Betty Wilson Update 12/2/10

We got a phone call from David, Willy's brother in Cincinnati, with an update on Betty. She is doing well with rehab and is just about weaned from the ventilator. They supplement this with the oxygen tube thing in the nose bit and she is a little more active each day. She is fully coherent and can converse and all her vital signs are strong. She is deeply saddened by Willy's death, of course...says "she wants to go home, but Willy won't be there." The family is not to happy with the hospital and staff where she is. She had one incident where the "call button" on her bed was not working and she could not get anyone to respond until they came in for a medicine round some hours later. I can hear Betty now!!! All in all, the prognosis is good. I don't know if she will be released in time for Christmas, or where she will spend the holidays at this point. I'll keep you updated as I get word. Toby sends.

Praise Confirmed for Curtis

A CAT scan last week confirms that Curtis Christian is cancer free. PTL!

Bill

John Opocensky

John Opocensky, one of our oldest and dearest Minemen, was put back in hospital yesterday, October 20th, with blood clots in both lungs. This is a result of the fractures he suffered in his leg. I spoke to him today and he is doing well. Wife, Kitty and daughter, Betty Sue, are with him and have confidence in his recovery. A card of cheer would probably be in order. They can be sent to the hospital at:

John Opocensky - Room 324
Trident Health System
9330 Medical Plaza Drive
Charleston, SC 29406

or to John's home at:

John Opocensky
621 Oxford Road
Ladson, SC 29456-6271

John was at our 2010 reunion and afterward, resisted going to the hospital in spite of this life-threatening issue. He enlisted in the Navy seven months after Pearl Harbor and retired in 1972.

Derick S. Hartshorn
Chaplain-AOM

Reynolds (Rey) Becker

Last July Rey visited us for a couple of weeks and he was looking forward to attending the AOM reunion to see many of his old friends. We heard at the reunion that he wasn't able to attend the reunion because of medical problems, so we called him when we got home. He could not make the reunion as he did not have transportation.

For a time Rey had problems swallowing and one night he had to call 911 for emergency treatment. Before they arrived he had passed out and was on the kitchen floor when they did arrive. He had to crawl to the door to let them in the house. Later tests proved that he had a growth in his Esophagus and that it was cancerous. He had a series of radiation treatments and was feeling like a new person at 90 years of age.

Tuesday night he told us that he was to see the doctor about Chemo treatment, which he was not in favor of experiencing. We called again last night (Wednesday) and he will start his Chemo next Wednesday for four Wednesdays at the lowest grade just to be sure that they have removed the cancer. He will not loose his hair.

He said that he feels great. At his last annual physical the doctor said that he had a very strong and healthy heart.

As we learn more about his treatment, you will be updated.

Don and LaVon DeCrona

Radiation Therapy Finished For Mary Ann

I finally finished my chemo/radiation regimen on Wednesday, August 25. But over the last few weeks I've been feeling some effects from it. I'm very tired, sleep a lot, and do not feel much like eating as my stomach is hurting so much. I hope that goes away soon. It's really a pain in my stomach, not intestines, and I'm a bit nauseous, but not sick. It doesn't last all day, just comes and goes depending on when and what I eat. And I've been really depressed because one of the ladies I met when I started doing chemo passed away Saturday the 21st. I had just seen her the Wed. before. I don't know what happened. She had inoperable pancreatic cancer, but I didn't think she was in danger of dying. The nurse at the oncology office couldn't believe it either, it was such a shock.

Yes, the chemo/radiation wasn't really bad except for the daily trip to get it and the pump and line in my arm 24/7. I am so glad to be rid of those but will miss my nice nurses at the radiation office. After that it was a trip to the oncology office in Newport News to get the pack and line out. They took the bandages off (they were replaced weekly) and my arm looked like I had chicken pox. It itched a lot under the dressing and you could see I was having some sort of allergic reaction to it, so I am glad that was the last of it. They took the pick line out then too. I didn't even feel it. The area is healing okay, but still itches even 5 days later. I'm still feeling some of the effects but in the next week or so things should improve. I'll have blood work done and another cat scan in 6 weeks. I am not out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination. So keep thinking good thoughts for me.

Thanks again for all of your love, prayers, support, concern and just being there for me. You certainly lifted my spirits in so many ways and I am more than grateful and very blessed.

Have a great Labor Day celebration and upcoming fall! You know I'll keep in touch.

Hugs and kisses,

Mary Ann and Eric

......this does not give license to slow down on the prayers. Remember, it is PUSH...Pray Until Something Happens. The happening we want is a completely clean bill of health. Bill

Lana Hartshorn Doing Fine After Back Surgery

Lana Hartshorn came through her back surgery OK and we would like to thank all for their
thoughts and prayers. Derick Hartshorn

"Chief Zoc "Zygmund Chuhay.

I had a message from Don Jones regarding "Chief Zoc "Zygmund Chuhay.
He's ailing some. A small tumor has adversely affected his hearing in
the left ear. Expensive medications are a burden for him. He's also
having problems getting copies of required medical records from
private physicians. Some records were lost in a fire. If you get a
chance please give him a call or send him a card of cheer.

He is at:
Mr. Zygmund Chuhay
Broadview Assisted Living Center
2310 Abby Lane
Pensacola, FL 32514

If you care to send a birthday card for his 89th birthday, it will be
on February 14th.

He loves to talk on the phone so if you choose to give him a call,
his phone number is: 1-850-505-9908

Derick Hartshorn 1/19/2010 DerickH@charter.net