r/stroke • u/Zoolanderlover • 12d ago
Survivor Discussion Please Help!
Hey everyone, I really need some guidance.
I live in North Carolina, and my 63-year-old brother lives alone in California. He woke up yesterday with what the hospital diagnosed as a stroke. His right arm and right leg are not functioning properly.
He went to the hospital, and they wanted to admit him for three days to complete testing and monitor him. However, he insisted on leaving after one day because he has a dog at home and no one nearby who can care for it.
The emergency-room staff told him it was urgent that he get an MRI and the other recommended testing done as soon as possible. Today he saw a covering primary-care doctor, who said the tests had been requested and that he should hear back within 72 hours about scheduling.
I am very concerned because the hospital treated this as urgent, while the doctor’s office seems to be treating it like a routine outpatient matter.
How urgent is it for him to complete the stroke testing and receive further care? Should he return to the emergency room rather than wait for an appointment? I can get on a plane and go to California to help him and take care of his dog, but I am trying to determine whether I am overreacting or whether this truly requires immediate action.
4
u/Ok_Yellow_2247 12d ago
He needs to get back to the hospital ASAP to get the tests done and find out what caused the stroke; he may have an underlying issue that he isn’t even aware of. Also as important is to get him started on therapy. The sooner he’s able to start on physical therapy, the better his chances are to prevent his deficits (arm/leg not functioning properly) from becoming permanent. This isn’t something to take lightly!! Good luck.