So shortly after the news broke about our own Wikkidpissah, I got word that my 80-year-old dad wiped out in the driveway (his bad knee locked up and I'm sure he was hammered) and landed face first on the pavement. Got a gash in his forehead and was apparently knocked unconscious for some amount of time. Neighbor apparently saw it happen and called the ambulance, etc.
Goes to the hospital, stays in ICU with a brain bleed for a few days and was released yesterday. Got a severe concussion to boot. I'm now five states away from him, so I coordinated over the phone with his long-time live-in girlfriend and the hospital (I'm his POA) to get him transferred out of his podunk town hospital and up to a decent place in Minneapolis.
Sounds like he likely has quite a bit of physical and occupational therapy ahead of him. At that age, who knows if he'll ever be the same. He's deteriorating pretty fast. He's scheduled to have both knees replaced in a few weeks, but no idea if this incident will push that back or what.
We only saw each other a handful of times per year when I lived an hour away. Now that the use of an airplane is required, that's down to once or maybe twice per year. I'm honestly shocked he's still alive. He had a massive heart attack at around the age of 50 (my current age) and had to be airlifted to the Mayo Clinic, where they saved his life. The doctors told me and my brother that will be us one day, no escaping the genetics. The only reason he survived is because he had a bottle of baby aspirin with him wherever he went and guzzled the whole bottle when it hit. Drove himself to the local hospital (crashed into the ER entrance), where he caught the chopper to Mayo. His dad died of a heart attack about the same age.
He's definitely an alcoholic. Has been for a long time. Gets hammered down at the Elk's probably 4-5 times a week, minimum. I know not to ever take a phone call from him if it's after 2 p.m. Just an incoherent babbling mess.
My parents got divorced about 15 years ago, and that was about 30 years overdue. They just hated each other. He's much happier now and has a really nice lady for a number of years now. They said they're not interested in ever getting married, which is fine by me.
My mom had pretty serious mental health issues, bipolar disorder, depression and probably more. Haven't spoken to her in 15 years. When we brought my son home, I ended the relationship with her. Just wasn't going to subject him to her craziness. I'm sure that makes me awful. That's fine. I've never regretted it and doubt I ever will.
My dad and I basically had no relationship until they got divorced. Then we built a decent enough one over a shared hatred of her starting around the time of her divorce. It is what it is. I guess she's living somewhere in the southwest now.
Anyway, don't know where I'm going with any of this except to say I was more upset about Wikkid than my dad. I guess that's pretty sad. I don't know. I'm curious what my reaction will be when he dies. Also sad is that my biggest concern revolving around his death is if my mom is still alive, she'll definitely show up. Police will have to be involved. That should be fun.
I guess my point - maybe - is that if you're close to your family, enjoy your time with them. Don't take it for granted, because not everyone has that.
