important question regarding spinal injuries (1 Viewer)

[Atticus.]

there is some good news with sally (the girl with head and spinal injuries)
the swelling in her head has gone down from 28 to 23 (whatever that means) but they are still unsure as to the extent of the long term damage
she also twitched her arm today while in a coma so that would indicate that she isnt a quadroplegic right?
im at a loss here....

can someone shed any light on these questions? i have a friend in trouble and the information im getting isnt very good or reliable
so someone with some medical knowledge please help me out

 

[Hurri]

a doctor would be a pretty good bet.

 

[Atticus.]

no kidding
i cant find any

 

[ur_inner_child]

Ah, those numbers.

I'll look on the net for you until someone answers you on bos. I had a friend, really beautiful, smart... she got hit by a bus a few days before the hsc and I remember the teacher updating us with numbers and swelling. I didn't really look into it much because what followed was that she wasnt going to be the same ever again.. in layman terms she acts like a four year old from then on. I don't mean to scare you, I doubt becki's friend has that, otherwise they would've said what they said to us a few years back so yeah...

You got me all curious so I'll browse around..

Other than that I said what I said also to kinda in some weird way know the feeling. I don't really know what to say but the uncertainty of it all is so overwhelming. Could only really give you a massive hug...

 

[Atticus.]

Ah, those numbers.

I'll look on the net for you until someone answers you on bos. I had a friend, really beautiful, smart... she got hit by a bus a few days before the hsc and I remember the teacher updating us with numbers and swelling. I didn't really look into it much because what followed was that she wasnt going to be the same ever again.. in layman terms she acts like a four year old from then on. I don't mean to scare you, I doubt becki's friend has that, otherwise they would've said what they said to us a few years back so yeah...

You got me all curious so I'll browse around..

Other than that I said what I said also to kinda in some weird way know the feeling. I don't really know what to say but the uncertainty of it all is so overwhelming. Could only really give you a massive hug...

*hugs stef in appreciation*
thankyou mate

 

[RanyofuKenyan?]

My dad was in hospital with brain injuries about a year & 1/2 or so ago. From my very, very limited knowledge, if the brain swelling's gone down that's really good, it means the chance of any immediate problems is greatly reduced, because the Intercranial Pressure is reduced (which can cause really bad thingss if too high). However, it doesn't mean that lasting damage hasn't been done, it just means that any immediate risk of complications is reduced.

Hope that helps and I hope my memories correct.

 

[ur_inner_child]

damn, you beat me to it

*typed it to tom a few minutes ago on msn*

yeah, as long as its going down, its a good sign

best of luck.

 

[+Po1ntDeXt3r+]

heres wat i can tell u..

- the type of injury .. (e.g. fall, hit by a bus and getting blown out in an explosion) are all different and will predict the outcome

-injuries depend on the level of break..
that will tell u if she will lose function of her arms or just her legs (this is stated in C ,T L,S then a number.. e.g. C4 or T1 or T5 etc..

-location of brain swelling... and wat units ure talkin about for the 28 to 23 (i agree its prolly mm Hg).. weather there is associated herniation of the brain or bleeding of vessels

- the twitching can be a false sense of security.. as it can infact indicate nerve damage.. .. her reflexes and her level of consciousness are important too

- Comas are very unpredictable after injuries.. unless they are medically induced (realistically they arent as easy as soap opera paint them)

Spinal damage is a hell of a difficult thing to guess over a forum .. her outcome.. i think all u can do is ask the doctors directly wat they think.. as a general rule ive heard its just take it as it comes cos even doctors wouldnt try and call this one..

Sorri to hear it tho.. its a very difficult i bet..

overall msg: its prolly best to directly ask her doctors what they thinks..

 

[Atticus.]

ok thanks for your help i appreciate it
and yes with was medically enduced

 

[vodkacrumble]

pretty much what +Po1ntDeXt3r+ said.

i wouldn't take the twitching to mean anything at this stage.
brain injury is something that is really hard to predict any outcome and any rehab is generally pretty slow.

have you had any more news? i'm sending some good thoughts to sally, her family and friends.