Kent & Sharon's Echo Acres Excerpts

MARCH -- TRIP TO FLORIDA TO SEE TOM & MARILYN

My brother-in-law, Tom, in Florida had a malignant tumor on his kidney, so they removed that and his kidney Feb. 24th. He had several complications after that needing added surgical procedures, and as a result has a temporary colostomy, was on dialysis for several weeks, and has been on a respirator, etc. He has been in ICU the whole time since and was kept heavily sedated for 3 weeks. After putting in a trach so the respirator did not need to go down his throat, his sedation has lessened and he is alert again. But he is VERY weak and still a very sick man. Now that he is stabilized, he has been moved from Orlando to a long term critical care hospital in Tampa for rehab and treatment and is still in ICU there. It has been a real roller coaster, but he is making slow improvement with some days better than others, using the respirator less, sleeping a lot some days after more active days. So that's how it goes.... Kent & I flew down to Orlando to spend a few days with Marilyn for some moral support. Tom was still heavily sedated at that time so didn't know we were there. But it was good to have some time with Marilyn and get to see Tom and talk to his doctors. We had dinner with Erik, Kathy & Haley along with Marilyn both nights. Marilyn took us to her office/shop to see her buisness and out to her home. Our main purpose in going was to spend time with her, and it was special days together during this traumatic and difficult time for their family. Jon is in DC, so we didn't get to see him this time. Our hearts go out to them all and wish Tom the best in his recovery!

Tom & Marilyn
(taken last summer)

Tom

(taken last summer)

Cheery GET WELL
wishes, Tom!

Tom & Marilyn's
home

Marilyn in
her kitchen

Back yard

Marilyn outside
her business

Erik, Kathy,
& Haley

MARCH -- TRIP TO LAS VEGAS

Kent & I went with his business partner, Pete & Carol, to a Storage Expo in Las Vegas for 3 days. While Kent & Pete were in seminars, Carol and I walked all over and shopped. Quite a city! We left from Vegas and flew on to Phoenix, AZ to visit my sister there -- Donna & John (see next post on PHOENIX, AZ).

Vegas at night
from our hotel
window

Mod skyscrapers
built leaning!

Downtown Vegas

Casinos in every
hotel lobby!

Fabulous pastry
& ice cream shop
in our hotel

Delectable fancy
pastries!

Another shop had
real chocolate flowers
rotating on the wall.

Pete & Carol
at breakfast

Kent outside

Aria Hotel

Sharon outside
hotel

Aria Hotel --
very mod!

Now off to Phoenix, AZ.....

MARCH -- TRIP TO PHOENIX, AZ TO MY SISTER'S

We left the Storage Expo in Las Vegas and flew on to Phoenix for several days with my "Snowbird" sister & brother-in-law -- Donna & John -- at their winter home there. We went hiking in the White Tank Mts. near them and took a picnic lunch the first day. The next day we met up with some other couples for lunch and the Arizona Opry -- it was an awesome musical performance! Saturday Donna fixed a brunch and had several couples over. Had such a nice time together! Sunday was union meeting and then Todd & Shanna and her Mom came for dinner at Donna & John's along with Ron & Videll Gorder. Another scrumptious meal and visit! Off to gospel meeting in the PM and then to Sandy & Terry Ramaker's home (from WI) for a delicious supper and hymn sing with several other couples. A lovely evening and ending to our stay in Phoenix. Sure did enjoy all the "Snowbirds" and our time with Donna & John!!! Our thoughts were with my other sister's family in Florida -- Tom & Marilyn -- as he had a kidney removed and lots of complications and further surgical procedures. He has been in ICU for several weeks now, but finally on the mend... That will be another blog entry!