2/20/2012 From Kitty Somers, "

Hi, Chris.    Your mail arrived today regarding the 60th class reunion.   It reminded me that I had not notified anyone in the class about my husband,  Allen Somers, having surgery on Feb. 10, for stomach cancer.

  Early in January he began having an unusually frequent burping, which he thought was due to indigestion.  After this problem increased during the next couple of weeks, he made an appointment with his Internist.  After having lab work done, along with heart and other tests, the diagnosis was a "probable bleeding ulcer" as his blood count had dropped considerably since his annual physical in September.  The Internist sent him to a Gastro doctor, who did an endoscope. This showed what the doctor thought was a "huge ulcer."  He commented that he did not like the looks of the dark margins, and sent Allen to an oncologist for a PET scan.  After several days of waiting for the results (with a couple of weekend days) we learned that he had a malignancy at the junction of the esophagus and stomach, but the good news was it had not spread to any other organs, the bones, or lymph nodes. 

  He was then referred to a surgeon, who said he would order a number of tests to be certain Allen was a candidate for surgery (due to his age.)  He passed all tests with flying colors, and the doctors consulted with each other to decide the best course of action:  chemo, radiation, or surgery.  Each of them agreed that he was in such good physical condition surgery was the best option.  The surgeon felt that with a resection of the area, he would be as good as new in a few months, compared to going through chemo for the rest of his life.  We agreed this option suited us best.

We waited two more weeks for the surgery, because his doctor wanted to have a full day of no other appointments, so he would be available in the event something unexpected occurred.  The surgery required two doctors and they had to be available on the same day, also.   They had prepared us for about 4 to 4-1/2 hours in surgery.   Everything went so well, he was only in surgery 3 hours.  Afterwards, they kept him in ICU for several days in order to keep a close watch on him.  Finally, he was moved to a regular room.   Yesterday, they did a "swallowing" test to be sure there were no leaks and that everything was as it should be.  Again, he passed with flying colors!  This morning they removed the nose/gastro tube and gave him his first liquid (a few sips of water and ice chips) and allowed him to have some clear broth.  Things will now progress to soft diet and regular diet before being discharged.  Looks as if he will be there until mid-week.  

  Naturally, he is anxious to get home, but he still has to be weaned off the Dilaudid and be able to eat four small meals a day (instead of 3 regular meals.)

  We are thankful to God for good doctors who found this cancer in stage 1, and that he will have complete recovery.

  Until this happened, he was still enjoying social (not competitive) golf games and I am sure he will be back on the course as soon as the doctor permits.

  At present time, he is at Baptist Hospital, Memphis in room 2431.  He has a phone by the bed:   901-226-2431.

  Kitty Somers

2/1/2012 Marlese Hubbell sent a Jan 30 e-mail ... as follows: "Walt suffered a very serious fall Nov.9. He is in very serious condition and is now home with me under the care of hospice. His prognosis is not good." I called Marlese and got a few more details. Walt was going down stairs to the basement and fell hitting his head causing a serious brain bleed and significant brain damage. He is bed ridden and semi conscious, almost wordless. He is helped into a wheelchair to eat. His home hospice care is 24/7. To make things worst Marlese has been fighting colon cancer for four years with off and on chemo. She is stage 4 now and is planning to start chemo again. She doesn't recommend visiting Walt,but asked for our prayers........Art B.