Hi Chuck,
I read the piece you put in the paper about Cresson Sanatorium and
a reunion. My sister-in-law sent it to me.
Glad to hear about the reunion, as I always wondered why we didn’t have one.
We had a small get together once in the parking lot shortly after I left the san, but that’s all. I’m glad you moved up the reunion a couple of years. If
at that time I can be of help, just whistle
The san became a big part of a lot of people’s lives. I know it changed mine. I was a patient
in 1954 and 1955 in wards L&N, R&S and J&K. I also lived out in the
Unit for some time. After I made meals, I took a job delivering the drugs and
mail to all the wards and helping out in the Post Office sorting mail. Met lots
of nice people and made lots of nice friends. After I left there, I married one
of my nurses, Gladys Hogue, who passed away on December 6, 2010. Most of
my wife’s family lived in Cresson or nearby. I knew Gail Siebolt as she
was one of my nurses, I think in R&S ward. I’ve got lots of memories
of the san.
I smoked for eight years prior to the san. I quit the night I learned I had the “Big T”. I
was lucky as I was single and had no great cares. I watched other people fret
away their lives because of problems at home.
I spent a lot of time in the OT (Occupational Therapy). Leita Sitman was a woman who worked there. I carved leather
and made doilies, painted pictures and lots of other stuff. We needed a place
like that to use up the time.
I remember the barber “Spriggs” who lived just down the
hall from me in the Unit. I remember how pretty the leaves were one fall. Then along came a storm named Hazel in 1954 and no leaves were left on the trees the
next morning.
On Saturday morning from out in the Unit, I used to walk down to
a bar on the hill and have a couple of brews. It was owned by Jack Siebolt, Gail’s
husband. A walk back through the woods was always beautiful.
I became friends with several doctors while I was a patient including
Dr. Treshler, Dr. O’Leary and Dr. Shan Ho Ma. The latter used to show me
x-rays and point out different features on them down at x-ray. I especially liked
the Surgery Unit. I took medicine over there and could visit many people I knew
who had surgery. It was a very clean place.
I remember visiting Chuck Latta there. He and I were friends.
I’m sure you have some of the same memories that I have of
the place.
Cecil Suber
