Judi Perry

Bill -

So sorry you are going through this - sounds awful.  Here, I thought you were getting a face peel to remove all wrinkles - so you will look 18 again at the reunion.  Too bad, that when we were younger there were no good sun screens, like that are available now.  I have been using at least a 55 on my face everyday for the past 20 years.  Not only does the sun do damage, but also inside lighting - especially flourescent lights.   Hang in there!

Melinda Lang (Bachman)

Bill sending thoughts and prayers your way.  Hope it's not to painful and you can take something for it.  Good advice about staying out of the sun.  Keep us posted on the progress. 

Bill Orr

Hi again.

Finished the 7 day face peel and face is like a baby's. It revealed several depressions which my 10 year old granddaughter commented on. "Grampaw is that where you got shot in the war?" Made me feel really good.

We start the 15 day face peel tomorrow. and hopefully it wlll get rid of the remaining dammaged skin.

I am doing well and wish to thank all of you.

Bill 

Jerry Rees

Bill,

I hope you will be on the road to recovery after the next 15 days.  Does this mean you don't have to shave any more?  Still thinking about coming to the reunion.  You are one of the few people I remember, since I only attended there during my senior year. And now that I am a senior again my memory is becoming foggy. Besides Charles, does anyone else rememer me?

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

ABSOLUTELY I remember you Jerry. I remembber everyone in our class, plus everyone in the classes ahead & behind our class. I didn't know you well Jerry, but I do remember you being a part of my HS senior year. You should come back to the reunion & catch up with people you remember. It's a great experience reminscing about your past & how it made you who you are today. Hope to see you next month.....

Sandra Buckley (Matthews)

Jerry,  I remember you also - do you remember my husband, Bill Matthews?  We have attended every reunion so far and they really just keep getting BETTER.  We have grown in so many different ways and all have had such memorable and differing life experiences, BUT WE WERE ALL "SHAPED" IN MANY WAYS BY OUR TIME AT FMHS AND LIVING IN FORT MADISON !!!!

Cyndy Day (Savage)

Hard to say it any better than Sandy just did, loved it Sandy

Bill Orr

Hi Folks,

I'm in my 9th day of the second face peel. Lots of pain and face is really bad. Looks like I have been hit by a shotgun fron 10 feet. 

Bill Mathews - Your doctor was right to delay until the fall. Sweat makes it really bad. Whiskey helps and regular meds don't seem to ease the pain.

I have 5 days to go and then mend untill the doctor plans the next step.

Looks like I will not be able to make the reunion. Please take the $70.00 and use it for the class in any way the class sees fit. DOO NOT RETURN IT! That is my wish.

I realize what I am going thru is nothing compared to others in the class. Please take the time to make sure that your children and grandchildren protect them selves from needless exposure to the sun. 

I probably should take a picture of myself and send it.. That's a bad idea so won't.

Hopefully I can make it to FM at a later date and perhaps we can have a mini gettogether.

See you then,

Your friend,

Bill

Nan Nelson (Hays)

Bill...so sorry you are in such misery! You are proving to be a man with " true grit " to go through this horrific ordeal. You have been in my prayers every day since you told us what was going on and I will continue as I know God listens. Sometimes we wonder if we can hold on till its behind us...whatever...please know...your classmates will miss you at reunion. Sincerely,Nancy

Melinda Lang (Bachman)

I'm thoughts and prayers are with you during this struggle.  Sorry that you can't make it to the reunion.  If anything changes, would like for you to join your classmates.

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

Hi Bill:  Well, this is not good news. I am so sorry that you are suffering so much with your face peel. I know you think it looks awful but trust me when I say your classmates would understand and remember looks don't make the man. We will really miss you and your keen sense of humor and appreciate you having me keep your $70 in the treasury. Please believe me when I say unless you are in a terrible amount of pain we don't care what your face looks like, if only you could come. We have lost 10 class members since the last reunion for a total of 30 (that we know of) and time is running short. This may very well be our last reunion but in any event if you can't come and do come back to FM at another later date let me know and we will certainly make an effort to get some 'kids' together with you. God Bless and keep the faith. God will heal you of that I am certain.

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

I recently had lunch with Dick Gaule when he was stopping through FM and we had a maidrite together and talked about a lot of stuff. Dick is a very interesting guy and I learned alot about his life that I never knew in high school. I may share some stories at our class reunion with all of you. He won't be back for our reunion which is definately our loss. God Bless and take care Dick!

Marcia Conley (Davis)

I am so sorry to hear of your pain from the facial peel.  The sun is great but can cause such harm. I am thankful I was never a "sun baby".I know everyone will understand your appearance but if you are in pain, then we will certainly understand your absence.  Here's praying that you will heal and be able to make the reunion.

Don Leach

Bill -

I  went through this procedure in the late 1970's.  Couldn't walk through the house without feeling the air moving over my sensitive skin.  I even tried to walk backwards to lessen the feeling.

 Daily, after shaving, SPF lotion is more important than deoderant for me.  But - you're "Jackson tough" and will survive - may look better but you are already pretty old

Hang in there my friend -        Don

Charlie LaFrenz

Today, Janet and I saw our dernotoligist which we do annually.  Janet was clear but I had a small spot on mu left temple that he froze, and will be gone soon.  We can't stress enough the importance of these check-ups, especially for all in our age group.  Take care everyone and learn from our classmates unfortunate experiences..   Charlie

Sandra Buckley (Matthews)

Bill,  I don't know if I should have my Bill read more about your dermatology experience or not - seems sooo much more involved than what his doctor talked to him about !!!!  Like everyone else has said - unless it's the extreme pain that prevents your travel to the class reunion, we have ALL gotten over what we look like at this age - it's what's inside that counts, so hope you might be able to reconsider.  Bill is already considering changing his appointment from the second week of November to after Thanksgiving, because we're taking the family to New York City for that weekend to see the Macy's Parade and take the granddaughters to Radio City Music Hall and 2 Broadway musicals. He doesn't want to have any problems while we travel.  You are being prayed for by so many of us for your pain and healing, so feel the power of prayer coming your way !!!! 
 

Bill Orr

I thank all of you for your kind thoughts!

What it's really about is a healing period (two to four weeks) and the avoidance of infection.

Traveling is not recommended. Once healed, the doctor will determine what if any futher procedures are required.If so, surgery will be done.

I encourage all who are able, to attend the reunion and to take lots of pictures. I would sure like to see them.

Enjoy the potato chips and tenderloins. I'll have Jean pick up some Sterzings form Hy Vee and a Tenderloin from Culvers so I will get some joy out of it. Also, enjoy the wine but most of all enjoy each other.

Probably some time after the first of the year, if the good lord's willing and the creek don't rise, I'll get back to FM. Maybe we can do pizza. 

Your friend,

Bill

Cyndy Day (Savage)

I think Charlie is right, we have to check.  I don't remember anyone say SUN SCREEN when we were growing, not at home or on the farm, and we were not inside much so a greater exposure.  Everyone going through this is being remembered.  I have not had to worry but Jack has been through it and I think of you all going through the process

Melinda Lang (Bachman)

Wishing the best to all my classmates going going through skin cancer , other cancers and any other problems one might have at our age.  After reading about the skin cancer, I'm feeling my bout with breast cancer seems nothing. It's been over a year and all is going well.  God bless and think positive!

Sandra Buckley (Matthews)

For those of you who might not be Facebook Friends with Mike Hellenthal, Bill talked with Mike yesterday very briefly and hope to hear more from him today.  He was taken to the hospital on Wednesday after a sudden loss of vision in his right eye and partial loss of vision in his left.  He was discharged from the hospital Thursday morning and when Bill reached him on his cell phone, Mike was at an eye doctor's office and could not talk.  Many of you know that Mike has been battling a very aggressive form of prostrate cancer for well over 14 years. (Since before we moved to North Carolina in 2003).  This was originally discovered after his mom passed away from colon cancer and all of the kids were screened for that and, luckily, the prostrate cancer was found through that.  That wording sounds strange, but had it not been for the colon cancer screening, Mike might not have known what was happening with the prostrate .  Anyway, Mike has gone through several surgeries and many other treatments through the years and has faced it all with such courage !  He's been to some of the best cancer centers, including Duke University Medical School in Durham, NC.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers and besides Facebook, you can call him at 828-442-7333. Love you Mike - Hang in there friend !!!!

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

Thanks Sandy for the heads up. I have been in communication with Mike on Facebook and was aware of his eye problems. We can all pray for Mike's recovery as soon as possible. Go Michael!!

Marcia Conley (Davis)

I completely understand the eyesight problem Mike is experiencing.  SCARY!  After my catarac surgery in late April, I had a brief time of being blind in my right eye.  The surgery was a failure due to the replaced lens being a defective lens.  I am getting by with specially designed glasses.  My eye has not yet healed so in aniother 3 months I will find out if I have to go thru another surgery to have a new lens put in.  I have an immune deficiency disorder and don't heal quickly.  I pray that the doctors can find a way to restore Mike's eyesight.

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

FYI Karan Kreighbaum Faul lost her older sister Sara Stansbury on Saturday. Our sympathy goes out to Karan and her family and the funeral will be at King Link Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 30 at 2 p.m.  with the family greeting people l hour before the funeral. 

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

NEWS FLASH

CLASS OF 1961 55TH REUNION

For anyone who wants to come just Friday or just Saturday the cost is $20.  You can send your check to me at 

Sharon Scholl-Nabulsi

828 Denmark Hilltop

Fort Madison, Iowa 52627

319-470-3477

Make the check payable to the Class of 1961 

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE

Patsy Cordray (VanPelt)

Dear Classmates,

As some of you may know I was diagnosed with large B cell lymphoma on June 1st!  I've had 4 rounds of chemo and at my Aug. 30th appt. my PET scan showed NO MORE SIGNS OF CANCER CELLS!  Also no radiation that was expected!   Praise God , I'm cancer free and in REMISSION!  I'll contine chemo until the middle of October so will not be able to attend our reunion!  I'll certainly be there in spirit and hope to see lots of pictures.  Sharon and committee you've done an outstanding job organizing a great time together.  Thank you for all the time and effort!  Hopefully we can get together again sometime!  Have a wonderful time.....God bless you all and thank you more than you realize for all the prayers and support! 

Bill, I wish you all the best in your recovery!  If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it.  Hang in there my friend!