After lunch with the family, I returned to town to skype my sister. Upon checking email, I knew that something had happened. There were five emails from my sister. I took a deep breath, tried to stay calm and braced myself.
I learned that my father had had a stroke the night before.
My dad knew something was wrong. He was pumping gas, felt light headed and started vomiting, then his entire left side went numb. Thankfully, he was able to drive himself the two blocks to the hospital. He then fell out of his car and crawled on the ground until a nurse spotted him. Because he had just had the stroke, they were still able to administer a new drug called TPA which greatly reverses the stroke damage. He had a severe stroke but his fast acting response and this new drug saved his life. He was stabilized and medivaced to South Dakota where he is presently.
Within twenty four hours he could move his toes and fingers. Now, seventy two hours later, he has walked, granted with assistance, but it is huge progress. He speech is greatly improved and they expect him to make a FULL recovery after some physical therapy. I am so grateful for the fact that he had the foresight to get himself to the hospital. Had he not, I would probably be writing a very different blog.
My sister flew out to South Dakota and is helping to assess the situation and hold down the fort. The hardest part of my journey thus far has been being so out of touch with family, unable to commit to a time or place to meet or even call people. I hate the fact that I didn't know about the stroke until a day later, and am on an island, communicating via the internet in a bar. I feel completely out of touch, useless and frustrated.
We will stay in Falmouth until decisions are made and things are sorted at home. I feel comfortable here and it is easy to communicate with home. Should my dad need me, I can be there from here without much problem.
So that is all for now. I am hopeful and optimistic that my father will make a full recovery. He is a strong and determined man and I am so proud of him.


*sammy fell and cut his head on a cockpit latch yesterday while standing on a pencil box. I thought it needed stitches O did not... he did not get stitches...and I am second guessing that decision...ugh!