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Not Without My Father

Dad Spent This Christmas in Intensive Care

I got Mom’s text two days before Christmas. “I’m taking your daddy to urgent care.”

Not the emergency room. Urgent care for a man who couldn’t walk and slurred his speech. He didn’t want to know if he was having a stroke.

The urgent care folks sent him straight to the ER. A CT scan later, Dad was admitted to the ICU with an acute subdural hematoma. He spent Christmas in Intensive Care.

Apparently, he hit his head years ago, causing what should’ve been a debilitating surface clot. But Dad is Dad, the walking, talking, book-selling miracle. When the old area started leaking, he suffered reduced motor skills.

On Christmas Eve, doctors opened his skull and drained the fluid. And within 48 hours, he was receiving guests, cracking jokes, and regaling everyone about the hole in his head.

Hard-headedness is classic Watkins. Dad overdid it with his audience, sprung a new leak, and was rushed back to ICU for observation.

He’s back in a regular hospital room now. Telling stories. Flashing the nurses. And eager to be back in his comfy recliner.

We got our Christmas miracle.

Dad and I are closer now than we ever were due to our time on the Natchez Trace. Read all about it in “Not Without My Father” or -as he calls it – “The Dad Book.”

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21 Comments

    1. Author

      Thank you. We’re at the hospital with him now. Hope your 2018 is lovely!! xo

  1. That unusual man still has a thing or two to teach us. And a laugh or two to evoke. I’m also wishing him a speedy recovery.

  2. Take care of yourself, Roy! They don’t make them like that anymore. Hope you’re well too, Andra!

  3. wow, what a dramatic roller coaster of emotions you must have all gone through. i am glad he is recovering in true dad style.

    1. Author

      He went home today. They’ve got him on anti-seizure meds, so he’s a bit sluggish but glad to be home.

  4. What a tremendous scare, but I’m relieved, as all are your friends around the world, to know that Roy is now doing so well! I do hope that 2018 is a year of health and wholeness for you and each member of your dear family, Andra. ox

  5. My like is not really a like but glad to hear that your dad is doing better. Praying that he recovers and sells lots of books while in the hospital. ?

    1. Author

      I just want him to focus on getting well. He’s still got quite a way to go. Thanks for praying for him.

  6. Oh, Andra. I feel invested in your father! Wishes for a speed recovery. And a happy new year to you all! Dina

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