A return home

Dana Sykes hadn't seen her husband since his fall April 19.

Chuck said he was feeling dizzy before he "locked up like a tree" and fell down the stairs in the Sykes' residence, hitting his head several times. It was the second time he had fallen down the stairs.

"He looked dead," Dana recalls.

The couple's son and daughter-in-law were at the home and following CPR from his son and an EMT responding to the 911 call, Chuck was resuscitated. He was taken to the hospital and ultimately to the University of Utah Medical Hospital.

"I haven't seen him since then because of the COVID virus," she said.

Chuck was placed in the ICU at the hospital due to a severe brain bleed from the fall, being placed on both a feed tube and ventilator. Following his recovery, he was taken to a skilled nursing floor where he's been undergoing rehabilitation for his return home.

Dana has also been busy, preparing for Chuck's return. She converted their garage into a bedroom and bathroom to better accommodate his needs. However, she knows things will be different once he returns.

"It's probably going to be a long road," Dana said.

Chuck was a longtime Sweetwater County employee, working in the county's public health department its health inspector. Dana said he was forced to retire 5 years ago after arthritis started impacting his ability to work. She said they planned to travel and he spent his time gardening -- growing tomato plants to more than 6 tall.

While he will be bound to a wheelchair, Dana hopes Chuck will be able to resume his love of gardening. There will be some challenges to overcome however. One of the effects the fall has had is on his short-term memory, making it more difficult for him to recall recent events. Dana also said he's had some difficulty with his long-term memory as well.

Dana also believes she is prepared to better care for Chuck. Working as a special education teacher at Pilot Butte Elementary School in Rock Springs, Dana said she's worked with children who have suffered traumatic brain injuries and said much of that experience will help her. She also wants to know what caused him to fall in the first place, believing he suffered a seizure moments before he fell.

She said Chuck has been in good spirits and looks forward to coming home, an event she's also looking forward to after not seeing him for nearly three months.

She said the couple has received donations from family, friends and the community -- something she has been thankful for. She also said they're still accepting donations through an account set up for Charles Sykes at Wells Fargo bank.