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Kelli Young.
Update 2 November 19th.
Hi to all of you, 
I went to the doctors this morning
and had the packing removed from my ear and I can actually hear
something again!!!!! It will take about 3 months for the full affect.
So, I really want to thank all of you for your cards, calls, prayers and
concerns. I really, really, really appreciate it!!!
Luv to you all,
Kelli
_________________________________________________________
Update 1 October 8th.
HI JACQUES,
I AM FEELING GREAT!!!! THE EAR SURGERY WAS SCHEDULED ORIGINALLY FOR THE 10TH BUT IT WAS CHANGED TO THE 7TH AT THE LAST MINUTE SO HERE I AM WITH IT BEHIND ME AND WE WILL JUST WAIT AND SEE IF IT WORKS THIS TIME. I PRAY SO. IT WAS A LONG DAY NOT GETTING HOME UNTIL ABOUT 10:00 LAST EVENING, A LONG TIME IN THE RECOVERY ROOM. I HAVE SPENT THE DAY LOAFING AND LOOKING BACK ON THE WEB PAGES OF ALL THE GROUP'S EVENTS THAT WE HAVE HAD AND ENJOYING ALL THE PICTURES AGAIN. I HOPE TO BE BACK WITH YOU ALL NEXT WEEK. THANKS ALL FOR YOUR KIND NOTES.
KELLI
October 7th, 2008
Hi Jacques,
Yup, I am
going to have the surgery (to repair for the second time my right eardrum)
tomorrow (Oct. 7th). I just got home today from my trip to Iowa. Had
a great time. Thanks for wishing me well with the surgery. I am not
looking forward to it but I will be glad when it is over and pray that it works
this time (see below for info about previous
surgery). Time will tell. It will take about 6 weeks
before I know for sure. Must run. Trying to catch on the laundry
before I go in. Hope to see you all soon.
Kelli
We wish Kelli well and send her our best wishes!
Bob Lynn
August 28th, 2008
Bob Lynn, Helene’s husband of 48 years this Sept 3rd 2008,
is pleased to inform
you that his dear wife, Helene’s latest MRI’s of her brain and spinal cord shows
that she has no damage related to her
balance and walking problem.
The neurologist has prescribed physical therapy to help her regain her balance and walking abilities. She will start therapy soon.
As long planned, Bob will be on vacation for 3 weeks in Italy with his travel buddy Bill from Santa Barbara.
During Bob's vacation, Helene will have experienced hired home care specialists taking care of her.
On 9/26 , Helene has an appointment with the neurologist Dr Ullman. He is the same doctor who scheduled Bob’s successful back therapy does avoiding potentially dangerous spinal surgery.
Bob and Helene will be grateful for all your prayers.
Chet Brand
August 2008
Update August 9/2008: Chet is at home where his son is taking good care of him. Chet is doing well and hopefully will be able to come to Cafe Bonaparte this Tuesday.
Update August 8/2008 at 4pm: Talked to Chet and found out that at 9 am, he was implanted with a pacemaker, which is working fine . Chet plans to be home within two days. Our dear friend Barbara Burgess helped Chet during this trying time and is going to keep a close eye on Chet for the near future. Today's visitors were: Barbara Burgess, Valerie Pisacane and Chet's children and grandchildren. Chet plans to be visiting us Tuesday during our walk, at which time we will be able to show him our affection and concern.
August 7/2008
I would like to inform you that our dear Friend Chet Brand did not show up for our Walk this Thursday morning which resulted in our friend Barbara Burgess checking up on him.
She found him not doing well and was instrumental in having him transported to Little Company of Mary Hospital where he was observed and treated for his heart condition.
The medical staff decided that they will implant a Pacemaker tomorrow morning, 08/08/08. Most likely, Chet will be at the hospital for a few days.
We send our friend Chet, our best wishes. Chet has been walking with us since the club's inception and has also been a great volunteer during our Potlucks and Camping Trips. He is a wonderful person, who is always upbeat and has contributed greatly to our group’s spirit.
Underneath is an old picture of him (2001) with some of our early Members, most of them are still walking with us.
Best Wishes to Chet,
Kelli Young.
July 28th, 2008
After a brief stay atTorrance Memorial Hospital with an episode of atrial fibrillation, Kelli Young is doing well and hopes that after her Monday check-up she will be back to her normal routine including her walks.
Kelli wants to thank everyone for their kind calls and thoughts,
She is especially grateful to Lou and wife Val for their support and help.
We wish Kelli well and send her our best wishes!
Pat d.
March,
2008
We have been informed that Pat had a coronary arteries stent implanted. The main purpose of a stent is to counteract significant decreases in vessel or duct diameter by acutely propping open the conduit by a mechanical scaffold or stent. Stents are often used to alleviate diminished blood flow to organs and extremities beyond an obstruction in order to maintain an adequate delivery of oxygenated blood.
Pat is doing well and soon will be rejoining us in our morning walks.
Kelli Young
March, 2008
I received the following message from Kelli:
I am sorry that I did not get back to you sooner about the gardens. I was a little out of sorts yesterday. I went to my ear doctors and found out ( although I suspected it) that I was the one out a hundred that the surgery did not work for. My hearing is no better than before the surgery. The only correction now is to repeat the surgery. It can not be done for six months so I have some time to think about whether or not to proceed.
We are all sorry about this outcome and send Kelli our best wishes for whatever decision she will make.
Mati Kuuskmae
November 30, 2007 9 am
Mati is home and enjoying home cooked meals again. He is doing fine and looks like a million dollar.
He is in great spirit and will probably show up Sunday morning at the PV walk gathering?
All our prayers have been answered.
Jacques Rene
November 29, 2007 7 am
Here is what I have to say about the condition of Mr. Mati.
We had to get up around 4:14 a.m. and get down to Irvine by 5:30...that was the start of a very un fun day. It was interesting to be sitting in the waiting room for the entire day with all these other families hoping that they were not filled with anxiety over the relative who was having the operation. I got to hear the Dr.'s report as each one came out to the lobby room to give a review of the condition of the loved one. I was one of the last one to get a report. In Mati's case, the surgery lasted about 4 1/2 hours, and he seems to be on the mend. I helped him eat and drink a bit in the late afternoon and evening but then drove home leaving him in the excellent care of the nurses there. I think they are going to try to get him up to walk around, but looking at how drugged up he is, I highly doubt it. They will have to have a Nurse Crachet! I will go down there tomorrow and see how he is doing and probably bring him home. We will probably hear more after the pathology report in a week or so. Thanks for all your prayers and concerns. Love, Sue K
November 28, 2007 1:30 pm
Mati came out of surgery, which went fine and he is currently in the recovery room.
November 28, 2007 6am
Dear Walkers and Talkers,
Mati K. sent me an email
regarding his Da Vinci robotic surgery which is going to be performed today at
noon at UCI Irvine
Medical Center.
The 3-4 hour procedure
will be performed by a surgeon assisted by the
Da Vinci Robot, a rapidly
developing new tool in this type of surgery. This method leaves only 5 small
incisions and loss of blood is minimal and recovery time is quicker.
Surgery is at noon and Mati will stay overnight at the hospital, returning home late in the afternoon on Thursday
As Mati will be "hors de
combat, " he hopes to make his next W & T appearance at the December 8th
bacchanal
(drunken or riotous celebration).
Meanwhile, we all send Mati our best wishes and we are looking forward to seeing him cured!.
Jacques
Kelli Young
Nov 17th, 2007
Hi Jacques,
Just went on the computer and found
your note. Thanks. I am doing just fine. Ron said that I looked like an Iraq
battle casualty because of the way that I wrapped my head. But I am doing just
fine. Did not get home till 11:00 last night from the hospital. I had a
problem with dizziness and nausea after the surgery but that is common after ear
surgeries, I understand. But, I am doing just fine. The Doctor said it went
very good. The stitches will come out in about 10 days and the packing in 6
weeks. So, I am fine. Glad that it is behind me. Thanks for your concern.
Must run.
Kelli
Nov 11th, 2007
Kelli told us that this Friday, Nov.
the 16th, she will have surgery in her right ear to reconstruct a damaged ear
drum. The surgery will be performed at St.
Vincent Medical Center by a surgeon from the House Ear Clinic.
We all hope that everything will go as planned and that soon she will be able to hear us easily and clearly.
Kelli plans to be as good as new for the Christmas Tea party she is planning on the 20th of December.
We all send our best wishes and love
to her!
Barbara Burgess
November 15th
Hi Walkers and Talkers:
I am doing fine. Walking around the house without ANY assistance. use one crutch when outside. The Dr. tells me I am ahead of my recovery time, which is great. Hope to see everyone Tuesday, if all goes well. Thanks for all the cards, they perked me up. So see you soon.
October 30th, 2007,
According to Tom Chester, Barbara
had her second knee replacement surgery performed at Centinela hospital today!
Further information regarding Barb will be posted here as soon as Tom sends
it to me.
Messages
from Rosmarie K.
Email: rklusmeier@msn.com
Date sent: Sunday 7th of October, 2007
To all my friends at the walking group,
I have fallen behind in answering and to thank you all for the cards and flowers sent to me, therefore I would like to do it this way. It meant a lot to me to find that I have many friends who were thinking of me when my husband passed away. It was the greatest loss of my life and now I know exactly how all of you who experienced this before me felt. It is very hard to put in words my expression of thanks for what your support, your prayers, telephone calls and cards, not only during the long illness Karl suffered, but also afterwards, meant. You all have a very special place in my heart.
Thank you again!
Rosmarie
Date sent: Fri, 17 Aug 2007
Bonjour Jacques,
Unfortunately Karl is hospitalized again, the sixth time since April and I get more and more discouraged. As most of you know, it all started when one day in April he came upstairs and told me that it was very painful to climb the stairs because his back was hurting so terribly. He went to bed and the next morning told me that it was impossible for him to get up because of the pain. I tried to help him sit up so that he could go to the bathroom, but he just slid to the floor and told me to give him his pain medication. He absolutely forbade me to call 911. The next day he was really confused and I called 911. The wonderful paramedics from Redondo Beach were at the house in 4 Minutes took the vital signs and told me he had 105 fever so he went to Little Company of Mary hospital where they found that he had a very bad infection somewhere in his body and possibly suffered a minor stroke. They lowered the fever and had him picked up by Kaiser Permanente to be brought to their Harbor City hospital. After numerous tests the found that it was an unusual kind of bacterial infection but nobody knows how he got it. It settled in his heart, thus the endocarditis and in his lungs. He was put on very strong antibiotics and spent one week in isolation. When his heart stopped 3 times the sent him to Kaiser Hollywood where they have some famous cardiologists. (I promise I will not continue in such detail and bore everyone). Well, his kidneys stopped functioning and he was put on dialysis for a month when the infection returned and he was hospitalized again. He came home contracted an urinary tract infection and went to the hospital again. He came home was making progress with physical therapy and was at the point where he could sit up by himself and eat his meals. He was still too weak to stand up for more than a few seconds. Then one morning after breakfast I realized that his speech was weird and his mouth was drooping and I called 911, assuming he had a stroke and I was right. He is now still paralyzed on his entire right side. After 4 days they sent him to a rehab center where he fell out of bed the first night and the fall ripped his feeding tube out, causing 2 tears in his stomach. The next morning when I was visiting they gave me a story that he was o.k., nothing really happened and that he himself ripped the feeding tube out. Well since he lost blood, I insisted that he go back to the hospital where they kept him for another week. When it was suggested that he goes to another rehab facility he refused and indicated that he rather die. Since my sister came from Switzerland we said that we probably can take care of him, unfortunately last Tuesday night I realized that he had blood in the urine again and his temperature seemed to increase by the hour. On Wednesday I called Kaiser and insisted that they send an ambulance to pick him up which they first refused even though his temperature was then at 102.1. I called our primary physician and after she returned my call she arranged his pick up and transport without him having to go to another hospital first. He now has pneumonia and another urinary tract infection. The doctor told me today that he may be released tomorrow and I thank you for all the prayers for his recovery. He will need a lot of therapy, speech, physical and occupational but we hope that this was the last time he had to go to the hospital for a long time. If Kaiser does not refer him to a rehab center (the doctor said he was not qualified) I may not be walking for awhile even though I miss you all.
Love to everyone,
Rosmarie
As you probably know, my husband is in the hospital since April 21 and we have no idea when he'll be released. The bacterial infection has not subsided and he still cannot stand up or walk due to severe pain in his back. The only good news is that he may not have an abscess on his heart as they thought when doing an internal echo-cardiogram, the second one showed nothing.
Since I travel to Hollywood almost every day, I use the few hours I have to myself to just rest, but I will be back to walking soon.
Love to everyone,
Rosmarie
Update Sept. 1, 2007 :
Tom is back home. Extensive medical testing did not reveal any serious problems but he has to be more careful with his walks and eating/drinking (Gatorade) habits. He thanks all of you for your concerns and is very grateful to Barbara Burgess for being such a good friend!
Tom Chester
This morning, Thursday August 30, I walked with Tom Chester when he had to stop because his back was killing him.
When he did not show up 25 minutes later, Lou P. went looking for him and he found him slowly making his way back to Cafe Bonaparte. When Tom reached Cafe Bonaparte, he said that he was OK but he looked unwell.
He suddenly passed out
and could not be re-awakened. We called the paramedics who worked on him until I
left.
He re-awakened while being loaded into the ambulance. The paramedics tried to figure out what was wrong with him and he was taken to Little of Company Hospital Room 22 bed 2.
All of his tests so far show no indication of stroke or heart problem. He will continue to be observed overnight at the hospital with additional tests in the morning and hopefully be discharged tomorrow. He wishes to express his thanks to all of the people who assisted him.
A special thanks to Barbara Burges, who stayed at the hospital with him until 2 PM and to Chet and Ron, for taking his car to his garage.
Updates will be posted here when available.
Jacques
Barbara W.
March, 2007,
It
has been brought to the attention of this page's editor that our friend and long
time walker, Barbara is going to go to the hospital around March 7th for
treatment for a serious disease. As soon as we get more information, we will
posted it. Meanwhile we send her our best wishes and our hopes for a complete
recovery.
________________________________
I have been informed that Barbara #1's
surgery went well and that she is presently recovering.
________________________________
Barbara W. is doing fine after her operation. I talked to her Sunday and she was able to do lots of things for herself, and was looking forward to taking short walks. She is tough! b.b.
Barbara showed up this morning for the Tuesday walk and seems to be doing well and actually has started walking with her friends in the Galeria.
Sue B..
January, 2007,
I slipped on ice when I was walking in Manhattan Beach last Sunday, landed on my head and tailbone but really hurt my right hand. I am recovering quite well, martinis help.
Going to Oregon to visit my son on Tuesday so I won't be back walking with the group for a week or so. Thanks so much for your concern.
Jean H.
November, 2006,
Thank you for your good
wishes. Unfortunately, it's is going to take a little while to recover
from my sprained foot. I was told that it takes one week for every decade
of your age to recover from a
sprain or other injury. Makes me wish I was 30 again!!
I'm afraid I will miss Tuesday's walk because I've sprained my ankle and need to give it a rest
Barbara Burgess
November 19, 2006,
A short message to let you know that after taking a few hospital tests, Barbara went back home the same day and is currently doing fine. She is getting home therapy and has a nice female nurse helping her.
I'm in the process of getting her a handicap placard from the DMV.
Tom
November 15, 2006,
Barbara came home from the Centinela
hospital Sunday but developed a Shortness of breath on Tuesday and went back to
Centinela hospital for tests.
Tom
November 12, 2006
Barbara is home from the hospital and is going to have home therapy for the next couple weeks. She says that she will be up and at’em for the Christmas party on Dec 21st. and make Cadalac Tom and Jerry drinks!
Tom C.
November 11, 2006
As I understand it Barbra Burgess had
total right (think accelerator and brake pedals) knee replacement last Thursday (9th).
The surgery was performed at Centinela hospital in Inglewood and according to
Gary Osborn (son in law) she is doing fine and is slated to come home on Sunday
the12th.
Tom Chester
Bob Lynn
August 4, 2006
Bob is walking (slowly) again on the strand in Hermosa, usually between 30th place and 2nd street. It is timed to meet the rest of the walkers at Cafe Bonaparte around 9:15 am for healthy social exchange.
His
prescribed therapy is scheduled to end next Wednesday.
July 11, 2006
Bob Lynn had video assisted arthroscopic surgery on July 11th at Torrance Memorial Hospital's Outpatient Surgery Center. Bob is back home and is recovering well.
The soft cast will come off on Fri July 14th at which time light walking will commence.
Good luck to Bob on his rehab!!!
Sue Kuuskmae
August 9th, 2006
Information on Sue's vein operation. The incisions seem to be healing nicely, and the only problem now is the red rash that surrounds each area. This was caused by the glue and tape that the surgeon used, so Sue advise others to find out before they are operated on if this material will be used and have a bit of it put on their arm a week before surgery to see if they are allergic to it. I am finding that many people are allergic and have this same reaction.
July 7, 2006
After careful evaluation, Sue’s doctor opted to perform surgery on her leg.
She will go in at 9:00 a.m. to Torrance Memorial on Friday, July 14 and should be back home on the same day by late afternoon. The Surgeon will make several incisions and remove the offending vein but she will not feel a thing as she will be in la la land fast asleep.
The only potential problem with the surgery, is that infection is a possibility, but Sue promised to be a good patient in every way so that she can recover quickly and be ready for the Walking Club, August 22 departure from NYC to Scandinavia and beyond.
Now, for those who worry, I am pleased to inform you that the surgery will not be performed by Dr. Mati!
June 2006
Sue has
a problem with her leg which has been diagnosed as phlebitis (
Phlebitis (fle-BYE-tis) means inflammation of a vein.)
so you won’t be seeing her walking for a bit until it calms down. Mati will have
to do the cooking!?? Let’s see.
Info about Phlebitis:
Patti Dibella - April 2006
I am happy to inform you that our dear friend Pat Dibella had surgery this Monday, April the 17th at Little Company of Mary and that they found two cysts in her abdominal region which were found to be non-malignant.
Pat is doing well and should be able to receive phone calls and visitors in a day or so.
We are all happy for this great outcome and are looking forward to seeing her soon.
Tomorrow, Joyce will bring a get well card to the Tuesday walk.
Happy days are here again,
Jacques
Follow up on March 29th, 2006
Pat is currently recovering at home and doing well.
Hopefully she will make an appearance at Barbara Burgess Birthday party on Sunday May 5th
Follow up on May 5th, 2006
As promised Pat showed up at Barb Burgess party. She looked good and happy and enjoyed everybody's good wishes.
She is currently weaning herself from her pain medication and should be better than new in a few weeks
Follow up on May 19th, 2006
I called Pat today and found her in good spirit and well on her way to full recovery.
She is looking forward to joining us at the Bonaparte Cafe to share laughter and a good cup of coffee. She mentioned to me that she may come to the cafe on May the 23rd. We are waiting Pat!
Pat came to visit us May 23rd and 30th at the Cafe Bonaparte. She looked good and felt good.
She is healing well and soon will be well enough to run with the front pack of the Walking Club members!
Jacques Goffeau - March 2006
I realize that many of you have only received bits and pieces of my subdural hematoma story, so I decided to put together a short history of it so that you may have a better understanding of what has happened to me.
The story started in late Jan. when I asked my doctor
to put me on an antibiotic (Biaxin) for
what I thought was a sinus infection. It
did not take much time to realize that the drug was causing lots of pain and
problems and after 7 days I quit taking it. I limped along for a few weeks
after which I finally decided to return to my doctor and ask for advice.
Fortunately, he decided to give me a head scan test which showed that I had
fairly heavy bleeding in the space between the brain and the skull. A condition
called subdural hematoma. I don´t quite remember all the details, but on
03/06 I found myself at Little Company of Mary hospital having surgery which
consisted of drilling two holes in the skull and draining the excess blood. The
next few days were highly difficult as I was heavily restrained which drove me
close to madness. A least once a day, there would be an announcement that
Jacques was trying to escape again!
After about a week, I managed to be discharged from the hospital and, returned home expecting to resume my normal active life. Unfortunately, it did not take me long to realize that I did not feel fine and also had some bad headaches. After a day or so arguing with my wife, she contacted my doctor and my surgeon and it was agreed that I would get an additional scan of my brain which would be followed by a meeting with my surgeon on 3/16.
The day has come when I finally had my meeting with my surgeon who casually informed me that I was doing fairly well but still had a small amount of fluid on the right side of the brain, which may be there for an unknown amount of time, if not forever. Meanwhile, I am now going around with with a very short hair cut and the subject of much attention and sympathy.
Jacques
