10/31/2025
Thank you for your kind words! We are grateful that we were able to provide the quick care you needed!
Smileys’ Family, friends, and supporters, I know that there has been a lot of frustration associated with calling on us without call-backs recently, for that I extend my sincerest apologies, and wanted to jump out of my comfort zone and offer an explanation with that apology…
Doctors, Neurologists, and specialists from Stephens County Hospital, NGPG and Emory concluded that I had suffered from a TIA (stroke) somewhere in the rear left portion of my brain at the beginning of the week!
It started as what I thought was a dizzy spell, and wound up with nearly immobile right side and a weak left side.
If you know me on a personal level, I am a very independent person and maybe a little stubborn, and I did not make getting me to the hospital and getting treated very easy for anyone,lol…”luckily” for me, the quick reaction of the Smileys team at the jobsite when I fell out, my wife Bobbie-Jo’s adamant “I don’t care if you don’t want to go the the ER” attitude and tenacity in getting me there, and the absolute expertise of everyone involved in my case at Stephens County Hospital , the only effect this event will have on me is the wake up call it leaves behind, and the changes I will make in my life to prevent its return!
Everyone involved, from my amazing team of electricians who got me to Bobbie, the 2 EMS guys that “tricked “me into getting in the car with her to “go to the clinic” , and the stroke protocol team who stood at the ready to recieve me at SCH, were able to get me prepared to receive a miracle drug they called TNK within a very short window of only 4 hours!! This includes convincing my stubborn butt to even take the medicine as it is very expensive, and we are self pay!! About that—I don’t remember the Doctors name that works with an amazing young nurse named Zealee, (I remember a Millennium Falcon pin on his scrubs)..I want you to know , primarily it was your reassurance and explanation that pushed me to sign the paperwork for that medicine, and How I was raised, means I am forever in your debt! And Zealee, I gave you a lot of backlash with almost everything you tried, you did not hesitate, nor fold, and I hope your parents get to read this and are filled with pride about the Hero nurse they raised!
It’s hard for me to admit when I need help, to the nurses in SCH ICU, no one knows the impact you have on a person like myselfs’ recovery unless they have been taken care of by you…I do, and I applaud each one of you, I served next to some of the greatest men in my service time, your ladies teamwork and personal touch remind me of those times, well done and I thank you so very much.
Finally Mary in ER, our families were already friends, but I know that how you comforted my wife when she finally had me where I needed to be, and it was her turn to worry, that was so very necessary for her to show me strength for the next steps, and she did! I know in my heart, that’s not the first wife, husband or child you did that for, and SCH is lucky to have you at their front doors.
To the man in charge of this hospital, Van…let any naysayers words roll off of your shoulders when it comes to the team you have assembled, and the Hospital that you run…at one time improvement may have been needed, I will bear witness to anyone that improvement is well seen and experienced, and keep it up! Stephens County is lucky to have that Hospital full of caring medical professionals..
All this to say it is these people that I speak of above that is going to allow me to get back in the saddle and come back to work today! There are so many messages I’ve missed this week, and so many voicemails to return, I’m a tad bit slower for now, and taking it easier (at least until my wife trusts that I am recovered) So I ask for more patience, and understanding, and if you still need Smileys, and we can meet your timeline, please call us again at 706-599-6588 and we will do our best to meet your needs!
Thank God Almighty he wrote that I was not done here, and my Job isn’t either…and God Bless each one who is reading this, Your friendly neighborhood Sparky…Smiley
