Seeking calming vibes...

[Moostache]

36. UPDATE: To all who have so kindly sent messages and thoughts - THANK YOU forever...

My dad did suffer a massive stroke tonight, and they performed an emergency mechanical thrombectomy to try to capture and remove the clot from his brain. Surgery was successful and the clot was removed successfully. The surgeon showed me the CAT scans of my dad's brain and the actual clot itself - 15 mm in length. The additional images of the brain scans before and after the procedure were stunning. They told us that his condition is still critical and he will be in ICU for a while, but the acute risk is eliminated as of now.

My dad has actually regained feeling and control of his left arm (at the time he went into surgery he was incapable of moving his arm and could barely lift his foot - he can respond and squeeze his left hand); his speech is coherent and focused although with some issues. We received a very good prognosis and his doctor and surgeon were both very encouraged by his functional recovery and current status. Tonight is going to be sleepless and rough because we are not 100% out of the woods by any measure, but we are incredibly lucky and blessed as well.

Since mom's passing, dad has been living alone. He was in town for a visit today only because he felt it was safe following his vaccination and my sister and I also being vaccinated against COVID. Had he NOT made this trip, had he stayed home alone, he would no longer be with us. My sister was at first racked with guilt while we were in the OR waiting rooms, but we were able to recognize that while no one should EVER have to experience this firsthand, had we not gone through this, an entirely different hell would have awaited us on the other side.

Again, thank you all so very much for the messages of support and healing, I can't possibly express how much it means to hear such kindness and empathy in a world I know is in short supply of both, but I and my family are deeply moved to receive such support and I cannot thank you all enough.