--- In wernicke_korsakoff_syndrome@y..., "jspardini" <jspardini@y...>
wrote:
> My father was found comatose about a month ago from severe
> alcoholabuse/bingeing and has been hospitalized since then. He has
no
> short-term memory, is in diapers and has a marked reduction in fine-
> motor skills. One eye droops and rolls, he has no idea where he is
or
> why. Obviously nursing home care is reqd. I don't seem to be able
to
> find any answers about long-term prognosis for a case this severe.
> He is 63 and otherwise basically healthy so anyone know of
resources
> for rehab? Can he be rehabbed? Can he live for 20-30 years like
this?
> So many questions and so few answers so far. His docor and the
> hospital are in a very small town and they're no much help with
info.
> Any help pointing me towards better answers rather than simple
> descriptions of this disease would be great! Thanks, JP






Dear JP, my name is Debbie, I can relate to your situation, my mother
was diaganosed with KS about 3 years ago. The state you found your
father in is how we found my mother. She is 54 years old. When she
first became sick, she was in diapers, not walking or talking and I
am sure you know the rest. The diapers lasted about 4 to 5 months
and then she became continent with the help of us of course. She
began to walk again about 3 weeks after she got sick. This was very
hard because she had alot of other health problems that made even the
simplest task like walking very hard. His eyes will improve, when my
mom first became sick her eyes were completely crossed. When we
found my mother, they doctors said if we would of waited a few more
hours she would of died. We have come a long way since then. There
is really no help out there, trust me we tried. My mom is now on
disability and unfortunately in a boarding home. We tried for 2
years to take care of her at home but this became very difficult. He
probably has already gone through withdrawl so rehab is out of the
question. I wish you the best in your decisions, but trust me,
placing them is the best thing for you and for them. If you should
have any questions please feel free to email me at Pebbly1@....
Good Luck and God Bless. Sincerely Debbie