It was the best birthday present he could have received.

Ed Archuleta, the father of 16-year-old Liz, who suffered a stroke Nov. 14, 2011, saw his daughter released on Tuesday from a rehabilitation facility in San Jose, Calif.

By Wednesday morning, the bright-eyed Churchill County High School sophomore was back in her own bed.

And to boot, CCHS will host a fundraiser for the Archuletas during the Feb. 11 basketball games against Fernley. Liz Archuleta, according to her dad, is expected to make an appearance during the girls' varsity game, and depending on how she can hold up, sit through some of the boys' game, too.

Ed Archuleta said he is overwhelmed by the support and the honor bestowed upon Liz regarding the fundraiser.

Liz's recovery has come quickly after she suffered a severe stroke in November during basketball tryouts at CCHS. She was placed in a medically induced coma and suffered another stroke days later at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno.

“Every day she keeps increasing,” Ed Archuleta said. “You can see that distance created.”

Doctors said the strokes are commonly found in elderly patients who would have been incapacitated; however, Liz Archuleta pulled through and by mid-December, she was transferred to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and has worked through a rigorous rehab process.

Ed Archuleta said his daughter was evaluated on a point-based system. She needed 75 points to be released. Well, Liz Archuleta reached 72 points more than two weeks ago, and Ed Archuleta said doctors announced she could be released.

“They said when people come here, everybody wants to get better,” he added, “but not everybody wants to put in the work. Whether they physically can't or the brain can't allow them ... they said she was willing to put the work in.”

Liz Archuleta's first request was to visit the Pacific Ocean. She and her father left the facility in San Jose and journeyed to the coast, where she dipped her feet into the water. Seconds later, Liz Archuleta told her dad she was cold and the two piled into their RV and arrived home at about 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

“By the time we got done, she wanted to put her feet in the water and go home,” Ed Archuleta said. “She was happier than hell.”

With his daughter back in Fallon, Ed Archuleta said the recovery process isn't over. Dealings with their insurance company have provided many obstacles in finding therapists Liz Archuleta can use.

Her medication doses have been greatly reduced, Ed Archuleta added. At one point, his daughter was taking nearly a dozen medications. Now, Liz Archuleta is down to one anti-seizure medication and one aspirin per day.

A team rallies

Liz Archuleta excelled at every sport in which she competed. She won a state title as a member of the girls' 400-meter relay team and was fifth in state in the 400 for the track team.

In addition, she played in the fall with the varsity soccer team (scoring one goal) and was trying out for a spot on the JV basketball team. Academics were also a strong suit for Liz Archuleta, as she was named Student of the Month as a freshman.

The Fallon girls' basketball team, however, dedicated its season to their stricken teammate. Freshmen Ali Tedford and Shelby Smith said they were in shock when they saw their friend and teammate drop to the floor at practice.

Since then, the team printed warm-up T-shirts reading “With you Liz, on and off the court.”

“It really affected all of us,” Tedford said. “We wanted to, somehow, represent her when we were playing. I like wearing that and it reminds me that we are doing this for her.”

As of Wednesday, Ed Archuleta said he expects his daughter to attend a portion of the girls and boys varsity games. He said Liz Archuleta needs to build up some social skills before tip off such as adjusting to home life, friends and working on her speech. While she was in rehab several friends, who were in San Jose for a club volleyball tournament, made a surprise visit.

Community support

A number of Fallon businesses and friends of the Archuleta family began fundraising efforts days after Liz Archuleta's stroke.

Close friends Sydney and Morgan Howard made and sold bracelets, headbands and other garb. They also hit the social media outlets starting Facebook and Twitter pages with the handle “Warriors for Liz.”

The Facebook and Twitter pages, along with the Archuleta's own pages, have been inundated with thousands of well wishes and prayers.

“I think just the thoughts and words helped her get through it,” Shelby Smith said. “It helped her know we really care about her.”

CCHS Athletic Director Brad Daum said no passes will be accepted on Feb. 11. Children and students will be charged $4 and adults $6. Seniors will be admitted for free.

In addition to the games, CCHS Athletic Secretary Cheryl Venturacci said a number of events will take place during the games. Proceeds from a bake sale, raffle and silent auction, and of course ticket sales, will be donated to Liz Archuleta's medical expenses.

So far, the silent auction items for sale are a fly fishing reel, digital camera, a bicycle and more. The auction items will be presented in the foyer of the Elmo Dericco Gym.

Fallon girls coach Anne Smith said having Liz Archuleta present at the game will be a dream come true.

“I don't think they anticipated how many people stepped up and supported them,” Smith said. “I think it's a true testament to what kind of girl Liz is. She's a sweet girl, she's friends with everybody.”

Smith said the team and friends have posted flyers around school and using the social media outlets to spread the word. Smith, Tedford and many more can't wait for Feb. 11.

“I think it will mean a lot to her to see how much people really do care about her,” Smith added.