...Dad, he has some ailments. Our son and my brother had to give him CPR yesterday. I was across the state about 300 miles away in the Cheney area working on a fire when the wife called me. I just arrived at the fire after making the 5 hours drive from home earlier in the day. She told me Dad "wasn't acting right". One of my brother's had made his usual stop by Dad's house Sunday morning and while there he noticed Dad was acting a bit confused, pre-occupied... lethargic.
He called our house to try to get someone to come over and help him with Dad. Dad's stubborn as all get out and didn't want to go to the hospital. I wasn't home so my brother called our son. After receiving the call Justin headed for Dad's house to see what he could do.
The wife also went over there after calling me.
By the time I got word and got someone over at Dad's to answer a phone everyone had arrived. I spoke with my brother who told me Dad was "very confused, not himself" then I talked with Dad.
Wow! He definitely wasn't himself. I immediately thought "stroke" and urged everyone to call the medics. Either way, he wasn't well at all.
Eventually someone called 911.
Dad quit breathing. Justin and my brother had to perform CPR on him until the medics arrived.
When the medics arrived they tended to him in their normal, professional manner.
They carted him off... to the hospital, to the place he didn't want to go but had to. They had to zap him to get his heart back once as they were taking him out of the house to put him into the medic unit for transport to the hospital. I guess that didn't sit well with The Old Man.
But what he said made the medics laugh. He had his wits at least.
Yup, the Old Man... he has some ailments. And his chest hurts a little this morning too.
I drove home from Cheney as soon as I heard what was going on. He's doing much better and today the doctors will be trying to figure out what happened to him yesterday.
I'm taking the day off today and will be running Andrew up to see him. The little bugger is worried about him... we all are. All in all, yesterday was a very busy day!
Just another one of life's precious moments.
A postnote re: strokes. Don't hesitate to get medical attention if you suspect someone is having a stroke. Get immediate medical attention. Time is everything when a stroke is suspected.
We were lucky with Dad. We're not even sure that's what happened but the doctors are leaning that way. Either way, it scared the crap out of all of us!
Update! August 14, 2007
It seems Dad had a stroke previously that led to a couple of "seizures" on Sunday... the day all of this came to a head. I visited him this morning and he's doing much, much better. A bit irritated about a couple of things but hey (no driving for 6 months, cat scans, probes, etc.), but HEY, he's here with us. That's the good news! I was comfortable enough with his condition to head out for some catch up work in Northeastern Washington. I'll be back home Friday to see if we can get him out of that hospital and get him back into his comfort zone.
The wife, the son, brother Dan, Andrea... hell, all of them heroes and heroines of this latest "adventure". Thanks for being there!
Update!! August 16, 2007
Okay, he's been released from the hospital and is in the comforts of his home. He's doing much better. Thanks everyone for your comments, concerns and prayers.
9 comments:
Dennis,
My prayers are with you all and your Dad - that must have been quite a scare for you all.
My Dad had a stroke in May so I know a little of what it must be like for you..and I also reiterate what you said about early treatment - the paramedics got to Dad really quickly and, he has subsequently made a good recovery.
I hope thay find out soon what was the cause of this episode and can treat him for it. Keep us posted!
Hi Sue,
Thank you for your concerns and prayers. He's doing much better. A very good recovery. Oxygen to the brain is the biggest factor in strokes. I'm so proud of my son and my brother for doing what they did. Dad's the first life Justin (my son) has saved via CPR and it's so darned appropriate!
Anyways, they're working on the "cause"... I'm suspecting it's chemically induced. He's had some bad reactions to some of the meds he's been prescribed.
I just want them to find it and fix it!
All my best to your dad and your family. He is in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you NM. It looks like he's well on his way to a great recovery!
Glad to hear that he is home - he will do so much better now he has his home surroundings - hospital is the last place to be if you need rest!!
Take care
Sue x
Thank you! Thank You! Thank You! Thank you Uncle Dennis for the phone call, the updates, the picture, for just being you. Thank you to Uncle Dan, Justin Jackie for being at the right place at the right time! And for everything everybody does. I'm glad he's home, he seemed very tired when I talked to him. But very happy to be home again, and I know he says he doesn't want everybody hovering and checking on him all the time, but I think he appreciates it, and it comforts him. So THANK YOU! I love and miss you all!
Hi Dennis,
Have there been any reports over there about the huge amount of fires that have broken out in Greece? Many have been started deliberately by all accounts.
Made me think of you for some reason!!
It is pretty horrific over there. It makes me wonder why folks do such things. Over 60 people have died... keep up the good work anyway.. not quite your part of the world I know but thought you might be interested.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6966154.stm
Hi Sue, Yes. I've been kept pretty busy this summer but I've also been monitoring the news of the fires in Greece. Tragic!!!
I'm just hoping some of the idiots around here don't pick up on the ideas of those who've lit off fires over there.
It's amazing what goes through the minds of some people. What prompts people to light wildland fires and destroy entire villages?
We have our share of freaks around here but WOW!!! they really came out of the woodwork this summer in southern Greece.
Take care. I see you're all back from vacation. Good! I hope it was enjoyable!
Hi Angela.
Not only is he home, he's got a clean bill of health from the doctors and has no "restrictions". So, he's out doing his thing again.
It was a bit of a fright though.
Post a Comment