Thursday, March 13th - ~3:30AM

The phone rang with instructions for loved ones to come, immediately, to New Orleans. Results from CT scans show that a blood vessel in my dad’s brain had ruptured and he was bleeding within his brain. The stroke is caused by the pressure within his brain from the bleeding. With the extensive blood thinners and anti-coagulants that he takes (ironically, to prevent another stroke), he’s at a serious risk of continuing to bleed. The doctor’s are moving quickly and aggressively to reverse the effects of these medicines by giving him vitamin K and platelet transfusions. On the phone, I can hear my dad talking in the background and telling people, “don’t tell my son anything!” He never likes to call and worry Lori and I. He is alert and aware. He’s able to move all four limbs, talk and is very much himself.