Re: Tucson to Edmonton, east to Labrador, south to So. Carolina: 10,000 miles in 10 w
Maybe I'll fill in a few blanks.
I rode with Lou Tues, Wed, Thurs (Jul 17, 18, 19). As Mike said we left Edm'n Tues AM and spent the nite in Cold Lake AB. We left Cold Lake at about 09:00, rode for about 2 hrs and Lou pulled over complaining of dizziness. He laid down for about half an hour, and was fine. He thot it was the heat. Everybody we spoke to said it was the hottest they could remember. We stopped somewhere in northern SK, stayed at a fishing camp (the name's on a previous post of Lou's). The next morning, same thing, dizziness, the spins, laid down, drank water, felt a little better. Still incredibly hot. We got to Flin Flon, and suggested that Lou go see a doc. But lineups and paperwork would have been endless, so he opted to go see a pharmacist, thinking he was having a reaction to the meds he was on from his bout in Idaho. Pharmacist said dizziness was one of the side effects. We went on to The Pas. By now, this whole thing had gotten worse. Lou took a room in a motel, and insisted he was all right and insisted that I continue. I went to the local Tim's for about an hour, and went back and checked on him, and he looked way better. At the time, I thot he was dehydrated, overheated, and worn down, and he needed a good rest. Told him to stay there for an extra day.
I kept going. Got to Brandon the next day, Friday, and met with my family, Mom and Dad, a sister, brother, nieces, nephews etc. On Fri AM I sent Lou an email, and on Sat evening, I got a reply from Lou's wife Carol that he was in Dauphin, and he couldn't speak, that she and her son were on their way there and would arrive on Sun.
On Mon, I went up to Dauphin to see Lou, and Carole and Craig (Lou's son), said the MRI's indicated he'd had a stroke. There wasn't much I could do to help, stayed there for a couple hours, and went on to Winnipeg to see another brother. Somebody that Lou was going to meet had just left with Lou's bike.
Today, on my way home, Carole called me and said Lou had deteriorated considerably, and that he was not expected to make it. So incredibly sad.
Such a decent, nice, nice guy. I really enjoyed the time I had with him. Am already looking forward to seeing him again, on the other side, if I should be so fortunate as to make it there.
I will post some pics I took, and also any updates when I get them.
To all following Lou's progress on his trip I have some bad news. Lou's wife just called me to let me know that Lou has had a major stroke. He is in Dauphin Manitoba in the hospital. It appears that he is totally paralyzed and will not last very long.
Lou's wife and son are in Dauphin right now, so if any body is in the area, they might need some help dealing with the bike etc..
Prayers for Lou and family would be greatly appreciated.
Mike
