Desperately Seeking Help for my Brother

[Rosie1958]

Graham, Arthur, Sweetnote and Andy, thank you so much for your very kind and appreciated comments.

It’s been a couple of months since my last update so here is another.......

My brother was assessed in December to see whether he still qualifies for Continuing Care at the nursing home. When he first went there last year, he had FIVE major areas of need. Now he has been assessed as having TWO. This means that although there has been some definite progress, he is still bad enough to qualify for Continuing Care that is paid by the NHS and has secured a place at the nursing home for another 12 months.

I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I am glad that he has the funding to look after his care but on the other hand, I am concerned that he may not given the opportunity / help to progress further, particularly as GPs appear to avoid getting too involved with care/ nursing home residents. Due to his brain damage, he still has psychological and behavioural difficulties, particularly with his cognitive ability. He doesn’t have any sense of danger and can’t look after himself. He constantly wanders off and he still has double incontinence which causes no end of problems for him. He struggles with his left hand side, there is a noticeable weakness. His vision on the left is affected, when for example he is trying to put a glove on his left hand he struggles and he can’t hold a fork in it. He is becoming far more emotional and was understandably very distressed when his immediate family returned to the Philippines for Christmas as he was unable to see them, god bless him. (They are now back)

On a positive note, his walking and posture is now much improved. He no longer looks gaunt and has put on a bit of weight. His speech and ability to hold a conversation has improved but he can’t concentrate for long and constantly walks off. However, he appears quite clever at avoiding certain questions if he can’t remember the answer. His long term memory has definitely improved as he can now recall many of his life experiences and there is evidence of short term memory improvement too.

I have discussed the long term possibility of rehabilitation with the Continuing Care Specialist and I have managed to talk her into referring my brother to a local hospital for an assessment to consider whether he is now suitable for some neuro-physiotherapy . I have asked to be present at the assessment as he doesn’t always co-operate with strangers in a strange environment and I am keeping my fingers crossed that he might be suitable for the one- day- a week session. Fingers crossed .

[Doc Alan]

It’s been a couple of months since my last update so here is another.......
Fingers crossed .

Thanks Rosie, I'm sure all members also have their fingers crossed for your brother.
I was in the Philippines and missed your last update. Since you first posted over 15 months ago you've had 180 replies and approaching 23,000 views. It shows the interest and support your thread has generated .
It would be understandable if neither you nor most members had ever previously heard of the condition affecting your brother. You are now an authority, but for other members, just a brief reminder : ADEM ( acute disseminated encephalomyelitis ) is a rare type of " demyelinating " illness due to damaged myelin. That's the " white matter " protecting nerve fibres. Multiple sclerosis is the commonest type. Acute = sudden; disseminated = widespread; encephalomyelitis = inflammation of brain and spinal cord. The cause of ADEM is often not known, although it may follow an infection.
Early treatment is aimed at suppressing the inflammation. Additional treatment is symptomatic and supportive - what your posts have shown so clearly is just how true that is ... well done Rosie .

[Englishman2010]

Thanks for keeping us updated Rosie. It's encouraging that he is showing some signs of improvement, but it still sounds like you have your hands very full caring for him. You're an angel, keep up the good work, I'm sure he appreciates everything you've done for him

[Terpe]

Thanks for continuing the updates Rosie.
It sounds he's come a long long way from those early days.
Still a way to go, but with your support and his family around I'm sure he'll overcome many more challenges.

[Rory]

I have only just come across this thread because of the latest few posts than have been added. I have subsequently had to read all 7 pages and found it very moving and emotional to say the least.
I have no advice to give as i do not work or have had much to do with the medical health in the UK. All i can say is that our hopes and prayers are with your brother to get more of his life back to normal if possible.

[Arthur Little]

Hey Rosie..

I wish I had a sister like you.

I wish I had HAD a sister ... ...or do I?

It most certainly WOULD'VE been lovely to have had a sister like Rosie ... !

[Arthur Little]

, Rosie ... while looking back through the previous page, my eyes alighted on a post of Fred's from August last year ... and I just couldn't resist making a jocular comment on it!

Once again, thank you so much for your encouraging update ... and God Bless.

[Rosie1958]

Thank you to Doc Alan, Englishman, Arthur and Rory for your kind and very appreciated comments. You’re a great bunch of guys.

I met the neuro-physiotherapists today who suggested that my brother doesn’t need their help as he is moving and walking well. They were astounded by the progress that he has made on his own but agreed that he needs help with his cognitive ability, so it appears that a referral was made to the wrong department. However, some good has come out of this meeting because the neuro-physiotherapists are going to refer my brother for a consultation with the neurologist consultant responsible for this treatment when he first arrived in UK from Philippines. This is a definitely a step in the right direction and I am feeling optimistic. I just want someone in the health service to help me with him as I strongly believe that he can improve further with the right support.

My brother so misses being with his Filipina partner and his eyes well up every time her name is mentioned. I am sure that many of you on here can relate to that. My own partner suggests that being able to feel these emotions is a positive as most of those around him in the care home are lifeless and unable to communicate and function properly.

I am desperate to keep my brother’s family together, time is ticking by and the 2 year settlement visas runs out end of this year/ beginning of next. We will attempt to apply for a British passport for my nephew but can someone please advise me whether my sister-in-law will need to apply for Further Leave to Remain or Indefinite Leave to Remain?

A huge to everyone for reading this thread and for the support shown. I so hope and pray that there is a happy ending.

[RickyR]

Rosie, it's good to see that progress is being made. I really hope that your brother recovers enough to live a normal life again, it all seems so positive again now.
Your brother remains in our thoughts and prayers.

[Rosie1958]

Thank you Ricky for your very kind words of support.

It's now April, some 20 months after my brother was taken ill in Philippines during a business trip. There has been some further progress and my brother has now had three sessions with an Occupational Therapist and also been to see his Consultant Neurologist. As a result of this, he has just been offered a 12 week placement at a residential Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit where he will undergo therapy and assessments to establish his ongoing needs and suitability for further rehabilitation. I couldn't have asked for more, it's exactly what he needs and I am delighted! He moves on 1st May which also means that he is a bit closer to us.

My brother and his family still need all the help that they can get and your continued prayers and support are all gratefully received.

Rosie x

[Doc Alan]

My brother and his family still need all the help that they can get and your continued prayers and support are all gratefully received.

More good news Rosie . I'm sure all members do support your brother and his family, through you.
Happy Easter to you and yours .

[mickcant]

Hi Rosie
Am pleased that your brother is getting some help, you are all still in my thoughts.
Mick

[Vische]

Hi

I have just returned from Makati where my brother has been taken seriously ill whilst on business. Although he is British, he is resident in another part of the Far East and is self employed. He is currently in a private hospital and it appears that he doesn't have travel insurance so his own funds are being used to pay for his treatment whilst they last. I am desperate to help him and his family to return to the UK but cannot afford an air ambulance (I have been quoted £91k) and he is currently too ill to fly anyway.

He is not married to his partner of 7 years and they have a little boy. His partner is Filippino and has been to the UK 3 times previously on a visitors visa. It is not known whether my brother will recover and if he does, he will need long term care from his devoted partner.

I have reported the situation to the Consular office. Any advice about immigration in these circumstances and anything else would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, I am so worried.
Rosie xx

So sorry Rosie, i wish i could help you, but i don't know anything about those things, i guess i'l just pray for your brother to get well soon and be cured immediately. God Bless

[raynaputi]

So sorry Rosie, i wish i could help you, but i don't know anything about those things, i guess i'l just pray for your brother to get well soon and be cured immediately. God Bless

Vische, if you would read through all the posts, Rosie's brother and family are all here in the UK now and he's recovering well, small steps at a time but great accomplishments I may say..

Rosie, nice to hear about your brother's progress and we all hope everything would be better for him and his family and to you too.

[Vische]

Vische, if you would read through all the posts, Rosie's brother and family are all here in the UK now and he's recovering well, small steps at a time but great accomplishments I may say..

Rosie, nice to hear about your brother's progress and we all hope everything would be better for him and his family and to you too.

Sorry i was just shocked on Rosie's story that i just reply on her first statement cause its something i had some similar experience with my auntie five years ago.

Sorry also to Rosie, but still i will pray for your brother for his full recovery.