Sixteen Days In ICU

Grand mal seizure: Also known as a tonic-clonic seizure, is a common type of seizure.
A typical grand mal starts with a loss of consciouness and falling down. This is followed by a 15- to 20-second period with muscle rigidity (tonic phase) and then a one- to two-minute period of violent, rhythmic convulsions (clonic phase). Most grand mal seizures last from one to two minutes.

Katie the nurse told me that Clark was up sitting up in a chair watching TV, when they heard something and they went into his room, where they saw him on his knees with is head on the bed, saying wrong, he then went into a Grand mal seizure which lasted 3 minutes. She told me that was long for a Grand mal.
They had been giving Clark a medication called Ativan in increasing amounts trying to stop the seizures, but his seizures started to increase in intensity. He then started to froth at the mouth, which really got to me. I said to them calmly, but in a raised voice..."He is frothing". Katie said "yes I see" and went to call the doctor again.
He was then started on Dilantin a seizure medication. To keep this as short as possible. The seizures lessoned in intensity but continued on the right side of his face and right arm for several days. They increased the Dilantin, added Depakote and when he still didn't stop they put him on Keppra. All anti-seizure medications.
Dr. Lica ordered another catscan and it showed he had another cerebral hemorrhage in a totally separate area. He told me that Clark needed brain surgery, that another clot had formed and was pushing Clark's brain to the right and was causing further damage and could even result in death if not removed. So, Thursday Dr. Lica removed a blood clot from Clark's brain, which the doctor told me was a size of a lemon.
Clark was in a coma and on life support for about a week, if I remember correctly. Those were very long days and nights. I met many families with loved ones during that time. I will never forget them, we helped each other with talk, tears and silence....


**Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.** Psalm 136:1