Unexpected Trip To Utah

So as many of you may know this past Thursday my step-dad Richard was taken to the hospital by ambulance after suffering a sub-arachnoid hemorrhage in his brain (a type of stroke). For the first little while no one knew what exactly what was happening or what to expect. I felt like I needed to go up to Utah to see Richard and also to help out my Mom. My mom is quite possibly the strongest person I have ever met and probably would have managed ok but anyone could use some help in that kind of situation.

I left Saturday morning and drove straight to the hospital and arrived about a half hour before the ICU closed for visitors. I'm glad I got there in time to see him. When I walked in, I didn't know quite what to expect and nothing could have prepared me for the visual. Richard has always been a very strong, active and opinionated person and to see him lying in a hospital bed hooked up to too many wires and tubes to count caught me off guard. He recognized me right away, which was good for me to hear. I knew that I was supposed to be there but I soon found out why. Every half hour or so people had been talking him through what had happened to him because he couldn't remember. He would give bits and pieces of the story and we were writing them down so that we could put it all together and figure out what happened. I will spare you all the whole story as it has been posted on others sites, but he did talk about seeing angels on various occasions and one of those times involved Heather and I. He said that the angels showed us to him and he told me exactly what we were wearing and what I told Heather. It was extremely emotional and a pretty spiritual experience for everyone that was in the room. He also said that the angels said that I would meet him at the hospital and that I had "the keys". He thought that it was strange that I would have "His Keys", but we figured that they might have been talking about some other type of keys. I had to turn away because I was getting so emotional and I wanted him to be able to keep talking and giving whatever information he remembered.

All in all it has been a crazy few days and I am back home now, as he has been making miraculous progress. When I left this morning his mind was very sharp and he has all of his normal knowledge. He also has movement of all his limbs. It will take a little time to get him back to the house and work but he is making amazing progress. They are just trying to get him to breathe well without oxygen and be able to take out his "Brain Drain". They think he'll be in the ICU for a little bit longer just to make sure there are no problems that come up, but everything is looking very good. It kind of makes you count your blessings and realize what is really important in life. I have definitely learned to appreciate family and spiritual experiences a lot more.

A couple of pictures:

My mom has been by Richard's side the whole time (except for the time she had to be at work to get things done) She is an amazing woman to be able to go through all the things she has gone through in her life.

Here he is- new haircut and all. He just needs to get that oxygen mask off and get the "Brain Drain" out.