I can personally attest to this. Long time ago I had a medical procedure done that went badly. 48 hours later I felt sick, thought it was just a cold or flu coming on. 72 hours later I was in the ER with body temp dropping dangerously low then spiking to 104 degrees. It was so severe that I had uncontrollable convulsions and was quite delirious.
Turns out I had septic shock and was put in the ICU. I went into a coma but could hear everything being said. This lasted for four days. During that time my doctors told my husband I was most likely going to die and if by some miracle I survived I would be a vegetable due to brain damage from the high fever. One of the doctors asked my husband if I was a registered organ donor (I wasn't).
I survived, no residual physical damage or brain damage. They said it was a miracle.
A few weeks later I had an appointment with the main doctor and the infection specialist. I politely told them they should be more careful what they said within ear-shot of a patient who is in a coma as I heard everything. They said "that's impossible". I started telling them what they had said "brain damage, vegetable for life if she survives" etc. They were stunned.
That’s stunning. When I was in nursing school, 1980-83, we were taught very sternly that the comatose could hear everything. Doctors have no excuse to not know this.
Wow, that is impressive and a telling story. Thanks.
I have read other similar accounts - “being in a coma” doesn’t necessarily mean “can’t hear”~
Thank God you came through this with no impairment.
One old friend’s husband was in a bad accident, not his fault, and was in the hospital, life support system, no hope of surviving, etc. They were separated at the time, she flew in as soon as she heard and “took over”. Doc said “no chance, pull the plug”. SHe refused, so they kept him intravenous etc. And said “Well, if he survives (as he was clearly doing) he’ll be a vegetable”. She stayed with him day and night, read, sang, prayed. When he came to, he said he could hear it all. He wound up being somewhat disabled, and is living still. Not only that, but he had been rather ill-behaved for some time, and after this he had a complete change of heart, was a much better person and was actually thankful for the accident becausce it “woke him up”.
Fie on them.
WOW, glad you survived!
Re They said “that’s impossible”. I started telling them what they had said:
Really, what are they teaching medical students these days? They seem to know so little about the human body.
Doubly disgusted!
Great story and lesson. Thank you.
I believe in miracles.
I always wondered. My dad was in a coma - 64 yrs old. I was talkin with him and holding his hand and ..maybe I’m nutz, but... i swear he squeezed my hand during my talkin with him.
Unfortunately, even being his eldest, I had no say...his wife made the decision to have the plug pulled.
Not sure it would have made a difference if he pulled out of it...he was already in the throes of dementia, among other things wrong...
Still, there is always the “what if” that creeps in every now and again.
“I went into a coma but could hear everything being said.”
I believe it. When I went to see dad every day I talked to him as if he could hear me. Finally, on the 10th day I walked into his room and said “Hi dad”. He responded by saying “hi”. I was so surprised, and told him “welcome back!” He hadn’t talked to anyone else yet, and they were all shocked. The Dr never had any statements to make about how wrong he was.
That is an incredibly scary story! I am so glad you survived and overcame this! ❤️