DAD'S POV:On Wednesday, June 15th-my parent's 38th wedding anniversary, he was out running and collapsed, falling backward, on the road. A neighbor (that we didn't know before this event), Rob, was heading to work and stopped and called 911. Dad wasn't breathing and was turning purple. Another neighbor, Shae, was headed to a job interview. She asked Rob if he knew CPR and he did. They did chest compressions until the paramedics arrived. The paramedics took over and had to shock Dad a couple of times in the ambulance. He arrived at Skyline around 9:30am. Mom didn't find out until about 12:20.
MOM'S POV:Dad had called Mom that morning before he went running and told her to call him back in 40 minutes and check his email for him. He didn't have a computer at home because they were having it repaired. Mom called home and he didn't answer. She assumed he was finishing his exercises or taking a shower. She called a few more times with no answer and began getting worried. Mom called a neighbor and she said his car was still at home. So Mom left work at noon to go home. On the way the neighbor called her back and said she had gone over to the house and the door was open and the lights were on. The neighbor called for Dad but he never came. Mom came home and walked into the house and saw Dad's towel hanging over the banister. She knew immediately he had never come home from running. He always grabs his towel when he comes in from running to wipe his face off so she knew immediately something was wrong. She was on the phone with Russell and told him to call Baptist (but he was already in his car driving to Baptist) and she called Skyline. She asked if they had a 60 yr old male in running clothes and OF COURSE they did!
My POV: I spoke with mom about 11ish I think. She had texted me and asked when Bailey was gonna be here, so I had called her back and told her about an hour. We talked for a few minutes and then hung up. I never suspected anything was wrong. Bailey (family friend) and another teacher, Mrs. Sandra, from Mom's school were coming to Birmingham for a conference. They were going to come down a little earlier and see us in Tuscaloosa. Bailey had never been to my house so we were just going to hang out. I was in the kitchen and saw Bailey pull in my driveway at the same moment Russell was calling me. I answered it and was quickly going to tell him I would call him back because Bailey was here. He asked, "have you talked to mom?" I said, "no." And he said, "Well, dad was out running and he never came home. He collapsed and is in the ICU. Mom is on her way there now." He said he would call when he knew more. Bailey walked in and I burst into tears. She, of course, had no clue what was going on. I told her Dad had a heart attack, come to find out it was actually a cardiac arrest-there is a difference-ha! Alex was supposed to spend the night with Grammy and Papa that night and I just thought they would both stay with them while I went to Nashville, so I started packing everyone up. I spoke with John and he wanted to go with me but had to finish a few things up at work. By this time I had spoken with Russell and Mom and they had begun cooling Dad down and would begin warming him back up about 11 the next day. I then changed my mind and decided to take the kids with me. Avery's 2nd birthday was in two days and I didn't want to be apart from them, for who knows how long. After, the long drive up to TN we arrived about 9pm. I went in to see him with Mom, Russell and our cousin Joyce. I broke down. It was so hard seeing him like that. He had all kinds of machines, wires, and tubes. It was probably the most horrible thing I have ever seen. The doctors and nurses were very encouraging and told us how he seemed to be making purposeful movements when he arrived in the ER. I didn't care what they said, until he was awake and talking and I knew he had brain function I didn't care what they "thought." The next day at 4pm, Russell, Mom, and I were the only ones in the room, which was rare because the man had A LOT of visitors! Dad opened his eyes so wide! We were so excited! He stared at Russell for a while and then I said, "Look at me and Mom-you are only looking up there at Russell." He slowly tracked us with his eyes and it was AWESOME! I never thought I would be so excited to see his eyes opened! From that moment everything happened so quickly. He couldn't squeeze my hand but he could lift the hand I asked him to squeeze mine with. He was extabated and talking, although it was strange sounding, low, and gravely:). He was eating popsicles and real food and then up walking! God was so good to us! We got to meet Shae and Rob, and Ann, the lady whose house he fell in front of. Ann told us how they didn't know if he was a believer or not but they all joined hands and prayed for him when he left in the ambulance. It was amazing! From the very beginning we knew God was looking out for him.
He was in the hospital for 3 weeks and 1 day. He was moved to Centennial Hospital to have his surgery and then on Monday, June 27th, he had quadruple bypass and did great! It was hard seeing him after the surgery, he was really sore and tired. Mom and Dad spent their birthday together (June 28th) in the Cardiac ICU! What a FUN BIRTHDAY! Then Wednesday, July 6th, he had his defibrillator put in and finally got to go home the next day! (Dad was so relieved when Dr. Conley (his cardiologist) told him whatever he did before he should be able to do afterwards. Dad was worried he wouldn't be able to go to White Water anymore!) I know he and Mom both were ready to be in their own beds! I am so thankful to God for my Daddy! AND my wonderful mom who never lost her faith and takes good care of my dad! And of course, also for Shae and Rob, for not passing him by and actually stopping to save his life! He is home recuperating slowly, but getting stronger and better every day!
Thank you to everyone who prayed for us and fed us and came to visit with us!
This was Dad with his nurse, Renee, at Skyline. I took this picture on my way out to head back to Alabama. He had been in the hospital 6 days. I love you Dad!!
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