Post # 1
Member
74 posts
Worker bee
So my grandmother had emergency brain surgery on Monday night due to bleeding on the brain.
I saw her the night before for easter dinner. She had fallen when she tried to get up to come greet me. My grandfather and I had to pick her up and she refused to go to the hospital or emerge because she’s quite the stubborn old lady. (She’s really not that old..76)
Anyway, she was brought to emerge Monday night and they found out she had bleeding on the brain. They airlifted her to a different hospital and did emergency surgery. She was in the ICU until yesterday. Now she’s out of the ICU but still in the hospital.
THis morning she started having seizures.
I’m really emotional right now. My grandparents had a huge part of raising me. They took my mother and I in several times when we had no home. They’ve always been there for me and now I feel so damn useless. I live 3 hours from where the hospital is, my fiancee is on call this week and I have no personal time off.
I won’t be able to go visit her until Friday and I’m really worried about her deteriorating health over the last week. My family has been trying to help me by shielding me from what is going on (ie I found out about the surgery two days later, and about the seizures after emailing my grandpa to arrange a visit next week) which really doesn’t help me at all-I’m trying not to be angry about it, but it’s hard.
Anyway..not really sure what the point is here. I don’t have anyone to talk to right now, and I’m pretty freaked out.
Post # 2
Member
46323 posts
Honey Beekeeper
maniccupcake: I’m sorry your Grandma is not well. What likely happened is that she had a slow bleed(caused by the fall) that put pressure on the brain. She likely had a change in behavior or level of consciousness that caused someone enough concern to have her taken to ER.
It must be very difficult to be away from her and not be able to visit until Friday. Tell your family that you want them to stop protecting you and that you want them to keep you informed. It is easier to deal with what we know that what is unknown.
I will keep my fingers crossed for you and your grandmother.
Post # 3
Member
610 posts
Busy bee
I’m sorry you’re going through this. I really hope your grandma will be ok. Tell your family they have to keep you informed, worrying about what you don’t know will be worse. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts. Hoping Friday comes quickly for you.
Post # 4
Member
3372 posts
Sugar bee
I’m so sorry to hear this. My grandfather had a stroke about a decade ago, an intracerebral hemorrhage that was worsened by blood-thinning medication. He was complaining of a headache the previous night, and went to bed early (my grandmother pretty much ignored this, and was actually annoyed at him because they had to cancel dinner plans). She found him immobile on the floor the next morning after he fell trying to get out of bed.
I’m glad your grandmother has had surgery and is out of ICU. Seizures are not uncommon following a stroke/brain injury. I know what it’s like to have an overprotective family, my mother still regularly withholds information from me about my grandparents (like my grandfather being admitted to hospital a couple of weeks ago, she waited until he was in the clear before telling me). You need to have a conversation with your family about this. For me (as an OP has already said) it’s easier to deal with the known than the unknown. I prefer to be armed with all the facts and research about the reality of the situation, so I can be of better use to my loved one. I prefer to have no regrets when it comes to my family, and that means knowing exactly what’s going on.
Lots of prayers for your grandma.
Post # 5
Member
74 posts
Worker bee
Thank you everyone for the kind words.
Today has been better..my grandmother has been groggy, but seizure free. I’m going to go visit asap.
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