Follow
Share

Hi, last week the ambulance was here because my Mom was passing out and I grabbed her before she fell down. I walked her to a chair (she had problems walking) and made her sit down then I called 911. They did an EKG and other tests and told me privately they thought she had a TIA (mini-stroke).


Twice in the past couple of days she told me that she can't see out of her left eye. Could this be from the TIA if she did have one?


I just called and left a message with her ophthalmologist who she hasn't seen in years due to her having 20/20 vision after cataract surgery years ago. Waiting to hear back.


The EMT's think it's possible that she may suffer a major stroke.


If the ophthalmologist can't see her right away should I bring my Mom to the ER?


Thanks, Jenna

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
Update: My mom failed the visual test so they are going to do another type of scan to see if there's bleeding behind the eye.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report
NeedHelpWithMom Oct 2020
So sorry. Keep us posted.
(2)
Report
See 1 more reply
Jenna, depending on the results of the ER exam, if your mother is still in need of eye examination, there may be some clinics in the area.   E.g., the Kresge Eye Clinic in Detroit was affiliated with a teaching hospital. 

A lot has changed since that time so I don't know whether or not the hospital and the Clinic are still affiliated, but from my limited experience with a neighbor whose husband had complex eye issues, he spent  a lot of time in the Clinic, undergoing complicated procedures during diagnostic attempts.

I hope that whatever is diagnosed can be controlled and that your mother is stabilized when you return from the ER.    Please continue to give us updates?
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Hope your Mom gets the help she needs.
Waiting with you.....
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Glad they are looking at carotids. I mis-read a previous post and thought they were sending her home to do some outpatient testing later.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
JennaRose Oct 2020
Barb, you didn't misunderstand, I posted that we were leaving because I misunderstood. I thought the first eye test was all they were doing but they did another in which my mom failed. Thus the carotid test. Waiting for results. Thanks again
(2)
Report
Jenna, in your shoes, I would make an appointment with a surgeon and start asking questions.

1. Can this procedure (dont call it surgery) be done under a local?

2. What does the recovery period look like? (Home, rehab?)

3. Is there a minimally invasive way this can be done?

Start calling this a "procedure" not surgery. My 92 year old ex MIL just had it done, one overnight in the hospital and then back to Independent Living.

I think getting all the info might put mom's mind at ease.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Jenna; One additional thought. If after careful consideration you and mom decide against the surgery, please consider enrolling her in Hospice.

If her desire is to die in peace from a major stroke, you want to make sure that there are no last minute heroics that bring her back from the brink; she clearly doesn't want to live in a permanently disabled state.

It is going to take real fortitude on your part NOT to call 911 the next time she appears to be having a stroke; that's why you want Hospice involved, so you are able to get in touch those folks involved to make her comfortable.

(((((((hugs)))))))))
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
JennaRose Oct 2020
Hi Barb, thanks again for your input. Yes, if I do talk to my Mom about it I will call it a procedure not surgery, you are right.

The closest surgeon is 3 hours away and my Mom doesn't handle car rides very well. If I take her somewhere that is 15 minutes away she starts getting anxious.

She has told me numerous times that she wants to die in her bed at home. I don't want her to be in a disabled state or uncomfortable in any way so yes, I would not call 911 and get hospice involved.

I'm not going to try to appear brave as I am scared and this is going to be hard on me because I love her so very much. That said, I want what she wants and if that means dying from a major stroke, so be it. I want to respect her wishes and not do what I think is the right thing to do. This is not about me it's about my Mom and her wishes.

Thanks again for taking the time and giving me different options.

Hugs, Jenna
(1)
Report
See 1 more reply
Update: Just spoke with my Mom's doctor and he gave me her test results. She does not have plaque or clogged arteries. He said that the doctors in the ER don't know why she lost partial vision in her left eye and wants me to make an app't with her eye doctor.

He doesn't believe she is at risk for a major stroke now based on the results of her tests.

So I feel relieved (though I know anything can happen at any time).

That's it for now.

Thanks everyone for your input and support!
Jenna
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Jenna, what WONDERFUL news. I am so glad. I think I told you I had these funny things happen, like a shade being drawn down my eye. And I had to go to Opthalmologist who said at risk for stroke, then for carotid studies and then for brain MRI. So scared. 9 years ago. All tests were fine, and it never happened again. Was so very weird. I am so relieved to hear this is over for you and your Mom.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
JennaRose Nov 2020
Hi Alva, I'm so sorry this happened to you and I know how scary this is. The ER doctors led me to believe that she had clogged arteries when she didn't but they didn't have all the test results back. I wish they didn't scare me the way they did.

I'm so relieved!
(3)
Report
Wonderful news, JennaRose. I bet you feel relief. Hugs to your dear mom.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Another update: My Mom saw the eye doctor and she has AMD (Advanced Macular Degeneration) in her left eye. The doctor said there was nothing he could do for that. She has it slightly in her right eye as well but it's not advanced yet.

The good news is the doctor didn't see any blood behind my Mom's eye.

Of course my Mom is upset and she's worried about going blind.

Just wanted to update everyone.

Thanks again for your support,
Jenna
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
AlvaDeer Nov 2020
Thank you for this update, Jenna. So many never come back to tell us. Is your Mom completely blind in that eye at this point? Or is she "legally blind" that is able to see light, shadow, some objects? I don't blame her for being scared. It has always been one of my worst fears. Is she a reader? Tell her Kindles are great and you can blow that print up huge. And it has a light. I love mine and waited years before admitting I need to have it. I have had virtually one well functioning eye for some time, after a vitreous separation. I do quite well overall with it. Tell her she cannot afford to worry about the future, just take good care of her eyes as she is able, keep up on the progress of everything. I am sure she is upset and we all would be. So sorry.
(1)
Report
See All Answers
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter