The Great Swell Watch

Yesterday's cat scan showed that the swelling had started as expected. The medical staff decided to start mannitol at 50 grams every 8 hours. The hope is that the medication will stabilize the swelling; there is a little room left but Daddy's brain can't swell much more without needing surgery to ensure the good brain isn't squashed (that's a medical term).

Nurses are conducting clinical exams every four hours to monitor the swelling, this consists of checking his eyes for dilation, looking for any markedly different movements in the hands and feet, alertness, vital checks, etc.

Today's cat scan showed no significant change in the swelling which was a very good thing. The doctor was very pleased and even surprised (we were not as surprised). Given the amount of radiation associated with cat scans we don't anticipate another unless the clinical exams show evidence that the swelling has increased.

The occupational therapist has some very positive things to say this morning. Apparently many stroke patients neglect the affected side of the body, but Daddy is very aware of his right side. He looks in that direction, reaches across his body and brushed his hair on both sides. He also has good balance and sat straight up in the bed unassisted. We still have no movement in the right hand (but there was some flinching later in the day when nurses stuck him with a needle in the lower arm). 

Daddy is receiving heprin to prevent blood clotting in the legs since he's not moving around much (he keeps taking off the intermitten pneumatic compression (IPC) sleeves, i.e., inflating compression socks so since he's not cooperating he gets to have a shot in the belly instead).

We also had a very positive visit from the speech therapist and a GI consult to look at some non-stroke related swallowing issues which Jessica covers in the subsequent post.

I am one proud daughter today,

#1