A group of APD retirees meet every-other Tuesday morning for breakfast.  There is no organization and it’s just fun to get together to talk under pleasant circumstances, not at a funeral.  Up to this point over 200 people have come to breakfast at one time or another and our members are now living nationwide.  All retirees, spouses, former and current APD employees are welcome.  Reservations are not required.

Here is a little bit of history about the group.  Back in 1988 when Al Rogers (retired lieutenant) was battling cancer, some of his golfing buddies, Dwight Clark (retired sergeant), Dave Michel (retired chief) & Luther Mitchell (a good friend of Al’s from high school), would take Al out to breakfast on occasions to give him and his wife, Betty, a break.  Little by little, more of us found out about it and were invited and eventually there were seven of us.  There was no organization or regularity, just when Al or someone else felt like breakfast.  After Al’s death in July, 1989, we decided to continue getting together on a regular basis, and started inviting others to attend.

Old Motor Breakfast

Starting from left:  Bob Thomas, Mike Foster, Jay Clapper, Steve walker, Dave Kussman, Bill Landis
Starting on Right:  John Furbish, Bob Lay, dave Piper, Dave Stewart, Greg Mattis

A few OTH notes:

Steve Bennett:  5/7/09 – Our former co-worker and friend Steve Bennett is very ill and in the hospital in Covina .  Steve lives in Colorado City , Colorado but was visiting relatives when he took ill with sepsis. I spoke with Steve on the phone and he didn't sound too good.  He is in ICU at KindredHospital which is on the corner of Lark Ellen and Badillo in West Covina .

Steve's wife, Marie, said that any concerned friend can call her cell phone for information of just to say hi to Steve.  Her number is 719 568-0815. Mike Gray

Tim Crawford: 5/20/09 – Tim Crawford had a CT scan regarding his Neoplasm of Bronchus and lung which broken down is a 3 mm nodule along or just below the minor fissure on the right lung.  Fortunately, the results are okay.  He will return to the doctor in nine months.  We hope he continues to be okay.

Betty Davenport: 4/7/09 – Just wanted to share some GREAT NEWS with you all. I took Mom for a PET scan yesterday and during her Chemo treatment today she saw the doctor. He checked the results on the computer (gotta love modern technology) and said that it was “REALLY REALLY GOOD”. And so now after 13 months of Chemo (having had at the most only 3 weeks in between ~ one time) she will be getting a well deserved break. He said about 4-6 weeks which at that time I’m sure he will do another PET scan to see how things are going. I could hear the relief in Mon’s voice and I’m sure she is still dancing! We are so happy! Thank you all, the Power of Prayer Works!  Take care….Love, Robby Whited.

Lee Ennis: 4/14/09 – has been in Saddleback Hospital ( 24451 Health Center Dr. , Laguna Hills , 949-837-4500) since Friday with high blood pressure and some heart problems.  He may have to have bypass surgery.  He is undergoing more tests.  Jack will advise as he hears more later.  Home address information for Lee and Judy Ennis is: 15201 Vichy Circ., Irvine , CA .  92604 (949) 551-2228. Jack Pluhar

Charlie Gentis: 5/14/09 – Hi everyone, just to let those that didn’t know and those that did, I had my prostate removed by Robotic Surgery yesterday. I have been waiting about a year to have it taken care of, with three procedures prior in ’08, none of which worked.  I then elected to have the prostate removed. I was very fortunate to be able to have surgery at the Univ Cal Irvine Med Center and to have the doctors I had. I was even a test patient for part of a new procedure where they use ice water through a bladder bag for 6 hrs after the surgery. Don’t ask how they get the ice water to the spot where it needed to be. Anyway, I am doing really well and I should tell you there was very little bleeding. This is very common in non Robotic surgery. I was walking within a few hours of surgery and came home today at around noon. I have very little discomfort and moving around pretty well.  I will be down for a few days. Oh yeah, I did NOT have cancer!!! I was restricted and the procedures made it worse. For those of you (males) that may have to do this in the future make sure you have the Robotic surgery!!!!! Charlie

Dave Kussman: 5/20/09 – will have robotic prostate surgery on Friday, May 22.  We hope he has as good results as Charlie Gentis.  He will advise of his progress.

Marion Lark: 4/16/09 – passed away on March 31, 2009 after a long illness.  No funeral service is scheduled.  Marion Constance Lark, 88 years, was born on August 1, 1920, started on the department on July 29, 1968 and retired on June 28, 1984.  The address that I have for her, which may be her daughter Carolyn Thompson’s is: 22381 Bluejay, Mission Viejo , CA. 92692, (949) 586-9351

Jack Pluhar: 5/21/09 Jack Pluhar is still in the new Kaiser hospital in Irvine where he says he is getting splendid care and the rooms are first rate. He has a weak aorta valve which was placed in his heart about four years ago and can not be replaced at this time.  He may get to go home Thursday but must have someone with him at all times.  New medications have been prescribed to see if there might be an improvement.  He is coherent and alert, but must be watched for any other complications.  Will keep you all posted.  Harold Bastrup

5/20/09 – Harold Bastrup advises that Jack Pluhar is still in the hospital.  There is a problem with a heart valve and the doctors are investigating if there should be surgery to correct that again or not. We hope they determine the problem.

5/18/09 – Late Sunday Jack Pluhar called his daughter and said he was not feeling well and had fallen a few times.  She went to his home, which is about a half hour drive, and found him lying on the kitchen floor.  Paramedics were called and he was taken to the Kaiser Hospital in Irvine .  His blood pressure was in the high 200s.  He was in emergency room for about six hours, and then placed in a hospital bed.  This morning, Monday, he is doing well and may get to go home.  As we all know Jack has a number of problems including high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems, but enjoys life and is usually in good spirits.  I talk to him almost every day, and he likes to talk about his APD experiences.  Will keep you informed when phone calls can be made.  He also has a computer for messages, which I know he would like.  Harold Bastrup

Greg Salazar: 5/19/09 – I just talked to Sal.  He and Dorothy had just walked in from the hospital.  He's fine.  Spirits are up.  He had two stints the day of the heart attack and will have to have by-pass surgery in a short while. He told me that Rusty Hodges came down to see him and while talking to her, told her that Sal used to be his partner and he normally causes heart attacks, not has them. He told me about the nurses in the emergency room taking his shirt off, then his pants and finally his shorts.  He commented that there was a day when he would have enjoyed it but not this time.  Still the same.  Huge testes! Brooks Wilson

5/17/09 – I just talked to Dorothy. Sal is better – out of danger. He had the attack after taking a walk with two friends. They went to breakfast in Vista and he got chest pains and pain in his left arm. They called 911 and they took him to the hospital in an ambulance. They had to put a stint in a blocked artery and they may have to do another one. Sal is tough, he’ll be OK.  Brooks Wilson

I just spoke with Dorothy; she had just walked in the house from the hospital.  She said that Greg had gone for his walk this morning with his friend and then went to breakfast.  He got a sharp pain in his left arm and was taken to Kaiser Urgent Care.  They weren't equipped for a heart problem, so he went by Paramedic to the hospital.  They placed two stints in him and another procedure needs to be done in a couple of weeks (Dorothy wasn't sure what the other procedure was).  But she said he's doing fine and flirting with the nurses.  That's good news. Mary Foss

Phil Tuttle: 4/9/09 – It seems like lately the only messages are health issues, well Phil’ is no different. After Phil retired from the OCDS’s office in 2002, we moved up to Boise , Idaho . In 203 he accepted a position at the local county prosecutor’s office as their sexual assault investigator. Just lately Phil was diagnosed with a heart problem. Yesterday he went into a local hospital for heart ablation therapy. Things didn’t go as planned. We’re looking forward to his complete recovery though in the future. Our best to everyone.  Karen Tuttle

Bob Whitehead: 4/22/09 – Bob advises that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.  Since it is in the early stages and only on one side he has already started external radiation, five days a week for eight weeks.  The doctors are fine tuning his medication to reduce and eliminate the side effects.  Things are getting a little better each day.  He drives to Ontario for the radiation treatment.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob and Shirley and we hope the treatments are successful.  The following is their address information: 617 S. Valley St. , Anaheim , CA , 92804-3541 , (714) 776-5523
WhiteheadRS@SBCGlobal.net

Mel Vyborney: On 5/19/09 I visited Mel today and am very pleased to report that he's doing much better.  He recognized me, his daughter who was there, and another family friend who was there too.  He has all external tubes, IV's, etc. removed and he's been working with the rehab folks to relearn walking and to speak more clearly.  He's able to speak softly, but in articulate & complete sentences again.  We talked about various APD people, his computer skills, his family members, and some old "war stories".  He remembered a lot, but certainly not everything nor everybody.  His progress during the last week or so (I was on a business trip) seems quite significant to me.  He will be seeing the cancer doctor on June 4th to discuss treating the actual cancer portion of all this.  The immediate focus is on getting him to walk better and, of course, continue to bring more of his memory back.  He looked good, was quite talkative, and the best I've seen him since all this was discovered.

5/5/09 – Well I went to visit Mel Sunday.  He was sleeping so well I didn’t have the heart to wake him.  So I stayed for about an hour and his nurse told me he was stable.  I wrote him a note and promised to come back this week.

If anyone visits the parking is pretty bad but once you get in it really very nice.  Very clean and the staff is very good. Take care, Steve Walker

5/1/09 – Hello Dick, Winovich and I visited Mel today.  I think it actually did some good.  His family said he gets pretty down reference his situation,  Those of you that worked with Mel in patrol and the crime task force, go cheer him up.  It was great to see a smile on his face when we walked into the room.  It gave Winovich and me a good feeling as well.  Bob T.

I went to visit Mel today.  He has been moved a few rooms over & is now in room #213-C.  Overall, he looks good but his recall / memory only seems to be at about 20% for the moment.  Hopefully, this will continue to improve.

4/30/09 – Mel has again been transferred to: New Orange Hills rehab center at 5017 E. Chapman Ave. in Orange (714-997-7090).  His room number is 215-C and visitors are welcome.  His feeding tube has been removed; he’s starting to walk around again, can talk, but may or may not recognize you.  His memory sort of comes and goes.  He has difficulty holding his head up because of a weakened neck from laying so much, but that will be the first thing that improves.  Apparently, he is stabilizing better medically each day now, which will hopefully take him to a point where the doctors can re-focus on how to treat the remaining cancer in his brain.  Let’s all stay positive with Mel…….Werner

4/27/09 – I visited with Mel today in room #429 at Kaiser in Anaheim Hills.  His mother and son were there too.  He is allowed visitors now.  They were discussing the possible removal of his feeding tube, which is limiting his ability to speak properly.  Mel looks good but is obviously struggling with significant memory loss.  Sometimes he recognizes/remembers us and other times not.  He is undergoing some physical therapy at Kaiser and the long range plan is still to return him to the rehab center in Santa Ana at some future date.  The actual cancer; the remainder in his brain is on hold until all of his other issues have been completely stabilized.  He’s getting closer to that point each day and then the doctors will hopefully proceed with the cancer treatment.  Werner

4/23/09 – Much better news today...  Mel’s son called and said that Mel has been stabilized again and will remain at Kaiser a few more days before going back to the rehab facility in Santa Ana again.  Once he’s back there, we should be able to visit him again.  Also, Mel is apparently much more responsive, aware, and alert again.  He recognizes people better and better, is speaking clearly again, and seems much more cohesive overall.  He still has the urinary infection lingering.  The cadres of his doctors have decided to postpone their discussion with the family regarding Mel’s long term prognosis and care until he’s released from Kaiser and a bit further past this latest episode.  No exact date for that has been set.  Let’s all keep praying for Mel & his family…Werner

 4/22/09 – Today (Wed.) wasn't the best day for Mel. When I went to visit him at the rehab facility in Santa Ana around 10:30 AM he had just been transported to Kaiser in Anaheim Hills due to an infected catheter & a high fever.  His family met him at Kaiser & the doctors stabilized Mel again, saying he was dehydrated, his blood counts weren't good, and he had a urinary tract infection.  They are keeping him at Kaiser for a few days (NO VISITS FOR THE MOMENT PLEASE) and will then, hopefully, return him to the rehab center in Santa Ana .  The cadres of doctors are meeting with Mel's family tomorrow morning to review Mel's overall status.  His son will relay that info to me, and then me to all of you kind friends of Mel.  Werner

Thanks to several of you who went to visit Mel over the past few days.  My apologies to those who dropped by earlier today when Mel was at Kaiser.  I didn't want to put out an e-mail today until I had factual information.  Thanks for your understanding...Werner

4/19/09 – The doctors have advised the family that they now feel it would benefit Mel immensely if family and friends would start to visit him often, beginning today.  Apparently they feel this will "exercise" a portion of his brain that needs it, as he'll have to "work" to recognize folks.  On that note, I have been asked to relate that sometimes Mel is his old self & will recognize us, and then there are other times when he may not recognize us at all or sporadically.  They do feel that this is temporary at this point. OK then, here is the address to go, should you be so able and inclined: Royal Healthcare 1-North; Room #107-A, 1030 W. Warner (near Warner & Bristol), Santa Ana , and CA. Phone (714) 546-6450 Visiting hrs. They tell me are 10 AM – 8 PM, seven days a week.  Werner

I will share as to when & where we can visit Mel again very soon.

4/17/09 – Mel has been transferred to a rehab center in Santa Ana today.  I have been requested by the family to hold off posting the address until next Tuesday to allow him to get settled and for his rehab doctors to OK visitors.  Mel is still not consistently recognizing people he knows and is not eating well.  He seems confused and disoriented a lot.  All this started after doctors inserted the permanent drain tube from the brain to his stomach and they're not sure why.  He will start physical and speech therapy now, while his doctors decide on how to further treat him.  I'll keep you all posted...Werner

4/14/09 – I just spoke with Mel’s son and received the latest information, and it’s not real good. Following the most recent surgery to reattach the drain tube, Mel has not been recognizing family/people he knows consistently and seems somewhat confused at times.  There is still some blood seepage around the brain.  One positive is that his infections and high fever have been cleared up.  Mel is scheduled to undergo numerous tests and remains in ICU.  Werner

4/9/09 – Mel had surgery today to insert the permanent tube to drain fluid from the brain to the stomach.  It went well and he’s currently still in recovery.  His intestinal infection has become somewhat puzzling to his doctors because all tests confirm it’s gone, yet he still has a high fever.  More news to follow as it becomes available….Keep those good thoughts & prayers for Mel coming! Werner Raes

Over-the-Hill Breakfast Dates In 2009:

Invite anyone else who might be interested in the breakfast, as everyone is welcome.  Please mark your calendar so you won't miss many of the dates!

If you have any news about any of our retirees or would like more information on our breakfasts, please contact Dick Gray at DickGray@sbcglobal.net.  We hope to see you sometime.  Thanks and take care.

Dick Gray