RETIRED OFFICERS ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
AUGUST 14, 2008
Email message as received from A.P. SMITH (7-07-08)
Hope life is good to you Forrest Me...well I am not sure. Very weak, have no energy whatsoever, but I keep trying to do things around here as always. Don't care about eating very much. Two weeks ago had a little surgery. My prostate was swollen so much till I could not empty my bladder. The doc used the old Lazer and opened things up.
I'm not real sure that its working as it should. I need to sit down often and sometimes lose my balance some. I am down to 161 lbs now. I don't guess that I have to worry about being over weight. Take care ---A.P.
E-mail message from Fred Eichholtz VIA Deanna Thornton re: Johnny Thornton's surgery..
Dear Family & Friends,
We are home! Johnny has done so well since the surgery (2 days ago) that they let him come home. He is completely worn out & in bed for a nap, but doing great.... thanks to all the many prayers! For those of you who haven't heard, the surgeon said that "it did not look like cancer & the tumor popped right out since it was not imbedded in the brain." The surgery was quick too... just an hour or so. He has been in very little pain & sat up in a chair the entire day yesterday.
We will get the final results from pathology in 2 weeks, but the dr. feels that it was benign. His incision was much larger than we had expected (about 8 inches long, on top of his head. It is stapled & has very little pain). Thank you to Pastor Dick, Eddie & Kathy, and Jan for coming to the hospital, and for the phone calls of concern. You were a great comfort and blessing to us, just to know that you were praying us through it all.. I'll keep you all posted on the final outcome, when we hear, but we feel confident and at peace. Love to all, & singing God's praises, Deanna
UPDATE - 7-20-08 - (e-mail from Deanna - Forrest) We just got back from Johnny's visit to the doctor & they took out the staples. The results of the pathology test are that it was benign (Praise God!). It was however, the type of tumor that reoccurs in the brain. Therefore, they will check him every 3 months with another MRI & then every 6 months. They want to keep a close watch on it, so that if any tumors do reappear on the meninges of the brain, they can resume treatment. He also had an ultrasound today on the cyst on his thyroid. We won't know the results of that for a week, when we return to the doctor next Friday. Keep us in your prayers for another good report. He actually got to drive home today & was so glad to be back behind the wheel again. He still has to stay out of the sun & on anti-seizure medication for 6 months. We love you all, and thank you for the many prayers
CHESTER MASSEY: (7-9-08 - Johnny Bonds to Nelson) Johnny visited with Chester yesterday and reports that Chester is doing good and they had a good chat. David Massey reports this morning the Chester is in good health, eating well and as long as he takes his medication properly he does fairly well with some periods of confusion. David hopes to bring Chester to the HPROA meeting tomorrow. Hopefully they will make it. David and Johnny both agree that Chester would like for some his friends to stop by and visit with him. We encourage anyone who has the time to go by and share a couple of old stories with him. Chester is a resident at the Hampton on Pinegate. Turn south on East T.C. Jester from the North Loop, go one block and turn left on Pinegate, go one block and it will be on your right. Continue to remember Chester in your prayers.
DANNY J. MCBEE - 7-14-08 - (E-Mail from Bob Sieckman - Forrest) Just to let your committee Know that Danny J. McBee, has entered Hermann Hospital at 10:00 Am today for treatment of stomach cancer. The cancer has also spread to the liver and lungs. I will keep you posted as he is my neighbor and we will be kept informed by his wife. Please keep Danny and family in your daily prayers. UPDATE (8-6-08 - Bob Sieckman) Called Bob to get an update on Danny. He will check on him and get back with us. UPDATE -
8-6-08 - Bob Seickman) - Bob checked with Danny McBee and he is home and feeling good. He goes in for another round of chemo next week and about 2 weeks after that they will do the surgery. Keep Danny and family in your daily [rayers.
Bobby Blalock (7-14-2008) will be entering the Medical City Hospital in Dallas Monday afternoon, I got the lucky draw and I am having the heart Valve replacement by way of the artery in my groin. If every thing goes well I should be out of the hospital in 4 to 5 days. If it doesn't, I'll be out sooner. Fay and Sheryl will be staying in the Marriot Residence Inn located at 10333 N Central Expressway, the phone number is (214)750-8220. The number for the hospital is (972)566-2200, The surgery will be done some time on Tuesday. Wish me luck! Keep Bobby and family in your daily prayers.
Bobby Blaylock (E-mail message) UPDATE( 7-19-08 2;40 P.M. - Forrest)
We reached Bobby at his home and he stated he got out of the hospital yesterday and is now resting at home. Stated that this procedure of doing a artery transplant is a new procedure. Only approx. 1,000 have been done. Using both veins in the groin, one vein the doctor does the surgery from that vein, and the other vein in the groin, a camera is inserted so the doctor can see what he is doing. He says he is doing pretty good but also stated he is currently on oxygen 24/7. Stated he would keep us posted as to his continued progress. Keep Bobby in your daily prayers...
Nell Neely- (Wife of HPROA Member, Johnny Neely) (UPDATE - 7-14-08 Delvin Kendrick - FAC) Went by St. Luke's Hospital and visited with Nell & Johnny. She is making some progress and hopes to be discharged the latter part of this week. She will continue her rehab with home health care. Continue to pray for Johnny, Nell, and their family, as well as the doctors and nurses taking care of Nell
Fred & Lila Berner - 7-15-08 - (Delvin Kendrick) Received an email from Fred. He had a scary bout with a detached retina in his right eye but thanks to a good doctor in San Antonio, who arc welded in back in place (laser surgery), he is doing well. He said he is having absolutely no pain from his knee replacement. Lila is still having back problems and has been tested for a Medtronics Spinal Cord Stimulator (similar to a TennsUnit).
She got about 70% pain relief in the test so she will have a permanent unit put in place sometime after August.
CAROLYN JORDY - (7-15-08 - E.J. Smith - Forrest) Received phone call from E.J. and reports that he has been in touch with Bennie Jordy. Bennie states that Carolyn is still in the Nursing facility in the Woodlands. She is not making any progress at this time. She is now under the care of Hospice. E.J. will keep us updated on her. Please keep both Carolyn and Bennie in your daily prayers. UPDATE- (8-7-08 - Bennie Jordy - Forrest ) We received a phone call from Bennie stating that he has been going for cardiac therapy and he is doing some better. He hopes to make our monthly meeting on 8-14-08. He went on to say that since hospice has been in attendance with Carolyn and she seems to be "some" better. She had lost much weight and weak from "not eating" but she is beginning to eat again. Hospice indicates that they are going to try to get her "up" and their hopes is that they want her to walk again. Lets all pray for both Bennie and Carolyn that the therapy program will be successful for both of them.
MARGARET HANEY - (7-22-08 - 6:00 P.M. wife of HPROA Member J.B. Haney - Forrest) We received a phone call from J.B regarding his wife. Her cardiologist had her on blood thinners due to heart palpitations. She began having bad headaches and was taken to Memorial Northwest Memorial on the Loop. The cardiologists was suppose to keep check on her blood level and blood platelettes but this was not done and she developed a Sub-dural Hematoma (bleeding in the brain causing the headaches) She also has Dementia and the first stages of Alzheimers. She was later transferred to the Vosswood Nursing Center - 815 Voss Rd, Houston. for therapy. Please keep Margaret in your daily prayers.
JO BANKSTON: (7-15-08 - Nelson) We were advised this morning that Jo had fell and was in a Medical Center hospital. She was located at Memorial Herman Hospital, Room 411, Cullen Pavilion, 713-704-7441. She suffered a cracked vertebrae and is bedridden at this time. She stated that she fell about two weeks ago and has been hospitalized since. She expects to be moved to a rehab center today or tomorrow. We will update when she relocates. Jo said she is taking phone calls so give her a call and remember Jo in your prayers that she might recover fully and rapidly. UPDATE - 7-22-08 - 6:00 P.M. - J.B. Haney to Forrest) Received information from J.B. that Jo was in the Vosswood Nursing Center - 815 Voss Rd - Houston room #424. (713-463-1060) and was in the room next to his wife Margaret who is in room #420. We called Jo and she stated that she first taken to St. Joseph Hospital and then later transferred to Herman Hospital in the Medical Center. Stated that she had this broken vertebra in her back from the fall but no surgery was performed as the Doctors said that this injury was very painful but felt that it would heal itself. She then was transferred to the Vosswood Nursing Center - 815 Voss Rd. Said to tell all "Hello and to call her" Please keep Jo in your daily prayers. UPDATE - (8-6-08 - Forrest) Jo came home on Saturday 8-2-08 from the Vosswood Nursing Center. She was fitted with a plastic back brace that she must wear when she walks. She goes back to her doctor on 8-15-08 for X-rays to see if everything is healing properly. Says to tell "hello" and is looking forward to coming back to our monthly meetings soon. Keep her in you prayers.
VELIA "BELLE" ORTEGA - (7-21-08 - Matt Perales - Forrest) Received information from Matt that Bell was visiting her daughter at 6969 South Loop East. She and other members of the family were inside the apartment when "drive-by shooters" rained a hail of bullets from an automatic assault rifle (believed to be a AK-47 rifle) at the apartment. Two (2) bullets went thru the door, one (1) struck Bell in the foot and one entered her rib cage. She was rushed to Ben Taub in very critical condition. Bell has been confined to a wheelchair for several months an almost an invalid, and has many medical problems prior to the shooting. Police Chaplin Monty Montgomery has visited the hospital, but has been unable to contact family members for additional information. Matt Perales relates that Bell is still in very critical condition and when he or Chaplin Montgomery gets any additional info they were update this report. Please keep Bell in your daily prayers.
STEVE ANDREWS - (7-16-08 - Stefanie Leonard to Nelson Foehner) Steve's wife Madeline reports that Steve is in Christus Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi where he will undergo heart bypass surgery on Thursday, July 17, 2008. Their need right now is our prayers that surgery is successful and recovery is rapid and complete. UPDATE - 7-21-08-(Nelson) - Stephanie Leonard reports this morning that Steve had a quadruple bypass and he is recovering and will likely be moved to a regular hospital room during the day today. It would appear that he has some blockage also in the carotid arteries which will addressed after he recovers from this surgery. We will attempt to contact him later today once he get squared away in his room. Continue to keep Steve in your prayers as he still has a ways to go.
BRADLEY K. JOHNSON: (7-25-08 - Nelson) Received a message from B.K. this evening and he reports that he and Lorena are O.K. for the shape that they are in. B.K. states that due to the deterioration of the spine(collapsed vertebrae) he is somewhat shorter now. He didn't complain of such but that has to have some pain connected with it. He also reported that Lorena was going to Lufkin for rehab three times a week trying to learn to walk again. Her problems developed from a staph infection when she had back surgery some time ago at St. Lukes. B.K. sends his best wishes to all and ask that we remember he and Lorena on our prayers. Please Lift up your prayers in their behalf.
FRANCIS PORTER - (surviving Spouse of Lt Breck Porter - e-mail from Breck Porter, Jr - 8-1-08 - - Forrest) Received e-mail message from Breck, Jr that Mrs Porter (his Mother) was in the Spring Branch Memorial Hospital (room phone # 713-722-3353) after a rash from an iron pill covered her body. We called her room several times Mrs Porter finally answered the phone, She stated that she has been taking tests and was in and out of the room taking tests. All tests came back and showed no problems. But stated she was an anemic and weak. She indicated that she might get to go home later today. Judy Wehr and Gayle Maxey (her daughters) have been staying with her Judy began passing blood and was checked into the hospital. We called Judy's room and talked with Bill Wehr (husband and HPROA member) he stated they did a colon exam on Judy and found a broken blood vessel that was causing her problem and repaired it. Bill indicated that both his wife and Mrs Porter may get to go home today. Keep Mrs Porter and Judy in your daily prayers. UPDATE - FRANCIS PORTER and JUDY WEHR - (8-1-08 - Bill Wehr - Forrest) We received info from Bill Wehr that his wife, Judy, and Mother-in-law, Francis Porter, are now home from the Hospital and are doing good. Please keep both ladies in your daily prayers for a speedy and complete recovery.
T.M. RAY - (8-05-08 - Willard Walden - Forrest) Received information from Willard that Milton was on the prayer chain in their church. We called Milton who stated he went in for his routine colonscopy and the night after this he thought that he was having a heart attack. Back to doctors and his problem was "trapped gas" and along with the tests it was determined that he had some nodules on his thyroid, and biopsy revealed the nodules were benign. Says he feels good now.
MARVIN SEBER - (8-05-08 - Willard Walden - Forrest) Willard reports that Marvin has some medical problems. We called and talked with Marvin. He stated that he is not driving much now days due to his failing eyesight; Stated that on May 30 he went shopping for a lawnmower and when he came out of the lawnmower store that he tripped over a parking block in the parking lot, which resulted in the fracture of 2 ribs and suffered a lung injury causing the top of his left lung to collapse. He was taken to the Tomball Hospital where they treated his lung problem and got it pumped back up. He feels good now and on 8-18-08 he is going to have surgery for right knee replacement. Keep Marvin in your daily prayers for rapid and complete recovery in his pending surgery.
HAROLD E. EVANS - (8-5-08 - Steve Felchek - Forrest) Steve reports that Harold is in the Conroe Regional Hospital and has pneumonia. We called and talked with Elizabeth (Harold's wife) who stated that he has pneumonia in both lungs and is on oxygen. Elizabeth said he is very sick and at this time - please keep Harold in your daily prayers, but not to call him due to his condition as he just does not feel like talking.
ROBERT D. DAVIS - (8-6-08 - Forrest) Bob has a disease where all the cartilage in his joints have deteriorated which is very painful. This has been an ongoing disease for several years. He then had a stroke about two years ago, which affected not only his body, but his speech also. We called him today, and he tries very hard to talk, but the words don't seem to come easily, and it really is frustrating to him that his communication skills are not good.. Shirley (wife) is to enter Clear Lake Medical Center tomorrow, 8-07-08 to have 4 disc in her back surgically repaired. This fine couple have had their plate pretty full for a long time and please keep Bob and Shirley in your daily prayers.
JAMES M. SMITH - (8-7-08 - Forrest) James has been one of our "sick and shut-ins" for approximately 4 years. His illness started out as a sleep apenea problem and it slowed his heart rate down to 32 beats per minute. He then had a pace maker put in and the sleep apenea and low heart rate was so damageing to his heart that it left him very weak. The pace maker does not let his heart rate get below 50 beats per minute. Still on oxygen 24/7 and a fluid pill that he takes daily helps keep the fluid from his lungs, Please keep James in your daily prayers.
THANKS TO THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE
The silent auction at the Crockett Reunion was a great success as it brought in $1290. These funds were donated to the Family Assistance Committee.
Your Family Assistance Committee would like to thank all that donated the items for the auction and extend our thanks on to those that actually won the bid for their generous contribution.
We especially want to acknowledge and extend thanks to Vickie Rayne, Myrna Miller, Tillie Salinas our Entertainment Chairman, D.A. Miller, and Steve Rayne for their efforts and hard work that made this auction a great success.
We assure you that this donation will greatly aid in the comfort and well being of our "sick and shut-ins."
Forrest W. Turbeville, Chairman, Family Assistance Committee
Nelson Foehner, Member, Family Assistance Committee
Delvin Kendrick, Member, Family Assistance Committee
CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS
1. Pray
2. Simplify and unclutter your life - eat right and get enough rest.
3. Separate worries from concerns - if you can't do anything about it, forget it.
4. Live within your budget - Never use credit cards for ordinary purchases
5. Carry a Bible with you while waiting in line.
DEATHS DURING THE MONTH OF JULY 2008
CHARLES L. BURTON - (MEMBER) - JULY 2, 2008
BONNIE J. ALONZO - (MEMBER) - JULY 3, 2008
MANUEL ORTEGA (RETIREE) JULY 21, 2008
JANE A. ELLISOR (MEMBER - SPOUSE OF Capt. H.L ELLISOR) - 7-26-08
JOHN H. SILLAVAN (MEMBER) 7-31-08.
