This afternoon my mobile phone rang and I got some terrible news that has rocked myself and my family.
My father has suffered a stroke and is in the Royal Sussex County hospital. He's not in a good way at all, paralysed down his left side and finding it hard to talk. I don't know much about strokes so I have been getting as much information as possible. This is all so sudden. Tomorrow morning I am booking an appointment to see him in the afternoon as Covid rules state you can only have one visitor at the moment. I'm already preparing myself for seeing him in a bad condition. He's never had any major health problems before so this has hit me like a brick.
Throughout my life he's been a rock. A tough rock. He took me to football matches on Saturday afternoons, he took us all to the seaside in summer. I never got to see him in the week as he was working long hours in London. Incredible, powerfully happy memories that have stayed with me throughout my life. Now I know things will probably never be the same again. He's going to need round-the-clock care I expect and I have to prioritise him. I was very shy as a child, I never did well in my exams, I've never provided him with anymore grandchildren but I've always admired him for being the man he is and saying that he loves me regularly.
If you're in contact with your dad, tell him you love him because you just don't know what's round the corner. Arsenal v Brighton and the Grand National will mean nothing to me tomorrow. Just my father.
I probably won't be on NSC for a while so thanks for anyone sending their best wishes in advance.
My father has suffered a stroke and is in the Royal Sussex County hospital. He's not in a good way at all, paralysed down his left side and finding it hard to talk. I don't know much about strokes so I have been getting as much information as possible. This is all so sudden. Tomorrow morning I am booking an appointment to see him in the afternoon as Covid rules state you can only have one visitor at the moment. I'm already preparing myself for seeing him in a bad condition. He's never had any major health problems before so this has hit me like a brick.
Throughout my life he's been a rock. A tough rock. He took me to football matches on Saturday afternoons, he took us all to the seaside in summer. I never got to see him in the week as he was working long hours in London. Incredible, powerfully happy memories that have stayed with me throughout my life. Now I know things will probably never be the same again. He's going to need round-the-clock care I expect and I have to prioritise him. I was very shy as a child, I never did well in my exams, I've never provided him with anymore grandchildren but I've always admired him for being the man he is and saying that he loves me regularly.
If you're in contact with your dad, tell him you love him because you just don't know what's round the corner. Arsenal v Brighton and the Grand National will mean nothing to me tomorrow. Just my father.
I probably won't be on NSC for a while so thanks for anyone sending their best wishes in advance.
