Hello my name is Erin Lankes and today 06/20/23, would be marked as one of the worst days of my life. My dad had a major stroke and is now incubated in neruo-icu. My dad Thomas Lankes, is a very independent man who doesn't want to believe he is 86 years old. Just earlier today he was texting me and letting me know what the neighbors were doing and now he is in ICU with tubes down his throat in a coma. The neurologist says if we go through with surgery, he will need to depend on someone to help him complete everyday tasks. He won't be able to speak or walk.

My dad worked for the Statesman back in the day and is a photographer. I remember as a young girl, my dad asking me to smile at him while he took photos of me and my siblings. As I got older, I started avoiding getting my photos taken by him. At this moment I would do anything to have him take one more photo of me without rolling my eyes or complaining it's taking him too long to take the picture. This is something he is so passionate about and to just take that away from him is devastating. He won't be able to hold his granddaughter or dance with my mom to songs in the kitchen. Seeing him incubated like this hurts my soul. 

 

We need help paying for medical bills and most likely funeral expenses. My dad doesn't like asking for help but he needs it so desperately. We all do. Please help in anyway you can. Even just passing along this go fund me would help. Bless you all.