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Message |
    
Phil
Supporter
Username: Barleyrooty
Post Number: 1016
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 6:39 am: | 
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I am posting the following on behalf of my wife's brother, Immanuel. This is not a hoax, it really happened two days ago (Sunday 3/19/06). I vouch for this information personally.
I realize this is a long-shot, but can anyone help? He's clearly pretty desparate.
Thanks,
Phil and Karlotta Taylor
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My wife suffered a serious stroke, she is young (52) and has had Atria Fibrillation. A clot had apparently developed in the heart under the mitral valve, and parts of it broke loose and caused this stroke. A 2 cm area suspected to be clots or tissues shows a partial break off and is easily visible in an ultra sound picture of the heart, full MRI's and CT scans fully show a severe area affected appx. 50% of the brain, on the left side. She has lost function of the right side, speech and etc. she seems cognizant and responds to people and may be recognizing them at this time. She is able to say NO and OK and responds positively or negatively to comments and discussions.
We are seeking opinions and referral information for a physician, specialized in Stroke management of this nature. Current medical prognosis here is a poor outlook, treatment at this time is to use drugs to dissolve the clot, it is felt the surgical options are out within the heart, and the people here are afraid to move or disturb her too much, for fear of triggering additional strokes or worse. We do have I believe very competent medical professionals, but I would like some consulting advice, and can furnish MRI's, CT Scans and Ultra Sound pictures as well as any other medical information. the opinion here is that this is a straight forward decision, and at this time the only option available for this condition is to deal and dissolve the clot, to prevent further risks. ANY review, suggestions, advice and second opinions would be useful to all of us here. All medical information can be provided, we can bring or arrange to send it, the doctors here welcome any participation and are open to discuss this problem with any other neurological professional, and any consulting arrangement would be welcome.
Here is my information:
Immanuel Altmann
ImmanuelA@aol.com
409-726-8141 (home)
409-626-2432 (cell)
address: 4115 Blackberry Lane
Port Arthur, Texas 77642 |
LibraryLady(ncjanow)
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 3139
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 6:42 am: |
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Nothing to recommend Phil, but my heart and thoughts go out to you and your family at this difficult time. |
jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 366
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 8:38 am: |
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Ask the wife's doctors about this:
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/research/research/Cardiology%5FIn terventional/
J.B. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1065
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 2:35 pm: |
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Could the family consult U Texas Medical in Galveston, or (blanking on the name) a big rehab hospital in Houston? TS sometimes does research on stroke, and thought very well of staff at both these places.
It's TIRR in Houston.
It may be too early for rehab, but someone at one of these places might be able to refer him to nearby resources for the acute care needs as well.
So hard for your brother-in-law. All wishes for the best possible outcome. |
Phil
Supporter
Username: Barleyrooty
Post Number: 1018
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 11:14 pm: |
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Thanks for the thoughts and wishes. When we have further news I'll pass it along. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4483
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 12:17 am: |
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Phil-
I'm sorry to hear about your brother in law's wife. If they lived in NJ, I would suggest calling my Neurosurgeon. A little less then 2 1/2 years ago I had a major brain hemorrhage. Spent a a little more then a week in the ICU and another three a guest of Hotel Barnabas. After finally being allowed home I spent the better part of the next month in bed sleeping. I only recently learned, while my dad was in the hospital dying, that 2 1/2 years ago, my family was told to make funeral arrangements for me, the first night I was in the hospital, as I wasn't expected to make it through the night.
Luckily, through a miracle I guess, I somehow have no serious problems as a result of the stroke.
A couple of years before that a friend of mine also had a major stroke. She also wasn't expected to make it through the night. It took her a while, but she is now back on her feet and the mother of a two year old child.
So there is always hope your brother in law's wife will pull through this. I'm going to send my doctor a fax, he'll get it a lot quicker then snail mail, asking if he can suggest a doctor in Texas. It's a long shot, but you never know. I'll keep your family in my prayers.
If you have the chance, please let us know how she's doing. |
heart rn
Citizen
Username: Heart_rn
Post Number: 171
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 11:03 am: |
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Phil
The story is kind of strange to me. I do not question it's validity, just that some of the facts seem rather odd. First and foremost, there is no way to dissolve the clot that already exists this far out after the original insult. There is a small window of opportunity several hours after the stroke, but you lose that window pretty quickly.You mention she has atrial fibulation. Was she on medications, specifially anti-coagulants for this? This is a very important question, because if she was not on coumadin or other blood thinners, she was at a greater risk for developing clots. I am also confused about her grave prognosis. I have had many patients who have suffered strokes, many of them from A Fib, and usually a neurologist is reluctant to give a definitive prognosis, because they just don't know. Many patients do very well and make excellent recoveries. Usually, the younger ones, especially. Intense re-hab, Kesseler is great, is recommended when she is clinically ready for that. I still don't understand why the prognosis is so poor, when it is way too early to tell. St. Barnabas has a stroke center, maybe contact them. Good Luck |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4496
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 12:58 am: |
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Heart-
Don't know if you're aware of it or not, the patient is in Texas. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3277
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 7:25 am: |
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The Texas Medical Center in Houston (40-ish hospitals, two or three medical schools, etc.) has several hospitals with renowned Cardiac/Stroke specialties, including the DeBakey center where heart transplants were pioneered back in the 1960s. Hasn't the patient's doctor referred them to one of the programs there?
Having lived in that part of the world, I am 99%sure that it is going to be the place for them to go, but I don't have any specific experience or referral to offer. |
Phil
Supporter
Username: Barleyrooty
Post Number: 1019
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 12:16 am: |
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I don't think they knew about the Atrial Fibulation before the stroke.
I'm passing all the input on to Immanuel and he is truly grateful.
Thanks again,
Phil
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