When they brought Mac back to the room, Stella was sipping a coffee Don had bought her.
"Mrs.Taylor...Dr.Robbin's will be in to see you shortly."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Your husband will sleep for a while. As we sedated him for the earscope exam."
Leaving the room, the nurse felt really bad. For she knew, what Stella was about to be up against.
Getting up, Stella leaned over Mac and caressed his hair.
"I love you Mac. I'm so happy you're back." Bending down she kissed his lips Once again, just holding them to his.
"Excuse me, Mrs. Taylor. May we talk, please."
"Sure... what did you find. And please, don't leave anything out."
"As you know, your husband suffered damage to his left cerebral hemisphere, temporal lobe, and cerebellum. The worse being his left and temporal. For this is where the object struck his head. His cerebellum was most likely damaged when he fell back against the rubble. Now the cerebellum controls his balance and cordination. The temporal and left cerebral, controls his thoughts, reasoning, behaviour and memory."
"I know all this, can we move on please?"
"Stella..." said Don.
"I'm sorry doctor. I didn't mean to snap at you."
"I understand. Your husbands hearing test went very well. Once we cleared the ears of the fluid, he was able to hear at about a 75% level. We've also started him on Antibiotics, to reduce any fluid that we may have left behind, that could cause infection. Once all the fluid disappears, his hearing should fully return."
"But he can hear us now, right?"
"He can. You will be able to talk to him, and he'll be able to nod, or make garbled sounds." As for the Glasgow scale test...It rated better, then what we thought he would.
For eye response he rated a four, which is great. For verbal response, he rated a two, which means he can only make incomprehensible sounds. this tells us he is suffering from what's called dysarthria. Basically it means, the patient can think of the appropriate language, but cannot easily speak the words, because they are unable to use the muscles needed to form the words, and produce the sounds. Making them slow, slurred, and garbled.
As for his motor response, we've given him a 2-3 for now. He is showing medium muscle response on the right side. He can grip things, but only for a few seconds, then he releases. He has very poor response on the left. Now... this could be due to his broken arm and shoulder. Once the physical therapist attempts to get him out of bed, we will know more. For the complete test, he's been rated at level 9-10, on the Glasgow scale. Which is moderate to severe. We've also asked him continuiously, if he knew why he was here, if he knew, what happened, or where he was before he woke.
He shook his head no, to all these questions. Which tells us he is suffering from Retrograde amnesia. This refers to difficulties in recalling, or recognizing past events and experiences. Most patients with retrograde amnesia, have trouble remembering what led up to their trauma before being admitted."
"But he will eventually remember, won't he?"
"Most times Mrs.Taylor, the memory of the event, never returns. That's not to say it couldn't happen. It would just be unusual if it did."
Don was watching Stella. He could see how exhausted, and lost she was.
"Excuse me doctor. Isn't there any information packets, or books, Stella could read? This way she has time to adjust, and understand her husbands disabilities."
"We do... I'll have the nurse bring them in. But understanding the disabilities will take time, for as I said, each one needs to be assessed, by a therapist. Mrs.Taylor, what I can honestly tell you, is that you and your family have a very long road ahead of you all. It's going to be very trying, frustrating and emotional, to everyone. Especially your husband.
You need to realize, that most TBI patients, can't accept, or tolerate others doing things for them. They also become frustrated quickly, because they can't remember things, simple things. Or perform simple tasks. There is going to be alot of anger, and agitation from Mac, which is going to cause stress and pain within your family.
Each of Mac's therapists, will explain, help and guide you, and your family into understanding. In the meantime... Mac will remain with us for at least another month, avoiding complications. He will have round the clock care, until each therapist, can fully assess every function, and start a treatment, that is right for him and his disabilities"
"How many therapist will he have?"
"Your husband will have three. Speech, Physical, and Occupational. Each therapist, serves a different purpose. Once they have assessed, and started your husband on a scheduled routine, he will be able to go home. Once he's home, it's your choice whether you'd like in home therapy, or Outpatient. In home therapy is more costly, but easier for most families, instead of traveling back and forth.
I also have the speech therapist coming in this afternoon. He's going to assess whether your husband can swallow properly. If he can, we will start him on a liquid diet. If it turns out he is unable too, then we will have to insert a feeding tube for a short time, till he is capable of swallowing without complication. I know this is alot to take in Mrs.Taylor. Would you like to ask me any questions?"
"Um... When the therapist comes in, should I take notes?"
"You can. But each therapist will give you the information you need, and they will work out a detailed schedule once you take your husband home. It will have specific times, when certain things need to be done, with your husbands rehabilitation."
Once the doctor left the room Stella looked towards Don.
"I guess this is going to be nothing like MJ's therapy, is it ?"
"I honestly don't think so Stella. I've seen a few shows on Discovery channel that show the rehabilition of patients after head trauma, and it's not easy. They get so frustrated, cause they can't remember simple things. You and Mac are going to need alot of help. But there is one thing you will have. All of us to help you and Mac through this."
"I know Don. But we all know Mac. Accepting help from anyone isn't going to be easy. He's very proud, and strong. Leaving me to wonder how many therapists we may go through, before we find one that's willing to stay."
Taking Stella's chin in his hand, he raised her face to his, looked into her eyes and said...
"We will Stella. We will all get through this, as family. There is no one that understands Mac better then you, Danny and myself. We know how to handle him, we'll make it work Stella."
Laying her head against Don's chest, she just didn't feel that confident, as she whispered...
"How am I going to tell him he lost his son, and three grandbabies?"
Everything seems to be unpredictable. Nevertheless, we still have to live our everyday life from the beginning to the end happily. Only God knows what might happen in the next second.. I wonder from where all the memories was left inside his brain. Definitely it's over a great distance for all of them but with the family's determined and unyielding attitude, they will overcome this obstacles together. :bolian:
