My loved one October 12,  2016  8:13am EST

This is heartbreaking for anyone, especially for someone so young. Gather all the information you can, it will help you to be realistic about his prognosis. There is so much info on the Internet.....I had an ischemic stroke so I am not as knowledgeable about hemorrhagic strokes. But reading about it did help me. Check local hospitals or neurologists to find a support group. Prayers for you and your families....

It has been almost a month since his stroke and we feel relieve when he was transfer to a long term care hospital. Doctors kept recommending to disconnect him after 2 days of his stroke. They kept saying there was nothing to do, and yet he started to breath on his own, open his eyes and his organs are still intact. he is managing little by little to control his Blood pressure and temperature. I just thought it was too soon to make such a hard decision. I've been reading, informing myself, talk to other doctors since I work in healthcare, and at this point we just need to be patient and wait. He is showing us very slightly that he is trying, so there is no way we are going to give up. Not now

Hi Nadiuska! My name is Libby and my husband had a hemorrhagic stroke when he was 47 (he is now 51). He didn't go into a coma; however, he slurred his speech and was losing the use of his right arm and was starting to lose the use of his right leg. His stroke was in the front middle of his brain; however, the bleed damaged the left side of his brain, therefore, affecting the right side of his body. He and I are not together anymore either (we are separated) and haven't been since 2010; however, we are best friends, don't want to get divorced, and share three children (all adults now) and four grandchildren. He is the love of my life and always will be. We just became friends instead of husband and wife. I know exactly how you feel about being very lost and confused and the doctors at the hospital didn't make it any better. We didn't actually know what caused the stroke until we went to see his cardiologist. His was caused by AFIB (atrial fibrillation). His heart stopped beating and the blood pooled long enough for it to create blood clots and one of the went to his brain. The thing about it is that he has a pacemaker and has had one since 2001, so they don't really know why it didn't work when his heart stopped beating. He had the pacemaker installed because he came down with pneumonia and it damaged his heart, causing it to stop beating for seconds at a time. Anyway, don't give up the fight!!! My husband is alive; however, his memory has been affected very badly. He lives with our daughter and youngest son. They take care of him most of the time because I work full time so that I can take care of most of the bills at their house and mine. Believe that he is fighting for his life!! My husband went from an always on-the-go, working adult who loved life and all that it offered to someone who can't remember to brush his teeth or when to take a shower. He can no longer cook for himself or do the things that he used to love doing. But, HE'S ALIVE and that's important to us. He can talk, walk, and has the use of his arms and hands, but he no longer remembers how to get to places and gets lost, not to mention he forgets to take his cell phone with him, so at times, it's hard to find him when he does get lost. Thank goodness his car isn't working right now. My thoughts and prayers go out for Nelson, you, and your family!! Just remember, DON'T STOP FIGHTING FOR HIM!! If you don't get for him what you think he should be getting from the doctors, find another. PLEASE make sure that you take care of yourself too!! I know that this is devastating and hard on you, but you need to be well for Nelson too! Many blessings to Nelson, you, and your family!!

DON'T GIVE UP I WAS THE SAME THEY TOLD MY MOTHER THERE WAS LITTLE HOPE I HAD SEVERAL STROKES WHILE I WAS OUT I WAS ON LIFE SUPPORT FOR 3 WEEKS AND IN ICU FOR 2 MONTHS ALTHO I'M NOT 100% I AM ALIVE MY RIGHT SOIDE IS A LITTLEON ITSOWN ICANNOT SWALLOW TALK OR WALK WITHOUT A WALKER BUT ITS A LITTLE BETTER ALL THE TIME THERE ARE BACKSLIDES LIKE THE LAST 3 MONTHS I HAD PNEUMONIA BUT IT'S ALWAYS WORTH THAT LITTLE BIT OF FAITH THAT GETS THROUGH SO DON'T GIVE UP THERE IS ALLWAYS THAT INSTANT HE'LL WAKE UP AND FOOL EVERYONE MINE HAPPENED A YEAR AGO AND I'M ALIVE AND HAPPY TODAY BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T GIVE UP

He seems to be a fighter for sure. Please hang in there. I had a huge heart attack in 1993 and in a coma for 4 days. I was not given a very good chance, but my wife and family kept fighting for me next to me. Also, the doctors and emergency responders were unreal. After the first 2 days in the coma, I am pretty sure I heard the words of love and encouragement from all and on days 3 and 4, did know it for sure. Those faint words gave me the will to fight and fight and fight. I still have a goofy heart, but am in good shape. I pray for you all and know that everything will get better. Please keep next to his side and I just know he will keep fighting. You are also a fighter!!!

Embrace the miracle- he has defied the doctors. Find a neurologist who is willing to go the distance with you on his recovery. He will need lots of therapy to be functioning again and for that, a doctor who believes in his patients and who wants all patients to live a full life to the best of their abilities is the one you want. And it's okay to search and interview several until you find the right one. Also, look to your faith to help guide your search. It could be powerful.

Nadiuska, no pierde la esperanza! Do not give up hope! My mother suffered a hemorrhagic stroke almost eight months ago. She was 82 at the time, but had been a very active and health conscious woman for most of her life. She's come so far... from being fed through a nasal tube, insertion of a j-peg, to eating mechanical soft foods with her left hand. From Day 1 I never stopped hoping that we would one day resume our ritual of drinking our little cafecitos and eating a sweet treat each evening after dinner. She has reached many more milestones, yet still has a long way to go in her recovery. My mother has a team of therapists (physical, occupational, and speech) who are not giving up on her. They push her to reach small and big goals each week. My message to you is-- never give up hope! Also, setting short and long term goals is crucial. Setbacks will be inevitable, but so is progress. The doctors gave us the same gloom and doom prognosis, but my family chose hope and prayer. I hope and pray that your husband will make a full recovery!

Thanks for sharing, Nadiuska. Family conferences with your loved one's medical team are helpful. You all are Nelson's team! The family's observations about Nelson's progress are an important contribution to the conferences. Your cheerful visits are healing! Support groups and internet searches are helpful, such as the Stroke Association: www.strokeassociation.org Here is one report that might be helpful: http://www.massgeneral.org/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=2115

I suffered a stroke in December 2014. The clot was in the magdalla which is just above the brain stem. After a few days to become stabilized and on a medication to break the clot, I began the long hard road to recovery. Perhaps my stroke was not as severe but what I want to tell you is there is hope. After two years of month to month, week to week and day after day of intensive therapy, I am back on my feet. My left leg and arm are still a little weak. However, I am able to walk without assistance. I live alone so I am able to care for myself. The advantage of caring, supportive family and friends will help bring him through. Keep the faith.

I may only pray to almighty for early recovery for your husband. sometime miracle happens which medical science cannot predict. Further human brain is such an organ, rarely medical science is able to comment. I once again pray for his early recovery. hope he will recover soos. Manash. India, Ph-0091 9433044745