My dad had a stroke 4 days ago. He is now nonresponsive and Dr recommendation would be to not continue treatment/ventilator. Would love any feedback from others, mainly just need to share and perhaps compare notes. I am not doubting Drs, but would be nice to hear other cases similar that were indeed terminal. Thanks for any help/comments/interest...

Here is his case:

Initial signs were a lack of appetite for 2 days, weakness and dizzyness (problems that he had occasionally for some months, but not as bad). On that day, he was very weak and dizzy, and when a drooping on one side of his face was noticed (and slurred speech) we got him to the hospital.

CAT scan showed a clot in his brain. TPA was administered. About an hour after he slipped into total nonresposiveness. Another CAT was taken, showing no bleeding. Another hour or so and he woke for a few seconds, then again, and began coming back. Drooping was gone but speech was mumbled (not slurred). Leg/arm/etc responses were all positive. Gradual improvement that evening.

Day 2 showed more improvement, speech clearer. Around 7PM improvement was noticably better, although speech was still mumbled.

Night 2 was restless, occasionally tried to get out of bed in ICU. Fell asleep in early AM for a couple hours. When nurse woke him, he could not talk, but could follow instructions and no muscle impairment. Dr's thought he may have had another stroke in lower brain. Noon Day 3 he was was worse - generally not alert or talking, but would return squeeze of hand. Appeared dazed, and left eye did not close when resting. Around 1:30PM he was I tapped him on the shoulder, and he "came back" a bit, aware of surroundings, could talk but very mumbled, but would fade out in a few minutes. Was able to wake him this way again around 4PM (did not try before then, letting him rest) when my mother was able to visit. Physical therapists were able to get him standing, although he was in a dazed state at the time. Around 7PM I came back and his bed had him sitting up, apparantly they tried to get him to eat as there was a spoon with custard on the bed. He was not responsive now, and had mucous in his throat that he was not swallowing. He was suctioned, and reacted a bit to that.

At 4AM on Day 4 he was put on ventilator because of mucous problems. Some fluid did get in his lungs (mild pneumonia). He was nonresponsive around noon, appeared as sleeping now (eyes closed). Did not respond to squeezed hand. One foot or other occasionally twitching.

Day 5 same as Day 4. Dr's indicate little hope, high probability of additional strokes.

Additional info/history: Has had irregular heartbeat for many years. Age 80 . Until last week was fully capable, driving, etc. Has had irregular heartbeat for many years. Has had blocked carotid artery for some years, although this was examined several months ago and was determined to now be partially blocked, not totally blocked.

On a variety of medications, including Coumadin, Digoxin, Lipitor, and several blood pressure meds. On error interrupted the Coumadin for about a month, two months ago, in anticipation of cataract surgery. One month ago developed dizziness, weakness, and confusion - was hopitalized for 1 week but no cause found although blood pressure meds were reduced because of an occasionally observed low heart rate (30-40/min). Returned home and got better in a week, although a bit weaker than earlier, and resumed all activites. Stopped Coumadin 7 days before stroke in anticipation of rescheduled cataract surgery, which was done 4 days before stroke. Coumadin started after surgery, 3 days before stroke.