The Class  NEWSLETTER                                                                         04/03/14
         
   

 

 

 

 

Our “proposed” classmate gathering planned for sometime in May has been cancelled.  Maybe we can try again in the fall.

 

MAIL CALL

from Gene Baskin in Port Neches

I have been retired for almost four years now. My wife, Darlene, and I still live in Port Neches and we love to travel around the US and also stay and work at my ranch near Livingston, Texas. I can really sympathize with Sandra Nicks Kelly's list of chores on her place in North Carolina – because that is about the same things I do at my ranch. The list never gets shorter – but that’s Ok – because it’s more fun than work when you like what you are doing. Right now I am working on adding Tilapia to my pond so that they can control the algae!

 

We still vacation every summer in Wisconsin at our summer home in Superior Wisconsin. It was a rough winter up there this year but my brother-in-law keeps the snow shoveled, etc. even though we don’t usually go up there in the winter. This summer we plan on going up into Ontario Canada and maybe even “make the circle” – that is drive around all or most of the Great Lakes!

 

I love reading all about our classmates and really appreciate all that you and Mike do for the Class of 68.

(I appreciate you taking the time to write and share your life with us!)

 

from Jan Russell in Spring, TX

I finally got my trusty old 2001 Buick Century back from the body shop. As it turned out it was better to actually get it repaired. I was renting a really nice Nissan Altima with a keyless remote. It was really fun until I LOST the keyless remote last week and the dealership did not have a spare. So, I spent a "glorious" 4 days of Spring Break turning my apartment upside down looking for the silly thing. I looked in all the obvious places and all the ridiculous places. NO LUCK! So I ended up paying for a replacement. (NOT CHEAP!) The good news is that my apartment got a really good Spring cleaning. The even better news is that the payment from State Farm covered all the car repairs, the extra time for car rental, and the replacement of the remote. I didn't get rich, but the Lord does provide for ALL our needs.

 

from Lyn Frasier Lee in Georgetown, TX

I want to tell you I downloaded Bob Sewell's book, "A Surgeon's Heart: The Calling." I am thoroughly enjoying it. All of the reviews give it 5 stars and I have to agree. If you have time and enjoy reading, I highly recommend either buying the book or downloading it. Bob has made it very easy to obtain.

 

Thank you and Mike for your hard work. What a team.

( You are always so kind with your words.  Also, I am sure that Bob will appreciate your support in his effort!)

 

WEBSITE DONATION

Gene Baskin sent a generous donation.  We appreciate you and are thrilled that you enjoy our efforts.

 

NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT

My news is bittersweet.  After a really trying couple of weeks where I was down in the back with sciatica and still nursing my shoulder, Dad having some really rough days and I being mentally and physically exhausted, I made a decision.  After praying for guidance and taking all things in consideration that has been going on, I decided to place my Dad in a private home in Nederland with other elderly patients.  He will move either in May or the first part of June.  (The home is adding a wing on it and he has to wait for his room to be ready.)  It hasn't been an easy decision and does not come without guilty feelings on my part!  But, I have to think about my husband and myself.

 

I had to take an early retirement from teaching in 1999.  My one working vocal cord was getting too much of a workout.  I have since had to have some repair surgery to keep it working better.  I spent my first year of retirement on speech therapy, etc.  The next two years was spent volunteering and  helping the counselor and office staff at my elementary school where I had taught and also helping my sister who was having lots of problems with her bipolar condition.

 

Next came some personal health problems and then I started babysitting grandchildren.   Murphy was diagnosed with cancer and the same summer we were hit with Hurricane Rita and I was in charge of my sister and my parents.  Murphy's mother's health was declining and I helped with her every day for the next  three years.  In the meantime, my mother and dad were experiencing health problems and they moved into our home.  My adult niece also moved in after getting a divorce. 

 

Well, that wasn't enough!  Hurricane Ike came through and wiped out our home with six feet of salt water.  I took care of my parents and sister and brother-in-law getting everyone moved and fighting with FEMA.  Mom's health deteriorated and she passed away in 2010.  Dad moved in that day and my sister's health began to decline.  Do you see a pattern here? 

 

I'm “pooped” out and Murphy has been nothing but supportive MOST of the time.  That is a lot of caregiving and it has begun to take a toll on both of us.  Murphy retired in 2011 when he began to have heart issues.  So, now that he is better I feel that he deserves some “US” time before it is too late. I have to report way too many deaths of our beloved classmates.  I don't want to be the one who says, “I WISH that Murphy and I ....”

 

PS  I am going to Dr. Sean Figari at Beaumont Bone and Joint Friday, April 4th from him to decide what to do with my silly shoulder!  Remember the bike accident?  The initial report after the MRI and x-rays said “possible tear in the tendon”  More info next update.

 

SUPPORT

update from Susan Reagle Duplant in Vinton, LA

Mar. 20 For friends that have been asking about me: I was on predisone for 4 months, off for one week. Went to hemotogist today and numbers were down to 8.7 (norm. 12-16). I knew they were down, weakness and other symptoms are back. Started me back on 100mg of Predisone, next Thursday I go for a 5 hour IV of Rituxan, which is a chemo. They are hoping it will straighten out my spleen. I have to go get 3 immunizations, in case they have to do an emergency surgery on my spleen. I will have one IV a week for 4 weeks. If my numbers don't come up during this time, then it will be surgery. Of course, I am praying for miracles. Without a spleen your immune system is worse than it already is. I already have auto-immune disease. It's not good and I don't feel good, but very thankful it is not cancer. Thanks for all the well wishes. :o)

Mar. 29 I had my 6 hour IV, today. It went well, so far. Tired from sitting so long, but the prednisone got my numbers up to ten, which is better. Go next Thursday for another IV and labs. I will also cut prednisone down to 40 mg. on Thursday. Thanks, for the calls, texts and prayers. :0)

April 3 I had my second IV today. Only four hours today. My numbers were at 11 before the IV. I cut my prednisone down to 40 mg. from 100mg today. Got a little upset stomach, but I put my big girl panties on and doing fine now. Two down, two to go. Have a great evening everyone. I am taking mine, One Day At A Time... :0)

 

from Gene Baskin in Port Neches

I was diagnosed with Stage 3 prostate cancer in Nov 2013 and had robotic surgery at MD Anderson on Jan 29th.  They found one lymph node with cancer – so I will be starting radiation in about two months. Keep me in your prayers.

gbaskin@gt.rr.com

 

from Dianne Dupre in Groves

My gastric bypass surgery has finally been scheduled. It will be on Monday, March 31 at 7:30 at St. Elizabeth's in Beaumont. Please send your prayers and support. I love you all and know you will always be supportive. That is what is going to get me through! (By the way, I've already lost 30 lbs. in my pre-surgery diet).

 

Mike Soileau writes:

Special prayer request for an upcoming  medical procedure for a family member. soil47@aol.com

Ernie Castaneda Bullion's husband, Ron has had a rough few days.  He had skin cancers removed, cataract surgery, 2 root canals on his teeth AND his mother has been in the ICU and hospital room for several days. Some weeks are certainly rougher than others.

tbull50@sbcglobal.net

Carolyn Lyons' mother had to have serious colon surgery.  She is at home recovering in Hemphill.

from Chrissy Dupuis Mullens

Prayers please.  My sister Andrea's daughter's house caught on fire.  It seems to be a total loss.

cmullens@gt.rr.com

Darlene Turner Landry had several stents put in this week.

gran0901@yahoo.com

An unnamed classmate needs your prayers.  Several family and personal issues are overwhelming at this time. 

CONDOLENCES

Debbie Thompson Saide

(death of her husband, Ronnie Saide)

6025 Dixie Dr.

Vidor, TX 77662

 

Thoughts from David Lapham:

I was sadden to hear of Robert McClintock's passing, and would have liked to attend the memorial service but I had shoulder surgery on 22nd of January, just three days before the service and was not in any condition to travel anywhere. Actually, my wife & I had committed to teach a ballroom dance lesson that Saturday but I made her go alone while I stayed home. I didn't run into Robert often while he was in Austin, but on every occasion that I did, I always enjoyed talking with him and I departed feeling better than when we met. Robert just had that sort of effect on folks.

I am always happy, happy when I am able to write a NEWSLETTER.  Keep the news coming.  I want to apologize for MORE THAN LIKELY forgetting something that someone told me or sent to me to include in this update.  My mind has been muddled lately. 

 

                           Keep in touch and contact a classmate,

                           Linda DeCuir McFadden

                           lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com

                           www.tjhs1968.com

 

 

 

     


                      

 
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