Family Assistance Updates

E-mail message from Stefanie Leonard . Just wanted to let ya'll know how Steve Andrews
was doing after his quadruple by-pass surgery. On Wednesday, September 3rd, Neal and
visited with Steve and Madeline at the hospital in Corpus Christi. Steve was awaiting his
carotid artery surgery that was perfomed later that afternoon. Steve was in good spirits and
looked like he was on the road to a healthy recovery. He did say that he has missed many
fishing trips and is sure he's going to miss dove and deer season, but considering the alternatives,
he'll play catch up. His surgery went well with the hopes of him returning home on Friday, September 5th.

Steve can be reached @ his home, 361-727-9657, after Saturday, September 6th.

CHARLES BRAUN: I viistied with Charlie's daughter Tracy Delaney who lives in the Woodlands. Charles was sleeping at the time I called and so she gave me an update on his current status. Charlie's pancreatic cancer is inoperable, he was in M.D. Anderson hospital for a few days as his white blood cells was low but his is now at her home and commuting to MDA for his treatments. Tracy says that he needs our prayers and he really would like for some of his old workmates to call him or drop by for a visit. Circumstances prohibit Cahrlie's wife, living in Las Vegas, from being here with him and he misses her very much and causes him to be very despondent. Charlie's cell phone is 702-480-3118, Tracy's home phone is 281-296-9552. If you worked with Chairlie while with HPD, please just him a call and lift him up.

Nelson Foehner, FAC

(Earlier Entry regarding CHARLES BRAUN: 8-26-08) R.D. Perry called to report that retiree Charlie Braun is being treated at M.D. Anderson hospital for stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Charlie and his wife live in Las Vegas but he is staying with his daughter Tracy in the Woodlands, 281-296-9552, as he commutes to MDA for his treatments. Perry thought that Charlie had worked in the Vice Division for a number of years before he retired and started out with HPD working at the Park Place sub station. Charlie would like for some of his old work mates to give him a call on his cell phone, 702-480-3118. Charlie is fighting for his life folks so lift up your prayers for him and his doctors. Charlie is in MD Anderson room 1230

"POKEY" SAMMONS: (Now Deceased) John Hobson reports that he talked to Pokey's son, Michael, this afternoon who stated that Pokey had two stents inserted and an external pacemaker added to correct an irregular heart beat on Monday. This afternoon, however, they removed the life support and pacemaker and the doctors stated that he was breathing on his own and his heart rate had returned to normal. Pokey did open his eyes this morning for the first time since being hospitalized. Doctors will place a neck brace to restrict his movements but they are not planning on doing any surgery on the vertebrae fracture at this time. The physicians were encouraged by the improvement this afternoon but cautioned that Pokey has a long way to go. He is still in ICU at St. Lukes. Michael stated that a lot of folks are calling Poley's home number and he just cannot return all of the calls since he is spending a great deal of time with Pokey and when he does get home, he tries to catch as much sleep as he can. John said he would ask Michael to call and give an update more often. Things are looking up for Pokey but we need to remember him in our prayers to get him back on his feet and to full recovery..

Nelson Foehner, FAC

IKE AND SUE SHELBOURNE: 8-25-08 We received a call from Sue last evening and she reports that for old folks, she and Ike are doing about as well as could be expected and in Ike's case better than could be expected. Ike, as many of you know, was in the hospital in 2007 for congestive heart failure on at least two occasions, once for 14 days and another for 10 days. The doctors in 2007 told him he had a heart valve that needed surgery but his overall health would not allow them to proceed and gave him about 6 months to live. He has also been diagnosed with glaucoma, gout, and sleep apnea. He was on oxygen 24 hours a day but with medication he now doesn't use it a night but does require a CPAP appliance while sleeping. Ike is currently taking about 17 medications (pills) a day and gets around with a walker. Sue also was hospitalized in March of 2007 with a brain hemorrhage for 7 days but with medications has recovered. They are fortunate to have a daughter living nearby in the Summerville area that provides for their every need. Sue wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers and we continue to ask everyone to remember Ike and Sue in their daily prayers.

Nelson Foehner,FAC

JOE G. ECKENRODE - 8-20-06 - (Edwanna - Forrest) We called the Eckenrodes and talked with Edwanna (Joe's wife) She stated that Joe has his good/bad days. Joe was in the hospital for 3 months and his heart tries to "shut down" and this causes other organs to malfunction. Joe has been in ill health for some time. Please keep both Joe and Edwanna in your daily prayers.

JOYCE DOWDY - 8- 23-08 (Wife of Retiree Member Robert F. Dowdy) We received a call from Bob who stated that Joyce fell and broke her hip on 8-16-08. She was brought to the M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston as this is where she has been treated for 7 years for cancer. Bob stated that she had surgery on the hip 8-22-08 and she is doing pretty good. He went on to say that he has just about "wore out I-45
between Fairfield, TX and Houston" He has been bringing Joyce to Houston 2 times each week for 7 years for her cancer treatments with a break in these trips when her cancer was in remission. He went on to say that he has made 55 trips to Houston this year. The doctors have suspended her cancer treatments for the time being due to her broken hip, but will only miss a treatment or two. He feels that he will be here this time for about 3 weeks and he is staying with his son, Houston District Fire Chief, Tommy Dowdy. Please keep Bob and Joyce in your daily prayers as their "plate has been full" for several Years.

LUTHER W. COOK : 8-21-08 - John Ellis - Forrest) Received phone call from John Ellis (retired Harris County Sheriff Dept and neighbor of Luther W Cook. John states he lives next door to Luther and that Luther has Alzheimers. He still has long ago memory" and can usually decribe events of many years ago BUT he does not have recall of current events. At times he does not know his own children. John is confident that if some of the "old timers" were to call him, he would be able to converse fairly well. We called and talked with Ivall (wife) and then talked with Luther. He remembers (long time) back in 1952 - 1953 when we rode Unit #132 as partners. A note to the "old timers" to call Luther at 936-546-5124, don't forget to add Luther and Ivall to your daily pray list.

BARBARA CARLTON : Daryl reports by e-mail that Barbara has recovered from her heart attack last May and is back at work at the Sheriff's office dispatching. She is feeling stronger and getting back to her old self. Daryl is dealing with high blood pressure and they are having a hard time getting it to level out. Their correct e-mail address is vtxdaryl@yahoo.com and their correct zip code is 33594, their snail mail address is 802 Crest Top Trail, Valrico, Florida. Daryl states that tropical storm Fay missed them. Continue to pray for Daryl and Barbara, thankful for her recovery and for their continued good health.

Nelson Foehner, FAC

ROBERT JESKE: (8-19-08) Talked with Janice (Robert's wife) this afternoon. She said Robert is about the same. He is doing fairly well health wise but does not recognize her or other family members. She said Ray Smith visits with him and the staff says he responds to Ray. Robert is still in the Summerville ay Friendswood, , 1310 Friendswood Dr. South, Friendswood. Phone #281-648-5454. Please keep Robert and Janice in your daily prayers.

Delvin Kendrick, FAC

ELLIS P. "POKEY" SAMMONS - 8-18-08 - (Outdated Information Retiree Sammons is now deceased) (Bostock - Forrest) Doug talked with Mike Sammons ("Pokey"s son) who told him that "Pokey" fell yesterday and apparently "broke a vertebra in his back". He is currently in ICU at St. Luke's hospital. No other info at this time. When we can get a progress report on him, we will update it.

STEVEN TOTH - 8-15-08 (John Lawson - Forrest) We received information from John Lawson that Steve had a stroke. We talked with Steve at our monthly meeting Thursday (8-14-08) and when he went home from our meeting he pulled into his driveway. His wife heard some type of noise coming from his vehicle like a horn blowing or security alarm sounding. She went to investigate and found him still in his vehicle. He was sent to a hospital (unknown which hospital at this time) and was diagnosed as "having had a stroke". When additional info is known, an update will be
forthcoming. Keep Steve and family in your prayers.

(UPDATE E-mail from Don Springer 9:30 PM 8-17-08)
Talked to Steve's sister about 8:45pm. Stated that he did have a stroke and had at first a problem with getting his words to match what he was thinking. She stated that problem has improved today. He is intensive care at this time at N.W. Memorial 610 and Ella. Also after running tests found that part of his heart is enlarged. She stated that they think he will come out of ICU in the morning and put in a room.

Lets keep Steve in our prayers.

Don L. Springer

Class 36

Additional info from Forrest: STEVEN TOTH - 8-18-08 - (Joanne Toth - 713-461-9435 - Forrest) Talked with Joanne (Steven's sister) and she stated that he did suffer a slight stroke, was confused, but no paralysis. He was taken to Northwest Memorial Medical Center, 610 and Ella. Drs ran test on him and found one side of his heart to be enlarged, has an under active thyroid. MRI and other tests are to be run. He has been put in room #329 (713-314-8329). His confusion began getting better in 6 to 8 hours. Keep Steve in your prayers.

GENE THALER: We visited with Mike Thaler today and he reports that Gene had been in the hospital for several weeks battling an infection that originated in his bladder but then spread to other parts. A number of antibiotics had to be administered to get it under control. Gene is now in a rehab center where they are giving him physical therapy treatments. They have told Gene that he could likely go home on 8-27-08. Gene has requested that there be no visitation at this time. We will continue to monitor his recovery and post it as it becomes available. Remember Gene in your dialy prayers, please.

Nelson Foehner, FAC

MARGARET HANEY - (wife of Member J.B. Haney - 8-15-08 - Forrest) Received e- mail from J.B. who stated that his wife had been in the Ben Taub Hospital for 7 days and then she was transferred to Vosswood Nursing home for 3 weeks. She had a cerebral hematoma on the brain, dementia and also in the early stages of alzheimers. She got to come home Monday 8-11-08. A lady will come in every day for a while to help her to get back as close to normal as possible. Please keep Margaret and J.B. in your daily prayers.

CAROLYN JORDY - (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 the them.

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.

ROBERT D. DAVIS - (8-6-08 - Forrest) Bob has a disease where all the cartledge in his joints have deterioted 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.

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. Elixabeth 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.

DANNY J. MCBEE (8-06-08 - Bob Sieckman - Forrest) We called Bob to get an update on Danny. He stated that he has cancer in the stomach, liver, and lung. He is taking chemo treatments now so as to shrink the cancer in order for him to have surgery. Bob will check on Danny today and update this report. Please keep Danny in your daily prayers.

FRANCIS PORTER - (8-1-08 surviving Spouse of Lt Breck Porter - via e-mail to 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 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) who stated they did a colon exam on Judy and found a broken blood vessel 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 8-2-08) 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. (Update 8-6-08 - Forrest) Jo fell at the Sacred Hearts facility and injured her back a month or so ago.She was taken to Hermann Hospital and had a broken vertebre (L-1) in her back. She spent about 2 weeks at Hermann and then was transfered to the Voss Rehab Center for therapy. She was fitted for a plastic back brace and had therapy there for 2 weeks. She has to wear this back brace at all times when she walks. She came home Saturday 8-2-08. She goes back to her doctor on 8-15-08 for X-rays to see if everything is healing properly. Keep Jo in your daily prayers that her healing is proper and complete healing is forthcoming.