Father's love without regret (Part I) Published June 17, 2011 By Senior Airman Amber R. Kelly-Herard 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- In 1994, then Senior Airman Roger Lammey, met his wife, Michaela in Las Vegas through a mutual friend. They later married and became a family which includes stepson Shakia Horn, 22, Dyshali, 16, and Akiano, 11. Mrs. Lammey worked as a registered nurse. Tragically, when she was 38-years-old she suffered a stroke. She recovered and found a less stressful job at a geriatrics doctor's office. At 41, she suffered from a second stroke. "She had six months of in and out treatment and a month-and-a-half of physical and occupational therapy so she could learn how to speak, walk and eat by herself and regain strength on her right side," said Master Sgt. Lammey, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing FOD prevention monitor. "She went from being in a wheelchair, to a walker, then to a cane and now walking by herself." "It was difficult to keep up with work and help her with treatment since I was the only one able to drive," said the sergeant who is deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. "My work was very supportive though, they knew if I came in early it was because I had to leave in the afternoon or if I came in late it was because I had an appointment." "It was a challenge to help her eat, get dressed and take care of the house," continued Sergeant Lammey, who is originally from South Dakota, but now considers Sumter, S.C., his home. Since then, Mrs. Lammey has become more independent and is able to do the things was did prior to her strokes. To help the Lammey family, Mrs. Lammey's parents moved from Las Vegas to help take care of them. "They treat me just like their son," said Sergeant Lammey. "My in-laws are really supportive and help out a lot by watching the kids while I was at work or with Mikki at her appointments. I couldn't have asked for better in-laws." "With Dyshali now driving, he helps out while I am here," he added. Sergeant Lammey was deployed to Joint Base Balad May to October of last year, as well as this year. "It hard not being able to be there and not knowing what's happening," he said. "I also like to be there for her doctor's appointments to be able to clearly explain what's going on because sometimes she can't remember." Sergeant Lammey credits his supervisor for being supportive. "My unit provides me a stable home environment and the mental and emotional help needed to figure out what I need to do," he said. "He (his supervisor) also is good about pulling me aside when I look stressed." (Editor's note: This is part one of a two-part series.)