Sunday, April 3, 2011

Sandra Edwards Hadank

I worked for the British Embassy after high school until I married in April of 1967. My husband was in the army and when he finished his tour of duty in 1968 we moved back to his hometown of Peoria, Illinois and have been here ever since. I was a Canadian citizen while attending FCHS and finally became a U.S. citizen in September of 1970. We have 2 sons and a daughter. Also 7 grandchildren. Our oldest son now lives in Midlothian, Virginia. Our second son lives in Bolivar, Missouri and our daughter in Peoria. All are married. I was a stay at home mom until 1982 when the company my husband worked for closed and then went to work at Bradley University working my way up the ladder until I was administrative assistant to the president. I retired May 31 of 2006 and spend time with the one granddaughter that lives in town. The rest of my grandchildren live in Virginia and Missouri. We did meet up with Ralph Crouch and his wife a couple of years ago when visiting our son in Virginia and really looking forward to the reunion as I haven't seen anyone since graduation.

Sandy is on FaceBook

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Steve Hutchins

We have been out of touch with almost everybody as we have been on an extended cruise. Teresa and I rented our house to a very nice doctor and wedding planner couple for at least 2 years and left on our boat for parts still to be determined. As I type this, we are in Great Guana, Bahamas waiting to meet up with other boating friends in time for a "Barefoot Man" Concert at a place called Nipper's Bar this weekend. Nipper's is a world class bar that overlooks the third largest reef in the world and sits on top of large hill. Our current plans have us cruising back thru the East Coast this summer and up to Maine for August and 1st week of September.

Steve is on FaceBook

Update - March 21

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Update

Nancy Bagby Abbate

I retired 3 years ago after teaching special ed for 31 years. Marshall and I celebrated 43 yrs of marriage last December. Our son lives in Pittsburgh and our daughter in Woodbridge, VA. We have 3 granddaughters - ages 17, 8 and 6. Spend a lot of time going to Pittsburgh to see the younger two. Marshall and I both have maxi scooters (can do over 75 mph but who's gonna try?!) and ride as much as we can. I have permanent training wheels on the back of mine so I don't have to lean and can't fall over. Painted on the back of my helmet, in our granddaughters' handwriting, it says "Grammy" so that folks will hopefully be gentle to me! We live in a 55-or-better neighborhood in Fredericksburg and love it. Enjoy reading, traveling, card making and scrapbooking. There's never enough time to do everything I want to do! Take care. Holler when we're ready to meet to plan the reunion and I'll try to come if our schedule allows. Thanks!

Nancy is on FaceBook

Friday, April 1, 2011

Pat Hartman Sikes - Updates

These updates are from Bill Sikes who has been sending emails on Pat's improvement. Not everyone may be getting the emails - so I am posting them here on the blog.

March 22 -Pat has shown some very slight improvement. They have reduced her pain meds and oxygen level. This is the best news we've had. Scott and Kim are going home today. I will be hanging around the hospital as much as makes sense. Probably best to text me, 703-409-5700.

March 24 -For the most part she is the same. They tweaked all her meds to see how she'd do and had to take them back up when she became agitated. Their plan is to keep doing that from now on. She still has a long way to go, but could not possibly be in better hands. I appreciate all of the generous offers to help me get through this. I am OK and will let you know if I need anything. Keep the energy rolling toward Pat, we both appreciate that.

March 25 - Today was a mixed bag of continued slight improvement and maybe the reality of the extent of injuries. They have been, and will continue, to lessen her pain meds, sedatives and oxygen level. She responded very well to these things today except for what I would describe as increased awareness/increased agitation. She is obviously ready to be done with all of this. We had the most significant communication today, even though I couldn't understand any of what she was trying to convey. Hence, increased agitation. .

March 27 - Pat continued to show slight improvement and they are accelerating the reduction of meds and oxygen levels. The last two days they have turned off the oxygen and let her breathe on her own. Thirty minutes the first day and forty five yesterday. Because they have reduced the sedatives she has been much more awake and alert. Unfortunately, this has also led to increased aggravation with us not being able to understand what she is trying to say to us. More baby steps!

March 31 - Yesterday Pat was off the ventilator until late afternoon, when they had to hook it back up. This was good progress. This morning she is off it again. They got her up on the edge of the bed, also great progress. Somebody said she had graduated from crawling to baby steps and that is accurate.

April 1 - Today Pat was moved into the "Intermediate Care Unit". She is really doing great. Still can't speak, but is breathing better and actually smiling. They are beginning to work on the speaking thing and stepping up the physical therapy.

Bill is on Facebook