Sunday Morning Nov 27 Visit

This morning's visiting hours were from 11:30 to Noon.  We were lucky in that a doctor was in her room to talk to us because this was just visiting hours and the information session is during tonights visiting hours.  Margaret was sedated and on the respirator.  The doctor said that this was normal as they are trying to wean her off of the sedation and respirator but it is a long process.  They take her off for a few hours and then back on.  She was sedated so she could get some rest.  She was quite active last night and they want her to rest.  This is going to be a long process and in today's instant gratification society we are impatient and expect fast results and all the answers now.  We are not going to get that instant gratification with Margaret.  Progress is normal and she is doing well even though at times nothing seems to change or even seems to be going backwards.  The good news is nothing out of the normal (ie bad) has happened.  The doctor today explained as the other doctors had that the medication they give to ischemic stroke victims (blockage as opposed to hemorrhage stroke) was not effective with Margaret.  The medication is given immediately after the stroke and needs to be administered within 3 hours to be effective.  We believe she received immediate medical attention but she was alone visiting a museum that day and was on her way to meet her friend Kim.  The medication given was supposed to dissolve the blockage and reduce damage to the brain.  Unfortunately, the extent of damage caused to her brain will not be known for weeks.  They are saying that it was a big stroke so there will most likely be permanent impairment affecting her left side mobility, strength and coordination.  On the positive side her left hemisphere pressure is normal and seems to have no damage and that is the side that controls speech. 

We will be going again tonight for the information session and visitation.  We will post another update tonight.  Please remember that this will be a long recovery time and progress will seem incredibly slow.  But there is progress.