November 25 (Trip to Utah)

The first thing many of the nurses told me when I came up to the hospital in Plentywood was that I should get Dad out of there and get him into a facility where they had specialized care for stroke victims. Even Dad's sisters seemed to have the same opinion. Obviously I and the rest of the siblings wanted to bring him down to Utah too, but we were afraid of broaching the subject with Dad. I mentioned it to him a couple of times and he didn't seem interested in it. In fact, I think he fell asleep on purpose the first 2 times I said anything. As we worked to organize when and where we were taking him, I think the thought slowly sunk in and Dad somehow became OK with it. He pretty much left the decision in our hands.

So, Wednesday morning at 10:00AM, Dad and I took an ambulance ride from Plentywood hospital to the Plentywood Airport, where we were met by Dallas Aero, a charter plane company out of Poplar. With me as co-pilot, Dallas the pilot, and Dad and a nurse in back, the plane was full. Betty and Richard, Kathy and Earl, Janice and her family, and Erik and my girls were on the tarmac to see us off. Here is a link to the pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/wendy.busath/2009_11_25#.

We arrived at the Provo airport about 3 and a half hours later and had another ambulance awaiting to take us to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center (UVRMC). Dad was checked in and comfortable by 2:00PM. The plane ride was very smooth and without mishap, and I got to learn a lot about planes and flying along the way. It was a great adventure for me, and Dad seemed to happily sleep away most of the trip in back, being well cared for by Mandy the nurse.