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Kay Watters '65 (Greene)

Thank you Jackie, enjoyed seeing you and will do so again...hugs, Kay

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Hey Kay, say, yea,  I attached outdoor floor mats to the ramp, and where the mat starts is where the wheels are spinning. Put a different mat on top and it woiks semi-fine.

    I had to use out of date inhaler as I misplaced my new one. Luckily for me it woiked. Then I found my newest one in our "bug out bag", along with "epi pens", a can of tuna, a canopener, some neosporin ointment, a "hello kitty" pack of bandaids etc. Dont know what I was expecting, packing the can of tuna, but whatever it was, I wouldnt be hungry, maybe.  Whilst we were looking for the inhaler, Diane ordered a new one from CVS. Of course they had to call my Doc. 

     Had a doc appt yesterday. Got a shot in my buuuttocks! Some kind of steroid. I was waiting for the "stab", and finally had to ask when she was going to jab me. "already did" she says....WOW...the nuoise is a REAL pro.  However, and aint there always a however, it hurts like hell now.  I havent had a shot in my buuuuttocks in years.

    Got some prednesone, symbicort, albuterol, robitussin with codiene, hmmm yum.  Why does cough syrup have to taste like something gone bad ?   Had two nebulizer treatments, numerous puffs on the inhaler, numerous shots of  tussin w/codiene. Finally just drank it out of the bottle. Cough syrup had little to no noticeable effect.

    One of the worst nights in memory. I had to try not to cough, because it was dry, and once I started, I couldnt stop, and with each cough, it depleted the air from my lungs, not to be replaced. Then a shot of the inhaler and a gasp for air. OH my goodness.   To keep from coughing, I brewed a pot of coffee, and then walked counterclockwise around the kitchen island and dining table....around and around, from 2 AM till almost sunup, stopping along the way to drink coffee, drink tussin non codiene formula, something to keep me from coughing.  As long as I kept moving and drinking coffee I was ok, sort of!

   I counted the steps, but lost count somewhere between 350 and 400, well no matter.  Longest night in, cant remember when!  Had fever !  Sometime ago, my core temp dropped from 98.6 to 96.8, so if I had 98.6 that was 100 for all you ordinary mortals. Wore an icebag on my neck, or many ice bags on my many trips around the kitchen and dining room.

   I am better today, coughing now producing and not the killer dry cough!  Been taking it easy laying about in the sun, pups on both sides, which is  always a great medicinal remedy. 

   Kay, do you like tea? I dont particularly like hot tea, but I will drink it. Diane has a plethora of different tastes of tea, Camomile, ginger etc, and I think it makes Diane feel good to think she is helping the situation, so no harm no foul.        Like I said, I dont particularly care for hot tea, but will drink it. I lace it with honey and real ginger root, and it's tolerable, and maybe woiks, but never really can tell. I do like the hot honey going down the gullet, it's sort of soothing.  I prefer hot black coffee or hot chocolate with little marshmallows and or whip cream on top.

    Give it a try, people swear that it works wonders. I'm still wondering if it works on me!

    Another night is upon this knight, so we will see what the unforgiving inky night will bring!  My beloved is making twice baked potatos for supper. I know it's late, but they are small potatos. 

What a blessed beautiful day today is, or was. The sun is doing it's dreaded setting.
so, there you go...   

Post Script: will be rescheduling surgery, hopefully this next friday, or when they can fit me in... 

Linda Webster '65 (Jennings)

Just wanted to say again how much fun I had on the 18th at Beau and Diane's lovely place. Also am praying for all those who are suffering from colds, flu, allergys or whatever. A special prayer for Charles and Henny. Hope everyone gets well soon.

Also just to let anyone know I got a clean bill of health this time, no tumors and no appointment until September.

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Hmmm, I was in the middle of a post when the website disappeared and screen said my website time had expired. Hey Jackie, is there now a time limit?  Oh woe is me if there is.

guess I'd better hurry then. Linda, that is outstanding news, hoorah for you. So good seeing you at the party, as well as everyone else.

Diane and I loved it so, we are planning the next party when everyone wants to get togehter again up here in the rarefied air.  We now know what to do and what not to do. A lot of the things that we did for the party, wont have to be repeated because they are already done.  Just say when ! ! ! ! !

    Actually slept from midnight to 4 this morn, and for me that's a good nights sleep.  Now I'm laying on the couch sandwiched in by Dixie on my left and Sammie on my right, and a cup a joe balancing precariously on my person.  Still coughing some, but not the desparate dry cough kind.

   Just waiting on the sunrise. Hope it's as beautiful a day today as it was yesterday. Well, I'm still alive, so I guess it's started out well, sunrise or no sunrise.

     Ok, gonna close for now, coffee got cold, so a fresh cup is in order, plus the kids want to eat or go out, or both.

There you go....

Kay Watters '65 (Greene)

Well, I've been suffering too, since Wed.  had one of my elderly friends stop by to let me know he is sick as well.  I'm thinking allergies today.  Has to be oak blossoms ugly dirty orange droppings, and/or cedar, in my case. I'm doing the dry cough, goes on and on, now the cold and congestion......but I think I'm on the way back.  

Beau, hope you are too.  Perhaps the wind and rain have settled all down now. Linda, super report, glad to hear as I have thought about your visit. Went to pages 98, 99, & 100 and read what we all talked about back then. Yes, I have been cooped up in the house too long.

Jackie, thank you for your dedication on those pics, great fun looking back and remember the day!

Steve Puckett '65

So sorry you are having coughing problems.  Website pollen.com shows the pollen level to be 'high' around Houston.  The top allergens are oak, ash, and hackberry (as in HACKing cough!).  We live in SW Virginia (also has high amounts of tree pollen but for different trees) and have both been suffering from constant coughing for the last 2 weeks - it's really bad when trying to sleep. My wife Lil strained her back working out...it is a big pain every time she coughs.  I take Zyrtec and she switched from Zyrtec to Xyzal (she cannot tell the difference in effect).  We also take dextromethorphan for the cough.  These take the edge off but do not totally stop it.  Growing up we did not have the good meds we have today (yay!).  I had allergy problems on and off through the year as a kid but just had to suffer through it.   We also did not have A/C then to help filter the air.  Somehow we toughed our way through it.  In the Springs of 2015 & 2017 were the first times Lil has ever had hayfever problems in her life - she grew up in So. Calif. She thinks hayfever is horrible and cannot imagine having to grow up like I did.   

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Hey Steve, we missed you at the party man, come on down bro!  Youre not far from here, somewhere around Conroe eh?   Sorry you and your wife are having those problems. You say she was working out? You must have married a child bride like I did.

hey Kay...sorry youre having problems also.  We are/were ready to do it again, but this lung stuff is really kicking my buuuuttocks.  Seems like the worst episode yet, but my wife assures me it isnt. I've had worse and been to ER numerous times. Lord I sure hope I dont have to go this time. 

    This will be short, my body is just shaking from the last nebulizer treatment, and fixin to have another. I dont seem to be getting any better. This just really is hell....I'll try to get back on to see how everyone is, but I am in dire straits here, b ut got a good crew looking after me. Got dizzy and fell but luckily caught aholt of the dinning room table and one of the chairs which saved me from hitting the corncrete floor, yea!

    got both pups and all three cats hovering over me as well as Diane.

See ya....

Oh, post script:  Talk about problems, Jan (Barnes) Nimitz sent an email detailing the problems they have been having and why they didnt make it to the party on the hill.         I forwarded it to Jackie with Jans permission.  In a nutshell, Jan was and is stilll recovering from TWO, COUNTEM TWO BROKEN LEGS, and her husband Ed had 1/3 of one of his lungs removed due to a tumor. Things went sideways from there and the wheels came off the train, collapsed lung, lung not healing, more surgery and about a 3 week stay in the hospital. Jan was by Eds side all the way, even with two broken legs. She says she can now move about the house unaided, but needs a cane for extended trips!  Well, I guess so.

They really need our strength in numbers and hard praying.  They were going to attend the party on the hill, but all this came up and couldnt make it. They say they will be at the next one. So lets have a next one gang! ! ! ! !

I'll ;kick it off, JAN YOU AND ED HEAL........

Jan Barnes '65 (Nimtz)

Thanks for posting this, Beau, and for your thoughts & prayers. It has been a rough couple of months for us but I am doing great and my husband, Ed is taking his recovery one day at a time. One broken femur for me in Sept. 2015 and another in Jan. 2017. But both are healing nicely and I am mostly mobile under my own steam again. My husband's surgeries on Feb. 28 & another on March 14 set him back quite a bit. One-third of his right lung was removed due to a small nodule identified as adenocarcinoma (a non-smoker's lung cancer found primarily in women and much younger men). Fortunately the nodule was discovered at stage 1 and the biopsied lymph nodes were clear. Cancer is gone with no further treatment necessary! However while still in hospital his right lung collapsed and he returned to surgery for repair of a major air leak. 21 days later he came home on Mar. 21. He is getting stronger each day but still has many challenges ahead in his recuperation. However, we are thankfully for SO many things. And we graciously accept your prayers.

Kay Watters '65 (Greene)

Jan, Lord, lord, how did you break not one, but two legs?  I guess I would Have to say, I'm in shock, as I've not had the misfortune of having broke a bone yet, although many times I thought I had, it hurt so much. Prayers and in store for the both of you, that you have a rapid recovery and hope to see you at one of the many events....

Steve, thank you for your comments on the pollen count. I will keep that website in mind  I haven't made it to recovery as of yet.  Gave up and went to our small St. Joes ER on Monday when I became nauscous and didn't care if I ate or not....they diagnosed it as a virus, handed out a script for finnigin and tylenol/codiene, so I can sleep thru the night.. On day 7 stil waiting it out. I am just taking plain tylenol, codiene not my cup of tea. Talk about tea, Beau, I drink only good old reg tea, not any of the specialty teas. Am inhaling diet lemon flavored decaf tea, stirred w/water.....very tasteful, indeed.  By the way, being a native of Houston, TX was the only way I rolled....sweating in the heat sitting in school, didn't know there was any other way.  On the other hand we have so much land out here we are always giving ourselves a free workout, no need to pay to go work out....Lol.

Beau, please take care, avoid those near-falls or you will be in Brenham in no time and for all the wrong reasons.  I'm not sure if you traded up on the available healthcare that you had in Houston.  I do hope you have found good care though.

Steve Puckett '65

Prayers and good wishes sent to all who have health issues.   Thought I'd add that we also have air cleaners/ionizers for the bedroom and office.  We use replacement filters (on the fan on the central A/C-heat) that allegedly filters out pollen.  We also pray for rain to wash the pollen out of the air temporarily.

Lil and I are in a local play, "Thunder in the Hills", about a big shootout in 1912 in the county courthouse that made international headlines - a coupla dozen guys blast away at each other in the courtroom.  I play Sheriff Webb (apparently 1st to get shot) and Lil plays both a landlady & the wife of one of the main characters.  This is our 1st time acting so is quite an experience - very interesting.  It has been tough going with all our coughing going on.  Hopefully that will all be over with when the play starts April 7.  Many friends & relatives are in the play, a repeat by popular demand of the play first performed in 2012, and is presented in the actual courtroom: http://www.roanoke.com/news/virginia/the-courthouse-tragedy-gunfight-in-hillsville-in/article_45d0d7f3-6e1f-57c4-83be-fceb3d98dafd.html  I had relatives in the original gunfight.  Some audio clips of songs made just after the shootout: http://www.blueridgeinstitute.org/ballads/allenssongs.html

"Don't you lie to me, honey!   I'm the HIGH sheriff!!"

Jan Barnes '65 (Nimtz)

Thank you, Kay. Both legs were broken on my own property, one just by walking on a stress fracture I dd not know I had. The other (two years later) happened when I stubbed my toe on a small, hidden cedar stump and down I went. Hill country land has beautiful views but is also up & down, rugged and rocky. Both times my husband & I were attempting to clear trails throughout our 27 acres. My husband now says I am not allowed to do that anymore. I am doing great though and have heightened my walking cane and relinquished it to my husband for awhile. Thanks for your thoughts & prayers.

Jackie Crowe (Finch)

I'm sharing Jan's story - please keep her and her husband in your prayers!  God Bless!

Hugs

Sunday, March 26, 2017 12:08 PM, Jan Nimtz <campo@gvtc.com> wrote:

I thought (after the fact ) that all of you might be interested in our recent story…

I will try to make a long story short. (Good luck, right?)

I was still in Cibolo Creek Rehab with my broken leg. Ed’s doctor found a small nodule in Ed’s right lung. Very small. Ed would have nothing done until I got out of rehab so I could be with him. I essentially checked myself out of rehab after 3 weeks. I was there 6 weeks with the first broken leg.  Ed had the nodule biopsied and it was one of four types of lung cancer (a non-smoker’s cancer generally found in women and much younger men). On to an oncologist who recommended a thoracic surgeon in SA. Meanwhile I was juggling trying to deal with Ed while making appts. and accompanying Ed to his various doctors while also trying to maintain my outpatient PT appts. (all this on a walker). 

Surgery was scheduled for Feb. 28^th, one day before Ed’s 71^st birthday. The oncologist & surgeon told us that because the nodule was mid center of the upper lobe of the lung (three lobes in the right lung) they could not “scrape it off” as if it were on the edge of the lung. They both recommended having a lobectomy, removing the upper lobe (or 1/3) of the right lung. The surgeon said that because of Ed’s good physical condition, no previous surgeries and that he is taking no Rx meds, he should expect to be in hospital 3-4 days and come home with few restrictions. A few things went awry and Ed’s lung did not “seal up” as was expected following the surgery. He had a major “hole” in his lung and the right lung collapsed. He was started on oxygen 24/7. The docs kept saying the lung “should” seal itself in time. We waited and waited in hospital for two weeks.

Meanwhile Ed had two chest tubes to drain the chest of fluid, oxygen, catheter, IV. He was literally tethered to the wall in his hospital room. They took daily x-rays to check for the inflation of his right lung. After two weeks there was no improvement. Ed wasn’t eating and was becoming depressed. I spent 6-8 hr. every day with him just to be there and keep him company. That was difficult for me (still on a walker and not having driven yet since my accident), but I was happy to do what I could for him. And in the long run all the driving and going back and forth really strengthened my leg so that I quit my PT. On March 14^th (having never left the hospital) they decided to take him to surgery again to repair the remaining lung. Over the next week Ed had his own PT in hospital and was weaned off oxygen. On Tuesday, 3/21 the surgeon removed both the chest tubes and told us Ed could go home to finish recuperating. We were surprised as it all happened so quickly following a long three weeks in hospital but we were not going to argue. He came home late afternoon of 3/21. He is doing well, just moving very slowly. As far as I am concerned he is just NOW starting his recuperation process. I’ve got to fatten him up (as he lost 21 lb.) and get him moving again.

I am walking on my own at home without assistance. I use a cane for short trips, eating out, etc. And I still take my walker in the car when I leave home “just in case”. Oh, forgot to mention… the surgeon was very aggressive in removing lymph nodes along right side of neck and under right arm. The pathology report came back CLEAR! CANCER GONE! We were very fortunate despite the long hospital stay that things turned out like they did. Thanks be to God!

As he was predicted to be in hospital only 3-4 days Ed did not want the news of his surgery broadcast, figuring that by the time the surgery was over he would be back at home, living normally.  We actually only told our kids and grandkids beforehand at the end of February. Then things happened and word gradually started leaking out. And that’s okay now. It’s “water under the bridge”. We are both at home and Ed is trying to do a bit more each day. He is still weak, slow in walking and runs short of breath easily. However this is all supposed to be temporary and he is expected to regain full motion and breathing capacity by the end of his recuperation. It will just take time.

Any & all prayers will be gladly accepted.

Love you all,

Jan

Jackie Crowe (Finch)

Here's Houston at the moment - dark as night and starting to rain.  There are reports that

cars are pullling off 290 because of hail moving towards Cypress

Eveyone be safe.  Hugs

Teddie Jordan

Wow Jan, so sorry, thats a big load yall have had to deal with at one time. But we admire your spirit and will continue to pray for a full and timely recovery for you and Ed. God bless you both.

And Steve, you sure look the part of a tough as nails sheriff. I'd put my hands up real quick for a stern looking lawman like that. Only suggestion would be a different gun prop that is less modern and more in tune with those times, like a six shooter revolver. Sounds like fun though even if you are the first one to get shot!

Steve Puckett '65

Ted - The gun he actually used in the shootout was a Colt Model 1903 Hammerless. Colt started making them in 1903.  It takes .320 ACP rounds.  This pistol  (later also in .380 ACP) was very popular with both police and gangsters because it was easily concealed - the length was only about 7".  It was so popular that others made similar pistols such as the Walther PP (police pistol) models (from 1929).  The sheriff kept his in the pocket of his coat.  Mine is a target pistol, a generic replica very similar to the variants of the real thing from Colt, Walther, etc. The other guy who plays the sheriff in the play carries his Walther PPK (Police Pistol Detective Model) which shoots .320 ACP rounds.  Compared side-by-side, his and mine look very similar - the audience would probably not be able to tell the difference at that distance.

Review of the 1903 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB16gKJzSmo

Teddie Jordan

Thanks for the info Steve, didn't realize hammerless went back that far. Enjoy the play and, Break a leg!

Steve Puckett '65

You are quite welcome, Ted.  One of the purposes of the play is to educate, not just to entertain.  Although I carry the semi-automatic, the other guns in the play are revolvers. The shootout was analyzed and re-analyzed through the years so there is probably a list somewhere of all the guns that were actually used.

Jenny Taylor (Williams)

I am very excited to report that I located Earline Knight and Karen Muckleroy.  I spoke with Earline yesterday and Karen today.  Invited them both to the Spring fling.  Earline is leaving for an 18 day cruise so may not make it but hopefully Karen will.  Earline will join the site when she returns and Karen will try to join asap.  It was so much fun catching up with them.  I have also located others but Jackie and I are going to have to write them notes because I couldn't locate a phone number.  Will keep you posted.  

See you guys at the Spring Fling. 

Jenny 

Kay Watters '65 (Greene)

Jennie, that is great, your scouting around to include these folks. Hope they can attend the gatherings.

Beau Cephus, when we don't hear from you, of course we worry.  Don't know if the operation has been the cause or the fact that none of us can breathe out here....speak for myself. I am feeling a bit better, stronger, and more like not sleeping the day away, so thinking tomorrow will be better. Stopped at Walmart to get the dogs their food and the cashier, a friend, says everyone has it.  Hope all is well for you, Beau, try to just be a mortal and rest and recover....This is God's season, and anything can happen.  Rain tonight and tomorrow, will stay in.

Jimmie Lee Smith (Brawner)

Well, Jenny, I have to know how you found Earline Knight.  We have been trying to find her forEVER........

Thanks so much for your hard work finding these people.

Jenny Taylor (Williams)

Jimmie

Actually finding her was not as hard as some I am working on.  I have been an amatuer genealogist for a long time and a couple of years ago I decided to take it from hobby to profession.  So as a first step, I got my genealogy certification through Boston University.  One of the things you learn is to use various data sources to find someone. Forensic genealogist work for police departsment, lawyers, title companies, cemetary lot owners etc.to find relatives and heirs. (I have worked for a few of those). I never knew how many jobs there were for genealogist!  

I mostly do research for people's ancestry, for DAR applications etc but also help locate people for friends. I love the "detective" work of finding people. The bigger challenge is to document and verify before presenting. Before I post that a classmate has passed away, I have to have several verifications. I would hate to post and it not be true!.  Believe it or not, there are sometimes many individuals with the same full name born in the same year.  

Now about Earline. After finding her date of birth, I looked at marriage and divorce records and determined her current husband's name. Once verifying that neither were deceased, I went to a couple of people "find" websites and found a number of individuals in various cities and states with his name. I started with Texas first and researched the county property records of those cities and found two properties for him with wife named Earline.The one that was homesteaded I knew was their home address.  So I went to whitepages.com with that name and address and found phone number.  If she didn't have a land line, I would not have found it on that website and would have written her to verify it was her, so I got lucky. I was able to find Karen Muckleroy in the same way.  So there you have it!!

See you all at the Spring fling!

Jenny

Jimmie Lee Smith (Brawner)

Wow, Jenny, I'm totally impressed.  Glad you're finding our lost sheep.

Jackie Crowe (Finch)

So happy to have Karen Muckleroy join our website and Earline Knight soon!  Thank you Jenny for all your hard work finding these wonderful classmates!.  We've missed them.

Hugs

Jackie Crowe (Finch)

Hey Gang,

Here's a list of attendees for Spring Fling as of today.  Many of you told me at Beau's event that you were coming and I made a mental note (you know how that goes LOL).  So if I overlooked anyone, or listed incorrectly, please let me know. Also need to check with Johnny for an update of RSVP he has received.  Looking forward to another fun filled event!

Hugs

Wayne Lake

A belated thanks to Beau and Diane for hosting and to all who came and participated on the March 18^th thrilla’ on the hilla’. This is a special group of people and I feel lucky to be a part of it. Best of luck to all those suffering with illness’s and with family members with illness, part of life but not too much fun. I don’t think I can make the April event as I have bro-in-law coming down to fish about then, sorry I will miss it as I expect another good turnout.

I am planning to go to Alaska again this summer around the end of June, pick up an RV in Anchorage, head East toward the Yukon Territory through Haines, cross the fjord to Skagway on the marine highway, travel up the Yukon River toward the confluence with the Klondike River and then back through Chicken Alaska to Anchorage. I saw a TV show a long time ago about Chicken Alaska and always thought I wanted to go there. I hope I don’t end up bear food and maybe find a big ol’ gold nugget to pay for the trip.

Dancin’ with dolphins in Aransas Pass where distilled waters restores my soul….

wtl