VAD CAD Club

Girish Kana's account of Smita's stroke

Smita, my wife had a stroke in February 1998. She was 32. Maya my daughter was 11 months and Ravi my son 2yrs and 9months. So as you may imagine, I have a lot on my plate but it is all worth it to see the kids grow and see their mum improving.

"Locked In" after stroke from VAD

Smita had a dissection of the vertebral artery. They do not know the cause of the dissection. A clot formed on the artery which caused the stroke. Her symptoms prior to the stroke was severe headache which was diagnosed as migraine.

After a few days she developed dizziness with vomiting (with the headache) and this was diagnosed as a viral infection !!! She was taken to the hospital where she had CT and MRI scans. These revealed nothing. She had a lumbar puncture...still nothing. She was finally taken to another hospital where she was given an angiogram. This revealed the clot.

From her admittance to hospital to diagnoses it was almost 12 hours !
The clot was dissolved using Heparin but the damage was done. She had suffered a severe stroke of the "brain stem" and was not expected to survive. Survive she did but she was "Locked-In".

My daughter Maya's 1st birthday was at the hospital besides her mum, who was aware of everything but could not move or respond.

Over a period of months, Smita slowly opened here eyes, moved her head, her right leg and arm and eventually learned to speak again (after her trach was removed).

Today, she has problems with her balance, double vision (close), left side hemiplegia, speaking and swallowing difficulties and minor cognitive problems. Her right side lacks fine control.

"Never Say Die" Attitude

Everyone (Physios, OTs, Speech Therapists, etc) have given up but I still do various exercises in the hope that Smita will continue to improve. Any suggestions and hints here would be very welcome !!! The great thing about our struggle is to see the relationship developing between mum and kids !! It is just fantastic. Sorry to keep things so brief, but mum and the kids need feeding.

Never give up

My wife, from being 'locked in' is now walking (slowly) with a stick and can see (double vision close up) and talk. It is still a struggle for her but we keep on going. Don't give up.

Regards
Girish.


VAD Club - Members Page

Andrea	Anneke Howie	Becky Scano	David Macdonald	Gay Alford

Janet Leblond	Karen Marshall	Kristi O'Donnell	Lisa	Mike Tallinger

Pradeep Pushpavanam	Ralph Stalnecker	Richard Lau	Shawn Jennings	Smita Kana

Girish Kana's account of Smita's stroke Smita, my wife had a stroke in February 1998. She was 32. Maya my daughter was 11 months and Ravi my son 2yrs and 9months. So as you may imagine, I have a lot on my plate but it is all worth it to see the kids grow and see their mum improving. "Locked In" after stroke from VAD Smita had a dissection of the vertebral artery. They do not know the cause of the dissection. A clot formed on the artery which caused the stroke. Her symptoms prior to the stroke was severe headache which was diagnosed as migraine. After a few days she developed dizziness with vomiting (with the headache) and this was diagnosed as a viral infection !!! She was taken to the hospital where she had CT and MRI scans. These revealed nothing. She had a lumbar puncture...still nothing. She was finally taken to another hospital where she was given an angiogram. This revealed the clot. From her admittance to hospital to diagnoses it was almost 12 hours ! The clot was dissolved using Heparin but the damage was done. She had suffered a severe stroke of the "brain stem" and was not expected to survive. Survive she did but she was "Locked-In". My daughter Maya's 1st birthday was at the hospital besides her mum, who was aware of everything but could not move or respond. Over a period of months, Smita slowly opened here eyes, moved her head, her right leg and arm and eventually learned to speak again (after her trach was removed). Today, she has problems with her balance, double vision (close), left side hemiplegia, speaking and swallowing difficulties and minor cognitive problems. Her right side lacks fine control. "Never Say Die" Attitude Everyone (Physios, OTs, Speech Therapists, etc) have given up but I still do various exercises in the hope that Smita will continue to improve. Any suggestions and hints here would be very welcome !!! The great thing about our struggle is to see the relationship developing between mum and kids !! It is just fantastic. Sorry to keep things so brief, but mum and the kids need feeding. Never give up My wife, from being 'locked in' is now walking (slowly) with a stick and can see (double vision close up) and talk. It is still a struggle for her but we keep on going. Don't give up. Regards Girish.