Usually I wouldn't post something of a very personal nature here on this site, but as it might have an affect on my attendance at this weeks meet in Pontiac, I thought I would share it here in Letterville.
This morning my father was air lifted to a neighboring town up in Northern Wisconsin for an emergency surgery. He had an aortic aneurysm that burst and they said he wouldn't make it through the day without the surgery. He only had a 50/50 chance of making it through the initial surgery but he did make it over that first hurdle. He will be in a medical coma for the next week with a few more minor surgeries planned to help him heal.He is not out of the woods by any means though! Just by chance(?) all of my brother and sisters were in town for the weekend and most of us were able to see him before they air lifted him to the other hospital.
So it is with a heavy heart that I pack up and get ready for the Walldog event down in Pontiac. But as my friend Ray Guzman put it so well in his recent post...there is a lot of love and healing energy in the group of people that we call our Letterville Family. I'm sure sharing this week with all who are attending the Pontiac meet will help make my load a lot lighter and my heart brighter. So if I don't laugh quite as loud or goof around quite as much as I normally do, you will understand why?
Thank you all for being there......peace
Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
Sorry to hear about that Dale. I'll be praying for healing for your Dad. See you soon.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
My prayers are with you and your father, Dale.
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
All the best to you Dale, my thoughts are with you.
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
so sorry to hear about your dad, dale. my thoughts are with you...and i hope you can find comfort with your letterhead pals in the interim.
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
My prayers go to you and your family Dale & especially for a swift & complete recovery for your father. See you soon in Pontiac. I have a bit of concern for a pending surgury for my mom in 2 weeks, but here in Chicago with her now, all is well, so I'm off to surround myself with the strength in numbers of this great community!
Posted by Sam Staffan (Member # 4552) on :
quote:Originally posted by KARYN BUSH: so sorry to hear about your dad, dale. my thoughts are with you...and i hope you can find comfort with your letterhead pals in the interim.
I am with Karyn, and I will try to keep you up smiling in Pontiac!
[ June 22, 2009, 07:31 AM: Message edited by: Sam Staffan ]
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Dale...if your Dad made it this far....he will be OK!
I went through that a year and a half ago!
The medically induced coma is common, I was out for 8 days. Recovery will be painful and slow, but he will be as good as new, with a BIG scar! It sure beats the alternative!
If you need additional information, jusy give me a call.
Posted by Bob Peach (Member # 2620) on :
Dale, Sorry to hear about your father. Our thoughts are with you and your family. Whatever you do, don't ask to see a picture of Si's scar...lol.
Posted by Barb. Shortreed (Member # 1730) on :
Hi Dale...really sorry to hear about your Dad. You will both be in our thoughts and we sure hope he has a speedy recovery.
Posted by Jay Allen (Member # 195) on :
Dale . . . you couldn't be in a better place than in Pontiac . . .
I know from personal experience . . .
Prayers.
Posted by Bob Kaschak (Member # 3146) on :
Prayers are on the way for a speedy recovery.
Hang in there.
Peace, Bob
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
Take heart Dale and comfort from your Letterhead Pals.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Good morning Dale.... sorry to hear about your dad. Praying for your father, you and your family - for complete healing for your father and peace and encouragement for all.
Sounds like your father has had the best outcome thus far from this serious health event....that should offer some measure of comfort. Praying also that the doctors use their skills in surgery and diagnosis to their highest abilities to ensure a great and successful outcome. Keep us posted.
Posted by Bill Modzel (Member # 22) on :
Dale, Just making it through a burst aortic aneurism is a miracle. They "accidentally" found one on my mom's aorta in an x-ray before it burst. They operated and even than it was a long recovery. The good thing is, that was 18 years ago and she's still doing fine at 84. I'll be praying for him and the family.
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Sorry to hear about your Dad. Prayers are on the way for a complete recovery. Hang in there... both of you.
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
Dale, I don't know of any other place where you can collect so many prayers of support. We are with you. Bill
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
Dale, I hate to say I can relate to what you are feeling. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by jimmy chatham (Member # 525) on :
praying for your dad.
Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
Cisco is standing behind me and he adds: "I send my prayers and wish him the best. Speedy recovery and when you get here, we will have some coffee and talk it over."
It will be fine Dale...we are all praying for you and sending good vibes. We will treat you extra special while you are here and whatever we can do to help, let us know! Hugs when you get here!! Jane
Posted by jack wills (Member # 521) on :
Good Luck to your Dad Dale. My prayeris with you both.
Jack
Posted by Carole Bersin (Member # 5710) on :
Dale I'm so sorry. Pontiac couldn't be a better place to get the support you need.
My mom has been in the hospital since April 20th and on a ventilator since the 12th of May. I know how you feel. I'll be heading to see her right after the meet and bringing all the good Walldog vibes with me.
Posted by Mark Yearwood (Member # 2723) on :
Dale, prayers out for your Dad's fast recovery. You have the best support group on earth.
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Thinking of you. Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
Oh Dale, scary stuff! Your dad and you are in my thoughts and prayers. I know our Letterhead family will take excellent care of you when in Pontiac.
Dedicate your mural to your Dad. Talk about a labour of pure love. And I'd bet he'd want you in no other place anyway.
[ June 22, 2009, 01:10 PM: Message edited by: Donna in BC ]
Posted by Kurt Gaber (Member # 256) on :
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Dale. From Kurt and Jon here at the sign shop.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Prayers and positive thoughts from us to you!
Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
Oh Dale, scary stuff! Hang in there man. Hugs- and we'll see you in a couple days. Deri
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
Wow, I have heard so many uplifting words here, from Si & Bill knowing what this is like, & just seeing how much support is here for you. I also agree with Donna, I think you should dedicate your mural to your dad! You couldn't be with a better group of friends.
I am praying too, Dale.
Posted by PatRaap (Member # 4290) on :
Lots of Prayers coming your way Dale....for you and your dad. It sure is tough watching our parents grow old. Keep positive thoughts. See you in a few days
Posted by Chris Elliott (Member # 1262) on :
Dale, I'm sorry to hear about your dad and will add my prayers with the rest of the folks.
As far as being conflicted about going to Pontiac for the meet, I know a little about how you feel. My dad died last August after being confined to a rest home for several years and my mother's health has really started to decline over the last few months. We've kept a pretty close watch over her since she still lives by herself, but last Wednesday evening she hit the point where she called me & said "I'm sick and I need help". Thirty minutes & an ambulance ride later, we had her in the local hospital's ER which led to a transfer to the MICU of a hospital in Wichita (about 65 miles away). I'm glad she called when she did because they said she wouldn't have made it through the night. She's continued to improve (moved out of MICU into a regular room yesterday) and I've done about everything here I can. So, like you, I've decided to go ahead and make the meet. Hope to see you there, meanwhile, Good Luck & God Speed!
Posted by Susan Banasky (Member # 1164) on :
Dale, best wishes to your Dad's full recovery. Pontiac will be your best medicine.
Posted by Ray Guzman (Member # 5856) on :
Dale, Sorry to hear about your Dad's plight. Hoping to see you in Pontiac. The event will help to heal you. Being surrounded by your Letterville family, like you did for us when you came to N.Y. I feel Chriss' conflict and pain, but he's absolutely correct! God Speed!
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
Dale, as I just saw this post. My heart is heavy for you also with what's going on with your dad.
Michael and I are returning back to Rockford Friday sometime and then coming back to Pontiac Sat morning. If you want some company going back either way we can drive you up there if you'd like.
I just feel like going back during the 4 days and if you wish we could drive you both ways then while you leave your car down there. we can make the trip up to your place as well, as it would be a nice drive too.
If you want me to call you, just post this here and I'll check it in the morning. luv, Deb
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