Sunday Night, Nov 27 Update

Tonight we received an update from the same doctor that was in her room during the morning visiting half hour.  We were the first to be called in so that also gave us a full hour or more to be with Margaret.  Basically the update from the doctor was that they did work with her some while she was awake.  She is able to respond to commands and while she cannot talk because of the breathing tube in her throat, she can squeeze your hand.  The doctor said she was very responsive.  She is able to move her right side very well (that is controlled by the left hemisphere and was not affected by the stroke).  She is able to move her left leg some but no really her left arm if at all.  That right hemisphere is the side she had the stroke so the left side of her body is affected.  It is still very early and her brain may still be swelling still though it should be close to being done swelling.  It usually swells for 5-7 days after the stroke and we are only on day 5.  There should be improvement as the swelling decreases which could take several weeks to months.  Everything else is going well.  There are no sign of infections or other problems, though she is a bit anemic.

The doctor said that she was being sedated so that she could rest from her earlier awake time.  She was quiet and seemed asleep for most of the hour we were with her.  She started to stir after Liz quietly hummed a tune.  Her blood pressure increased and so did her heart rate (we have become "experts" at reading all of the monitors attached to her).  Margaret moved and responded with hand squeezes to questions.  She knew who was with her and could respond to other questions.  It may seem small and not very encouraging but it made our day.  Then visiting time was over and we had to leave.

We will be back tomorrow morning at 11am when the information session will be before visiting time.  Only 1 hour and only 2 people at a time.