BROTHER CARL CELEBRATES 76th BIRTHDAY
February 7th, 2001
Yesterday afternoon Thema and I arrived home after spending five days in Racine with Brother Carl, Wife and Familes in Racine Wisconsin, where we celebrated my Brother Carl's 76th birthday. As most of you know who have read earlier reports on this page, it was just one year ago today that Brother Carl underwent an brain operation to remove a malignent tumor on his brain.
We were present for that operation and a day or so following the operation. He did not regain consciousness until nearly a week after that operation which was of great concern to all of us. But since then he has come along very well and is getting around without a walker at home or with the family but takes it with him when he goes to stores, church or other activities.
He still has small TIA"s (light strokes) but seems to be able to handle most of them very well and recovers very quickly. In fact last nite we were playing a few games of dominoes and he had one small such attack which lasted about 3 or 4 minutes and he was back to playing dominoes again and wnen we phoned his sister-in-law Bernadine Weber in Portalnd Orgon, he was the first one to remember what her phone number was. Recent test show however that they did not get all of the tumor and that there is spidering going on which some doctors think might be the cause of the (light strokes) they also have him on a baby aspirin a day to keep his blood thinner.
On Saturday Feb 3rd, his wife had a lovely birthday party at their Church there in Racine, with about 50 members of the family present for the celebration. All of his children where there as well as his wife Elaine's children from a previous marriage. We had a nice Italian dinner including a large birthday cake. The highlight of the evening was when one of his wife son-in-law's (Rick Palmer) presented a rendition of a song Carl had sang in church a few years ago. It was beautifuly done.
Monday afternoon, Thema took Carl & I down to the Regency Mall, there in Racine, where we had plenty of space do get our daily walk in out of the cold and snow. It was a great five days and we are so thankful that Brother Carl is getting such good care from his Wife Elaine.
Carl & Elaine want to thank all of you who sent Cards and Well Wishes for his birthday.
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HERE IS A BIRTHDAY LETTER THEY RECEIVED FROM COUSINS ORION AND MARGE SHERWOOD WHO LIVE IN SALT LAKE CITY UTAH. DATED JAN 28th 2001.
Dear Carl & Elaine.
It was so good to get news from you through Bill's E-mail of your letter Elaine including a nice current picture of Carl.
I am trying to write this Sunday afternoon and evening while wathching the Super Bowl and talking with George when he came to sign the Birthday Card.
We are all well and getting out to chuch regularly on Sudndays. We think of you often and hope and pray for God's to be very warming as you struggle with the aging we are all going through.
Dick and I called Bill and Thema a few days ago and it was nice to talk with them. They were planning to get down to visit you quite soon. I hope it works out.
May your 76th Birthday be a loving day filled with God's Grace.
Prayerfully.
Orin & Marge
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Also at the Birhtday Party I talked with Carls Daughter-in-law Rhonda Weber and she said that I could also post her e-mail she wrote a couple of weeks ago so here it is:
Dear Bill&Thema:
That was a nice letter. Really a nice site you have found to link us all together. I'm pulling this up at the office, so I'll be sure to bring this home for Gary to see. Most of this info I know, but I was not aware the mini strokes been having so close together. We have been lucky to have Carl alive after all he has been through. My mother,Naomi, had a stroke about a year ago and it has changed my life even though her stroke was not as severe as Carls. We have to take care (my sister and I)of her rentals and since we bought the real estate business about a year ago, we have had our hands full trying to adjust to the ownership responsibilities. She also requires a lot of of reassurance. I speak with her about five-six times a day. I see her and my dad probably every other day-take her to doctor appts., sometimes cook and just in general spending time with her. We have always been very close plus we worked together for nineteen+ years so we are used to seeing each other everyday.
Then there is Shirley and Bob. Gary has been going over there quite often taking care of snow removal, etc. I stopped over Tuesday morning for a little bit as I know them seeing little Vanessa brightens their day. Bob had his physical therapist there and Shirley was getting ready to go out to lunch with Barb and then on to bridge. Shirley, like Elaine, likes to just get our call for the emotional support as primary caregivers in a tough position. My dad is lucky in that five of his six kids live in town and one of us it over daily to help out. Well, I didn't mean to bore you with my story, but it has been a difficult year for the parents! I'll see you Feb 3rd in Racine. Take care. Love-Ronda and family
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Carl's & Elaine's Families