19 October, 2012

Stroke me! No Really, Please Don't

Okay, so, like, my dad had another "mini-stroke" this morning, and I was here to witness it. (Technically, a TIA: a Transient Is-is-isomething Attack)

In February he had his first, and it freaked me out enough to leave my life behind and start afresh with a new life close to my parents (okay, in their basement for now).

Seeing it happen was easier than hearing 2 days later, I think. (I texted my sisters immediately.) I'm not saying that it wasn't a weird kind of jolt, but it didn't bring me to tears. Maybe because I was involved. Even if there wasn't anything for me to "do", I was conscious of being an appreciated supportive person.

What I saw:
I was baking cookies. Mom was at the breakfast table, doing a puzzle. Dad came in from the other room, saying he needed to tease Mom some. He sat at the table with her, spoke a little, lapsed into silence, and nosedived off his chair.

I actually saw what I thought was Dad bending over to pick something up off the floor, but he kept going. I thought he just lost his balance.

What he describes:
He was on his computer in the other room, and suddenly felt light-headed and dizzy. He thought if he fainted there, we might not hear it, so he came into the kitchen - bringing his coffee cup to set it down, SO HE WOULDN'T SPILL ON THE CARPET (my dad) - and sat at the table. (being his normal self, joking around)

As he corrected me later, he "was out" before he fell.

As soon as he fell, and Mom and I rushed over, he said "I think I had another stroke," and later, "I could feel it coming."

He has cuts on his head from where his head and the floor smushed his glasses, and because he's on an aspirin regimen, the cuts have oozed all day.

What could we do? He was talking; Mom tested that he could grip her pinkies, his face looked normal. Mom cleaned his cuts, and he leaned back in his recliner to watch game shows for a bit.

Apparently these little ones often don't show symptoms like the biggies. They opted out of going to the doctor, because Dad seems fine, and last time they just looked at him a lot, ran a bunch of expensive tests, and still couldn't say what caused it. His only complaint this time is that his neck and shoulder hurt from the fall.

I'm glad I'm here. Funny thing is, I'm working now but not today. Funny other thing is, Dad had agreed to assist a neighbor on a project today and didn't want to back out. (It's a really good neighbor) Anyway, I was glad to be able to go along and help. I'm SO glad I'm here!

That was my crazy morning. I know I've been posting fun, marginally risque stuff lately, but this kind of took over my day. I'll be back to normal soon!

18 comments:

  1. I'm mentally hugging you right now... In a total non-creepy way.

    Hugs!

    Valerie

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    1. Thank you - he seems fine. Easing up on his driving, but overall just his usual witty self.

      I'm glad I'm here.

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  2. I'm mentally hugging you as well, but in the total creepy way.

    I'm glad he's doing all right. It's awful that they can't determine what is causing them, but it sounds like there is just noting they can do.

    I'll keep a closer eye on him the next time he has a gun in his hands.

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    1. haha. He loves his ice-cream, and doesn't eat enough veggies, if you ask me! That and the pipe.

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  3. How scary! Sending you good thoughts!

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  4. Oh my goodness, I'm so glad to hear your dad seems okay now. I think it's wonderful you moved home to be closer to your folks. At the end of the day, family is really all we have!!

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    1. Overall it's been a good move. I'll be glad to have my own place, and to get my stuff back out of storage, but I am glad to be closer.

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  5. Oh no! How scary. But I can definitely understand how you felt it was better to be there. Even if you couldn't DO anything, at least you were their to help with whatever needed helping with. And your parents had that support from you. I would imagine it would be hard to be the only one there when something like that happened (your mom), but when there are more people around to assist, it's probably much less scary. Hope your dad is doing well. Sending healing thoughts. And non-creepy hugs as well!

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    1. Later that day when Dad was resting, Mom gave me such a tight hug. I think you're right. Just having the physical presence of someone else lightens the load.

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  6. Oh my. I think I would have freaked out a bit more then you did, although both the husband and my Grandma have had stokes in the past I have not been there to witness it. I never know what to do in those situations.

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    1. I honestly thought he just fell out of his chair, but he was adamant that he didn't fall - he could feel it coming. It's weirder to think about after the fact than when it happened.

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  7. I understand you feeling better by being there but it sucks you had to witness it. I'm sure it helps to strengthen your decision on moving home as well. I'm glad he's ok and I hope you and your family continue to be ok.

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    1. Thank you. It definitely provides more concrete evidence that I needed to be here...which I knew before, really.

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  8. I'm so glad you were able to be there for your parents - not just for your dad, but for your mom too. I can't imagine how much of a burden it would be for a spouse to have to watch out for the other, all alone!

    You deserve a daughter of the year award! :)

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    1. When I first moved in, Mom asked me to let her know if I noticed anything "weird" - slurring speech, not remembering simple things, etc. Never thought we'd all be together for this!

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  9. Ischemic - I am so grateful you were there that day AND texted right away (and then posted on FB when I didn't respond, since my phone was off for work).

    Hestia

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    1. Well Sis, you know how they are: wait until the whole thing is over and then say that it happened. But I knew I'd rather know sooner. They still haven't brought it up to anyone outside the family down here. "Why worry people?" I know some from church would want to know, but it's not really my place.

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