JHCC Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 Neil, the husband of my old college friend Erika, is in the ICU with low platelet levels, brain hemorrhaging, and low blood pressure. Currently stable, but experiencing extensive aphasia. Not sure what's going on, but please keep both of them in your prayers. Update: Erika writes, Quote i have some time to explain. i know many are concerned about Neil. we took him to the ER on Saturday as he was experiencing severe body pain and a migraine. his platelet count had dropped to 5,000 (usually 100,000), which caused multiple issues including two small brain hemorrhages. blood pressure was also through the roof. his blood thinners kept his blood from clotting. the amazing staff at UTSW has been working round the clock to stabilize him. he's been through three CT scans. last night one showed that his brain hemorrhages were under control. overnight he began exhibiting signs of expressive aphasia. he can say YES and NO and even my name but gets confused when saying his own name. the CT scan and MRI this morning indicated no signs of a stroke or additional bleeding, which is good. they are now doing an EEG, thinking he's having seizures... will update more soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 Neil, family and friends are on the list here. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 On the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 He is on the list as are friends and family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Olson Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 He's on the list. My friend is still in icu. I feel for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Marg & I have added him, and his family, to our list of prayers and intentions. I hope he pulls through intact and eventually well. SLAG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmall Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Knee mail sent for a good recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 31, 2017 Author Share Posted October 31, 2017 UPDATE: Neil is resting and appears to be stable. I won't get into all the detail that Erika shared, but suffice it to say that while there's no stroke, he's had two subdural haematomata, which is what caused the aphasia. Diagnosis and treatment progress. Thank you all for your prayers. Erika and Neil are devout Buddhists, and the last thing Neil was able to say was his own name, some Buddhist prayers, and several repetitions of the word YES. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 31, 2017 Author Share Posted October 31, 2017 Further update: Erika just posted Quote I have no words to describe what just happened. Neil found his words and completely dumbfounded the doctors and me. slow but steady and fully lucid. he’s back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Good news indeed! Still on the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 Great news John! Saying a few words of thanks here. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasent Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 Great news is right. Keeping every one in my prayers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted November 1, 2017 Author Share Posted November 1, 2017 UPDATE: Erika posted this morning at great length. The TL:DR version is that Neil is doing a lot better, is passing all his neurological tests, and they are talking about planning for his discharge. At one point, she went to get some coffee, and by the time she returned, she couldn't get back into his room, it was so full of doctors marveling over his recovery. I am so happy about this. They only got married a couple of years ago (in their late forties), having spent their separate lives very much feeling like they were waiting for THE ONE. I was gutted at the thought that she would lose him after such a short time together, but it's not looking that way right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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