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DENNIS’
AND CAROLYN’S YEAR 2000
LETTER
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Near the end of December 1999, everything seemed great; vacation time had
arrived, and Christmas was over. However, Carolyn began to
feel sick on December 26, and on December 27 she was rushed to Swedish Hospital
for emergency abdominal surgery. It was a long first night and a long recovery.
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| While Carolyn was in recovery at Stephanie’s house, Dennis had his (already
scheduled) back surgery on January 17. Dr. Kenneth Leung performed a triple
vertebrae fusion on Dennis’ lower back. Dennis was in Swedish Hospital
for five days. At the same time, our neglected elderly cat Naomi was in the
veterinary hospital, suffering from dehydration due to kidney problems. At the
end of January, Carolyn’s ailing aunt Sena died at the age of 91 in Bremerton.
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Carolyn, Dennis, and Naomi spent February recovering. Dennis went back to
work part time, but Carolyn was way too sick to even consider doing such a
thing.. By the time they blew up the Kingdome on March 25, Carolyn’s
benefits had begun to run out, aggravated by time off for her August 6, 1999
back surgery. At this same time, Dennis’ sister Kristine was at Swedish for
surgery. The outcome was not good; the cancer suspected since November 1999 was
found and partially removed.
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| On April 11, Carolyn had followup surgery to reconnect her digestive system.
Once again, Dr. Steven Counter performed the surgery. A second recovery began,
but this time she rallied much faster. But her benefits finally ran out, so she
was forced to apply for a retirement with a disability.
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Past mid May, Carolyn and Dennis went to Esprit 2000 at the Red
Lion Hotel in Port Angeles. While there, they attended and acted as witnesses
for a wedding in the harbor observation tower. At the end of May, they attended
the wedding of Carolyn’s nephew Jeff and his fiancee Allison.
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June was spent preparing for Carolyn’s coming retirement. Naomi turned
seventeen in June. Since she is slowly dying from kidney failure, it may have
been her last birthday. Dennis and Carolyn celebrated their 20th
anniversary, and Dennis’ great aunt Addie died; she was nearly 102. Lastly, we
decided to buy the house across the street from Stephanie’s house in Auburn. |
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Dennis sister Kristine died of cancer early in July. She was not yet 49.
Dennis and Carolyn purchased their new house using their old house as
collateral for a bridge loan. The old house is still being readied for sale.
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In August, less than a week after taking possession of the new house, Dennis,
Carolyn, and Carolyn’s mother flew down to Salt Lake City for the Sunstone
Symposium at the Marriot. Saturday was the last day of the Symposium,
but we spent most of that day in Logan at Carolyn’s family reunion. Upon
return to Auburn, the rest of August and all of September was spent moving and
arranging the new house. Carolyn’s retirement was finalized. We had a house-warming in September. |
| In October, we celebrated Carolyn’s mother’s 90th birthday at
our new house. Many relatives flew in from all over the country just for
this event.
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From the end of October through the first two weeks of November, Dennis
served jury duty at the Regional Justice Center in Kent. It ruined Halloween
festivities at work. Jury duty ended just in time to celebrate grandchild Braden’s
4th birthday. December has arrived, and the most exciting thing
that’s happening is that our son’s cat Bogus has arrived for an extended
stay, while our four cats are all walking around on tippy toes.
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As we come full-circle into December, we have many finances to straighten out
due to retirement and the purchase of a new house. However, we trust that the
next year will be prosperous, without all the downs of the previous year. We
wish the same for all our family and friends.
Sincerely,
Carolyn and Dennis Pernaa