Coma
 

My best friend's teenage son is in a coma. He was in a car accident. I don't know all the details, but I do know this: my friend, his son, and the rest of his family all need your prayers and your healing energies. All your compassion and support is most welcome and sorely needed.

He doesn't know what to do, and I don't know how to help him. GAAAHHH! Kids! They break my heart.

Recovering from a coma can take months. The family can help the medical folks by talking to the son, reading to him, clipping his nails, helping physical therapy by doing exercises etc. - little things to help stimulate his mind into waking up.

Sorry to hear about the accident.

God that's awful V. Sending positive thoughts (in lieu of prayers).

My thoughts will be with all of you V. I hope he comes out of it ok. I guess they'll know more in a few days huh?

Hope, thoughts and prayers from here as well.

Thank you all.

I wish I had something more to share with you besides just more agonizing waiting.

God.

Thats really horrible. how old is he? Do you know any more about the accident? Its crazy how in a time like this - life, time and everything that mattered yesterday just stops.

Hope that your friends son makes it through - your friend is lucky to have you there for him. make sure you dont hold back.

One of my very best friend's sons fell out of a moving truck, hit the back of his skull smack on the curb. Was in a coma for three weeks - they drilled to relieve the blood/fluid pressure on his brain, then we waited. And waited.

His mom would not leave the hospital. I took her lunch every day (which she hardly ate) then I would go home and cry. Then go back to the hospital to check on her, help her try to take a shower, try to get some clean clothes on her and brush her hair. And hold her. And talk to her son, even if he couldn't hear me. And read to him. And hold his hand.

After three weeks that seemed like three years, he one day decided to open his eyes, and smile. He knew we had been there the whole time. He couldn't explain it, but he said he felt us there. Four years later he has a little trouble with long term memory and he can't really taste or smell much, but other than that he is a perfectly normal, fully functioning 21 year old.

Don't know why I spilled this, but hope it helps in some way V...send him my love.

Yes! This does help. Thank you very much.

Sorry V, I hope he pulls through.

Positive thoughts and good wishes sent from over the ocean to you, your friend and families.

Love, Hope and Prayer (of any kind) are the most powerful tools we have in these situations.

All of which are present in abundance!

I never know what to say in these situations. I usually build an emotional defense up against the humanity of the situation by offering a rational analysis such as: let us ponder the miracles of modern medicine, and be thankful we aren't living in Little House on the Prarie times...

Blessings, Love, Hope, and Luck.

Everyone's thoughts and prayers are with you.

Thank you all. I will make sure he gets all these messages. Thank you all very much.

btw, no new news, sorry.

I have provided direct care to multiple comatose patients. In my experience, the above post bears both repeating and elaboration.

Various forms of mental stimulation are indeed important; however, physical maintenance is just as important. Not only does the tactile sensation associated with physical contact stimulate the mind, it is essential to body maintenance. Many people have heard the saying "If you don't use it, you lose it." Still, most people outside of the healthcare profession don't realize that a person begins to lose physical capability after just 72 hours of immobility. Without range of motion exercises muscles lose their elasticity, ligaments and tendons contract, and skin loses its integrity over bony prominences if a person isn't repositioned every 2-3 hours.

Healthcare workers at all levels have protocols for preventing and managing these complications (should they occur). They monitor patients for symptoms of maladies; however, the proactive participation of family members in preventive measures (e.g. passive range of motion and repositioning) is always welcome and actually encourages healthcare workers to go beyond the minimum requirements. Physical therapy and nursing staff can train family members to perform these procedures if asked to do so. Once accustomed to the procedures, family members can talk to their loved one while performing them and accomplished two objectives (mental and physical therapy) at the same time.

Reassure the patient's family members that due to time criteria, proactive participation is not a concession to a long coma expectation. It is important even if their loved one recovers tomorrow. This will better enable them to prepare for the worst while hoping for the best.

I apologize for the belated advice. My dying father passed away on the morning of June 11th and I'm preoccupied. Best wishes and I hope that the parents read some of these posts to their son.

Sorry to hear of your loss, NoBoxes.

Any changes/updates?

Sorry to be late to this thread. Just caught what the *other* thread was about by reading elsewhere. I often don't read complete threads.

Candles lighted and energies going out as long as necessary.

changes or updates?

Few. Progress is being made. But it will be slow and deliberate.