Saturday, November 26, 2005
When the Sh*t hits, it comes in a downhill avalanche.
Had to take an emergency flight back to California. My father who was diagnosed with ALS was put into the ICU for respiratory distress. It is too early to tell what will happen. I am not sure if with ALS, he would lose muscle function of his lungs. He is on a respirator tonight and sedated. The hospital will keep an eye on him.
About the title of the entry, The trip started out as a disaster. The Flight was good and all, but when we got to CRW, The Wheelchair Van was not there to meet us. The "Greenshirts" of Charleston WV Airport were kind enough to take his wheelchair and him to the nearest hotel for the night. The next morning, had Grandpa drive out and pick us up. The nice thing about West Virginia is that the people are so nice and helpful around there. Essentialy I rented a van and was able to make certain rounds. Normally I can get him into a minivan or truck through use of a simple technique of having him lean up against me and I pick him up by the thighs. This time around he crossed his legs and I could not get him into the van. Had some complete strangers help me get him into a wheelchair after my back gave out on me. From this point on, he never left the hotel room, but all the relatives came down to see him. Basically spent the days with Gramps and Dad and talked and watched TV. Not much of a vacation right? It snowed a couple of days. Now I know about people from back east, when they see snow, they say yuck. Being born and raised Native Californian, I had a big grin from cheek to cheek. Thanksgiving came and went and that's when the problems started. Friday, Grandpa watched Dad while I travel to CRW to get Airline tickets back ASAP. $1200.00 United with 3 stops. Went to the hospital after arriving in Oakland, CA only to find this out.
In regards I would like to thank the people of the State of West Virginia as being very nice, kind and generous. I would like to thank United for allowing us to refund the original ticket even though it was "non-refundable". I would like to thank Holly for her patience. If anyone out there want to go see forests and nature and some good hearted people, Go to West Virigina. I might be going out there again, but under different circumstances.
I will keep updates on this blog.
About the title of the entry, The trip started out as a disaster. The Flight was good and all, but when we got to CRW, The Wheelchair Van was not there to meet us. The "Greenshirts" of Charleston WV Airport were kind enough to take his wheelchair and him to the nearest hotel for the night. The next morning, had Grandpa drive out and pick us up. The nice thing about West Virginia is that the people are so nice and helpful around there. Essentialy I rented a van and was able to make certain rounds. Normally I can get him into a minivan or truck through use of a simple technique of having him lean up against me and I pick him up by the thighs. This time around he crossed his legs and I could not get him into the van. Had some complete strangers help me get him into a wheelchair after my back gave out on me. From this point on, he never left the hotel room, but all the relatives came down to see him. Basically spent the days with Gramps and Dad and talked and watched TV. Not much of a vacation right? It snowed a couple of days. Now I know about people from back east, when they see snow, they say yuck. Being born and raised Native Californian, I had a big grin from cheek to cheek. Thanksgiving came and went and that's when the problems started. Friday, Grandpa watched Dad while I travel to CRW to get Airline tickets back ASAP. $1200.00 United with 3 stops. Went to the hospital after arriving in Oakland, CA only to find this out.
In regards I would like to thank the people of the State of West Virginia as being very nice, kind and generous. I would like to thank United for allowing us to refund the original ticket even though it was "non-refundable". I would like to thank Holly for her patience. If anyone out there want to go see forests and nature and some good hearted people, Go to West Virigina. I might be going out there again, but under different circumstances.
I will keep updates on this blog.
