Brain Trauma blog

May 31 update I see I have not been updating (sorry). Quite a lot to report (of course) I'd say that the main news is extremely rapid recovery. There were 3 areas of trouble with brain functioning. 1) fixing short term memory -- patient remembered for 15 minutes then forgot. This is completely resolved. Patient's memory has surpassed normal and is most of the way back to patients pre-accident memory (which was not at all normal but rather very extraordinary) 2) language. Patient replaced words which didn't come to mind with random words (often beginning with the same sound). There is still a bit of this. Now comes off as the way people speak when tired or absent minded. Notably patient is communicating with text on an iPhone and the cervello trauma aspects are about on the order of iPhone autocorrect aspects (so typed text much stranger than spoken language). 3) emotion-judgment-behavior. As could be predicted from CAT and MRI bilateral bruising of the frontal lo

sorry I have not been updating. news all good. All clear (nulla osta) from infectivologist (no hint of a trace of a sign of any infection anywhere). Plate tentatively schefuled to go in Tuesday. Physical therapy with assusted walking has begun (patient asserts no need for sny assistance) Linguistic oddness becoming more normal Rememberingng (especially remembering promises others have made). Still quite emotional - acts like a child. I think patient has becone very popular with nurses, orderlies, etc. The ward is long term care/neurosurgery (in other words patients with brain problems). patient much the youngest and liveliest. Also getting better.

MAY 15 update Sorry for delay updating. Patient seems to be recovering quickly. 1) motor skills pretty much completely recovered. Actually agile. Types with thumbs on phone (while your humble blogger types with his right index finger being old). 2) verbal activity has been odd. Patient speeks quickly confidently and without hisitation. However the words so confidently chosen are very odd. "name" means "noun which does not come to mind". "Ice" means water. News for the 15th is that this odd pattern is very much reduced (roughly 4 fold since 14th) so communication works OK. 3) Emotional behavioral corresponds to frontal contusion reported on CAT scan and MRI - very emotional and impulsive with almost no detectable self control (like a young child). Demands that relative or boyfriend be present. I think this too is moderating. 4) Lab news. This is the reason for delay posting. Some fluid escaped from wound Thursday 5/5/2922 (would be mix of CSF a

MAY 9 update. No sign of infection. Cultures negative (nothing grew up). Now just waiting for the titanium. Patient seems much much better.

May 8 update. Patient is in neurosurgery (to get titanium plate) which is very strict about visitors, but doctor who saved her let sister in. Sister reports that patient is much much better and seems normal. Speaking normally (not slowly as had been speaking days earlier). Alert. So very good news.

News is we have to wait (again). There was a problem yesterday of stich opening and some fluid came out. They did a swab and are culturing. Much depends on whether bacteria grow up. If bacteria don't grow then surgery to put the titanium plate in some time roughly like Monday. If bacteria grow, then surgery to clean and long delay before puting plate in.

may the 4th be with you update. Patient moved from intensive care to less intensive care (neurosurgery but no surgery is imminent).