My poor, dear, sweet dad

We were planning on celebrating Danny’s birthday on the 17th with my parents but it turned out that my dad had another medical emergency. Many of you know that my dad fell 26 feet off of his roof while he was trying to do a minor repair 3 months ago, on May 26. He was having intense and painful physical therapy and was making progress in his healing and doing quite well but he then noticed that he had been having some weakness on his left side with his left arm and his left leg had been dragging a bit when he walked. So after seeing a neurologist they decided to have an MRI. During the MRI they found a HUGE blood clot that had formed as a result of a slow bleed in his brain after his fall from the roof 3 months ago. They hadn't found it when he was originally in the hospital because it was such a slow bleed. So they immediately admitted him to the hospital and scheduled brain surgery for the following day. What an awful and scary day for all of us- especially my parents.

The next day the surgery went well, they removed the clot and the surgeon told us that the clot was truly HUGE. Since then his neurologist has told him that he was lucky that he was not in a coma and even alive. My brother has a doctorate in neuroscience and so asked for a copy of my dad’s MRI. When he saw it he said that he has studied similar MRIs of many people who have died or were severely disabled. My dad’s blood clot was at least four times the largest of any he had seen! His clot covered the entire right side of the brain. He said how it is absolutely astounding that my dad is alive and was able to function. It’s truly amazing that he only had minor symptoms as well- mainly the weakness on his left side. He is a walking miracle. We feel so blessed.

He is on a lot of medications and so is often nauseated and very tired. This is in addition to the constant shoulder pain from his dislocated and shattered shoulders. The doctors say he will be okay, it will just be a long recovery.

This is the side of the house where he fell off of the roof. It still freaks me out to even think about it.

This is my dad and my boys on Father's Day. He was still in slings but recovering

This is my dad's scar a week ago. They have since taken out the staples and his hair is growing back and it looks remarkably pretty good.

I love him so much and am SO glad that he is okay and is recovering. I am also so glad that we live so close and have been able to see him throughout all of this. Due to the help of wonderful friends I was able to go visit him in the hospital and be with my mom during the surgery. Thank you SO much Christy, Danielle and Tammy! My dear mom has also been so strong and amazing throughout all of this. I just feel so lucky to have such amazing parents. Miracles definitely do happen!