March 13, 2006, 10:33 a.m., C.S.T., Nashville, Tennessee~

Dear Don~

Hello! How are you? I am okay, but I am a bit rattled now. We just had some rough weather go through our area, but we "weathered" it okay. No damage here where I work (though we briefly lost power when we had a wind gust clocked in at 70 mph), and I just called Bill: no damage to our place (other than tree branches and some loose shingles from our roof), so God has been good to us once again. The storms have passed, but we are under a tornado watch until 11; hopefully, soon, they will cancel it, now that the worst of the weather has passed.

I do hope that this finds you well. I was delighted to get your letter of the other day. Thank you for writing! I am glad that the kiddoes are okay; my kids are okay, but Johnny has a doctor's appointment at the MDA clinic on Wednesday, to see what is going on with his disease. He has muscular dystrophy, and he appears to be getting worse. He is getting so weak, and he is starting to have problems swallowing and can't turn over by himself anymore (I or someone else) has to get up every two hours to turn him over, so he doesn't get bedsores.

It is scary to see the changes in him, and I am wondering what the next few weeks (months?) will bring to Johnny. Please keep Johnny in your prayers; and keep us in them, too! Thanks!

My daughter, Ronee', was sick on Friday and Saturday (she had a flare up of her JRA; she gets "flares" where she will have severe joint pain coupled with a high fever, a rash, an upset stomach, nausea, inflammation, and sometimes chest pains; she also sometimes has trouble with her vision), but she is doing a LOT better now. Sometimes the pain is so bad she has to go into the hospital, where she will then get powerful medications (via I.V.) and physical (as well as hydro, or water) therapy to get her through the crisis.

If her breathing is affected or she has chest pains, she will then have to be on oxygen, and hooked up to a heart monitor, just to make sure all is well. She is now just about over the flare, and she went back to school today. I know she is hurting (because of the weather we had), but I am sure she is feeling a lot better than she was over the first part of the weekend!

Don, I have been giving speaking a thought. I am sure that I would be good at being a motivational speaker. I have heard some myself, and I have always been empowered or encouraged by their speeches. I am sure that people would like to hear my story and how I manage to keep tabs on over four dozen children without losing my mind! LOL My husband, Bill, has spoken at our church a few times about raising a family of children with special needs, and if he can do it, then, by God, so can I!

I am glad to know that you are a country music fan. I have loved it all my life, and I also love Cajun  music. That is the music I identify with the best because it is a part of my heritage as a Cajun, and I always have enjoyed the sounds of the French accordion and fiddle. It is very danceable and exciting music, and whenever I hear it, I can't help BUT to kick up my heels! :) I can dance a mean Cajun two-step or Cajun waltz! :)

You would love the Grand Ole Opry: the Grand Ole Opry is where country music was born, and there have been so many wonderful stars on its stage. It is eighty years young now, and it shows no signs of letting up anytime soon! :) We have been to the Grand Ole Opry plenty of times, and we have seen many of the greats (and future greats) there! :) I do hope you get an opportunity to visit the Grand Ole Opry; once you have been there, you will never forget it! :)

How do I cope with a child in the hospital? By praying--a LOT--, and also by keeping tabs on my child's condition. Sometimes the news hasn't been good, but I know my child will make it because they have a resiliency and sense of courage that gives them the edge, and somehow, through a Miracle of faith and hope, they eventually "turn the corner", and soon, they are on the road to recovery.

No, it ISN'T easy when I see one of my little ones hooked up to monitors and breathing equipment, with only the EKG tracing telling me that they are alive, but all I CAN do is be there by their side, and hope for the best. I have seen some of my children go through the worst problems imaginable, yet, God has brought them out, and they are doing better than ever! It is amazing what a little faith (and a LOT of prayer) can do for a child who is in dire straits!

I hope the weather is a lot drier (and sunnier) out there in Washington State. We did have nice weather, but now the rains have gone on throuh, and the tornado watch should be expiring in a few minutes; but I won't relax until the "all clear" is given. Tornadoes are nothing to mess with (I have been in several; I have also been in several hurricanes, including the monsters Andrew and Camille), and whenever they occur, they always give me the willies! GAD, I HATE springtime in the South!! I am just glad we have a storm shelter to go through when tornadoes threaten! (Or, if I am at work, we go to the lowest floor, in the central-most location; I want as many windows between ME and the storm as possible!!)

Well, Don, I will go for now; I am going to get something to eat or I will miss out on lunch until I get off at two (only three more hours; yay, I am over halfway through my work day!! *grins*). Take care, and God bless you and your family always! Can't wait to see what y'all look like! :) I sent you one of my family; enjoy! :)

(((HUGS))) and love, your Tennessee friend, Louie May Sandusky. :D