Grandma- 3 strokes in 3 years?

There isn't a magic number of strokes a person can have before they pass away. Stokes may be caused by a vein breaking and bleeding into the brain, they may be due to a bulge in an artery or vein which puts undue pressure on surrounding tissue, or a clot that blocks blood supply. The amount of damage done to the brain depends on many factors, mostly according to how much bleeding was done, how long blood supply was interupted, and where in the brain the damage is located. Although a severe stroke can completely dibiliate and leave a person comostose, they won't necessarily kill. The portion of the brain essential for life functions of heart beat and breathing lie at the base, in the brain stem itself, and that may not be affected at all. Usually a person dies from other causes associated with the stroke, such as kidney failure, pneumonia, or heart failure. In some cases, a stroke is severe enough that the body is simply overwhelmed, and they do die, but in those cases they die fairly quickly after the stroke. In cases where they survive the first day, their chances of surviving increase. The after affects and cumulative affects of repeat strokes are heartbreaking for the families involved, but usually the person suffering them actually isn't suffering much. The brain, mercifully, has no feeling of pain.

If the doctors are recommending surgery, it's likely they think your grandmother would benefit from it. It may be they can relieve some pressure on her brain by removing clots or blockages, and getting a little more blood supply to the undamaged portions of her brain. She will never be as she was before, but she may recover some functions- such as an improvement in her memory. It may also be that she remains in a forgetful fog, or lives at some point in her past. I know that will be upsetting for you and the other members of your family to see, but I assure you, she will not be unhappy or upset by it.

I worked in a geriatric hospital for many years, and took care of many stroke patients. It was always much harder on the family, to stand by and watch the person they loved disappear. Your grandmother could live on several years more, in otherwise fair health, before you lose her physically. In the meantime, it would be helpful to your family if you could get in contact with a support group for families of stroke victims. I also imagine it will be very difficult for your grandfather, as he is watching the person he has loved and shared life with slowly disappear. He will feel like mourning the loss, but not able to because she hasn't actually physically passed on. He will need a great deal of love and mental support from his family in this difficult time. If you are religious people, you might find it comforting to have your pastor nearby for counsel and comfort. I'm sorry for you and your family, and I hope for all your sakes, you are able to find strength and peace for the difficult days to come.

I would not start off with a puppy or a dog at this time. The 3 year old needs to be older, at least 5 to 6 before a dog is introduced into the family. 3 year olds pull tails, ears, and pursue an animal unrelentingly that can result in the animal biting the child. As for the nervous child, and boisterous child, again, they must be taught NOT to aggravate the animal, or again they could be bitten or worse, mauled. Why not start with an Aquarium to teach responsibility. It also may help the nervous child, because they are so soothing to the eye, and relaxing. Wait until they are older for a dog. But I can tell you a Labrador retriever would be the best, and female would be calmer. Good luck to you, and really give this some thought.

My Grandmother had a number of strokes and managed to live another 20 years. Have the doctors check her medications because that is what caused my Grandmother's strokes. It was her body's way of saying she was allergic.