No Strings Attached

Kathleen David's weblog

In the Blink of an Eye

Posted By on December 31, 2012

As stated yesterday on his web log, Peter had a stroke. So we are at the beginning of what is going to be a long road. We have a diagnosis, which is a small stroke in the Pons section of his brain. Now we have to figure out where we go from here and how we get Peter back to what he was before the stroke. We know that a total recovery is slim because damage to the brain doesn’t go away but the brain can be trained to work around the damage and give Peter back what he has lost.

I am dealing with a lot of woulda, coulda, and shoulda issues right now. But we are where we are and we are working out a plan of recovery.

What happened was that we were in Disney Hollywood Studios having just had lunch at the Prime Time Café. We were walking to the front gate because we were off to Animal Kingdom to see a friend of ours perform in the Finding Nemo Show. Peter had been tired and also not sleeping well the past week or so. He had been taking naps in the afternoon to catch up on the sleep that was eluding him at night. He told me that he had blurry vision in his right eye. The way he described it to me sounded like an ocular migraine so we took him back to the Hotel and went onto Animal Kingdom. We got back and he was working on his next novel. We decided to go to dinner but he was still having a slight vision problem so I drove.

While at dinner I thought his speech was a bit slurred. He put it down to fatigue and his face always looked like that. That morning he couldn’t get his right leg to move correctly. He told us later that he had gotten up because he couldn’t sleep and tried to type and couldn’t get his hand to work correctly but he didn’t want to wake me up and alarm me. I called my mom with the laundry list of things. My mother said get him to a hospital NOW. We loaded him into the car and took him to Celebration Hospital at the recommendation of some friends.

Celebration Hospital did a great job of getting him in and starting treatment. His blood pressure was scary scary high so their first job was to get it back to closer to normal. They did some tests and a CAT scan to check for a stroke. The CAT scan didn’t show anything but they were going with their observations and the evidence that his blood work was not good and getting worse. The decision was made to transfer him down to Florida Hospital in downtown Orlando where they could do an MRI and some other tests Also Florida hospital has the best cardiac unit and they were worried that he had a heart attack or a cardiac episode (having told Peter that he might be having a cardiac episode, he put on his best comic guy voice and said, ”Worst Episode Ever.” So Ariel got to take “ride in an ambulance” off her bucket list as she went down to the hospital with Peter while I dealt with getting us out of our hotel room.

So I am betting that in this point of the narrative you, if you know our family, are asking where is Caroline while this is all going on. She was and is in Jacksonville with her sister and Peter’s eldest daughter, Shana. Currently we haven’t told her what is going on but that is going to change in the next couple of days. So she is having fun with big sister and her playmates in Jacksonville. Shana has been a rock in all this and a champ about taking care of her little sister while all this has been going on. I have been able to concentrate on Peter right now.

He went into the Florida Hospital in the Cardiac Care Unit as they try to ascertain what exactly happened. They did an MRI about midnight along with some other tests. They came to the conclusion that it was not a heart attack but a stroke and moved him to the neurology unit where he is now.

As he stated, he has lost most of the use of his right arm, his right leg is incredibly weak, the vision in his right eye is blurry, and the right side of his face is drooping slightly. But the brain is there with all its quips and quick retorts. He has had the nurses laughing a lot.

Today we figure out what the next step is and where it is going to happen. Tonight the New Year Begins and for us it is a very different beginning than we thought we were going to be having.

Thank you everyone for your good wishes, prayers and kind words. They do help. And BIG thank you to our Orlando buddies who have taken us into their houses and helped us deal with what is going on.

Continue to think good thoughts for Peter. This is not going to be easy for him or us but we will get through this together.

I am grateful that my husband is still alive.


Comments

137 Responses to “In the Blink of an Eye”

  1. Dave Wood says:

    Best wishes to PAD and family in this difficult time.

  2. Esther says:

    I’m glad he’s in great care, Kathleen! I’ll keep him in my thoughts & prayers, tonight. As I said, previously, it was an honor meeting him at NYCC this year. He’s one of my many writing heroes. I dressed up, especially, in the 90’s Wondergirl outfit, from Young Justice, that day. Don’t know if he noticed. I had a cut up vest jacket, which he signed, graciously. Get better, Peter! We’re all counting on you to come to the next con! 🙂

  3. Roger Stern says:

    Please tell Peter that he, and all of you, are in our thoughts. Our very, very best wishes for a good recovery and improved health for him in the new year. May you all find the strength and resilience that you need in the months ahead.

  4. Wolfgang says:

    Best wishes! Get well soon, Peter! Strength to you and your family! Best regards Wolf

  5. […] December 30, writer Peter David announced he suffered a stroke while on vacation. His wife Kathleen took to the internet to give an update on his […]

  6. I just saw this news, Kathleen – I am so sorry to hear about Peter’s stroke, and am sending him my very best wishes for his health and a good recovery, and you and your family my very best wishes for strength and comfort in this difficult time.

    It’s always a joy to see and catch up with Peter (and occasionally you) at cons, and I’ve enjoyed many iterations of his talented writings (and have some I have not yet enjoyed, the most recent being the Astonishing X-Men prose novel, which I received for Christmas and have been looking forward to reading!). I hope that he will soon be able to get back to enjoying life and doing what he loves without difficulty, and am keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. *hugs*

  7. Anita says:

    Dear Kathleen, If we ever met you probably wouldn’t remember. Like a lot of folks who know David’s name, my late =husband and I have seen and hear your husband at many Dragon Cons (before 2000. After John died I just haven’t had resources or time to attend DCI) I remember Davids humor, and we have autographs around here in books or comics or programs.

    I don’t know what you believe, dear, but thee is a God in heaven and when He is asked for grace, mercy, comfort, strength and healing all according to His will, he answers those prayers.

    The Lord was with me every step of the very long journey of Leukemia with my husband. And He remains my peace in troubling time, and comfort in every way. Seek Him for what you lack and you will find, not all your troubles gone, or everything as it once was, but His hand moving in the events of both your lives, the comfort of the Friend who sticks closer than a brother, unfailing arms that won’t leave you as orphans, and a God who died to give those who would receive his gift everlasting life.

    H’s a really big God who creates all the universe and everything in it, knows the start he set in motion by name and knows that not one of them is out of place, and in all that he bothers to know the number of hairs on your head, knows your name, and loves unconditionally, always and anyway. Tho we sin and never seek Him , Jesus died to save us.
    It isnt a coincidence that some one from a convention I have never attended posted something on a wall I don’t always look at, and that to pray for you and let you know I am doing it and why, was a immediate burden on my heart.
    God put you in my path and on my heart today and I am praying for David’s RECOVERY AND FOR god TO GIVE YOU his STRENGTH AND ALL THE RESOURCES YOU WILL NEED BECAUSE WHAT YOU HAVE YOU WILL FIND TO JUST NOT BE ENOUGH, BUT WHAT hE GIVES IS.
    wHERE WE CAN’T HE CAN AND ALWAYS SAID HE WOULD.

    and caps lock… sorry.

    I’ll pass this blog entry along to others I know who are fans Davids and who belong to Christ. They will pray without being asked.

    And I will remember to pray as well. Gods grace and the peace of Christ fill your heart and be your comfort and strength.
    sincerely
    Anita

  8. Jason rose says:

    Praying for you guys! I have LOVED Peters work for ever! I am glad he is able to think and communicate. I was a neuro RN, and my wife is physical therapist. Sounds like you have fantastic help. You can do it!

  9. Mike Braswell says:

    Kathleen,

    Thank God you took him to the hospitial and I will keep you guys in my thoughts and prayers. We all are pulling for a speedy recovery. Your husband is lucky to have you. Keep up the updates and remember to get rest when you can.

  10. May he have a robust and thorough recovery. And as Wolfgang says, strength to you and Peter on the road ahead.

  11. Adriano Marinho says:

    Hi, Kathleen,

    I’m a brazilian fan of PAD writing and i am very glad that he is still alive after all. May you, he and your family have the strenght to deal with the recovery in the next months.

  12. Jeff C says:

    Arlene, yes, you, Euterp, and I were awfully young. And Euterp, you are right about the emotional side of it. I would find myself not only getting really frustrated, but also I would start crying at practically nothing–and I am NOT a crier.

    So, Mrs. David, just know that it’s normal as it comes. I’ll be praying for and thinking of you during this time every bit as much. You’re the one who will be dealing with it every bit as much as he will–just from a different angle.

  13. Logan1275 says:

    Best wishes on a safe recovery to Peter, a friend of mine’s father had a stroke about 3 years ago, 15 months later it was a sight to see him dancing laughing and smiling at his sons wedding.

    It sounds like you have a ton of local folks for help, if there is anything a random fan can offer from the semi local area of Tampa, even if it is just places to eat. Please let us know.

  14. Lynn Abbey says:

    So sorry to hear this. Wishing strength for you and health for Peter,

  15. Ken Dudley says:

    Kathleen,
    I will be praying for you, the girls and Peter. Hope Peter gets well soon.

  16. Jeff says:

    Keeping Peter in my prayers. Some of my fondest memories are of me going with my grandmother to her local comic book shop and buying issues of his run on The Incredible Hulk. I still have all of those comics and they bring back a lot of good memories. I thank Peter David for those those memories and I hope he gets better.

  17. Jon Williams says:

    Sending all the good thoughts I can muster to you and your family.

  18. […] blogs) – comic scribe and writer extraordinaire Peter David has suffered a stroke and is currently in hospital care in Florida. Peter holds a special place in my heart for writing a ton of my favorite comics back in the […]

  19. Laurent says:

    Wishing all of you strength, courage & patience. I hope Peter gets a full recovery.

  20. Al Davison says:

    Sorry to hear about Peter, sounds like he is in good hands though. Just going through the same situation with my sister, my thoughts are with you and your family.

  21. Bryan Talbot says:

    Not seen you for a while, mate. You get better pretty dámņ soon!

    Bryan Talbot

  22. R. Maheras says:

    Praying he has a speedy recovery.

  23. Bob Halloran says:

    Kathleen,

    Prayers and best wishes to you, Peter and family on the recovery efforts. FWIW, I’m also in Jacksonville, need a hand?

  24. Matthew says:

    Best wishes to you, David and your family. His novels provided great entertainment to me as a child and I hope for a successful recovery.

  25. Mrs David: first of all, sorry for my english. I’m from Spain. Your husband has given me many moments of happiness and fun with his comic-books. I hope the great writer, the husband, the friend, in resume: Peter David in all his aspects, returned. The world still need geniuses as him. A kindly hug.

  26. MTS says:

    >>But the brain is there with all its quips and quick retorts.>>

    When I read this sentence I sighed audibly with relief.

    >> He has had the nurses laughing a lot.>>

    When I read this sentence I almost stood up and cheered.

    I’m very glad PAD has such strong caring women in his corner.

  27. Meghan says:

    It’s a good thing you caught it early? That has to help to some degree.

    Best wished and good thoughts your way.

  28. Bruce Gibson says:

    David – Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Stay creative and get well soon!

  29. Mike Buckley says:

    I’m sorry to hear of this. I know this is a shock to the whole family, so my thoughts and prayers are with all of you, both for his fullest possible recovery, and the strength the family will need to help him accomplish this while managing the daily routines of family life all at once.

  30. Stefani Warshaw says:

    Kathleen,

    From the entire Suite Party gang at DragonCon – our best wishes, prayers and good thoughts for Peter’s recovery. You and the family are in my thoughts and I hope to see all of you at DragonCons in the future.

  31. Patrick Allen says:

    Shocked and upset to read about this as Peter’s work has been an enduring part of my comic-reading life for many years now. I know his fantastic good humor, strength and positive outlook as well as being surrounded by such an amazing family will be beneficial during this trying time. My thoughts are with your family, and please let us all know if there’s anything we can do to help.

  32. Crystal Paul says:

    All my best wishes & prayers go to Peter, & all my best hugs to Kathleen & the girls. Here’s hoping for an amazing recovery.

  33. Robin Cook says:

    I was lucky to meet Peter at NYCC this year. As a fan of his work, I’m thinking of him and the entire David family.

  34. Dusty says:

    I’m not great at keeping up with the creators that I love, but when I saw on Twitter what had happened, my heart skipped a beat. All the best to your family as you recover through this, I can’t imagine how terrifying this must have all been.

    I’ve never had the chance to meet Peter in person, but he’s been incredibly influential to my artistic growth. Way back in the day, I was 12 and Space Cases was my first obsessive love of a story. I loved everything about that show, just everything and even now as an adult I have a huge appreciation for it artistically.

    I was lucky enough to have the internet as a wee kid (30 now just for some reference) back in the day that it was nothing but message groups and AOL. I was part of ZaBaGaBe’s fan group and thrilled when Peter would come and chat with us. He paid so much love and attention to his fans and was so kind. It was my first touch with the entertainment industry and was such a positive and encouraging experience.

    My love of Space Cases went on to fuel my first big creative endeavor. I formed a writing group, a play by email, using the Space Cases universe to write our stories. We wrote novels, it consumed a couple dozen kids in a wonderful flurry of inspiration and shared creativity that went on for almost 2 years. I’ve kept friends even now from that group — in fact, my very best friend, found through that group at age 12 just moved from Texas to live with my partner and I in California to look for work in the game industry.

    Now I write books and comics and love living a creative life and owe no small part of that to Peter David for sparking and encouraging that love of imagination. If you could let him know and give him a big thank you for me, I’d really appreciate it. 🙂

    Best wishes in this difficult time.

  35. […] writer Peter David announced on his blog that he had suffered a stroke. On New Year’s Eve, his wife Kathleen explained more, and another update followed Tuesday. She’s planning to let people know of David’s […]

  36. Jojo says:

    Wishing PAD a full and speedy recovery!

    Please let him know it’s because of him and his fantastic writing that I came back to comics after > 10 years and I hope to enjoy his writing for many more years to come!

  37. Patrick "Norrin" Peters says:

    Just wanted to add my well wishes for a speedy recovery. Somewhat selfishly, I want Peter back to writing again ASAP!

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