My dad had a mini-stroke, help?

Question

Last winter my dad had a mini-stroke. When we took him to the hospital they told us that he had them before because they had seen scar tissue on his brain. Before his mini-stroke he was a very caring man, always putting his family before him. He was a stay-at-home dad in which he raised my sister (17 yrs old) and I (19 yrs old) alone. Now he seems to be blaming others for his failures regarding losing jobs, divorces that have happened 10 years ago and his other multiple money troubles. I was wondering if his changes were due directly to the stroke, or if it was more of a thing where he realized he isn't immortal? Also, how can I help my sister cope with this. She is younger than me and I feel really bad that she doesn't seem to completely understand the situation. She doesn't seem to know or accept why he is acting the way he is. He is still a wonderful father, but he is not able to accept blame for his own actions and is very irritable and depressed.

Answer 1

Please make an appt. for you and your sister to meet with his dr. You might want to bring your dad along. Yes, the stroke can effect the emotions of the person, and things they say, how they react to things, etc. Part of it also might be as you said, realizing his own mrtality. Has your dad been completely evaluated as to the effects of the stroke(s) he had? It depends on what side of the brain it happened on, as to the opposite side where the effects are noticed on the outside of the body. Has his vision been checked? His hearing? Agility? Etc.? Since this stroke? I wish you the best. Take care.

Answer 2

You're doing the right thing and yur dad will be going to a doctor, who really is the only one who can say what is going on. It could have been anxiety or something that needs investigation, but the doctor will know. You say he's not overweight but has a big belly, well that's overweight. It's not Triglycerides, it's fat, sorry. And a big belly is very unhealthy. There's nothing wrong with asian indian food (it's delicious, ) as long as you also eat LOTS of fruit and vegetables with it. You're very wise to suggest exercise, it would probably do your dad so much good. Maybe try to encourage him to go for walks with you if he won't do anything else. As you seem to know, lack of exercise can lead to many health problems. It would help his anxiety too. Stay positive and make a list of questions to ask the doctor if you want to. Good luck.

Answer 3

When a person has a mini-stroke some parts of the brain are left without oxygen and it leaves that person with a different degree of disability. It seems that affected your father in a way that you are observing.
It's hard to learn a new way to deal with a love one that suffered an illness as your father, but with love and a lot of patience things can get better.

Answer 4

Wow so sorry to hear this. It is possible the stroke has changed his person. He may also be seeing his past mistakes and just can't get a grip on them so he blames someone else. Its not right but I would just hear him out and let it go. Your sister is 17 and I think she is old enough to realize whats up. You guys just stick together and hang in there. God Bless.

Answer 5

Keep in mind that the injury is not to his foot or his heart but to his brain so it has an effect on his thinking. See site below to see foods that can help to keep him from getting another stroke. See page Rx for Happiness so your sister can help to deal with it.

http://www.phifoundation.org/cure.html

Answer 6

~Probably the stroke caused him to consider what he had done, versus what he wanted to do, with his life and he is bitter over his abject failure over not accomplishing any of his goals and he is placing the blame squarely where it belongs. Hey, not to worry. If he had kept it in his pants, you wouldn't be here and he might have failed anyways. Chances are, he's not long for this world so get used to his foibles just as he's gotten used to yours.