Friday, August 30, 2013

Rehab Boot Camp February 25, 2013



Rehab probably seems like boot camp to Poppy, but he is doing it, is working at it.
TalJoke: He received a hospital acceptable, little cuddle cat yesterday and said "I wonder if it can tell me about my cat scan?"
So, jokes aside, I'll bet he would really like to know what they see on his most recent cat scan! I forgot to ask Mom to ask about that! Ugh!
Still no word on the move other than it will be very soon. 
Thanks for the photos that Janet sent of Tal's visit to several Manhattan High School art clasees.  I'll be posting those shortly. 
I have told him that Bruce George and the team at the Beach, as well as Barbara and Jay at the Strecker Nelson gallery are all communicating well about the upcoming shows. The work leaves Bruces workshop last week of March for Kansas installation early April and everything is going along as well as can be accepted. 
Dear Tal, Toe-wiggling! Sensational! And probably fun. Now your feet can talk to each other. Rehab, as Murray remembers from the days after his heart surgery, can be grueling, but it gets your body remembering what its job in life is. Love, Deborah

Day 8 : In It for the Long Term February 25, 2011


Thanks particularly to Bonnie Lynn Sherow for giving us the latest Tal Update there in messages (which everyone can see!Just click on "view all" over on the right side of your screen under messages!) 
There is an awful lot going on over there in room 304. Multiple physical therapists working on hands, legs, swallowing, all day long. This work will intensify when Tal moves on to rehab.
At some point Tal will be moving over to the Rehab unit of Mercy Regional Health Center. We don't know when that will be just yet but  Dr. Poell says that move is in the cards in the near future!

Poppy made some swallowing/eating headway yesterday with a bit of vanilla pudding. He told his helper that he wasn't so keen on applesauce but he did like pudding and even more: pumpkin pie! She said that while tackling pie crust might be a bit difficult, she would see what she could do about pumpkin pie custard!
As a daughter that cooks for a living, I really wanted to get on a plane and get over there ASAP! One Pumpkin pie custard comin' up Poppy!
TalFriends ! I'd love to have photos of you all to put on this blog! As you can see I have been adding what I have here on my computer or have found out there on the web.
At some point, Mom will be able to look on here too while describing things, reading your messages out loud to Poppy and showing him the pix.

Day 6 Feb 23, 2011 Aggressive rehab starts



TAL has begun an "aggressive" rehab. He has begun to get stronger, thanks to the feedtube and they are working him pretty much continually throughout the day, non stop. So these are make or break times.
The good news is that he WIGGLED his toes on the paralyzed Left side for the first time during one of his sessions! So hopefully that means that he has really begun to turn himself around!

Well it is all arranged. Romig has her tix and will be in SF WED MARCH 1 afternoon/early evening. Hall, Virginia Lee and Romig will leave Saturday morning, stay over night in Leota at Dick Sheets, Romig's brother's place. They will be back in Manhattan on SUNDAY Morning.

Tender Tummies February 23, 2011


 Pop had his first real food of Broccoli soup yesterday! They won't be starting up the foodtube until they are certain all is good to go down there and there are no complications. His surgeon said he had a "tender tummy" no ulcers but certainly signs of sensitivity so they are treating that.
He will most certainly be moved in the near future today or tomorrow. Will update that as well as new address and phone number as soon as we know anything!

the Feeding Tube : February 22,2011



We have poppy in our thoughts today!

Posted Feb 22, 2011 7:46am
Tal is alert and able to say (literally) what he will accept and what he won't.
Tal has accepted the doctors word that they will remove this feeding tube if he so desires.
One of his greatest fears is that he will have it forever.
They have promised that that is not so and have signed papers stating that they will respect his wish after a period of "recovery" of 4-5 weeks.
Tal says that he "wants the chance". He knows what he has to do (learn to swallow, move his left side)
Mom came in Monday evening to find one leg sticking out of the covers. He said "I thought I should be trying to learn to sit up and sit on the edge of the bed!"
So this is a very very difficult and hard time for him and I know we all send him those positive good vibes of any religion, of any faith! We are totally nondenominational here!
I'll write more tonite after I have heard how the operation went.
Much love and thanks for your support
Lissa

We have poppy in our thoughts today!

Posted Feb 22, 2011 7:46am
Tal is alert and able to say (literally) what he will accept and what he won't.
Tal has accepted the doctors word that they will remove this feeding tube if he so desires.
One of his greatest fears is that he will have it forever.
They have promised that that is not so and have signed papers stating that they will respect his wish after a period of "recovery" of 4-5 weeks.
Tal says that he "wants the chance". He knows what he has to do (learn to swallow, move his left side)
Mom came in Monday evening to find one leg sticking out of the covers. He said "I thought I should be trying to learn to sit up and sit on the edge of the bed!"
So this is a very very difficult and hard time for him and I know we all send him those positive good vibes of any religion, of any faith! We are totally nondenominational here!
I'll write more tonite after I have heard how the operation went.
Much love and thanks for your support
Lissa

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Day 4 - 5 Post stroke, Therapies begin. February 21 -22 2011



Posted Feb 22, 2011 3:53am






















The hard work has begun.
Poppy met his physical therapist(s) for the first time yesterday, Monday the 21st.
Mom wrote:
Tal had "Speech therapy to help him learn to swallow. Two physical therapists to move his limbs..
One helped him to stand on his feet for a very short time. Another moved his hands and arms and showed me how to help stimulate his hands by just lightly touching and moving them back and forth. His name is Jason. He talked to Tal about the brain and told him what he was doing. Tal said he understood. And why he needed to try. He stayed with us doing the physical therapy as well as talking to him for quite a while."
The feeding and the questions such treatment(feeding tube)bring up are Tal's biggest hurdle, and certainly what HE is most concerned about at the moment.
I've written that as plainly as i can.
I would certainly appreciate anyone that has had such a treatment or knows someone that has had such a treatment would describe what their experience was with feeding tubes and the like.
hugs to you all,
Lissa

Messages : 
Posted Feb 22, 2011 6:12pm
Was up to the hospital twice today--big changes today--all for the better. I'm sure your mom will update you this evening and you can share it with everyone. Tal had a procedure this morning at 9am and was back in his room by 10! As I was leaving a few minutes later, I leaned over to say goodbye and that I would be back later, because I was going to teach in an hour and he shocked me by saying "alright." We thought he was asleep! Way to go Tal!

DAY 4 : FEBRUARY 21, 2011

Tal has been so uplifted by his friends messages, calls, red roses! His Manhattan friend's continue to offer help by sharing their networks of folks that they know at the hospital in charge of physical therapy et all!
Mom mentions: " I just met a Doctor in the hall from NewDelhi, Dr. Singh, not Tal's doctor, he was helping someone else but he came in to say hello to Tal and after he left, Tal said "I hope to see him in India someday." So our Tal is right there!"
Today is a big day as Mom will meet for the first time with the physical therapist in charge of Dad. Re-learning how to swallow is the order of the day! Simple things like swallowing will make a big difference for him.

Posted Feb 22, 2011 7:46pm

MESSAGES FROM FRIENDS : 


We had messages from : Jay, Yuni and Mir Lee in Seoul Korea: "I could't hide my dismay after getting the news. On the other hand, it's fortunate that it's a small stroke than a heart attack... I just sent a dozen of roses and a ballon in red color to his room in the Hospital. I regret to say this is only thing I can do for him in remote... We are one family to get over this together and Tal is going to overcome the stroke to win this life back.

From Dad's friend Bill now living in Waco TX:

"I think back on our childhood and the good times we had growing up in Manhattan... Tal and I lived a block apart during our early school days. And we remained good friends throughout high school.

Tell Tal that I will see him at our 60th reunion in 2012!
A message from Deborah and Murray:..."we want to send you our positive thoughts and our hopes for (Tal's) full recovery.
We’ll be thinking of all three of you and sending out love vibrations!"
From Abby : "Thank you for letting us know about Tal's small stroke. I am so sorry this happened to Tal and to you and your mom. I will share this news with Dad, and we will follow Tal's progress through the blog. Sending our love to you all and all positive vibes."
Carolyn "Sending much love to you both"
Hall and Gail: "It was a "Tal" kind of day here in Santa Fe, with big, white puffy clouds, blue skies and tons of movement from the wind! So I'm reading this as a positive sign, and I'm sending tons of positive energy your way. Hall is rooting for Tal, too, and said he's anxious to go to lunch with him, to catch up on the show details. So he has to heal quick!..."
Love and hugs too from his brother Ron
Marie wrote: "Your dad is a remarkable man, Lissa. I have every hope that he will come out of this, probably not unscathed, but certainly stronger."




Hey, just looked at all the photos and saw the tagline for the pic I thought was Tal and baby lissa....turns out it's someone else! I thought that guy was too handsome to be my brother! Just kidding Talcum....you're a great looking guy. I'll send Lissa a picture of you and I in our younger (much younger) years. Watch a movie for me ! Love, Ron
Posted Feb 22, 2011 3:22pm
Tal, We're thinking of you flying kites (maybe not just yet, unless you use hospital napkins). But let your imagination soar as you learn to swallow again. What kind of virtual mouth-watering dish can we conjure up for you? Love, Deborah & Murray
Posted Feb 22, 2011 1:49pm
Hey, who is that MOVIE STAR holding Lissa when she was a baby ? Oh year, my older brother. It was a year or so before that time that Tal let me use his red 1958 MGA. I was the hit of my highschool, let me tell you! Tal, you later told me that car was a pain...especially in the electrical dept if I remember right, but I wish you had it now...I'd like to borrow it again. Then there was the red Fiero that you could cook eggs on the engine compartment !
Hang in there my brother...you'll be driving our dads's "Silver Bullet" before you know it. Love, Ron
Posted Feb 21, 2011 10:06pm
Tal and Romig,
You promised me to come to Seoul this year while Romig will have a exhibition. We all look forward to seeing you here in Seoul. Please please ~
Posted Feb 21, 2011 6:37pm
Hey Tal,
It is Windy here in Boca Raton Today, I knew something was up... I know the Good Lord is watching over you... Always! Wherever You Go and whatever You Do... and that you are surrounded by your Family, Angels and Friends... Where everyone is Super Nice to you. I know it may be Quite A Change For You to Adjust To... But Just take it all in for while and Enjoy it.
I am fabricating a little something in your 3 favorite colors for you to play with and Stimulate the Creative Side and Imaginative Center of your Brain... Till then I know your in Good Hands...
Your Friend Roy Mueller.
Posted Feb 21, 2011 3:11pm
Was so saddened to hear of your stroke. We're all thinking of you and praying for your recovery. Doug & Cheryl and staff at The Trust Co.
Posted Feb 21, 2011 2:04pm
oh ay tal .. just heard what happened, and we were anxious about you. of course, severe strike.. but reading about your current reactions - i have good feeling that you will make it - a well recovering. you now as i meanwhile know closer, we're no more real youthstyle, even if by contents. tal, take it as a command - dont relax too long there, you are expected at home. your home, our home, all homes! wish you best recovery, waiting to fly a kite with you! sorry that i probably cant make it over to NM, but good that we have this electronic devices. waiting, tomm.
Posted Feb 21, 2011 12:41pm
Both Melanie and I send you some hope and courage medications for this new stage in your life of challenges, Tal. I know you will make the most of this situation and treat it with your best curiosity and humor. Some call this condition a stroke. It could be a stroke of good fortune as well... or a swimming stroke which will probably be part of your physical therapy. No better place than the pool to hang out. Perceptions change the mind and vice versa.
We expect you will pull out of this with just as much, if not more of an appreciation for this wonderful life. We're with you, Tal!
George and Melanie in Boulder, Colorado
Posted Feb 21, 2011 11:52am
Tal,
We're all thinking of you here. Tiger suggests you fly a kite to feel better, as we've been doing this last weekend with such good weather. Take your time getting better and we want to see you back here in Santa Fe soon.
David, Fiona and Tiger
Posted Feb 21, 2011 11:50am
So glad to hear that Today has already brought some positive news.
Tal, Romig and Lissa: we love you!
Nancy, Doug, Abbie, John, Hugh, Lionel

























Saturday, August 24, 2013

Friends from the CarePages blog

Friends left messages during 2011 -2012 for Pop, Mom and I, that we read and reread. These words from all of you were incredibly encouraging! 

We are/were so wrapped up in all of the day to day stuff that many a phone call / message has gone unanswered. Mom in particular is tired tired tired. She quickly reaches overload. 


Me ? In SFe, I concentrate on being w Pop as much as possible, every day, for the meals and toothbrushing. Those moments when he is either just waking up or just going to sleep are so precious as he can be very chatty. Ive become pretty handy with Ipad notes!  So it follows that I too have had little energy for anything else. At home in Paris, my work is pretty intense and the three months of the year when I'm with him, with Mom, never seem enough!  


 It's an odd thing, a blog like this of such a personal nature but I see the value of it. Pop is quite taken with the idea of it and as I am able to move over all the rest of the posts from the previous blog, I'll start posting the new things that he has been working on.         


Carepages messages March 2011 - March 2012 (date when I stopped updating the last blog): 


Posted Mar 7, 2012 12:01pm
Tal, sending love and healing thoughts!
Lis, I sent you a long e-mail. let me know if it didn't come through.
love to everyone!!! xxx shari

Posted Feb 3, 2012 12:06pm
Dear Lissa- It is so good for Tal that you are learning how his language functions. You give him respect as well as understanding. Love to you, Francine

Posted Jan 29, 2012 10:47am
thanks for the news!
best greeting to tal from tomm and kisa.
will launch another kite for him!

Posted Jan 28, 2012 11:50pm
Lissa and Romig,
Glad to know the updates. We has just had a New Lunar Year in Asia, especially the year of Black Dragon. Nice to know you also returned to Paris. indeed we all need to back to our routines, though we always wishe and hope....
Jay and Miru Family @ Seoul

Posted Jan 28, 2012 4:42pm
Thank you so much Lissa. After the gap, this has really raised my spirits. Best wishes to Tal and Romig. What a great daughter they have!

Posted Jan 28, 2012 3:38pm
Lissa, you are brilliant! Yes, I can completely understand what was happening in my conversations with Tal. I'm very excited to hear about his ideas for a new sculpture. Keep us posted!



Posted Jan 28, 2012 1:20pm
Lissa...Thanks for the update on "Pops" as you call Him. Tal... A Big Hug for You, I am glad to hear you are doing OK... The Skybow Store is keeping me busy and out trouble. I often think of you while I am working in the Lab and You are always in my prayers... I Know God holds all the cards in His Hand, and even though we do not know which card He is about to lay down next, I have to believe that it all works together for the best, for those who truly Trust Him. Blessings and Hugs to all there who are taking care of you...
Your Friend Roy, Boca Raton Florida.

Posted Jan 28, 2012 12:50pm
Thank you, Lissa, for this new update. It really helps to figure out what most of us take for granted in how thoughts are formed. I had the pleasure of visiting Tal a few weeks ago and came across the new 'Tal lucid thinking method'. He is using his mind in the way that he was in creative and dreamlike abandon. I loved conversing with him because of that. Now some of the fences are down and he works his thoughts like a wandering sage. I did get some prompting from Romig to keep him on track, though, in order to excersize his centering muscle.
Our visit gave me great confidence in seeing Tal with his inherent wit, great intellect, and humor still very much there. He has such great people around him that are helping with the difficult path he's taking. You, along with Romig, Jason, David, Fiona & Tiger are giving the prime healing ingredient for him... great love and appreciation of Tal's unique spirit. Thank you all so much for gently helping him along on this amazing part of the journey.



Posted Jan 28, 2012 11:32am
Lissa, Thanks for update. The nightowl sends best wishes.

Posted Oct 14, 2011 7:43am
Dear Lissa
I hope Tal and Romig are settled in Santa Fe and that Tal continues to make progress. Your Aug. update is so encouraging! Please keep us in the loop. Love, Abbie & Doug



Posted Aug 19, 2011 3:20pm
A quick note from Janet D in Manhattan to say that Tal and Romig are in the air on their way to Santa Fe. The sky was a glowing blue and the breeze light as they each left the airport, Romig at 11:30am-ish and Tal at 1pm. Romig flew commercial and Tal is with David, Tom the pilot and Jason from Stoneybrook in a Piper Aztec, zooming in the sky. We wish him a great trip!

Posted Aug 15, 2011 6:54am
Very great news Tal.
All best wishes and love,
Andrew J,  Ely UK

Posted Aug 14, 2011 9:47pm
Tal: We've been wondering about you and where you are in recovery. Our situation has changed quit a bit here because Barbara had a light stroke on May 26. We are blessed that it was light and after about 8 weeks of rehab she has been released to work on her own at home. She is making a good recovery and if you saw her now you would never know she had had a stroke. She has all of her motor skills and can do most anything she wants to do. It is truly amazing what can be done with rehab. Barbara has benefitted from speech therapy yet often she says the wrong word or can't remember the word she wants to pass on. The good news for her is that nearly everything is still in her brain but it has to be trained to work around the clot that will probably always be there. Barbara has also benefitted from Occupational Rehab. The two things go hand in hand in her case.
We do appreciate the update and would like to keep in touch. Our schedule will not permit us to come visit you again in Manhattan but we will be thinking of you and praying for yet further improvement in your recovery. Don't ever be discouraged because you will get much better with the medical and rehab specialists available to you.
Ray & Barbara R

Posted Aug 13, 2011 1:25am
So good to hear from you, Tal! The sock pull on trick is, indeed, a hard one...when you have to learn it all over again. Think of it all as a rebirth. You're a child again. Lucky you! Too many of us take it all for granted and forget about the wonder of it all. It is a little miracle, pulling on a sock.

Posted Aug 12, 2011 5:20pm
Great! You are making progress Tal. We are with you in spirit and prayers and know you are on your way to recovery. We know you can make it. All best wishes. David and Sue D

Posted Aug 12, 2011 5:19pm
Socks? We don't need no stinkin' socks! As to the other tasks, sounds like you are conquering them. Love you brother..... Ron



Posted Aug 12, 2011 5:06pm
Keep up the good work!
Posted Aug 12, 2011 3:32pm
Tal,  I totally know what you mean! I work hard on putting on my clothes on my own every morning and I get a star magnet for it. It's a reward on my Responsibility Chart :)
Tiger xxx

Posted Aug 11, 2011 5:00pm
Wonderful progress, Tal! Much love to you, Romig & Lissa,
Barbara

Posted Aug 10, 2011 9:56pm
Tal, your grit inspires.
Love to you
and to those by your side,
Douglas

Posted Aug 10, 2011 9:07am
Such good news! Go for it, Tal. You know we're all rooting for your progress. Love, Deborah and Murray

Posted Aug 10, 2011 8:42am
Thanks for the update. Glad to hear of the good progress. Hugs to Tal, Romig and Lissa. Francine and Bud

Posted Aug 10, 2011 7:11am
Hi L, What great news. Where is your Mom? Can I phone her? Love John and Vici

Posted Aug 9, 2011 9:57pm
Dear Tal, keep up the strong work. I'm looking forward to seeing you back in Santa Fe!

Posted Aug 9, 2011 8:52pm
It is upbeat and hopeful after not knowing how Tal was doing. Thanks for the update and we wil look forward to further progress( even incrementally in the right direction is so positive.
Tal, Keep up the good work. You have a lot of people rooting for you.
Love,]Jeff & Hinako

Posted Aug 9, 2011 8:52pm
It is upbeat and hopeful after not knowing how Tal was doing. Thanks for the update and we wil look forward to further progress( even incrementally in the right direction is so positive.
Tal, Keep up the good work. You have a lot of people rooting for you.
Love,]Jeff & Hinako

Posted Aug 9, 2011 8:30pm
I am really glad to learn of Tal's progress. I hope to see him at our 60th class reunion in August, 2012
Bill J

Posted Aug 9, 2011 8:03pm
Oh Lissa and Tal and Romig ! How wonderful ! So great to get this news from you.
Charlie and I send big hugs to you all !

Posted Aug 9, 2011 7:18pm
Great news for all of you, Liss.
xo
a et al

Posted Aug 9, 2011 6:49pm
Lissa,
Such good news !!!! Sally will write later.
Janis

Posted Aug 9, 2011 6:47pm
Yay! Way to go!! That's what family teamwork and a great deal of faith accomplishes.



Posted Aug 9, 2011 6:47pm
Thanks for the update. Thinking of him always.
Always think of him as a good friend.
Jerry

Posted Aug 1, 2011 10:37am
Hi Tal and everyone !
Got an email from Romig indicating Tal was in an intensive therapy program back at the hospital in Manhattan and would be moving to Santa Fee sometime in the first 2 weeks of August. Good news getting back to a home setting and some beautiful country. Tal commented through Romig that Manhattan was looking good with a lot of the older real estate being renovated to a "tee". That's golf Tal...I'm sure you meant a kite reference like "flying high" ! Love you brother! Ron

Posted Aug 1, 2011 6:07am
Tal, hope all is fine as fine is! havent heard news for a while.. probably a positive side effect.
so then: HAPPY BIRTHDAY !
tom
& kisa too.
Posted Jun 12, 2011 1:45pm
Dear Tal, Here's a big hug and lots of encouragement. I know how you like to keep busy. Thinking of you as I'm dancing, enjoying every move.
Love,
Douglas

Posted Jun 8, 2011 1:22pm
Hi Tal, Romig and Lissa....
Hoping that my older brother is making some progress in grinding away at those pesky therapies and is keeping his wit sharpened in dealing with this aggravation of a kite without a string. I love you Tal.

Posted May 26, 2011 7:24am
Dear Lissa and Romig
I can really empathize with the emotional ups and downs, the exhaustion, and the hope for some new perspective or avenue. For Mom, becoming a long-term care resident did mean no more PT and no more medicare paying for her care. I am so glad that you have each other and your support network. Are there stroke centers of excellence? Does Tal respond to a change of setting -- being outside? Thinking of you every day. Love, Abbie

Posted May 22, 2011 11:18pm
Lissa. Don't give up. Head injuries are so frustrating to deal with. That was the case with my daughter when she had her accident back in 1979. We let them put her on a trial drug for people with such injuries and we didn't know whether it was the real drug or not. She was acting so strange and out of character that we finally decided to stop the drug and find out whether it was the drug or placebo. Unfortunately, it was placebo so all the out of character things she was doing were just her current condition, not caused by the drug. Turns out, there was no drug in sight that would or could help her. She had to start writing little notes on small sticky pads and tear them off and put them on a mirror or her dresser so she could remember what to do next. Things like brush my teeth, comb my hair,turn off the lights, turn off the stove etc. Of course, wanting to do something is one thing but if you decide you don't want to do it then you have to think of something creative to get them to do it. Maybe you can find a "back door" to his thinking process to get him to try to do something. When all the traditional procedures don't work try to think outside the box to look for something that might just inspire him. Give him a reachable goal and see if he can reach it. You are probably in for a longer care situation. Maybe it would be better for him if he were in a more familiar environment, like his home but I realize that is probably a couple thousand miles away from Manhattan. I'm sure his doctor will have some recommendations for you to consider.Of course I share your concern for Tal and I understand how hard this is on both you and your mother. Frustration and the inability to communicate or convince Tal to attempt a task may seem hopeless, but sooner or later something will probably come around and improvement will be noticed. If that doesn't work for Tal in Manhattan then you may have to consider other options. Just keep thinking positive and don't be discouraged. We are keeping you in our prayers and I still think things will change for the better in a matter of time.
Thanks for the update and keep us posted.
Sincerely,
Ray & Barbara R

Posted May 22, 2011 4:48pm
Thanks for the update, Lissa. Call when you can.
xo
a et al.

Posted May 22, 2011 3:02pm
Let us hope that Tal is just missing his other half and that once Dorothy Ann is back next to him, he'll perk up!

Posted May 8, 2011 1:16pm
Dear Tal and Romig, Siena and I are thrilled that you finally did get our card. Thank you for your note. We continue to think about you and wish you all the best with you therapies.
Ju, Courtney and Siena

Posted May 4, 2011 9:45am
Hi Lissa- Again thank you for the spectacular reports... so helpful for Tal, plus an education for us! By separate email to you am sending a "portrait of friends" headshot photo. Hugs to you, Romeg and Tal. Love, Francine

Posted May 2, 2011 10:31am
Sounds like our hope is progressing. Thanks Lisa... I am planning to see Tal in Kansas on late June as earliest. Let me back to you in email.

Posted Apr 25, 2011 6:52am
Lissa, thank you for your continued updates. Apart from sending photos, can you think of anything we could do (phone call, letters?) that would help your mom? I am sorry we can't physically be there right now.
You are traveling such a hard road. You are the cornerstone. Love, Abbie

Posted Apr 24, 2011 9:29pm
Lissa,
Thanks for the updates. This is Jeff & Hinako. We just returned from visiting my folks down in Florida. I hope there is more progress each day with Tal. Tell him Hinako will have a dinner waiting for him when he feels up to it and when he is back in this part of the country.Tell Romig to write if and when she has a chance. I believe she is coming to NY sometime in May. I will be leaving for Japan on May 3 and would like to see her if possible before or else after May 23.
I am sure it is hard for you to go back to Paris now, but you have done well. I hope we have a chance to meet.
With our best wishes for Tal
Jeff & Hinako

Posted Apr 23, 2011 2:34pm
L: Thanks for the message. We hate to see you leave but know that you really must go. Tal's situation will improve over the long term but you must get back to your regular life as much as possible. We are so happy to have met you and look forward to staying in communication via the internet. I am wondering if your mother's brother happens to be Scott Sheets who I think has, or had an insurance agency here in Topeka many years ago. I did my career with the Kansas Insurance Commissioners office from 1957 to 1994. I remember the name Scott Sheets who had an insurance agency on the west side of town. My son also knew Sandy Sheets and I think she had a younger sister my son's age who may have even been in Kevin's class. He will be 50 this year.
We will try to keep in touch with your mother and Tal as time permits and if there is anything we can do to assist any of you please let us know.
Have a safe journey home.
Love,
Ray & Barbara R

Posted Apr 23, 2011 1:40pm
L- saw your update, tell your Mom I said "Happy Birthday!" I will send Tal a photo via yr email. best, kip

Posted Apr 23, 2011 11:22am
L, wish you could stay with Mom and Pop a bit longer. Oh how they will miss you! Thank you so much for the thoughtful updates. Safe travels and much love, sylvia and ron

Posted Apr 20, 2011 9:14pm
Tal: It was great to see you after probably about 50+ years. You were quite alert when my wife,Barbara,and I came into the room. I thought it was quite appropriate when you responded to her comment that it was too bad you had to come out here and get sick. Your response was that you came out here to get well. That's exactly right and you will get well with that attitude. We brought another copy of our CD for you to listen to and remember some of the old charts you played with the Carl Johnson Orchestra msny years ago. Those were good years and I enjoy keeping that era of music alive in northeast Kansas thru the Kings of Swing dance band as I now call it. We'll be watching your blog but most of all, let me know if there is anything we can do to assist you at any time.
Ray R
Posted Apr 17, 2011 2:54pm
Hi L, sending lots of love from Germany/CH. Cousin A