From Steve Richter​ 
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On 4/21/2020

...I am finally in good health again and recovered from my respiratory/cardiac problems.  It took longer than I anticipated to recover.  Today, I showed Bonnie that the swelling in my feet was finally gone.  I am ready to resume pickleball, bowling, golf, cycling. —  alas, these activities will have to await CDC guidelines announcing whenit is safe for folks in my risk category to resume activities (probably after a vaccine).

Best of good health to all, stay safe, and see you at our 60th,
Steve 
Via Ed Ryznar:

Hi Classmates:

I am happy to share the following information with you all.....

On December 30, 2019, the Crew was very distressed to received the following email from our buddy Steve Richter:


Hi Team,

I am in ICU at Montgomery AL hospital on breathing equip for oxygen.  Have now been bed confined since 12/23.  Today I simply feel lousy — which is much improved over yesterday’s awful day.  Of course the day before was terrible, day before that was horrible, day before ghastly, n you get the idea.  It’s relative, n so I am improving by inches on the road back.  Hopefully a breakthrough will occur, not a setback and I will breathe on my own, get transported to The Villages.  Thank you for your email.  My best wishes to you-all for your good health and look forward to giving you each a hug again in the future.  This all began driving home after a visit w our older son and his family in Atoka TN.  We were 1/2 home when my breathing became troubled.  Went to an urgent care that recommended immediate transport by ambulance to hospital and admission for severe pneumonia.  The bad microorganisms that invaded my lungs are not giving up ground quickly, and they have done damage but I am determined.  I’ll keep you posted,

Your friend n classmate,

Steve

We all prayed and kept hoping the best for Steve and then on January 5, 2020, Joy, who had kept in touch with Steve, received the following:

We are ecstatic, happy, exuberant , etc.  I am gong home tomorrow (approx 700 miles), feeling good for the 1st time since 12/23/19.  Life is good!

Please feel free to share, and good health to you and yours,

Steve  
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Received on March 2, 2020

Hi Joy and Rick,

In mid-December we drove to Atoka,TN from The Villages FL, and spent a week with our son and 4 of our grandkids.  The drive home was a disaster and I suddenly developed breathing problems, and when we were in Montgomery AL, I felt I was going to fall asleep at the wheel.  We stopped at an Urgent Care facility, and the doctor said I needed to be transported by ambulance to the Montgomery hospital immediately.  An IV was started, I was put on oxygen and transported with Bonnie following in our car.  

That was Dec. 23,2019, and I was put in ICU until Jan 3, 2020, and released on Jan 5, 2020.  The problem was microorganisms attacked my lungs and cut off my ability to breathe.  I was released on 60 msg of Prednisone, and have been weaning myself off.  I have 2 weeks to go, and I am hoping the nasty side effects will vanish.  On Jan 31st, my Apple watch alarmed that my heart was in arrhythmia, and I had signs of Atrial Fibrillation (AFIB), and that I should consult a doctor.  That Monday I had an appointment with a cardiologist and he confirmed the watch was correct, and to prevent the risk of stroke was immediately put on Eliquis.  Cat scans, etc., were to be scheduled after I was off the prednisone.  

Yesterday, the pulmonologist said we need to slow the prednisone withdrawal for an additional week (2 weeks hence).  I am in recovery and have very little stamina.  The arrhythmia is supposed to disappear after I stop taking the prednisone.  We are hoping the AFIB is not permanent and will also stop.  Despite all, I am a happy camper.  I was not sure I would see 2020 for awhile, but now I see myself recovering in 4-8 weeks.  I am walking distances of a mile, just played 9 holes of golf.  I want to try bowling next week, and hopefully begin playing pickleball again in 30 to 60 days.  My only restriction is to stay away from any activities where the likelihood of FALL is present (leaves out pickleball for awhile) due to the Eliquis.


Hoping you and yours are in good health, and we are looking forward to a 60th reunion.
​
Steve and Bonnie