My Sister Has Amnesia

[ni4ni]

Prayers for my sister please.

Some how she fell at work and hit her head. She was transferred to an area hospital by helicopter. The CT scan was negative. Doctors say she has a severe concussion with retrograde amnesia. They said there was no reason to keep her in the hospital and sit her home even though she doesn't know the people who drove her home. (Husband and in-laws.)

She doesn't know me or any of her family. I am sitting next to her and I am a stranger. She looks at her family and cries and says I'm so sorry but I don't know you.

Her husband who is great to her is completely devastated but is holding it together. She has two children, 16 and 6 and they are completely lost.

UPDATE 1: Had a second CT scan today. Everything looks good. She still has amnesia and has no memories prior to yesterday. She is relearning family and we are praying her memory returns.

11/18 UPDATE: She has had several doctor visits and we really don't know anything. Two CTs and a MRI came back negative which is great news however doesn't explain the amnesia. Memory loss isn't getting better. Waiting on referral to neurologist.

11/18 UPDATE: Her employer (a big box store) denied coverage for her to see a neurologist.

 

[Printer Bandit]

would watching home videos with her in them help?

 

[slag]

usually amnesia is short term. It will get better.

 

[SSSnail]

I think instead of doing something that is a total waste of time and effort, i.e. praying, I'll offer some constructive advise.

Start with pictures, any and all pictures with her in it, start talking about it in details. Repaint her life for her with pictures, then move to videos.

Oh, and watch 51st Dates (Adam Sandlers and Drew Barrymore).

 

[Tristicus]

Prayers for my sister please.

Curious as to why people ask this in ATOT.

 

[DaTT]

Hope she gets through it soon...especially with children involved.

 

[DaTT]

Curious as to why people ask this in ATOT.

Start a thread about it...no need to crap in here. :roll;

 

[911paramedic]

I had it when I was growing up following a pretty decent bicycle accident, and we didn't wear helmets back then. My friends brought me back to the Round Table where we were just playing games and the staff called my dad to come pick me up and take me to the hospital. On the way I was asking what the nurses said. Yeah, I still don't remember those six hours, but I do remember coming out of it and it was really strange.

I've also treated many people with it. If the doctors feel good enough to let her go I'm sure it will pass within hours, at least it usually does. Retrograde amnesia is a PITA though, get ready to keep answering the same question over, and over, and over, and...

She'll be fine.

 

[ni4ni]

I had it when I was growing up following a pretty decent bicycle accident, and we didn't wear helmets back then. My friends brought me back to the Round Table where we were just playing games and the staff called my dad to come pick me up and take me to the hospital. On the way I was asking what the nurses said. Yeah, I still don't remember those six hours, but I do remember coming out of it and it was really strange.

I've also treated many people with it. If the doctors feel good enough to let her go I'm sure it will pass within hours, at least it usually does. Retrograde amnesia is a PITA though, get ready to keep answering the same question over, and over, and over, and...

She'll be fine.

Thanks! We are a medical family. Her husband is a Firefighter/EMT, her father in law is a Paramedic, her mother in law is a RN, her sister in law is a Flight Nurse, and I'm an EMT but I don't work on an ambulance.

 

[ni4ni]

Curious as to why people ask this in ATOT.

I asked because the people that do, I would like for them to. The people who meditate, I ask them to think about her. Those who sacrifice at the alter, well you can help there too.

 

[Legendary]

TV makes me think sometimes amnesia isn't permanent, hope that's the case. Good luck.

On the other hand, if there was anything about your sister that annoyed you, you can probably prevent that trait from popping up again? :awe:

 

[rasczak]

I'll keep your sister in my thoughts. I hope for the best.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Do they have a qualified physician on staff who is an expert on traumatic brain injury? You want that, a lot. Look in the internet for hospitals which deal with stroke. They tend to have the best docs. Hopefully she's in one, and the chances are pretty good she's at the proper facility given she was brought there by helicopter. Still, do some homework now to help your family. It's not too soon to be discussing how she's being treated and their plans for her.

Edit: I see "they sent her home".

Gah, find that expert NOW and get her seen NOW.

 

[911paramedic]

Thanks! We are a medical family. Her husband is a Firefighter/EMT, her father in law is a Paramedic, her mother in law is a RN, her sister in law is a Flight Nurse, and I'm an EMT but I don't work on an ambulance.

Sounds like she's in good hands!

I'm guessing she's better today, at least I hope so. Are you going to post an update later?

 

[rbV5]

I'm guessing this is pretty recent? I'm sure she'll get better!

 

[Jdawg84]

I wish I had amnesia so I can forget how much of an asshole I am

 

[Azraele]

Hope she feels better soon.

 

[totalnoob]

Stimulate her mind..not only with pictures and stuff..but with exercises. Give her some of her favorite songs to listen to..or some beautiful classical music. Give her a few good books also..especially if she has any favorites she has mentioned in the past (the same goes for movies). A few games or puzzles might also be helpful in stimulating certain parts of her brain to help recovery. You've got to get those electric connections flowing somehow. Laying in bed all day isn't going to do it. Nutrition is also important. Get her some healthy omega 3 supplements as well as brain/memory-boosting supplements like Lecithin capsules. All of these things together should make a difference.

 

[Whisper]

As others have said, this sort of confusional state--and the accompanying memory disturbance--tends to resolve relatively quickly, depending on the severity of the head injury. I'd imagine that it would clear up within a few days at most, especially if the physician allowed her to go home, although she may feel "foggy" for some time after that.

 

[nonameo]

I asked because the people that do, I would like for them to. The people who meditate, I ask them to think about her. Those who sacrifice at the alter, well you can help there too.

I will be sure to sacrifice at the altar of asphalt for you.

 

[foghorn67]

Prayers for my sister please.

Some how she fell at work and hit her head. She was transferred to an area hospital by helicopter. The CT scan was negative. Doctors say she has a severe concussion with retrograde amnesia. They said there was no reason to keep her in the hospital and sit her home even though she doesn't know the people who drove her home. (Husband and in-laws.)

She doesn't know me or any of her family. I am sitting next to her and I am a stranger. She looks at her family and cries and says I'm so sorry but I don't know you.

Her husband who is great to her is completely devastated but is holding it together. She has two children, 16 and 6 and they are completely lost.

damn that sucks. Your family has my thoughts and prayers.

 

[slag]

Stimulate her mind..not only with pictures and stuff..but with exercises. Give her some of her favorite songs to listen to..or some beautiful classical music. Give her a few good books also..especially if she has any favorites she has mentioned in the past (the same goes for movies). A few games or puzzles might also be helpful in stimulating certain parts of her brain to help recovery. You've got to get those electric connections flowing somehow. Laying in bed all day isn't going to do it. Nutrition is also important. Get her some healthy omega 3 supplements as well as brain/memory-boosting supplements like Lecithin capsules. All of these things together should make a difference.

None of that snake oil really helps. Despite what people think, you can't excercise your mind to where it makes any difference at all. Its not a muscle that requires constant working out.

 

[MrMatt]

Curious as to why people ask this in ATOT.

I said a prayer for her :awe:

 

[totalnoob]

None of that snake oil really helps. Despite what people think, you can't excercise your mind to where it makes any difference at all. Its not a muscle that requires constant working out.

It is not a muscle in the sense of usual muscles..but stimulating it with mental "exercise" does help. Brains are remarkably good at finding solutions to injuries..rewiring themselves to compensate for damage. It stands to reason that the more active the brain is and the more neurons that are firing back and forth as a result of mental stimulation, the faster this process will go.

 

[SunnyD]

"Praying" for her would be a lot easier with pics...