I do so hope that he got to go home with a good report and not just to make room in the hospital. Continually keeping them in our prayers. 
Hello, I just heard from SQC. As suspected, her DH was released from the hospital, so she has been very busy. She didn't have much to say, just that she was very tired, after two weeks of spending every day at the hospital it is not too surprising!
Just wanted to pass that along. Janice
Thanks Janice! I hope she can get some rest now.
Wow I like your new picture and do you realize that was your 7000 post!!!
Just got an email from SQC, here is part of what she said about DH after a couple of days at home:
"I find his balance is off and his judgement, likely partly to do with his vision. So I watch him more.
I do find the deficiencies more noticeable since he is home. Some repetition, some not understanding, some searching for words and such. Kind of like he aged 20 years overnight. I am sure things will improve but it is kind of saddening for me. But I know things could be much, much worse indeed so I am grateful."
She also said he wants to keep his monthly haircut appointment tomorrow, so that sounds encouraging to me! Today one of her DD took half a day off from work and went to the hospital to visit the man who was in the room with DH. Not an easy feat, involving busses to and from in very cold weather.
SQC is still very tired, but seemed a little more upbeat. Janice
Hi everyone. SQC says that DH is doing pretty well, but has some memory glitches, and tires easily. He was pleased to get his hair cut on schedule yesterday. He wants to go walk at the mall today, so SQC is sort of worried he is rushing things, and not resting enough. She says she is still so tired, I'm thinking the tension is difficult for her, and she probably isn't resting enough herself.
So far so good, though, as DH seems to have come through this pretty well. Janice
Janice thanks so very much for including my mother in your prayers. It will take awhile but I think like my mom, Squirrelly's hubby will be alright. She does have some memory issues here and there but nothing major. Continued prayers for him everyday, one day at a time is all you can do. Prayers for Squirrelly, too, the stress is hard.
Thank you Zamode, hearing that your mom is doing well is encouraging! I think SQC is busier than ever with DH at home, and her emails are pretty short. DH seems to be doing well, but my impression is that she isn't convinced. She says she is trying to keep an eye on him without "hovering" but he does have some balance problems, and she isn't sure if it is the peripheral vision loss that is causing that or not.
Like you said, Zamode, one day at a time. When I hear more, I will let you know. Janice
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