Jean in Newcastle Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 (edited) My MIL is in the hospital tonight. She has bleeding in her brain. Last night we missed an urgent call from my FIL. When he couldn't get a hold of my dh (an RN), he called my SIL. She finally got a hold of me. MIL was acting strangely, she thought that another SIL who lives in Canada was there, even though she was not. And when they went out on a walk, she started to "weed" the sidewalk and wouldn't stop for a whole half an hour. Dh went to a neurologist with her this morning. The neurologist said "It's just dementia." He did no scans but relied only on the anecdotal evidence. I'm not sure what happened today to trigger them going, but I got a call a little while ago from my FIL saying that MIL was now in the hospital and they found a bleed in her brain. Dh is at the hospital with them now. Update: The neurologist was talked into doing a CT scan, which is what caught the bleed. He told them to go to the ER. Another update: They think she had a stroke. She is improving in the hospital. She will have more tests tomorrow. Edited May 17, 2012 by Jean in Newcastle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleIzumi Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirch Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 :glare: That's a good way to soon be hearing, "It's just a lawsuit." I hope your MIL is ok and I'm glad she's getting the care she needs now. Saying a prayer right now.:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Dementia doesn't come on so suddenly. Your FIL would have seen signs by now. A bleed on the brain? Did she hit her head? Stroke? The bleed could definitely affect behavior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthwestMom Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 :grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted May 17, 2012 Author Share Posted May 17, 2012 Update: The neurologist was talked into doing a CT scan, which is what caught the bleed. He told them to go to the ER. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 I am so sorry, Jean! Hopefully they caught it in time to remedy it in some way...:001_huh: My dad was "diagnosed" with Alzheimer's related symptoms, including dementia. Since my mom had no one to help at homr, he was funneled into adult day followed by assisted living. A year or so later he started having headaches so bad they had to be investigated. Turns out all along he had fluid on the brain - a condition which could have been treated much earlier with great recovery potential. By the time he had a surgical fix, he and my mother were too deep into and dependent on the system. Very sad, and very hard to experience as a thousand-miles-away adult child. Anyway, I have an attitude about folks in old age getting the brush off just because they're...well, old. I feel a bit indignant on your behalf. I hope your mil has a full recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaceful Isle Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 :( Some doctors can be so careless and heartless. Like the patient is just another number! I'm so sorry! I will be praying for her, and also your family.:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Read your update, making the leap to assume your dh had a hand in pressing for a scan - good for him! Sad but true, many patients really need their advocates close at hand these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitten18 Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Anyway, I have an attitude about folks in old age getting the brush off just because they're...well, old. I feel a bit indignant on your behalf. :iagree::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted May 17, 2012 Author Share Posted May 17, 2012 I am so sorry, Jean! Hopefully they caught it in time to remedy it in some way...:001_huh: My dad was "diagnosed" with Alzheimer's related symptoms, including dementia. Since my mom had no one to help at homr, he was funneled into adult day followed by assisted living. A year or so later he started having headaches so bad they had to be investigated. Turns out all along he had fluid on the brain - a condition which could have been treated much earlier with great recovery potential. By the time he had a surgical fix, he and my mother were too deep into and dependent on the system. Very sad, and very hard to experience as a thousand-miles-away adult child. Anyway, I have an attitude about folks in old age getting the brush off just because they're...well, old. I feel a bit indignant on your behalf. I hope your mil has a full recovery. I'm sorry, Auntie. I am indignant about the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted May 17, 2012 Author Share Posted May 17, 2012 Another update: They think she had a stroke. She is improving in the hospital. She will have more tests tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdalley Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Another update: They think she had a stroke. She is improving in the hospital. She will have more tests tomorrow. :grouphug: Praying. And adding to the chorus about being a strong advocate. I just left the hospital after taking my husband to ER for cellulitis. His regular - soon to be ex - Doctor - saw him Monday, brushed off my call Monday night when I called to report that it had spread, brushed me off again today over the phone when I called to say it was worse. Tonight I just had a horrible feeling and talked him into going to ER. The Doctor there took one look, admitted him and gave him a bag of super antibiotic and he's already feeling a bit better. He's staying at least 24, maybe 48 hours with a complete workup. So far it has not spread to his bloodstream. Who knows what would have happened had I not been so forceful. It scares me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumto2 Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:I hope today's tests all go well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houseofkids&pets Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 :grouphug: Praying for your mil. Hope the tests go well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 :grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Oh, tons of hugs, Jean. So glad they caught the bleed. You'll be in my prayers today, along with your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 I'm so glad they did the test(s). I know your dh is an RN; make sure he follows her care very closely. Fil had a stroke last year, they began treating it as a bad fall w/ a head injury. Another update: They think she had a stroke. She is improving in the hospital. She will have more tests tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatherwith4 Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 :grouphug: Praying that she will continue to improve and get the care she needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostSurprise Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 :grouphug: I'm glad she had family with her who could protect her rights. The neurologist did not do a what was expected of him/her. :001_huh: MIL was diagnosed with dementia last year and her doctors at Mayo would not confirm the diagnosis ('it could be dementia..') without CT scans and an MRI, despite her textbook progression. There's just too much stuff going on in the brain to just guess like that. With dementia there are usually lots of little signs, it doesn't present that drastically as the first sign. I hope she's on the way to recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 :grouphug: and prayers for MIL. The medical system makes me...:glare::glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparrow Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 :grouphug::grouphug: I'm so glad she's getting the care she needs now, but frustrated, along with everyone else, at how the medical system failed. Again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: I hope your mil has a full recovery. I hate the way insurance and doctors treat people. Everyone is supposed to fit into a neat little box w/ symptoms and conditions laid out so they don't have to think. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DusksAngel Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 :grouphug: I'm glad she had family with her who could protect her rights. The neurologist did not do a what was expected of him/her. :001_huh: MIL was diagnosed with dementia last year and her doctors at Mayo would not confirm the diagnosis ('it could be dementia..') without CT scans and an MRI, despite her textbook progression. There's just too much stuff going on in the brain to just guess like that. With dementia there are usually lots of little signs, it doesn't present that drastically as the first sign. I hope she's on the way to recovery. :iagree:My grandmother's geriatric doctor is the same way. He also wanted to rule out other (curable) causes of dementia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Any updates, Jean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted May 18, 2012 Author Share Posted May 18, 2012 Any updates, Jean? Today's CT scan showed that the bleed has stopped. She's still in the hospital and probably will be for a couple more days. Our biggest trouble right now is keeping the extended family at bay. It's wonderful that they care, but they can be overwhelming. In the past, they've all shown up from out of town, expecting to be housed and fed and crowding into the hospital room. I was woken up at 6:30 this morning by one of dh's relatives wanting an update.:glare: Dh sent out an e-mail later telling everyone that he'll contact them by e-mail with updates and that his mom needs REST! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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