“…my husband Greg passed away this past July, 25.  He had gone into the hospital on May 3, for a lung transplant (he had intersticial lung fibroscis).  Initially the transplant was a success and was sent home too early, I think. Only being home less that 48 hours had to go back in for a second surgery to secure sutures that came loose. He was literally coughing up a lung, the new one. He also had blood clots and was on blood thinners which was a problem because if the level of blood thinners was not exactly correct he would bleed into both lungs and go into respiritory distress, which happened a couple of times and eventually had a traich collar for those episodes. After 2 weeks the culture on his new lung came back and was found to have herpes. 2 different anti-viral and experimental drugs finally kept the virus at bay but he was totally malnourished and his body would not accept tube and iv feeds. His kidneys also failed and eventually there was nothing else that could be done for him and he did not want to live on life support. He wanted more than anything to get his chance for a new lung, had told me he was not afraid of dying and was very brave though the whole ordeal.  My good friends from OLCHS, Mary Murino and Chris (Brodemus) Verhage were by my side alot at the hospital and away from the hospital. I don’t know what I would have done without their support. It has taken me awhile to be able to talk about all this and I know that it will take a long time more to heal.  I just wanted to let you know.  Michelle Rogers

Marla even dug up some old Brandt class photos that we hope to scan and post. Wow.

dear friends,

next week, if in Paris, please stop by to see us at the Contemporary ArtFair Cutlog, in the center of Paris at the Bourse duCommerce, where I will be showing with Nostress Gallery — for example….  two new series  ”White hair whisper” and “Valkyrie” —  along with glass books (and other things).

with very best wishes,  Suzanne  (Booth A6)

From left, the regional sales manager, Cheryl, and the warehouse manager at the Nova-McCook warehouse where her late husband James worked. They planted a memorial tree at the site in his honor.

James and Cheryl at our 35th Reunion

I got the sad news on Friday that Cheryl Hoff Schoen lost her husband James on Thursday, October 7  in a motorcycle accident a few blocks from their home. They were married for 7 years, together for 10. James and Cheryl were at the 35 year reunion and were going to join us last week until something came up. Jim was a Native American from Alaska. He’s being cremated and so far Cheryl isn’t planning a service, per his wishes.

I talked with her on the phone and she is in relatively good spirits, upbeat, and facing it as it comes. But it is a terrible shock to lose someone so suddenly.

She’s still not sure what happened. Jim was an experienced rider, and was wearing a top-of-the-line helmet. He hit an SUV driven by an 85-year old making a left turn. Jim somehow ended up to the left of the turn lane, in oncoming traffic. So there are still some sketchy details. He was thrown from the bike and died at the scene. And worse yet, Cheryl’s son lives in the apartment complex across from where this happened and he saw the aftermath.

Cheryl’s on Facebook. To respect privacy, if you want to contact her, just drop me a note.