Tough or stupid?

[HaveGun]

Found out that my 78yr old dad suffered a stroke while quail hunting on the Mexican border of Arizona yesterday. He was down by Douglas, AZ and had just parked off of a dirt road and walked out to survey the area when he collapsed. Was just him and his bird dog, middle of nowhere.

He was paralyzed on his right side. Managed to crawl back to his SUV, then proceeded to drive 8 hours up to Lake Havasu, AZ to meet his ex-wife to see if she could drive him back to Idaho. He thought he had just got some bad muscle cramps. She of course insisted he go to the hospital. He spent the night in the ER and a stroke specialist came in this morning and ordered a bunch of tests.

Still waiting on the MRI results, but they already started him on PT and said he could probably leave in a week or so for home.

Can't believe he drove through Tucson, with some of the best medical facilities in Arizona, and went 8 hours to some of the worst medical facilities in Arizona, paralyzed on his right side, without thinking maybe he should see a doctor. Former USMC sniper and bunkmate with Carlos Hathcock in sniper training. Don't make 'em like they used to.

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[BBQ Guy]

I kinda want to laugh but it's a terrible thing to deal with.
I hope his recovery is short and sweet.

Tough dude for sure. Helluva story.

 

[Deerhurst]

Tough dude and probably more than a bit stubborn. They don't make them like they used to. My generation needs a safe space for mean words on the internet. Makes me sad and embarrassed.

 

[Flopsweat]

It was stupid. I feel confident in telling you this because I have driven myself to the hospital not once, but twice for heart attacks. So I know stupid when I read about it.

I do feel a little tough when I tell the story though.

 

[albin25]

I know a few guys his age, they are indeed something above and beyond the norm.

So, if "prelude is prediction", and "fortune favors the brave" ....
.... I have the feeling that if anyone can get through this, he can.
(and ... you might want to warn the nurses!)

Oh, and ... definitely not "stupid" ...
.... you mentioned his right side was paralyzed, and that indicates he had a "left brain" stroke. The left side of the brain controls critical thinking, judgement, reasoning and sequencing therefore a stroke on the left side of the brain can cause someone to have varying levels of cognitive impairments.

EDIT
I should add... I had a stroke around 4.5 years ago and I've pretty much fully recovered
except... I no longer know how to play the guitar or banjo... and for that, my wife and kid are truly thankful.

 

[Alexx1401]

Found out that my 78yr old dad suffered a stroke while quail hunting on the Mexican border of Arizona yesterday. He was down by Douglas, AZ and had just parked off of a dirt road and walked out to survey the area when he collapsed. Was just him and his bird dog, middle of nowhere.

He was paralyzed on his right side. Managed to crawl back to his SUV, then proceeded to drive 8 hours up to Lake Havasu, AZ to meet his ex-wife to see if she could drive him back to Idaho. He thought he had just got some bad muscle cramps. She of course insisted he go to the hospital. He spent the night in the ER and a stroke specialist came in this morning and ordered a bunch of tests.

Still waiting on the MRI results, but they already started him on PT and said he could probably leave in a week or so for home.

Can't believe he drove through Tucson, with some of the best medical facilities in Arizona, and went 8 hours to some of the worst medical facilities in Arizona, paralyzed on his right side, without thinking maybe he should see a doctor. Former USMC sniper and bunkmate with Carlos Hathcock in sniper training. Don't make 'em like they used to.

When someone has a stroke they are of course not in their normal cogitative state due to the problems with blood flow to the brain. So of course it was not the "right" thing to do but, you have to cut the guy some slack in that he literally was not in his full capacity. Sounds like a tough old bird kind of guy who of course had no idea just how bad things were. Hope he can make a good recovery. Father in Law had one few years ago. He had to learn how to speak again after it was over but made an impressive recovery. He can still drive and is caring for his Wife who has dementia. He is in his early 90's now. Only effect left from the stroke is his speech never quite came all the way back. He kind of sounds almost like he has had a few drinks when he talks but considering his age is doing great. Hope your Dad can do the same.

 

[JohnnyMac]

I wish him luck on his recovery. My father and father in law both ended up in the hospital for old guy problems and I've seen first hand that hospitals don't give a chit about old people. It's just a place to go and die. If I were him, I would rather go home to people I love for my last few days than spend months dying in a place that no one cares. Cynical? Probably so, but I've seen it a couple times now.

 

[HaveGun]

He's walking with a cane now, and should be back home tomorrow. I can't see him as I still have Covid.

 

[WAW44]

If he's going to go out into the woods alone like that again, get him a PLB. I fly with one, and carry one when in the backcountry , solo or in a group . Peace of mind.

 

[Member 34319]

My MIL has MS and has been having more and more strokes lately.

One thing I've learned about them, it's hard to know it is a stroke without others noticing things.

She recently had a smaller one, even she really did think she was after having several. My SIL noticed she was kind of acting erratic, but by then it had been hours, ER visit later and she isn't any worse...

Scary stuff to have it happen when you are alone, scary stuff when you don't really know the signs.

Hope he recovers and gets back out hunting!

Best wishes!

 

[galvweld]

Thankful he's on the mend. Suggestion from experience. Best to leave word with someone where you plan to go, what you are driving while off-roading or parking on the road. And stick with commitment. Add an expected return time. Hope we all have someone we can leave that kind of information with and they are responsible enough to follow up. Commend him for still going to the woods. Am not far behind in years and it is really good for me to breathe free and fresh air.

 

[CountryGent]

Here's to a speedy recovery.

 

[HaveGun]

Best to leave word with someone where you plan to go, what you are driving while off-roading or parking on the road. And stick with commitment. Add an expected return time. Hope we all have someone we can leave that kind of information with and they are responsible enough to follow up.

I told him he needed to let me know where he was going and his reply was that he did; he told me he would be in Arizona quail hunting for a couple of weeks.

Real helpful, dad...

 

[parallax]

I hope he come out of this O.K. thoughts and prayers.
I remember one time i was running down the mountain trail many years back, i slid and snapped my leg in 2 places. crawled to a branch, made a crutch and hiked out to my car, drove myself to the hospital. It went from extreme pain and blended to a strange sensation of zero pain and hyper-awareness, running through my body when i broke my leg. The E.R. told me it was adrenline. I tend to lean, stupid LOL