Cunningham-Ramos AML & Stroke after TBI Journey

At Ann Arundel Hospital in Annapolis. His prognosis is not good but still waiting to see if an MRI can done because of the fact that he has a pace maker. The CT scans will tell us better and , also, how he evolves.

Yesterday, he seemed much worse since Sunday when he had the stroke and was admitted to the hospital. This is because of all the swelling in his brain as it tries to heal the damaged area ( right parietal lobe) and also because he’s been coughing a lot (trying to clear his throat) and because has not been able to sleep.

However, today Tuesday August 9, he seems a lot better. Apparently the speech therapist who evaluates him for being able to swallow, was here early in the morning and could not test him. He was extremely exhausted and not responsive. Therefore, they cannot feed him yet.

With the attending doctor and Kim being fairly awake this afternoon, I asked Kim if he wanted a feeding tube through his nose. I asked I him twice and he said: ‘no, I don’t want that!’

So, we’re going to wait one more day for the swallowing evaluation.

In the meantime, I’ve been doing what I have done the many times he’s been hospitalized through the years – advocating for his comfort and care to make sure the hospital staff attend to him when he needs it; giving him a warm wiping thoroughly; exercising his legs, arms, hands, feet and massaging his body; and, asking him to notice his left leg and arm – his brain does not register this side.

I also tell him how much I love him, what a great husband and father to Daniel he was, and that he’s going to be okay. He replies back: ‘I love you too mom.’