Our dearest Dave, the most loyal and doting husband, a loving father, stepfather, grandfather, and a proud veteran, suffered a hemorrhagic stroke the day after Christmas while enjoying time with our family at Lake Gaston in Littleton, NC. He was quickly medevacked to ECU Medical Hospital in Greenville, NC where he is still being treated in the Neurology ICU for a major brain bleed on the front temporal lobe of his brain, the part of the brain controlling communication, emotions, and comprehension.

This has been an emotional roller coaster but as of New Years Day, Dave has since had his ventilator tube removed and clearly stated that he is 'ready to go home.' This was a major step forward but we know this will be a very long road ahead as he begins three hours of daily physical, speech, and occupational therapy. The doctors have confirmed that Dave's comprehension will never be 100% again, but we can already tell he is adamant about getting back home to Ridgeway, SC.

There is still concern about the possibility of future bleeds and we're waiting to see how his cognition and speech will progress over the coming weeks. He will continue dialysis for the time being and is currently being treated for Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in his lungs.

The most resilient woman I know, my mother Teri, also Dave's life partner/wife, is currently in an extended stay hotel near the hospital in Greenville while she fights alongside him through his recovery. She will be taking time away from her work as president of Overlees Contract Resources, where she and Dave work together representing some of the best manufacturers in hospitality as well as her full time roles as pastor of both Zion Pageland United Methodist Church and Zoar United Methodist Church.

On behalf of my parents, Teri and Dave, I'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the friends, family, faith community, and industry associates who have reached out to show your support and love for them both. Please keep Dave in your daily thoughts or prayers as he continues his path to recovery.

For ongoing medical updates, you can visit Dave's CaringBridge site here: Caring Bridge