Hi, so this is quite long but I'm desperately looking for answers.
So my mum had 8 strokes (the last being in 2015).
Now due to bicuspid valve, she had over ...Read more
Hi, so this is quite long but I'm desperately looking for answers.
So my mum had 8 strokes (the last being in 2015).
Now due to bicuspid valve, she had over calcification of the aortic valve and in 2015 had both the valve and root replaced with porcine.
From that surgery, the graft onto the root of the valve didn't stay sealed and instead ballooned causing her to bleed into her heart for three years before it was caught on a CT as well as a contained aneurysm and blood clot and possible aortitus (disease in the ascending arch)
A year after the diagnosis to now, she's had her surgery this last week, had the valve replaced, aneurysm and blood clot removed and they saw in there, no signs of aortitus but instead mild calcification which isn't a worry. After the op they caught something on a scan which looked like another leak so took her back in the next day and found everything was fine and closed and sent her back to ICU.
Now, when my mum woke up however, she showed significant weakness on her right side of her body. No signs on the cerebral monitor during or in the scans, bloods and tests after of stroke but still this unexplained weakness that seems to be mainly in her right hand. Although she's had strokes, right side has worked at 100%, she also showed aphasia for a long time but was on fentanyl, oxy and endone so I think as she's quite allergic to a lot of drugs, it might've been an adverse drug reaction combined with drug overload in a small tired post stroke patient.
Now I'm getting all scans sent in tomorrow to compare old with new and figure out if it was a stroke but my knowledge shows the stroke would've been a TIA (small stroke) if a CVA (big stroke) didn't come up on any tests and I don't think it would've been localized to just one hand and not mouth, leg etc. On top of this, her right hand affected, is showing numbness, but also blue and white fingers which usually after a stroke is still pink.
But my mum did however have several grafts taken for some reason (which didn't happen three years ago but did with this op), one of which was on her right side of her neck and my mum also has a history of compressed disks in back and neck, sciatica, and ridiculopathy so we at home are thinking it is a compressed nerve as the nerve use is coming and going, the fingers are blue and white and she is having 9/10 pain in shoulders, back and neck.
We've spent all night researching and saw here some of you saw the pain so we really really really need ALL opinions and prayers please.
Thankyou
Marie Myers Sounds like a very complicated case! Pain in the arms could be coming from a compressed neck disc as ... Read more
Marie Myers Sounds like a very complicated case! Pain in the arms could be coming from a compressed neck disc as you said. Am praying you get some answers soon. It is so hard to see a loved one with such complications! Wishing you all the best during this scary time.
Charlotte Dowd Alyssa, I's sorry to hear of your mom's troubles. I am on week 5 of my recovery since my double valv ... Read more
Charlotte Dowd Alyssa, I's sorry to hear of your mom's troubles. I am on week 5 of my recovery since my double valve repair and the right hand/arm numbness is something I've experienced as well. However - there hasn 't been any discoloration.
I had attributed it to the IV, since the anesthesiologist had some trouble when she was trying to set mine right before surgery (she ultimately ended up switching to the left arm/hand). As I mentioned I am on week 5 and I've been using a stress ball to exercise my hand over the last few weeks and the numbness in my hand/arm has reduced significantly. It was so numb when I got home that I could not use the hand for anything but I am now able to open most jar lids and twist off plastic caps with much more strength.
I am not sure if this will be helpful, nor am I sure what caused my numbness. My home nurse said, "it should go away." And we'll see.....good luck you your mom!!
Anna Jones Hi Alyssa, You might want to read Barbara Laurie's journal on this site, especially the diary entrie ... Read more
Anna Jones Hi Alyssa, You might want to read Barbara Laurie's journal on this site, especially the diary entries by her husband during and immediately after surgery. It sounds like your mother is having some similarities. You also might be able to contact Barbara Laurie though this site by sending her a guest book message.
I had attributed it to the IV, since the anesthesiologist had some trouble when she was trying to set mine right before surgery (she ultimately ended up switching to the left arm/hand). As I mentioned I am on week 5 and I've been using a stress ball to exercise my hand over the last few weeks and the numbness in my hand/arm has reduced significantly. It was so numb when I got home that I could not use the hand for anything but I am now able to open most jar lids and twist off plastic caps with much more strength.
I am not sure if this will be helpful, nor am I sure what caused my numbness. My home nurse said, "it should go away." And we'll see.....good luck you your mom!!
Sending best wishes for your mother.
https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/journals/user/barbaralaurie