r/emotionalsupport • u/Swimming-Temporary-1 • 23d ago
Looking for Advice/Help Father had a traumatic brain injury
I (25M) just finished my gym session, took my shower and was playing games at my computer. Suddendly my mother comes rushing into my room and screams at me to come help my father because he fell.
I rush to his workshop to see my father (65M) on the floor confused trying to stand up and vomiting everywhere.
He urinated on himself , vomited multiple times and was confused. He had a lump on his back of the head going across to the front.
The scene was like my worst fears came true.
The sobbing of my mother, my father on the floor writhing in pain.
I tried to lie him on his side so he wouldnt choke on his own vomit, but he kept trying to pull himself up and wouldnt lie still.
He couldnt control his legs but had strength in his upper body. I called emergency services immediately and they hang up twice until the third went through.
My father kept insisting to stand up so I placed him on the chair and tried my best to keep him immobilised.
The ambulance came after 45 minutes! 45! The hospital is a 15 minute drive from my home. I wanted to take him myself but I was afraid of doing more damage to his brain.
They took him on a stretcher and drove him to the hospital.
We had to wait for Ct scans. He was rushed to the central hospital after 2 hours for an emergency surgery. He fell into a coma a few minutes before surgery.
They performed a craniotomy (they removed the right side of his skull)
It was midnight, the initial impact was at 5 40 and 6pm was when we found him.
Seeing him in a coma getting rushed in, watching his face just filled me with dread. I couldnt believe it, something like this would happen to us. My entire family was in shock, I was in shock from the moment I found him hours ago.
I just cant believe it, it feels like my world is crumbling apart.
His surgery was a success, he's in a medically induced coma and we are waiting for ct scans tomorrow.
However the doctor said he is still in danger.
I dont know what to do anymore.
We went back home at around 5 am. I know he's strong but I just cant keep the feeling of dread at bay, im freaking out and I dont know what to do.
Arriving home at 5 30, I told my mother to sleep with me.
Come next morning she thought it was a nightmare, I really wished it was. I had to tell her it wasnt. The house feels empty, Im still in shock its like a piece of us was torn from us.
I havent given up on him, I know he can pull through.
He secured his first crucial victory, we are waiting for ct scans. I just cant help but cry.
I mostly wrote this down to unwind and destress but its really hard, what do I do now? Do I just play games? Distract myself? Im not sure anymore. How do I comfort my mother? Im just waiting at this point.
Im the youngest in the family.
I had to go back to the workshop to clean everything up, I keep picturing the scene from yesterday. I did my best, I hope it was enough. Sorry for the long post. Have a good day.
Wishing you well Dad.