01/19/2021
(Nancy is Lloyd's wife)
Hi Mike
Thanks for getting back to me. I did ask Patty to have you and Glenda contact me. Patty was the only living member of our HS class for whom I had a mailing address. She has a truly sprawling family. A few months ago, I acquired my second grandson. So, I wrote to warn her that I was catching up with her and Jerry.
The real reason I wrote to her was to get back on any reunion notification that might be forthcoming. In the past, whenever our class would have a reunion, notification came from either you or Glenda. But, a couple years ago, Nancy and I moved from a house in Park Ridge to a condominium in Des Plaines.
Mike, as you know, I missed our 50th anniversary because of ill health. On July 31,2015, I was informed I had about a year to live. Our anniversary was 10 months later. By that time, I couldn't get in or out of bed without help. There was no way I could drive at all...let alone to Hall. I truly did want to come..not just for the obvious reasons. But, I went to Hall elementary. In the first grade, I went to the white church a block away for class for a few weeks. My parents are buried in the Hall cemetery. No matter how much I wanted to come, doing so was out of the question.
On December 8, 2016, I was fortunate to receive a liver transplant. My life expectancy improved dramatically. Recovery took the better part of a year. But, I'm doing fine. I will be on medication for the rest of my life. One of the side effects of some of my meds is that I am hypersensitive to sunlight. I always will be. So, I always wear long sleeves and a brimmed hat. I'm egotistical enough to convince myself that I look dashing in a fedora.
Nancy and I truly liked our house in Park Ridge. Park Ridge abuts Chicago on the North West side. Des Plaines abuts Park Ridge. During much of 2015, stairs were an impediment to me moving around the house. Over time, the stairs became an absolute barrier. In addition to my health, I was 70 years old and not likely to get any younger. So, we "down sized" to a two bedroom ( plus office ) condo within walking distance to both a library and a train station. It's pretty much everything an "older couple" would need. We like it. Nancy has informed me that we are never moving again. Which is fine by me. We don't have to negotiate any stairs.
Mike, I am actually doing quite well. I do tire easily. That's probably because I am not getting enough exercise. I used to go to doctors several times a month. Now, it's every few months. I'm on anti-rejection meds. But, most rejections of transplanted organs take place within the first few months. I've shown no signs of rejection.
I'm also a guinnea pig for research. The overwhelming majority of cerotic livers are due to alcohol abuse or other substance abuse. There was no evidence of that. So, Loyola Med School, NYU Med School, and Mayo Clinic use me (or parts of me) for research into what might have happened that caused my original liver to fail. I'm very happy to cooperate with them. In addition, there is absolutely no research data on how transplanted organs respond to the Covid-19 virus. I donate blood to the lab for research. Sometime in the near future, I expect to receive an injection.
Mike, 2021 is our class's 55th anniversary. You're the one who knows what is going on. So, I'm reaching out to you...which is why I asked Patty to contact you.
In addition mike, surely some of our class is no longer with us. At least I assume that is true. Can you tell me who we have lost in the past few years?
As Ever,
LDG
