Columbus OH

Again, a long time. But we have reasons.

Medical Report (a rather ghoulish prospect, but people keep on asking): indeed Lew is having more problems. In spite of that, his heart failure could be improving with the new meds - we'll know when he has another echocardiogram.

What did happen is that last August his "joint" pain seemed to resolve quite a bit, but returned around thanksgiving - this time accompanied by difficulty breathing without obvious cause - asthma again????? After 50 years????? apparently the pain was NOT "joint" pain, but rather, muscle pain. It appears that many of his muscles have atrophied. This may be due to disuse over the winter - or not. Anyway, he has adjusted his diet and his exercise regimen - let's see what happens.

It is equally important that Lew got rid of the doctors who could not identify the multiple warning signs of failure over a period of several years. He already has replaced them with others who take the subject more seriously.

Bobbi had her 60th birthday on the first of April. To add insult to injury, she received her "Golden Buckeye" card and discovered that she has lost 2 in of height since her surgeries. But with the help of her PT she slowly continues to gain strength to decrease her pain. She has been able to reduce the strength of her pain medications progressively so that she now uses only a low dose of lidocaine patches.

The pets? Saphire is 15! But shows very few signs of it - a little clumsy, and certainly not less intellectually challenged than the last time. She still is the same scavenger. But everyone loves her, even though she is so frustrating. Smokey (our prison dog) - 11 years old now - remains the same multi-brown-colored fuzzy unruly lovable over-sized powder puff as always; but recently we learned that he has a tumor of his spinal cord which soon will take him out. Kitty-poo our calico - 5 or 6 - continues to rule the roost, dominating not only the other cat (2-3 times her size), but also both dogs and all 3 humans. Last but not least, Luckey, Audrey's large completely black Tom who every night jumps into the bed in the corner next to Lew's feet, has gone from holy terror to the softest and most gentle of furry things (though he still bites - gently - if you disagree with him).

Lew's son Scott is still living very comfortably, thank you, near Tampa, with his wife and 2 sons. He continues to guide a Lutheran congregation that grows slowly but surely, despite the extra-depressed economy in Florida. His wife Su remains quite active in the musical activities for the congregation and in housekeeping. Laid-back son George the curve-breaker is preparing to graduate in June and move on (where?), while Brian is just a year behind him. Now all together now, say "where did the time go?"

Lew's sister Linda had her 74th birthday on St Patrick's day. She continues to reside in a nursing home in Bryan. She still is recovering slowly, and Luther says he intends to move her to a less intensive place this week. She called Lew on the phone today and was cheerful even when Lew did not agree she should have all the candy she wanted.

As mentioned before, Luther joined the ranks of the retired last year. He seems to be enjoying himself except for having to run back and forth to sister Linda and son James, who remains in an institution in San Antonio. Daughter Mary has surprised Luther and Liz (pleasantly) by graduating from a local college. And younger daughter Martha is still keeping house, raising her son, and social working in Seattle.