don and pat garlits

Kevin Lang · 02-25-2012, 10:39 AM

God bless you both and get well soon !!

Jim Wahl · 02-25-2012, 08:15 PM

From NHRA's Bob Frey via DRC:

As many of you know by now, "Big Daddy" Don Garlits recently had some medical problems. The exact medical term for what he had was a T.I.A, or Transient Ischemic Attack, sometimes referred to as a "mild stroke." Unlike a major stroke, T.I.A's often resolve themselves and don't result in any long term problems.

Don was at home having a cup of coffee when a friend, who had stopped by to clean out Tom Lemons' old apartment, noticed that Don seemed a little sluggish. When Don began speaking they noticed that he seemed to be a bit confused (one of the signs of a T.I.A.), and when they asked him several questions, including how old he was, which he was not able to answer, they determined that something was wrong and immediately took him to the hospital. Once there he was diagnosed with the T.I.A. and was also informed that he had extremely high blood pressure. After almost two days in the hospital he was released and he is now back home and doing well.

I spoke with Don today and he sounds perfectly normal. He was responding to all of my questions and remembered almost everything about the incident. "One moment I was having a cup of coffee and the next thing I know I was in the hospital," he said. But he did recall almost everything about his stay in the hospital and the discussions he had with the medical team. "I feel good now," he told me. "I never liked taking medicine but I have to take these blood pressure pills. Other than that I'm ok."

Having just celebrated his 80th birthday, and now getting ready for the annual Hall of Fame inductions in two weeks, this is a very busy time for Don. After talking with him for a while he assured me that he is up to the task and will be at the induction ceremonies.

Ed Fernandez · 02-26-2012, 12:46 AM

It's good to hear this news.The disturbing news was the post below.Is Pat seriously ill?

Friends,
I put my wife into the hospital Friday and Saturday the Doctor told me she would never come home! The very next morning I had a stroke, however I was rushed to the hospital and they got to me in time and I’m home now doing great. Just a small memory loss for about an hour! The good Lord was with me! Pray for both of us.
Thanks,
Don

chevy620 · 02-26-2012, 10:53 AM

Our prayers are with them. What kind of a guy is BIG?
He knew us from nobody and we called the Museum and asked if we could park the rigs in the lot that night and visit the Museum the next day. He unlocked the gate and showed us where to park. All he said, with a slight smerk on his face was "Don't be leaving none of that "blue stuff" on my parking lot" and he drove off.

A true bonafide LEGEND who never got to full of himself. I hope Pat gets to come home and have coffee with him in the mornings.

Jok & Barb

ss wannabee · 02-26-2012, 01:56 PM

If anybody could be termed "Mr. and Mrs. Drag Racing" it would have to be the Garlits'.
Prayers to both...hope there's an update on Pat's condition.

Carguy49 · 03-16-2012, 11:55 AM

Just out of curiousity, Is there any latest news on how Pat is doing. I see that Don has been to a few events lately, but nothing on Pat's condition. I do want to respect there privacy, but was just wondering. Prayers are still going out for them.

denbreeden · 03-16-2012, 12:21 PM

She was at Gainesville when Don was inducted into the hall of fame.

Dennis Breeden

Hemi Moose · 03-16-2012, 03:25 PM

That's good news to hear, and hope all is well...
HM.

02-25-2012, 10:39 AM	#1
Kevin Lang Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: southern connecticut Posts: 38 Likes: 10 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: don and pat garlits God bless you both and get well soon !!

02-25-2012, 08:15 PM	#2
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,844 Likes: 667 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: don and pat garlits From NHRA's Bob Frey via DRC: As many of you know by now, "Big Daddy" Don Garlits recently had some medical problems. The exact medical term for what he had was a T.I.A, or Transient Ischemic Attack, sometimes referred to as a "mild stroke." Unlike a major stroke, T.I.A's often resolve themselves and don't result in any long term problems. Don was at home having a cup of coffee when a friend, who had stopped by to clean out Tom Lemons' old apartment, noticed that Don seemed a little sluggish. When Don began speaking they noticed that he seemed to be a bit confused (one of the signs of a T.I.A.), and when they asked him several questions, including how old he was, which he was not able to answer, they determined that something was wrong and immediately took him to the hospital. Once there he was diagnosed with the T.I.A. and was also informed that he had extremely high blood pressure. After almost two days in the hospital he was released and he is now back home and doing well. I spoke with Don today and he sounds perfectly normal. He was responding to all of my questions and remembered almost everything about the incident. "One moment I was having a cup of coffee and the next thing I know I was in the hospital," he said. But he did recall almost everything about his stay in the hospital and the discussions he had with the medical team. "I feel good now," he told me. "I never liked taking medicine but I have to take these blood pressure pills. Other than that I'm ok." Having just celebrated his 80th birthday, and now getting ready for the annual Hall of Fame inductions in two weeks, this is a very busy time for Don. After talking with him for a while he assured me that he is up to the task and will be at the induction ceremonies. __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

02-26-2012, 12:46 AM	#3
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	Re: don and pat garlits It's good to hear this news.The disturbing news was the post below.Is Pat seriously ill? Friends, I put my wife into the hospital Friday and Saturday the Doctor told me she would never come home! The very next morning I had a stroke, however I was rushed to the hospital and they got to me in time and I’m home now doing great. Just a small memory loss for about an hour! The good Lord was with me! Pray for both of us. Thanks, Don __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA

02-26-2012, 10:53 AM	#4
chevy620 Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 188 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: don and pat garlits Our prayers are with them. What kind of a guy is BIG? He knew us from nobody and we called the Museum and asked if we could park the rigs in the lot that night and visit the Museum the next day. He unlocked the gate and showed us where to park. All he said, with a slight smerk on his face was "Don't be leaving none of that "blue stuff" on my parking lot" and he drove off. A true bonafide LEGEND who never got to full of himself. I hope Pat gets to come home and have coffee with him in the mornings. Jok & Barb

02-26-2012, 01:56 PM	#5
ss wannabee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 663 Likes: 0 Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Re: don and pat garlits If anybody could be termed "Mr. and Mrs. Drag Racing" it would have to be the Garlits'. Prayers to both...hope there's an update on Pat's condition.

03-16-2012, 11:55 AM	#6
Carguy49 VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Fife, Washington Posts: 1,979 Likes: 2,474 Liked 2,951 Times in 709 Posts	Re: don and pat garlits Just out of curiousity, Is there any latest news on how Pat is doing. I see that Don has been to a few events lately, but nothing on Pat's condition. I do want to respect there privacy, but was just wondering. Prayers are still going out for them. __________________ Ron McDowell - Did Race Every day is a Gift - Enjoy with family and friends.

03-16-2012, 12:21 PM	#7
denbreeden Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Plainville, IN Posts: 501 Likes: 147 Liked 61 Times in 26 Posts	Re: don and pat garlits She was at Gainesville when Don was inducted into the hall of fame. Dennis Breeden

03-16-2012, 03:25 PM	#8
Hemi Moose VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2,824 Likes: 0 Liked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Re: don and pat garlits That's good news to hear, and hope all is well... HM.