Linda Hansen:  

r 1st 2008 Dave retired from G.M. after 35 years. My plan was to keep working for a few more years. On March 8th,09 I got sick and was put in the hospital on the 16th for 33 days I was in ICU for 29 days on a respirator and 4 days in step down. I had several surgical procedures while in ICU including putting in chest drain tubes,a temporary pacemaker( my heart stop more then 5 times), a tracheotomy, a peg(stomach feeding tube).I had one dream that keep coming back with a white puppy in it. That's what help me get better. So when I woke up in ICU after 26 days. I told Dave LIFE IS TO SHORT and I want a puppy like the one in my dreams. When I left the hospital I had to go to Rehab to get stronger I was in rehab for 13 days I was told I would be in for 2 to 3 months . I got out on a Thursday and Saturday I got my puppy Gabriel and then 3 weeks later we got Indy. They are such a joy to have. They are very spoiled with lots of love. They are what got me back to where I am today along with my husband,son and all our good friends.I still have trouble with my breathing and shortness of breath. I try to go to see 2 of my sisters(Karen and Dawn) in Vancouver, WA every other Easter. We hope to ride the Harley from Michigan to Vancouver one day. I go to see my sister(Dottie) and brother (John) in Ketchikan every few years. Some day I hope to make a trip to California to see my other sister (Cheryl) and some of my cousins.