Need advice, please: husband suffered TBI & he's getting worse

I am writing this response on behalf of my husband, who is a member of this group, at his request. I also had to put up with doctors wanting to disconnect his feeding tube.
Did your husband sustain a TBI before he got to the rehab facility or while there? This makes a difference. If he was injured at the facility, hire an attorney to file a lawsuit against the facility. As far as the mucus in his lungs, you should ask for a pulmonary specialist to be brought in to establish a diagnosis and treatment plan. Hospitals, by law, cannot refuse treatment to anyone.

Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @carmanlingraves. Very sorry to hear all you're going through with your husband. @scottrl @kb2014 and @kayabbott may have some thoughts on your situation.

Is there another doctor who might give a second opinion on his situation, carmanlingraves?

Thank you, Lisa.
I wish I could offer a solution to this tragic situation.
I was fortunate that my caregivers in two different hospitals were so attentive and generous.
To me (and this is just my personal opinion; I'm not a doctor or lawyer), the hospital in this case is liable for a wrongful death lawsuit if they don't offer responsible care for this man.
Lisa, as you suggest, there must be a way to bring in an outside specialist for a second opinion.

@carmanlingraves this is such a burden on your shoulders, and I hope that you have people that are there for you. Can you request an outside neurologist or other specialist to review his file? Do you have documentation of when and why he went into rehab, how and when he had a TBI (including MRI or other scans), and his care? If your husband is in a hospital rehab then (likely depending on the State) he can't be discharged without having a place accept him. Do you have someone to help you with any legal claims and the insurance denial and Medicare requests/appeals? You can file an appeal to the insurance denial that should slow or cancel their decision. Is there a local Medicare/SS office that you or someone close can visit? https://www.gohealth.com/medicare/medicare-administration/medicare-office-near-me/

I have hesitated to reply as the 11 year anniversary of my craniotomy is approaching. May 7th. I had bacterial meningitis of my brain with access in my left temporal lobe. That is why the craniotomy was done. I was septic in multi organ failure on a vent in medically induced coma. I was coded. So people do come back from these tragedies. I am heartbroken for you. Was your husband injured at the rehab facility? Can you engage an attorney as well as any independent neurologists? Has OT PT or speech therapy made an determinations? Does your husband have any say in what he wants to do? Can you consider a neuropsycholigist for an evaluation? What about having his medical records searched? I am sorry for the delay in my reply. I have ptsd from what happened to me. I did not want to post my input before I dealt with myself. I would not give up hope though. Today I am seizure free 11 years. I walk I drive I created a new life for myself. I married again moved from my life long home state to the desert southwest. I have 2 putbulls who are my ESAs. I have a brain injury group and am being encouraged to become certified as a brain injury specialist. I am a retired nurse. Was RN. I also believe in prayer. I do not push any religious beliefs on anyone.

3rd Edition Cannabis Health Index has proven studies cannabis can help with TBI. No known medications for TBI though.

CBD/CBG tincture from a reliable source is what's getting me through my life after I ended up with a TBI 5 years ago.

I will be praying for you, and your husband, and that his Neurotransmitters and CB1 and CB2 receptors, all get better.

Oh yeah, cannabis can help with...a long list of other things such as pain... And what not. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. It's a natural plant. Be careful of chemicals that harm your body horridly after taking them for long periods of time and not studied that long.

Also, meditation will help him. Hz sound waves. Binaural beats. (Isochronic if through a speaker)

Today is May 7th 2025. On May 7th 2014 my craniotomy was done to remove access left temporal lobe due to bacterial meningitis of my brain. My dose of lamotrigine was reduced beginning on 2/1/25. Now I am on lamotrigine ER 100mg daily. Long term.memories still arising. I am remembering names of actors and actresses when watching movies that I am surprised by the neuroplasticity still occuring..
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Hi Carman,
You are supported in this! A social worker may help navigate this. Can a state provided social worker help? If your husband cannot breathe, you can demand treatment that can include extra special beds, machines, and treatments that may require him to be upgraded to a hospital for agressive and thorough treatment. Someone offering a choice of feed tube removal is only one avenue. Time and using your voice is another. You can find the right people you need!