Spreitler Family

Bray's Friend Tristan

Ryan's Ramble - June 20, 2015, Spokane, WA

RYAN'S RAMBLE - June 20, 2015

Ryan Holyk died June 5, 2014, after suffering severe injuries when his bicycle was hit by a speeding police car in Spokane, WA.   For details about the tragedy, click on this link:  http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/jun/05/teen-bicyclist-hit-deputy-dies/

Ryan lived several days after the event.  His parents donated his organs, the ultimate and extremely courageous gift of life.

Ryan was the great-grandson of Bernie (my brother) and Maudie Fellin, grandson of their daughter, Shirley (aka Peggy).  Ryan's mother (Shirley's daughter), Carrie Thompson and other family members sponsored a memorial race in Ryan's memory, "Ryan's Ramble," which was held in Spokane today.  Ryan was my great grand nephew.  Carrie told me that I had actually met Ryan when some of us travelled to Spokane for Bernie's funeral some years ago.

When I heard about the Ramble on Facebook some months ago, I immediately registered for it to stand in solidarity with Ryan's family.  This morning here in St. Louis,  I participated by going to the nearby school track and walking the 5K distance.

Ryan's Ramble. June 20, 2015

Carrie and Sandi

Ryan's Ramble

Unknown, Carrie and Monica, Sisters, Ryan's mother and Aunt

Ryan's Ramble

At 5K

News about Stephanie

Stephanie (Abbott Schmitt) had her last chemo treatment on Wednesday.  She is very happy to be done with them as they have made her extremely ill.  And we are quite happy for her!  Congratulations, Stephanie!

THIS BLOG

Sue (Felin Spreitler Boaz) took great interest in the goings-on of our far flung family and was dedicated to capturing as much as possible here, on  "The Family Gazette."  Her belief, which I share, was that some future family historian would find the Gazette a treasure trove of facts and hints about our family history.  My intention is to keep the blog intact and to add information to it from time to time.  Some of you have access to posting on the Gazette directly if you wish.  I invite others to send me e-mails with information you want added here.  If anyone wants to be added as a contributor, please let me know.  

End of Airport Runway Last Night

SOME EXCITEMENT

Shirley, Brayden, and I flew home from New Orleans last night.  Rather than land as we approached the runway, our Southwest pilot bypassed landing and began wide circling over St. Louis.  After about 15 minutes, he announced that the plane's flaps were not working.  He was flying around, trying to get them to function.  He was reassuring, telling us we could land anyway, but he preferred to do so with working flaps.  After another 15 minutes he told us we were going to land, using "of course, the longest runway," and that there would be fire trucks along the runway but only in an abundance of caution.  [In all my years of flying, this was only the second time fire trucks lined the runway in anticipation of a problem.]

Shirley was perfectly calm.  Brayden and I began measuring our heartbeat rates with my Apple Watch.  (Our heart rates picked up considerably.)  The pilot landed the plane with a very, very long bumpy ground ride, brakes screeching.  When the plane stopped, everyone cheered, especially Brayden and I.  Shirley said she only became alarmed when it took so long to stop the plane.  Then the pilot announced that we would sit for a bit while the firemen checked out the plane's brakes.  After another short wait, we turned toward to the gate.  We could see there was about 100 feet more of runway as the plane turned.

We were very happy to disembark, about 45 minutes late.

Brayden, Charley, Evangeline

Pete and Janet

HAPPY 58th ANNIVERSARY!

Chris

Arriving from Louisville with Brayden earlier this evening.

Jalen and his Mother

Six years ago.

Bray waiting to board

Our flight is delayed.

Bray's Bag of Snacks

At airport, going to NO. Beth made sure Bray has something to eat. He is sharing.

Vase

Jalen made this case for us. Thank you, Jalen!

Shirley, Joe, Rose, Pete

Joe, Marnett, Pete

Surviving Siblings

Rose Felin Holt, Donald Felin, Joe Felin, John Felin

Family gathers for Luncheon Following Service for Sue - May 27, 2015

Right to Left - Lisa, Pete (in red hat), Beth, Donald, Vita,

Scott.  [Can someone identify the others?]

Thanks, Nancy Hafla!

Left to Right - Nancy, Beth S., Scot, Vita, Donald, Beth B.,
Pete, Joe, and Lisa.

More Family - Photos from Nancy Hafla

Joe, Erica, Amanda, Pete

Erica and Amanda are daughters of Randy and

Lynn Abbott, granddaughters of Margaret and

Norman Abbott.

Joe, Pete, and Margaret - Felin Siblings 

Lisa (Joe's Daughter) and Pete aka John

More Photos

Rose, Joe, and Joe's daughter, Beth

Tammy and Joe

Tammy is the daughter of Maudie Ree and Bernie.  She lives

in Olympia, Washington.  Brother Joe lives in Springfield.

Tammy sent a number of photos from her days with us just

recently.  I will post more as time permits.

Pete (John L.), Rose, Nancy (Pete and Janet's daughter)

Rose and Sabrina

Sue's Son, Christopher

MARTHA SUE BOAZ - Slide Show

Chris and Shelly, Scott and Beth, and Shirley and I put together a slide show for Sue's visitation on Tuesday evening, May 26, 2015.

Here is a link that will allow anyone who wishes to to view it:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tpm7jqmj6qbexxw/MARTHA%20SUE%20BOAZ.m4v?dl=0

Mark Goldman's Eulogy for Sue

We are all grateful for the wonderful eulogy Mark Goldman delivered at the service for Sue yesterday.  The entire service was moving and profound, so fitting for the person we were all honoring and bidding farewell to.  I will post the program of the service here soon.  Meanwhile, here is Mark's eulogy:

 The dictionary defines the word unforgettable as remarkable in a way that cannot be forgotten.   Martha Sue Felin Spreitler Boaz was truly unforgettable.  She never understood how unforgettable she was.  She was always so surprised that people at the hospital, BJEC, the casinos or any of the restaurants we frequented always remembered her.

I first met mom when she broke up a fight Scott and I were having on the way home from school when we were in kindergarten.     I obviously did not know then what kind of impact she would have on my life for the next 43 years. 

I am not sure when Scott and Ding’s friends started calling her mom, but it just became a natural thing for us.  That is who she was.  This was always confusing for her neighbors at the lake because they never knew who her real children were.   One of the neighbors even asked “just how many kids does that lady have?”  My own mother, who knew her as Sue for a long time, refers to her as mom. 

I could spend all day talking about how unfair it was for her to have had to live the last twelve years of her life in the manner that she did.  But, you know, I would rather talk today about the incredible strength she showed throughout her life.

Her strength began building early when as the 7^th of 8 children; she lost her father while she was just a toddler.  She mentioned many times how she marveled at her mother’s strength in raising a big family by herself.  When Mom was 15 she moved in with Uncle Pete in Idaho for a year because 15 year olds could get a driver’s license in Idaho at the time.  After high school she would again show her independence and burgeoning strength by moving across the country to Spokane, where her oldest brother Bernie lived, to begin a long career with GMAC.  A couple of years later she got the opportunity to transfer back to St. Louis with GMAC where she was interviewed by Brick Speitler.

Mom and Brick would soon fall in love and start their family in South St Louis.  In the early 70s they moved to Maryland Heights to the Glenlea house as mom always referred to it.  My mother called on her for Welcome Wagon.

A few years later Mom showed herculean strength when she lost Brick and became a widow with two small children at the age of 31.  Can you imagine that?

Not only did she have to fulfill the role of mother and father while working full time, she also had to become a full time labor mediator between Scott and Ding.  She had to solve such disputes as what constituted mowing half the lawn or whose turn it was to con me into doing some of their chores.  That role alone took unbelievable strength.

In the early 80s she purchased the Lake house.  She always claimed that it was blind luck that she choose such a perfect house in even a more perfect location but I think that was another example of her selling herself short.  When we were all teenagers or in our early twenties we were rarely invited to the Lake but we certainly enjoyed her visits there.  Although one time she said she was going to the Lake and instead she went to dinner and came back to the Glenlea house that was packed with Ding’s friends.  Luckily Scott and I were away at college then so we were spared her wrath.

Eventually she started inviting us down for one week each summer in the early 90s.  She called it Kids week and she completely and totally pampered us for a week.  She cooked all the meals, packed our coolers with food and drinks so we could spend all day on the boat and she even washed and folded any clothes we left lying around. 

After some big work sessions our invitation became an open one and she still pampered us every time we came to the lake. 

She was always happiest at the Lake   She loved watching her Cardinals and singing along with the classic country channel, she knew all the words to every song.  She loved to have a full house    especially when there were little ones there.  “The more the merrier” she would always say.  She loved to sit out on the deck and laugh at our stories or to shock us with some of the funny stories she would tell.   She would always catch us off guard with her quick wit.  She really wanted to know what was going on with all of us.   One of the truest things I ever heard about the Lake house came from Dug and Suz’s son Lukas when he was 4 or 5 years old.  Suz pointed to the Lake as they drove over the dam and Luke said that is not the lake, Granny’s house is the Lake.

It was not until after she got sick and it took several of us to keep the house going during a big weekend that we realized all things she did for us.

As much strength as she showed in her earlier life, it pales in comparison to the strength she showed dealing with mysterious illness she struggled through the last dozen years.  Quite simply, she just kept going.  Through all of the tests, the spinal taps, the experimental meds and treatments she just kept burrowing through to try to get better.   There were steps forward and big steps back but she kept battling.    She did not like being dependant on us but she knew she had to be.  She learned to adapt to her situation, she grudgingly accepted our help and she tried to live as normally as she could

In the coming days weeks months and years we will tell stories about mom aka Granny, Aunt Sue, Sis, Sue and laugh about the great times and to a much lesser extent lament the not so great.  I started off by talking about how unforgettable of a person mom was.  She had a profound effect on everyone she came into contact with and while she never really could comprehend that we all know how her wit, wisdom compassion and most of strength affected us all.

Joe, Rose, Pete (John)

Tammy, Joe, Beth

Pete, Donald, Rose, Joe

Martha Sue (Spreitler) Boaz Obituary

Here is the obituary published in today's St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Martha Sue Boaz

Obituary |  Condolences

Boaz, Martha Sue nee Felin, 71, of University City and Lake Ozark, MO passed away on May 21, 2015. Martha Sue was born the 7th of 8 children to James and Marie Felin in Marshfield, MO on April 23, 1944. Martha Sue (Sis, Mom, Granny, Aunt Sue, Pepé La Pew) is survived by grandchildren Kate, Drew, Jalen, and Brayden; siblings Joe Felin, John Felin, Rose Holt, and Donald Felin, children Scott (Beth) Spreitler and Chris (Shelly) Spreitler, Shirley Fontenot and other friends and family. Martha Sue is preceded in death by husband Loyola Spreitler, husband Dennis Boaz, and siblings Bernie Fellin, Robert Felin, and Margaret Abbott. Services: The funeral service will be held at 10 AM Wednesday May 27, 2015. Sandy Cooper and Leah Friedman will be officiating. Visitation will be held at 4PM until 8PM Tuesday May 26, 2015. Both the services and visitation will be held at Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home. She loved nothing more than being at the Lake of the Ozarks. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ALS Association.

Published in St. Louis Post-Dispatch on May 24, 2015

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/stltoday/obituary.aspx?n=martha-sue-boaz&pid=174927286&fhid=16840#sthash.RfBuAHyb.dpuf

Lake at Dusk

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUE [MARTHA SUE (SPREITLER) BOAZ 1944-2015]

Chris and Shelly have made these arrangements for Sue:

Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home
12444 Olive Blvd.
Creve Coeur, MO  63141

Visitation for Family:  3:00 - 4:00 pm, Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Visitation for All:  4:00 - 8:00 pm

Service:  Wednesday 10:00 am, Wednesday, May 27, 2015  at Ortmann Stipanovich

Sue's Lake House

It is Finished

Chris just called to say Sue died at 9:05 pm, May 21, 2015.  He and Scott were with her.

Who knew?

Seems Sue is heeding the words of the great poet:

     Do not go gentle into that good night,                               
     Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
     Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

As of this evening, May 21, 2015, at 8:00 pm, she is holding fast to the light.   Chris and Scott are at her bedside, and Chris will spend the night tonight.  Tomorrow she may have to be transferred back to BJEC for hospice care.  When I was arranging for that possibility this afternoon with the BJEC business office, even the woman there knew Sue and was saddened by the news.  [Sue has been in and out of BJEC a half dozen times now and knows all the staff.  In 2005 Denny, Sue's husband, was there several months before his death.]

Lots is happening in these sad days.  Kathleen, the daughter of Sue's long-time and very good friend, Jack Delaney, has agreed to sing at Sue's memorial service, accompanied on guitar by her husband.  The songs we've chosen are the Andrew Lloyd Weber "Pie Jesu" and Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah."  Kathleen knows Sue well through both her father and mother.  Kathleen's words to me were, "It would be a privilege to do this for Sue."  Jack sang at both Sue and Denny's wedding and at Denny's funeral.  Kathleen inherited her singing voice from him.  

Two good family friends are planning a service, part religious, part secular, all Sue.  Family and friends will be invited to speak of their relationship with Sue, either in person or by sending us their message (roseholt@aol.com).   Mark Goldman, who delivered the eulogy for Denny, will do so for Sue.  (That was the only request I ever heard Sue make about her eventual leave-taking.)

This afternoon Marnett brought her eight-year-old son, Torré to say goodbye to Sue--at his request.  Torré is an old soul and bonded with Sue during the family trip with her to the lake in March.  He has also spent time at our house over the past few months.

Sue

Bad News, Good News

The bad news is, of course, Sue's impending death.  She is one tough cookie and is, once again, demonstrating just how tough.  Scott, Chris, and Mark Lary stayed with her last evening, and Scott stayed overnight.  Due to hospital and insurance constraints, Sue may have to be moved to an extended care facility as early as today.  We'll know more when we meet with the social worker at Barnes-Jewish today.  All the hospital staff have been wonderfully informative and caring.  The medical team is keeping Sue comfortable.

And the good news is that Stephanie got a good progress report in her battle with lymphoma yesterday.  She also had another chemo treatment with one more to go.  YAY!!!  We are deliriously happy for her.  Catrina, her sister and neighbor, was her companion and driver yesterday.  All of us are grateful to everyone pitching in to help Stephanie and Dan through this really rough patch.

SUE

Bad news.  Sue's condition has worsened to the point that she may die as soon as today.  Scott arrived early today, and he and Chris are with her now.  I plan to go back later this afternoon.  It is a very sad moment.  As you, Dear Readers, know Sue has put up valiant effort for more than twelve years fighting off debilitating health issues while still enjoying life, especially life at the lake house when she could get there.

With help from everyone, especially Linda, Sabrina, and Marnett, we are keeping vigil at Sue's bedside.  Our friend, Sandy, did an anointing ritual for Sue on Tuesday, just after the physicians told us of her dire condition.  The ritual was most fitting and much appreciated as well as perhaps divinely scheduled.

Sue's sons are fine, fine men, and their wonderful wives have been troopers through all this.  More detail about all that later.  Now, two short stories to illustrate just how much their mother influenced these two.  Brayden has a great friend who only gets to play sports, something both boys love above everything else, because Scott and Beth make it possible.  Scott and Chris and I were reminiscing recently about a kid they grew up with who had tons of opportunities only because Sue and the two of them made it possible.  History repeats itself.

The second story is about Chris.  Parking at Barnes-Jewish Hospital downtown has always been a problem.  Sue has been an in-patient there between 50 and 60 times, so we've really got the hang of it.    And it is a complicated system when you first engage it.  We know when to buy a five-pass card (which years ago sold for $5, now goes for $20).  It's great to have one though when a single park is $15 for a long stay.  This week Chris and I both bought new ones.  When Scott arrived from Louisville this morning, I suggested to Chris that Scott could use his five-pass card when he exited the garage.  Chris, rather sheepishly, said, "Well, I only have one pass left." "Why, Chris, you only bought that card yesterday?"  His response:  "Well, we used one for Linda yesterday, and when I was leaving last night there was an old man trying to process his parking ticket with a credit card.  I saw that it was $15 so I said, 'Here, just use this pass card.'  Then I went on to process my ticket.  There was another old man at the machine on the other side of me having trouble.  I saw his charge was $18, so I said, 'Here, just use this pass card.'  That means I only have one left."

Scott and Chris learned generosity from their mother. 

NEWS ABOUT SUE

Sue's blood pressure was so low this morning that her BJEC nurse determined she needed to be taken to the emergency room at Barnes Jewish Hospital downtown.  Around 7:15 or so she was transported there by ambulance.  Immediately the ER physicians started her on IV fluids (after special effort to get her stuck), gave her medication to stop her AFIB heart reaction, and antibiotics for a urinary tract infection.  She had pretty much stopped eating and drinking for the last few days so was extremely dehydrated.  She hasn't been much aware now for a few weeks, sometimes seeming to recognize one of us but mostly not.  I talked with Chris just now who said she has been admitted to the hospital, and he thought was better than he had seen her in a few days though he was still not sure she knew who he was.

I did remind her that it is Brother Joe's birthday, and that we had indeed remembered belatedly to send his card, a card which (in better days) she would have had in the mail right on time.  I'm not sure she understood.   Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BROTHER JOE!

ER physicians told me this morning they were trying to determine the underlying cause for these last weeks during which she has been totally disoriented.  That long seizure almost five weeks ago or possibly a stroke?

WTF.  Why does one person have to suffer so much!

Sue at the Lake surrounded by her Grandchildren

LAST SUMMER

UPDATE ON SUE

Sue is not doing well.  She is still disoriented, cannot communicate beyond "Yes" and "No," often doesn't recognize Chris, Shelly, Shirley, or me.  Her Springfield neighbor, Leslie, visited recently, and Sue did not know her.  All the tests the house physician ordered have come back negative.  There is no apparent underlying cause for her condition.  Sometime this past week, the BJEC therapists stopped working with her because it is just too difficult.  She sleeps a lot and mostly refuses to eat.  Chris and I are seeking a long-term skilled nursing facility for her.  BJEC is a great place for rehab.  For long-term care?  Not so great.

Based on Sue's history (second only to Bill Clinton for come-backs), we are not abandoning hope.  However, the bad seizure she had was on April 15, so her situation is dire.

UPDATE

Sue, Chris, and I met with several of the staff at BJEC--an occupational therapist, a physical therapy, a speech therapy, the resident chaplain, and Sue's social worker--to review Sue's status and the plan for the future.  Sue is still not oriented to time and space.  She does know Chris and me, and she will answer simple questions.  However, her progress is very slow.  She still cannot stand unaided and has to be moved from bed to chair with a Hoyer lift.   The staff who were in the meeting all know Sue very well from her past stays at BJEC and could not be more kind and loving.

I spoke to the house physician, Dr. Bavilsik, after the meeting.  He thought Sue was improved when he saw her on Saturday but was most responsive to my concerns about her slow progress.  He immediately ordered a round of tests--bloodwork, urinalysis, and scans--to make sure Sue is not suffering from some underlying problem the hospital missed.

I will meet again with the social worker on Friday to assess where Sue is.

Sue's Birthday

The Louisville Spreitlers sent Sue a luau party package for her birthday.
Scott explained in the card that he shopped, baked, packed, and mailed the gifts while Beth watched sports. Right, Scott. We recognize Beth's fingerprints. They were all over everything. (More pics in or bikini tops and grass skirts coming.)

Louisville Spreitlers' Gift for Granny

UPDATE

Sue is now at Barnes Jewish Extended Care about five minutes from our house.  She spent eight days at Barnes Jewish Hospital downtown and underwent a whole lot of testing that revealed nothing.  While downtown she suffered a long seizure Tuesday night.  The physician on call gave her a hefty dose of ativan to stop the seizing.  Once before she had a similar dose, and it put her in a groggy, sleepy state for four days.  Same thing is happening now.  We will know a lot more when this stuff wears off, and she come into herself again.  No matter what, though, she will be in for weeks of intensive physical therapy to get back the strength she has lost from 8-10 days lying in bed.  I often wonder why one person has had to endure so much torment.  Sue's spirit is such that, up and alert, she enjoys herself.  I pray she returns to that state and soon.

Janet sent me an e-mail today explaining that it is she and her daughter Nancy who watch "Call the Midwife."  They have a mother-daughter date while Pete is doing his volunteer work at the local hospital.  Makes sense since the program is truly a "chick flick" kind of thing.  Brother Pete has so much soul that he would probably like it, too.

I've also watched all of "House of Cards," all that is available to date, that is.  The dark, unattractive characters in "House of Cards" are far removed from the shining examples of personhood in the women of "Call the Midwife."   Neither Sue nor Shirley will watch it.

A Television Show

Janet and Pete recommended another BBC television series to us, "Call the Midwife."  We are hooked on it.  The premise of the show is quite simple.  A group of nuns and nurse midwives provide healthcare, especially prenatal and natal care, to people in a very poor part of London in the 1940's and 50's.  I have watched all the past shows by purchasing them from Amazon.com and watching them on my iPad (my private television set, as it turns out).  Shirley and Sue are catching up.   This is the most gripping television I have seen since the 1980's when I was similarly hooked on "I, Claudius," also a BBC presentation.

At Janet and Pete's recommend, we also watched "The Bletchley Circle."  Wonderful, too.  We are waiting for further guidance on great entertainment. 

UPDATE ABOUT SUE

Sue was scheduled to enter rehab at BJC on Wednesday but suffered a setback during the night, so she remained at Barnes Jewish Hospital until this afternoon when she was transferred to BJEC for rehab.  I saw her shortly after her arrival by ambulance.  She was sleepy and tired, not fully conscious of the move or her situation.  She had a lot of med modifications and changes while hospitalized, and it always takes a while for her system to settle down after such an ordeal.

Janet and Merri; Mother and Daughter

Brayden visiting his Grandmother in Hospital

Brayden Greeting Sue in Hospital

Caitlin in Front of the Church

Caitlin is Pete and Janet's granddaughter who was married on Saturday.

SPRING IN OUR VILLAGE

SP

UPDATE ABOUT SUE

Last Wednesday Sue had a setback and by Thursday noon was headed to the emergency room in an ambulance.  After days of testing and scratching of many heads, most things have been ruled out.  She is a medical mystery and, at the same time, a medical marvel.

Sue spent the first night at Missouri Baptist Medical Center then was transferred to Barnes-Jewsish downtown where her physicians are.  Today she will go back to Barnes Jewish Extended Care (BJEC) for intensive rehab.  Her spirits are good.  She is enjoying Cardinal baseball but hasn't been well enough to do her usual computer stuff.

Chris, Shelly, and Brayden returned from their ski trip to Colorado late on Friday.  We had Brayden Saturday.  Sue was overjoyed to see him.  At age 12 he is as delightful as he was at age 2.  Shirley and I went with him to the Galleria shopping center to buy new pants, all his now too "high water."  Looking around, he said he didn't care for those clothes that had "names on them."  Smart kid.

Yesterday we learned that Jalen has been awarded the Kentucky Governor's Scholar Award, a huge deal that means he will get much of his in-state college paid.  This summer he will spend five weeks at a Kentucky university in an intensive college experience as part of the award.  Congratulations, Jalen!!!  The award is given to students who have an excellent academic record (Jalen has a 4.0 GPA), test well, have shown leadership ability, and involved writing an essay.

I Started this post but i'm but i'm not sure where it went.

The nurse just for her last visit and the occupational and physical therapists are all three finished with me.  The trough is in and Marnett and I will pick it up in the morning.  We haven't heard much from Colorado nor Kentucky but that is no surprise.  

We're having Whole Foods Chicken for supper and Marnett and I may go out to lunch after we pick up the trough.  I think the doctor's office had misplaced it and found it.

Bray with Shelly and Chris

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEPHANIE!

Stephanie sent this update for the Gazette:

"I went for my Intrathecal Methatrexate treatment on Tuesday, March 24th, and had some complications.  It took 4 lumbar punctures before they were able to get any spinal fluid back and do the chemo treatment for the brain and central nervous system.  What should have taken about 15 minutes took 2 hours and I was very sedated by the time they were done.  We finally arrived home about 4:30 or so.  I went the next day to the oncologist for my check up and RCHOP chemo and when they too my temperature by for head, it was only 94.5.  It was  taken orally and it was 101.5, so everything was put on hold until the following Monday and a round of antibiotics.  I was able to get my RCHOP chemo, but it has moved things back by nearly a week, so we are going to be at this a bit longer.

While there the doctor gave me the results of the latest CT/PET scan and that appears to show that the tumors are beginning to shrink, PRAISE GOD!.  We will continue on this course of action until the chemo is done (I have one more round of the Intrathecal Methatrexate and 3 more of the RCHOP), then after 6 weeks they will do another CT/PET scan and check the progress of the tumors.  If there is more growth, then more chemo....if not then they will continue to follow up with scans periodically and we will do whatever is needed to treat this cancer.  It does have a 49% chance of recurrence within the first 4 years, so if you could add some prayers for me to be in the 51%, I would be most grateful.  Thank you so much for the prayers, the cards, the hats, and all the loving thoughts.  Anna (Fellin) thank you for the beautiful and comforting quilt.  I am attaching a picture.

Love you all,

Stef"

She also sent along the photograph of herself holding the quilt Anna made for her which we posted earlier.

Thanks for the update, Stephanie.  We wish you more good news and a speedy transit through the effects of the chemo.

Many of our readers have expressed an interest in helping Stephanie and Dan through this troubling time.  They have family and church people who help with the everyday needs like travel, shopping, and housekeeping.  They are having considerable financial difficulties.  Anyone wishing to help, please send your check to:  Stephanie and Dan Schmitt, 80 Michael Court, Troy, MO  63379.

Happy Easter To Everyone

We don't have any plans that I know of except for a fine dinner.   Chris and Shelly and Brayden are in Colorado (Copper Mountain) on a ski-snowboard trip.  Chris and Brayden stopped by here Friday evening so we got  to see them briefly.  Brayden is on Spring break and was eager to get to Chris and Shelly's and see the new puppy. We ordered pizza and he commented that was the first time he had ever seen me eat pizza.  Chris agreed with him about my eating pizza.  I liked it.

Marnett isn't coming today but tomorrow both the helpers will come.  Marnett has really worked out very well and I'm  hoping to find someone as effencient as she is for lake time. I want to spend some time down there and find someone to stain the deck.  My lake exer-cycle  bike isn't working, and I need someone to take a look at it.  The boat and wave runner need de-winterize.

It's chilly this morning - 34 degrees.  Probably a lot colder on Copper Mountain.  The Cardinals versus the Cubs start the baseball season today in Chicago.  Scott told me the  game won't be on TV here.  I don't know why not.

I'm not good on Facebook (better at AOL) will try to catch up and learn.

Bear and Bray in Colorado

Stephanie

Here is something I stole off Stephanie's Facebook page that is too wonderful not to share here:

Stephanie wrote:

"This quilt was made and sent to me by my cousin Anna last month, and it is, without a doubt, the softest, most warming, comforting quilt I have ever used (and, yes, it travels in it's own plastic protective bag to Chemo!) Thank you so much Anna."

She added this beautiful photo:

Good Friday With Several Changes

It's Good Friday.  The home healthcare nurse came yesterday and will only come one more time.  My heart rate was good and my blood pressure was also good.  I thought the occupational therapist was going to come back but maybe I was mistaken.   I keep doing alI can.  Marnett took me to my neurologist appointment on Wednesday, and I don't have to go back to see him for several months,

Brayden and Beth leave Louisville! tonight and will meet Chris in St. Louis.  .  Beth is going on a cruise with her mother and a girlfriend.  Chris, Shelly and Brayden will go on to Colorado on their ski trip.

We had three young men here for dinner who had recently returned from Colorado, and they said there's plenty of snow for skiing,  They are bikers, rock climbers, and also skiers.    We're not sure about where in Colorado the Spreitlers are staying but maybe we'll find out soon.

I'm waiting on Marnett to assist me in the shower, to help me with my exercises, and perhaps go out to lunch with me.  Plans change around here (sometimes even after I have gone to bed) and I don't know about the change until the next day or so.

Now PLANS HAVE CHANGED.  Highway 64 in Louisville is closed because of flooding (Ohio River?),  and Brayden's and Beth's schools are closed too.  Beth is bringing Brayden to St. Louis today so we're hoping to get to see more of them.  Brayden and Beth are both on Spring Break.  They will go home together next weekend upon their returns to St. Louis.

I interviewed a woman this week who is a potential for a summer companion at the lake. She came with Marnett on Monday briefly and is highly recommended by Marnett.  She doesn't have any small children and has a nice car.  She's coming back on Monday for more orientation.   I haven't definitely hired her yet, but she's a real possibility.  I'm wanting to spend some Spring time at the lake also.

The deck at the lake really needs staining, and I believe I may have some of the stain in the storage shed.  If not, I'll get it.  I would really like to get done before summer gets here.

I'm sitting by the front window hoping to see Beth and Brayden arrive.

Now, plans have changed again.  Chris is coming over here with Brayden so we will get to see them today.  We're going to convince them they should stay and have salad (leftover from last night)  and we'll order in a pizza for the main course.  Beth is spending the evening with her girlfriend.  Shelly is packing for the Colorado trip.

We'll take some pictures and post them.  They're not here yet.

Easter Gifts

Easter Basket

Easter Bunny Came

Thank you, Beth, Scott, Jalen, Brayden!!!

Merri Felin Johnson, Daughter of John L. (Pete) and Janet Felin

Zions names new president for eastern Idaho

Merri Johnson

Zions Bank has named Merri Johnson its Eastern Idaho region president.

Johnson joined Zions in 2001 as a customer service manager in the Idaho Falls Downtown Financial Center and later was promoted to operations manager for the region. She has served as financial center manager, commercial loan officer and consumer loan officer.

In her new position she is responsible for the “strategic direction, market share growth and profitability of the region’s 13 financial centers,” according to a Zions news release. She also directs the region’s retail sales and service, small business lending, financial center operations and community relations efforts.

Zions Bank operates 25 full-service financial centers in Idaho and 100 financial centers in Utah. The company's Web site is www.zionsbank.com.

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Congratulations, Merri!  

Tuesday Afternoon

Rose and Shirley are both with clients.  Rose and Marnett took me to my primary care physician yesterday, and I should not have to go back to see her for three or four months.  That was good news. Now I'm going to my neurologist tomorrow for a follow up check.  Marnett is taking me there because Rose and Shirley are both working.

I got a haircut today.  our hairdresser comes here to the house to cut it.  With all the great help I have, I'm sure I could get into the salon, but it's nice to be pampered.  Rose and Shirley both go there and are going tomorrow.

Just tried to call Scott but got voice mail.  I wanted to talk to Brayden.  Chris must be on call since he doesn't answer either.

I continue to do my daily exercises on the exer-cycle and deep knee bends.  I walk as much as I can .  I'm to get a trough for my right arm, and we thought it was in when it wasn't even ordered yet.

Scott just returned my call.  Beth and Brayden leave Saturday from Louisville.  Scote didn't think we would get to see Brayden on the route to Colorado, but thought we might get to see both him and Beth on their way home. Beth is going on a cruise with her mother who lives in Washington D.C. while on spring break.   Scott and Beth are driving to St. Louis.  Chris and Shelly and Brayden are driving on to Colorado, I'm not sure where.

UPDATE

Looking at pictures from the GeoBee closely  which we did, we see  Brayden is about the shortest and we assume the youngest one there (and also the smartest).  He didn't beat all the older and bigger kids, but  he was very competitive.  We  are very proud of him.

 Now he is excited and looking forward to Colorado with Uncle Chris and Aunt Shelly on Spring Break and skiing. They leave next Sunday.   I'm  not sure where in Colorado they are staying.  Jalon  chose not to go because he doesn't like cold weather. Beth is going on a cruise with her mother while  the rest of the family  is gone.  I asked Scott what he was going to do while the family was gone and and he replied. "'Nothing, again I'm not good on Facebook, but Brayden has promised to teach me."  He's not very  good on phone calls or emails either.

Chris and I went to dinner last night.  Shelly couldn't join us.  It was at JJ'S in St. Charles and Chris said we had been there before.  I had forgotten having been there, but  they had delicious hamburgers and I remembered THEM.   When I got home, Rose and Shirley were serving dessert to guests from Madison, Wisconsin. I joined them for that.

 The guests left early this  morning, I wasn't even up yet.  This is the start of a long journey for them.  I'll have to ask the Geography Contest Competitor just how far  away Madison  is.

Rose is practicing the guitar.  She went to the grocery store yesterday after she had made out a list,  and had to call me to read off the list to her.  She knew she  had forgotten something,   She had  "but only one thing - the list".

Rose and I had Margaret much in mind yesterday, her birthday.  Joe knew when Bob's was.  It was also in March.  

Bob is buried in St. John,  KS.  I hope Jana and John and the girls are still planning on spending some time with me at the lake house again this summer, the rest of the  Kansas relatives too.  I need more help, but love being there and hope they do.

I don't have the boat  de-winterized yet.  Doug has done the wave runner for several years and knows how, but it's too soon to ride it now.   I'm sure the water is too cold and I don't believe the fish are biting  yet..  I need to find some one to stain the deck.  Marnett has kids in school or she would be perfect to stay with me and she has a husband!   I would like to be there where  when they stain the deck.  Right now, I just want some one to give me an estimate on doing it and I'd like to have it  done before the season starts.