It has been an exciting but stressful few days at the Smalley/Reed household.
Last Thursday around 4:00 p.m. Larry told me he was having trouble breathing. This continued until about 9:00 p.m.
He wasn’t getting any relief so we went to a small emergency room in Tulsa. By the time we arrived he felt like he was going to suffocate and was in a full-blown panic attack.
They ran tests and couldn’t determine a cause so sent him to St. John’s for further evaluation. Upon his arrival at 2:00 a.m. his blood oxygen level dropped to 67 (normal being 95-100) and his blood pressure was 225/112. That had to intubate him and admitted him to ICU.
After many tests they determined he had a severe asthma attack. Larry has had asthma since he was a child but had never had any major problems.
I have always heard how dangerous asthma attacks are and know they also can be fatal. Just as I experienced with COVID, you never realize how serious something can be until you experience it firsthand.
Luckily, Larry recovered quickly. He spent two days in ICU and two days on a regular floor and got to come home on Sunday. Both Larry and I are extremely grateful for those of you who checked on us during his health crisis.
The Chamber of Commerce banquet was Thursday night, and I had been asked to attend to receive a $1000 donation for the Town Talk Bugle Boy project.
It was made anonymously in my brother Gary’s memory. Larry planned to attend with me but was in the hospital.
During the presentation of Chamber awards I was honored to receive Citizen of the Year. My mom Aleta and nephew, former State Senator Jason Smalley, were there to enjoy the presentation with me.
I also received a citation from Representative Kevin Wallace and Senator Scott Taylor. Other family members had cancelled thinking I was going to be unable to attend.
I assured the audience it was a Town Talk award and thanked faithful members Steve and Julie Bivin, David Evans, Andrea Thompson, Aleta Smalley, Cathy Terry and Jo Braden.
Other community members help out with various projects, and we have a good group of donors who support us, also. Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce for the award. President Kyle Anderson and the Junior Chamber of Commerce members did an excellent job putting on the banquet.
Congratulations to Pastor Jerry Murfin and his wife Judy on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award and to Kyle Anderson for receiving the Mickey Gaines Mentorship Award.
Not only was I excited about receiving the Citizen of the Year Award, but Town Talk was presented with the $1000 anonymous donation.
With it was a letter that stated, “We would like to present Diana Smalley Reed a special anonymous donation for $1000 for the Bugle Boy project. As some of you may know her brother Gary Smalley who recently passed away, saw a statue in Iowa. It is solid granite, stands about ten feet tall and will play Reveille in the morning, Call to Colors at mid-day and Taps in the evening.
“He was so impressed he told Diana that is what Stroud needs. Well, you know it doesn’t take much to convince Diana to take on another project for her beloved hometown. I know she has already raised about half the cost. Here is another $1000 for the cause. I think this will be something we all will enjoy, and it will be a great addition to Route 66.”
If the person making the donation happens to read this, thank you so much.
We have ordered the statue by putting half down and the other half will be paid when the statue arrives in about six months.
The balance is $10,000 and we have received $3500. If you would like to contribute you may send it to Town Talk in care of Diana Smalley Reed at 301 West 6th Street Stroud OK 74079. Thanks to everyone who has contributed thus far.
Don’t forget Stroud’s City-Wide Clean-up is this week, March 21-25th. Let’s all work together to get our yards cleared of trash, limbs, debris and just basic junk. Let’s have Stroud spit-shined and polished as we ready our community for summer visitors
Visit our local merchants for all your spring needs – plants, potting soil, lawn mowers. Stroud has it all. Have a great week and thank you for choosing to shop local……..first!