Subdural Hemorrhage Treatment in India

Michael Joshi, a 68-year-old retired history...

Michael Joshi, a 68-year-old retired history professor, lives alone since his wife passed away two years ago. He is an avid gardener but had a minor fall while pruning a tree three weeks prior, brushing it off as nothing serious. Over the following weeks, Michael developed a persistent, worsening headache, confusion about dates, and a slight weakness in his right arm. His daughter, visiting for the weekend, became alarmed when he struggled to recall her middle name and insisted it was Tuesday when it was Saturday. She rushed him to the ER. A CT scan revealed a chronic subdural hemorrhage, a slow bleed putting pressure on his brain, likely from that forgotten fall. The neurosurgeon, Dr. Evans, explained that while Michael was stable, the blood clot needed to be drained through a burr hole craniotomy to relieve the pressure and prevent permanent cognitive decline. Michael was terrified, fearing brain surgery and potential loss of his independence. The procedure itself, under local anesthesia, was quick. He felt pressure but no pain. The relief was almost immediate; his headache began to fade within hours. After a night in the ICU for observation, Michael spent two more days on the ward. His confusion cleared, and the arm weakness resolved with physical therapy. At a follow-up, Dr. Evans declared him fully recovered. Emotionally, Michael moved from fear and vulnerability to profound gratitude. The experience made him accept his daughter's help more readily and instilled a new caution, but also a deep appreciation for his clear mind and the simple joy of returning to his garden.