Monday
We later learned that he’d been hiding it for six hours before I caught him in the middle of an episode, before I heard him grasping for words and saw that only one side of his mouth was moving. We didn’t know that at the time, or when the ambulance pulled up scant minutes later, the first time I’ve ever felt relief at hearing sirens approach. My mother rode in the ambulance; I followed, and later learned that the patient — my father — was worried that I’d be scared for him when they turned the siren and lights back on as we neared the hospital.
It was a single blood vessel (the neurologist told us later), closing and opening repeatedly. It did no permanent damage.
The rest of it I don’t know how to write. The hours in the emergency room. Watching my father’s face contort as he had yet another stroke, not knowing whether this one would be bigger and more damaging than the last. Able to help only by being there. By bearing witness, and by holding his hand.
coolbeans Says:
How frightening. I don’t know what else to say. I wish strength for all of you.
Posted on June 21st, 2007 at 8:37 am
Janet Says:
How scary and gut-wrenching! I’m so sorry you all had to go through that. “Being there” and providing that hand to hold on to is sometimes what’s most important. Thinking of you all.
Posted on June 21st, 2007 at 10:35 am
Country Mouse Says:
Thank you, Coolbeans and Janet.
For the record (since this fact disappeared somewhere in the eleventy-one rewrites I did before posting), Dad was already home when I wrote it. He went to the hospital at noon Monday, and was released late Tuesday afternoon with no restrictions (but a couple of new medications). Since then he’s been tired and is having headaches (possibly as a side effect from a medication), but otherwise he’s showing no physical signs of what he’s been through.
Posted on June 22nd, 2007 at 12:10 am
jeanie Says:
Oh Country Mouse - how terrifying. I am glad that he is out of hospital and (hopefully) on the road to recovery. It makes you appreciate.
Posted on June 22nd, 2007 at 6:57 am
Tania Says:
OK, so I only just arrived at your blog to read this post. I felt compelled to immediately write to you, as I lived through this similar experience about 2 years ago with my mother-in-law.
I can only imagine how your coping as the surge of emotions that you live and relive through this experience are so overwhelming. G_d’s speed to your father and you and your family at this trying time.
Posted on June 22nd, 2007 at 8:45 am
whymommy Says:
Oh, my. Country Mouse, I am so sorry this happened to your family. Hang in there and know that we are praying for you and your father.
Our hearts are with you.
Posted on June 22nd, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Karly Says:
I’m so sorry to hear about this! I hope your daddy is feeling better soon! We just went through a similar experience with my grandpa and its TERRIFYING!
Posted on June 23rd, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Chris S. Says:
Oh Country Mouse - I hope things are settling down a bit? I just had a call this morning to tell me that my older sister had a stroke last night and is not doing well. It’s not her first, but we thought things were being managed nicely. I’m sort of in the same neighbourhood you were in with your father. It seemed odd that I clicked on your comment at Yarn Harlot to find out more about your blog, and there in front of me was one of life’s odd little connections.
I’ve enjoyed reading a few of your postings, I’ll try to visit again. In the meantime, my best wishes and prayers are with you and your family.
Chris S.
Posted on July 11th, 2007 at 9:31 am