don and pat garlits

[Jim Wahl]

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.