David Unger

Tom,

Barbara had her knee done last September.  The surgery took just one hour.  She spent 4 days in the hospital, as it took a little time to get going.  Surgery ended at 10:00 am and she was up by 4:00 pm.  She took a few steps and sat up in a chair.  She had a little trouble getting the anaesthetic out of her leg, took an extra day to get good feeling back.  

She went to therapy twice a day in the hospital and started in home the day after she got home.  That lasted a week, then off to regular therapy twice a week.  She lucked out and got a very nice young woman who pushed her very hard each session.  The motto for most therapists is "can we make you cry".  If so, we know you are getting better.  She had ten weeks of therapy and in the end exceeded all the doctor's expectations.

The first 2 to 3 weeks are going to hurt.   Hard to sleep, and getting up and down from chairs without arms can be tough.  Once you get through that period, things get better quickly.  Your leg muscles will adjust to your new knee parts and having your leg straight again.  You will suddenly notice you are walking without pain.  Dan was so right, that alone is worth the effort.

The Doctors name is Richard Perry, and he works out of St. Claire Orthopedic and Sports medicine.  Just so you know, he used supper glue to close the inscision and epoxy to attach the new parts.  Barbara said she would be happy to talk with you about the surgery.

Now, I have to change the subject.  On December 27th my oldr brother John ended his battle with dimentia.  It took about 5 years and is a terrible way to go.  It was very hard for all of us to watch the disease take his life.  It was a relief to know that he is finally at peace.  John was a member of the 1958 Shrine class.

Janet Flick (Stickel)

Dave,

Our deepest condolences at the loss of your brother John.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Tom Scott

Tom Scott

Tom Scott

Tom O'Brien

Dave,

Sorry to hear about your brother. I guess the good thing is he suffers no more and having a great time upstairs with the big guy.

Arlene Vachon (Forrester)

Dave - So sorry to hear about your brother. Dementia is an insidious disease!  My husband has been diagnosed and I have been told it will be severe within 2 years.  I am his caregiver at home, and I could sure use everyone’s prayers that I can keep my sanity and patience while dealing with this.

Tom Scott

Lorrie Olesak (Bookbinder)

Arlene, you and your husband will definitely be remembered in my prayers.  I can tell you from experience that an effort the maintain a good sense of humor can be an asset.  I’ll ask The a Holy Mother to watch over both of you. 

Kathy Chaivre (Brown)

Dave, we are so sorry to learn of your brothers passing.  Our prayers are with you and your family.  Arlene, I'm sorry to learn of your husbands diagnosis.  Our thoughts and prayers will be with you.  Lori is right!  A sense of humor is so important.  It is also important to ask for help and not try to do everything yourself.  One more thing, don't be hard on yourself if you get cranky sometimes. Its okay and it will pass quickly.  God bless you and your husband.  

Lucia Lenhard (Johnson)

2018 Has blown in with high hopes and low temps - at least in this over half of the country. Hopefully where temps are higher, hopes are also on a par! 

Dave, sad to lose a sibling under any circumstances but especially when they retreat from you and themselves over such a long period of time. 

Arlene, holding you in my heart while you take that hard journey with your husband. Your winning disposition and caring ways should bouy you both along the way. You have had a year! 

May each and everyone of us and ours experince joy though it be mixed as it may be life's harder moments in every box on this new calendar.

Arlene Vachon (Forrester)

Thank you all for your kind responses!  I will take all the prayers you can gather together!  Yes, it has been quite a year...  My oldest daughter, the one whose husband had the sudden cardiac arrest (he is doing well now, thanks to your prayers), was recently diagnosed with a benign tumor on the optic nerve to her left eye.  She will be undergoing 6 weeks of daily radiation to zap it, and hopefully will not lose sight in that eye.  (Prayers for her, too, please!)  I desperately need God's healing hands in 2018.  Love to you all.

Rick Fournier

Dave so very sorry to hear about your brother.  My prayers go out to you and your family.

Judy Schoen (Grewe)

Dave, my heart goes out to you as you shared your brothers passing from his earthly life, prayers to all .  

Judy Schoen (Grewe)

Arlene, ditto with Lucia, you are a strong woman, we are here for additional strength and support and prayers  for you and your daughter also in her treatments. God bless

Janet Flick (Stickel)

Arlene,

I agree with all the sage thoughts expressed by our fellow classmates about caring for your husband.  Will be keeping you all in my prayers and extra prayers as your daughter is treated for her optic nerve tumor.  I am proud and honored to have people with such strength of character in my life.  You all set such good example of how to deal with life's trials.

David Unger

Thanks for all your kind thoughts and prayers.  Yes, it is very important to reach out help.  In difficult times, family, friends, medical  and spiritual help keeps you going.  Sometimes you just need a big hug.  My heart goes out to those who hae been and will be touched by this disease.  I have a special admiration to those who take care of the victoms of this disease.  

Tom, hope you get a simple solution for your knee.  

Arlene Vachon (Forrester)

For Janet Samida, Gail Walker and Tom Scott, may your birthday month be the best ever and continue throughout the next year!  

Tom O'Brien

Belated wishes to Janet and Gayle. Happy day to the Scott and best wishes for that upcoming surgery.

May the upcoming year be healthy and safe for all.

Judy Schoen (Grewe)

I Happy late Birthday to Janet and  Gayle have some more cake and ice cream, and Happy Birthday, Tom and good luck on the surgery  you'll be better than ever in no time! 

Tom O'Brien

A Happy Birthday to Loretta and I hope you have a Super Day.

Pat Diggles

To all,

Even though I have not posted many responses I read all of your comments weekly.  This website is a wonderful venue to keep up with all of your lives, successes and challenges.  As I reflect back on our life's history with my sister Sally (Denver, Co.) and my brother's Dan (New York City), Mike (Portland, Oregon) and Tim (Tuscon, Arizona) we all feel very blessed to have been raised in Royal Oak, Michigan during the 50's, 60's and 70's.  It was a fine balanced community between Detroit and Birmingham.  Each of you is an example of that balance!  We all have been blessed with that upbringing and background!

Thanks for keeping up this communication, 

Pat

Janet Flick (Stickel)

Good to hear from you, Pat.  I totally agree with your thoughtful words.  I, too, feel blessed.

Tom O'Brien

Diggs,

Just thinking about you the other day and great to see your comments today. I too feel the same about Royal Oak. Good times there and tons of memories.

I hope all is well with you in Maine and hope the grand baby is doing well.

Take care and keep in touch

Lucia, thinking the other day about funds for the site. Is it collection time?

Arlene Vachon (Forrester)

While I have lived in Traverse City for 20 years now, Royal Oak will always be home to me!  Many wonderful memories with classmates and neighborhood friends.  How I wish my grandchildren would have the experience of a kinder, gentler way of life such as was ours.  

Update:  my oldest daughter, Nancy, just finished her 6 weeks of fractionalized radiation for the tumor on her optic nerve.  It will take approximately 3 months for swelling to subside, then another MRI to see how the treatments worked.  Keep up the prayers for her please!  A full return of her vision in that eye would be such a blessing.

Tom Scott -  bring us up-to-date on your knee surgery.  Have you had it yet?