Monday, August 30, 2004

You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130


It's been a while since we updated this blob. I just talked with Margaret Anne who seems to be improving greatly every day. She sounds like herself again. Norman had a stress test last week and is waiting for the results. He went for his regular check-up, and this is part of that check-up.

Margaret talks with Mary Pauline regularly. Mary Pauline is better. After she sees the doctor this week, she hopes to go back to work. Sally is back driving the school bus.

Pete and Janet called Saturday morning. They are planning on caravaning through Mexico unless the price of gas "under the current %$&*#*%@ administration" makes it unaffordable. Pete hadn't heard much from Joe lately so thought he might be "politicking." Rose and I had dinner with Chris and Shelly Friday night at an oyster bar. We had crab legs and a lot of other delicious stuff. I had to laugh because Chris sat there eating everything, including raw oysters. In his place, Scott would have gone hungry. Brayden, however, would have sampled everything there with Chris' gusto.

Yesterday was "Super Kids' Sunday" for Scott and his boys. That means the boys get to have a great time, and Scott probably gets very tired. They went to the Kentucky State Fair in Lexington.

Shirley arrived home Saturday afternoon. She is under the weather, probably a bad allergic reaction to ragweed, mold, pollen, dander, etc. I had a touch of those dreaded shingles yesterday, but today I'm much better. In general, I am getting stronger. I do the tread mill at least 15 minutes every day and the bicycle, at least ten minutes. Much to Rose's joy, I've gained a few pounds, and am up to 120 1/2 pounds. However, my hands are no better which of course drives me crazy. Keep praying!

Mark sent this update in answer to my inquiry about how he is progressing from "his cycling injuries:

"Slow. Saw the doctor last week, he thought things looked good, I wasn't that encouraged. There is still a gap where the bone broke, he basically said take it easy, keep your arm in a sling. don't do anything and come back and see me in a month. I was hoping to be rehabbing by now, my arm is getting thinner and my belly bigger!

How are you doing? I've been reading your blog, I assume not much change or it would be noted.

we'll have to have lunch sometime.

love, Mark"

Rose has taken up bicycling, riding about ten miles every day, especially through the revamped Forest Park which is about three miles from here. It is so beautiful there that she plans on taking some photos and putting them on the Blog. She regularly rides past the Boat House which she didn't know existed until Mark took Brayden, Jalen, and me for lunch there one day. We plan to take Pete and Janet there when they are in town.

Den will be in town on Thursday for the Labor Day Weekend which we will spend at the Lake. Chris and Shelly, Scott and sons, Doug and Suzanne and children, Maddog, and Mark Goldman will be there with us. Possibly Mike and Stacey Derrington will be there. Mike has been serving in Afghanistan and is due back for a leave this week.

Wednesday I see Dr. Dooley. We'll update after that appointment.


Wednesday, August 25, 2004

You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130


"Margaret did see her physician today. He believes her wound is healing fine. But we got a very detailed e-mail from Catrina who went along with Margaret to the doctor and said:

Mom went to the doctor today, as you guys know. She said she talked with you, but couldn't remember exactly what the doctor said about it so she asked if I'd e-mail you and let you know.

There are three types of glands in the skin. Sweat, oil and wax glands. You sweat when you're hot, obviously, but the skin first secretes oil and wax to keep your skin from shriveling up (or frickling as Sam and Lizzie say) from being wet, as it would in the bathtub. In mom's case, one of the wax glands became clogged and over a period of time (he said a LONG period), the wax became trapped in there with no where to go. It eventually became unclogged but at that point the wax was too large to come out but bacteria could get in. And bacteria feeds off of the wax stuff so it became incredibly infected as the bacteria grew. That was the reason for the surgery and now they have to close it from the inside out to keep it from leaving another big hole on the inside succeptible to more infection. The actual term from the pathology report was: a soft tissue, abscess cavity, excision: "Squamous epithelium lined cyst consistent with epidermal inclusion cyst" and "Acute and chronic inflammation". Sections of the abscess cavity showed a cyst lined by squamous epithelium (the tissue that covers the external surface of the body and lines hollow structures) with keratinous debris (dead skin, hair cells). So - basically - she had a big infected abscess on her ass and they've fixed it. (I could've done a much better, simpler pathology report) She goes back next Wednesday and they doctor told her they'll talk about not having to do any more cleaning to it. They had told her previously she had to sit in a warm bath three times a day and then clean it with Hyrdrogen Peroxide. She has, as you probably know, very sensitive skin and her dermatologist had advised against showering more than once every other day so she's developing a secondary problem with her skin since she's been in the tub so much. Now she doesn't have to do that anymore so let's hope we can get her skin back to normal, too. And he has given her the go ahead to be able to go camping as long as she keeps it clean and does the Hydrogen Peroxide thing daily. I told her that means she can't roll around naked in the dirt with Dad. The doctor also said this infection she had was a very serious thing and it could've been fatal! I'm glad she went in when she did.

Wanted to give you an update. I hope all is well with you. Tell Jamil that Sam really enjoyed his visit and he hopes to do it again someday.

Catrina"

Thanks, Catrina. What a thorough understanding you have! We are happy to hear that our prayers for Margaret have reached heaven.

We also just this minute got our electricity back on after about an hour of being in the dark. More prayers answered. The last time this happened, we were without electricity for five days, had to throw everything out of the freezer, and it was a misery. This time, one hour. Seems our prayers are reaching heaven in a more timely fashion.


You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130


Hello, from St. Louis once again. I came home from the Lake on Sunday evening with the Cullinanes who dropped me at Chris and Shelly's. I spent the night there Sunday and Monday. Chris and I picked Rose up at the airport on Tuesday afternoon. Storms delayed the flight for about 45 minutes. Rose was lugging her notebook computer home for Chris to fix. He called early this morning to report he has it going. Now she has to lug it back to Chicago next trip. I thought these things were portable?

Sabrina and family returned from vacation over the weekend. She sent this e-mail update about their trip:

---Hello Ladies,We returned tonight from Wisconsin and are happy to be home. We picked up our little black girl baby (Lucy) on our way. Before I forget them, I wanted to share some of the things Alex said while we were on vacation.Seems he is getting to be a "tween". That's the term used for those children who are between being little children and teenagers. We were riding in the car and Brett was repeating everything Alex said. So, Alex told him if he didn't stop he was going to "slap him into the middle of next week!". I said, "Where in the world did you learn that?", and he swears that's what I have said to him. Although I don't remember saying it, I am certain I did, since that's what my mother used to say to me. He also told us not to "chime in". He says he got that term from his dad.We were looking for a place to stay around Sturgeon Bay, but alas, there were "no vacationcies". That's Alex's term for "no vacancy". We found a place to stay outside of Milwaukee, and the boys loved it because we had Nintendo in the room! Dave and I were, of course, wishing we were some place without such technologies. Anyway, at breakfast this morning, Alex wanted to get some coffee. After sipping his coffee, he asked if coffee was a "required" taste like beer. Guess you can figure out he meant "acquired". We had to go to Burger King for lunch. I personally detest Burger King, but Alex said he wished he had a "life supply" of that fresh Burger King food. Brett's feeling better. Only thing seeming to bother him now is his ear. It hurts when he eats. If he isn't better by Monday I will call the Dr. Aunt Sue you will like this: Alex has taken to calling Brett "Goody Two Shoes". Alex picked up on that name when he was watching a movie, and I was afraid he would start saying that was Brett's name, and sure enough, he did. Doesn't seem to bother Brett much, he just "tattle tales" on Alex whenever Alex calls him that. It was a good vacation, though. I bought a new digital camera and will post the pictures to the internet and send you the link. Alex took many of them. Love to all, Bebe--

In true Greenwood style, I am to report that Scott is much better. I got the following e-mail from Jalen who, Scott said, typed it totally by himself, did all the spelling, punctuation, and content without input from anyone:

"Dear Granny I have ben planing seeing you but my mom wolunt let me so I am going to see you some day and how is Sam doing ? and call Jamil to see how he is doing and Brayden is not well becuse his ear as stuf coming out and I Love you Love Jalen and Brayden and your son Scott"

See, Jalen is already writing in true Greenwood fashion.

Scott said the baby is getting only drops in his ear for his problem.

Today Margaret goes back to her surgeon for a checkup. No report yet on her visit.

At noon today I have my healing touch therapy session and tomorrow is physical therapy day.

Everthing is set up for our trip to Chicago right after Labor Day. I will see the oriental doctor/accupuncturist three times during the visit. Depending on how that goes, I may start going regularly.

We have been very mindful that it was four years ago that Bob died. It hardly seems that long, especially as the loss still feels so new.

Shirley stayed in Chicago for a few days to make a retreat. She is always the one who does the grocery shopping here. As we have ZERO fresh Burger King food, Rose and I will have go shopping this afternoon.




Monday, August 23, 2004

You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130

Hi, Rose here. There were a couple of comments to the last post which I will repeat here for anyone who doesn't read the 'comments' section:

Correction to the blog: Sabrina and family were on vacation in Wisconsin, and we are now back. We are happy to be home!
# posted by Sabrina : 6:51 PM

I need help from Aunt Sue's fellow blog patrons. I had sent out an e-mail to alot of the family with e-mail addresses that I had collected from her birthday party. Since then, I had quite an issue with my computer and decided to start over and re-install everything, including the operating system. While I did back up all the very important items, like my long list of jokes, etc., I seemd to have overlooked my address book and feel like I'm flying blind without them. If anyone still has the list, could you be so kind as to e-mail it back to me? CatrinaKing@centurytel.net. Thanks!
# posted by Catrina : 9:23 PM




Like Catrina, I too am having quite an issue with my computer. Right now I am using Shirley's. Mine won't 'boot up', whatever that means. So, I'll bring it to St. Louis tomorrow and put it in the hands of the very capable Chris to ressusitate. Yesterday he gave me enough help by phone that I got the thing going. Then, last evening it crashed again.

The Air and Water Show was the big event in Chicago this weekend. Every so often a screeching jet would streak across the lake just outside our apartment and scare the bejeezus out of us. Think how it would be if they were dropping bombs!

At last report Sue was headed home from the Lake with Dan and Shelley Cullinane. Chris and Shelly were to meet her at her house where they had left one of their cars while they went to the Cardinal game yesterday afternoon.

Saturday, August 21, 2004

You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130

Hello, it's Rose typing in from Chicago:

Pete and Janet added a comment to the last post which I will copy here:

"As far as we know now we will arrive in St. Louis on or about Sept.24. We will try to get to different homes in time for supper daily, ala Greenwood custom.See you then.PandJ"

We look forward to their visit and will have a grand round of suppers for them.

Sue is at the Lake this weekend with assorted and wonderful friends. I am in Chicago for my bimonthly work days. Shirley is here also and is staying for a few days beyond the work for a retreat. The weather here is knock down dead gorgeous. We took our bikes out and rode along Lake Michigan this afternoon. Unbelievably perfect, temperature about 70 degrees, no wind, with bright blue sky and glistening blue lake. If there was any fly in the soup it was that about one million other people joined us.

When I left St. Louis this morning it was equally perfect there. My trip, door to door, took just three hours and 14 minutes today, perhaps a record. The plane was on time. I stepped onto all trains just before they pulled out of the station. Truly a mission impossible. I continue to marvel at the miracles of modern life, like this internet, for example. I am so very glad Al Gore invented it.

Margaret's healing is underway but her wound requires careful treatment to prevent further infection. Catrina is stopping by three times each day to clean and dress the wound. Margaret is awfully glad to be home and is on the mend, albeit slowly.

Catrina's Lizzie returned today from her week visit with her paternal grandparents. Catrina said she was homesick some and awfully glad to be back with her family. Sam has injured his foot and is on crutches. A bad sprain and good reason to be playing his Game Cube that his Aunt Steffie bought for him. I think he has introduced his Grandpa Norman, aka PEPA, to it.

Sabrina and family, at last report, were on vacation in Michigan.

There is an accupuncturist here in Chicago, a specialist in oriental medicine and someone reported to be effective in treating neuropathy. We are working to get some appointments for Sue in September and to begin making regular trips here for treatment. There is much about neurological disease that is purely mystery. We think it is important to leave no stone unturnd in seeking a cure.

Scott has been sick with something like strep throat. He felt so bad he went to the doctor, which for Scott is feeling VERY bad. At last report, he is feeling better and is back at work.

No other news to report.

Wednesday, August 18, 2004

You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130


In Greenwood terminology, Margaret Anne has taken a turn for the better. Here is the note Catrina put in 'comments' late yesterday afternoon:

Comments:
Update on Margaret Anne! The doctors removed her from the IV antibiotics early this morning and she has been doing well. She called me at 4:30 to let me know they are sending her home!!
# posted by Catrina : 4:03 PM

Rose talked with both Margaret and Norman last evening. They were sitting out behind their house in their favorite spots, just enjoying being together. Margaret said she has so many medications now that she is going to have to sort out what is what. Catrina will provide her homehealth care until the wound totally heals.

Monday, August 16, 2004

You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130


Rose and I visited Margaret Anne in the hospital this afternoon. She is moving from the IV antibiotics to oral antibiotics this evening. We hope that means she can go home tomorrow. While we were there, Norman went home and brought us back home-grown tomatoes. Catrina says there are two things you can't buy: true love and home-grown tomatoes. We don't know about true love, but for sure you can't buy the kinds of tomatoes we had for dinner. Thank you, Norman!

Mark is progressing. He has been under a "house arrest like Martha Stewart" since last Thursday but expects to get out tomorrow. He has to see his physician on Friday and in the meantime is to take his arm out of the sling several times a day to exercise it.

I saw an ear-nose-throat specialist today about my clogged-up ears. His question to me: "Do you use Q-Tips in your ears?" said with obvious disapproval. I replied immediately, "Not any more!" Anyway, he cleaned my ears and sent me on my way with a clean bill of ENT health. For all those who don't know it, you should NEVER put anything in your ear bigger than your elbow. Rose sat silently with big eyes and didn't fess up.

Jalen starts school tomorrow, First Grade, and is very happy about it. He has a Spiderman backpack/lunchbox. Yesterday was "Super Kids' Day," which means Scott and sons do fun things all day long.

Tomorrow evening Doug and Suzanne and children have invited me for dinner. We will use the occasion to plan our Lake weekend coming up.

Some of the photos we have posted lately are of pretty poor quality. Rose, the photographer, now says she has restudied the book that came with her birthday camera (digital), and she promises to do better from now on--unless of course the technology befuddles her.

Margaret told us Mary Pauline is out of the hospital, but she didn't have further word on how she is doing.

Tomorrow is physical therapy day. Wednesday Shirley goes to Chicago, and this time will stay for about ten days. After her work days, she is staying on to do a retreat. God only knows what we will eat while she is gone!



Sunday, August 15, 2004

You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130


For those of you who have been reading earlier "Greenwood Items," Margaret is some better today. The doctor said her wound is healing well and she can go home in a couple more days after a bit longer on the IV antibiotics. She will go home with oral antibiotics. Catrina, Robbie, Sam, and Norman were with her when I called.

Yesterday, we went to Stephanie and Dan's for dinner. We had Sam and Jamil with us and Shelly and Chris came. Dan cooked a wonderful chicken caccitorre (spelling?). Below are some photos from the day, a couple of photos from last week when we had Brayden, and of Leslie and Sue.

Leslie, my friend and former neighbor in Springfield, was our overnight guest last night. We sat up late visiting. Her son Jeffrey is in Mosul in the Army and will be home for a short leave in September. His favorite pasttime is fishing off the dock at the lake. We hope he will be able to do that during his furlough. He is in a Stryker Unit and has a really tough duty. Pray that he returns safely!

Leslie works for the federal medical prison in Springfield and has been an employee of the system for 25 years. Recently, because of extreme budget cuts, she has been told she is 'a displaced employee', news she did not want to hear. Given the lack of opportunity and the increasing pressures of the work, Leslie is thinking she will retire when she becomes eligible in 2007.

In spite of the hurricane and storms on the east coast, Lizzie made it fine to Raleigh-Durham yesterday. She will be gone a week.

We've heard from Joe and Pete this weekend. Unfortunately, they had no hot items for the column. Joe, bless his little heart, was going to an Edwards political rally in Springfield this evening. I didn't know there were any Democrats in Springfield, certainly not enough to rally!





Brayden Posted by Hello

Sam Posted by Hello

Leslie and Sue Posted by Hello

Leslie and Sue Posted by Hello

Chris Posted by Hello

Jacob Posted by Hello

Stephanie Posted by Hello

Nathan Posted by Hello

Shelly Posted by Hello

Chris Posted by Hello

Dan and Stef Posted by Hello

Nathan Posted by Hello

Jamil on the diving board Posted by Hello

Shirley Posted by Hello

Jamil Posted by Hello

Saturday, August 14, 2004

You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130


Rose and I visited Margaret Anne yesterday afternoon at the hospital where she was surrounded by loving family. Granddaughter Lizzie was busy performing nursing duties, all of which was helping Margaret to get well and get well fast. Her fever is gone, and she is feeling much, much better. Still no word on when she will go home. The report this morning is that she had a rough night because her veins keep popping, and she has to have a new IV insert. Her phone number in the room is (636) 916-9226.

Lizzie is to fly to Raleigh, NC, to visit her paternal grandparents today. With the weather there, the flight may be delayed.

We have been keeping a watchful eye on the hurricane. It looks like Palm Island, where the Schmitts have their place, was hard hit. Stephanie said the resort was prepared, all the golf carts moved off the island, but she expected considerable damage in spite of all the precautions. Does anyone know if Donald and Vita's Florida home escaped the storm?

These are some Greenwood Items awaiting update: Bernie's broken ankle. Mary Pauline's intestinal blockage. If anyone has an update, let us know, and we will post it.

Mark is recovering from his shoulder surgery which he was able to have as an out-patient. He is handling the pain with pills and says everything went as expected. He should be good as new. Rose talked with him and said he showed more concern for me than he did for himself.

We still have two boys with us, Catrina's Sam and Shirley's young friend Jamil with us. Well, the truth is, they have become fast friends over their Game Cube experiences, and left us three old ladies totally to our resources. When asked if they are hungry, the answer is always a "NO," as they would rather play together than eat. Kind of like gambling for us old folk.

Today we are going to Stephanie and Dan's for dinner. It's probably too cool for the boys to swim, but going to the Schmitts is always a fun experience.

Politics? Ho-Hum Posted by Hello

Rose and Brayden Posted by Hello

Brayden Posted by Hello

Shelly Posted by Hello
Brayden and Sue Posted by Hello

Brayden and Sue Posted by Hello

Friday, August 13, 2004

You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130

Margaret Anne is still in the hospital. She now has an infection that was caused by the surgery itself. The infectious diseases specialists is treating her with IV antibiotics which should take care of the infection in time. Margaret says that she is NOT going home until she is sure she is O.K. this time. Her phone number at the hospital is: (636) 916-6226.

We have Catrina's son, Sam, with us for a couple of days. And we have another young friend, Jamil, from Bloomington, IN, so these two boys should have a fine time together. They are near the same age, nine, and have interests in common.

No word yet from Mark who had his shoulder surgery yesterday.

I had cards from Catrina and Sandi, wishing me the best and remembering me in their prayers.

Pete and Janet will be here around September 20. We hope to get as many of the family together during their stay as we can.

Leslie and Chase, my former Springfield neighbors, will be in town over the weekend and will spend the night with us.

I continue to be amazed and gratified that so many of my family, Den's son and daughter, my sons, and their young friends do so much for me. Whenever I have any kind of need--whether it be for transport, shopping, company, haircut, or the loan of their children--all I have to do is put out an APB. An example in point, Scott's former wife from Columbia, Candace, is cleaning the lake house this week. Doug and Suzanne and their children and I will spend the weekend of August 20-23 at the Lake.


Thursday, August 12, 2004

You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. LouisMO 63130


Yesterday I posted some thoughts about the promise of stem cell research. In today's "New York Times," there is a letter to the editor from Ron Reagan, President Reagan's son, who is so eloquently championing the fight for more research. Here is a link to that letter for anyone interested: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/12/opinion/l12cia.html










You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130


Margaret Anne developed some swelling and a fever last night so Norman and Catrina took her back to the emergency room. She was readmitted to the hospital, Barnes-Jewish in St. Peters, where she is back on some high-powered antibiotics by IV. Her physician is having an ultrasound done because there is no visible area of infection. He is also calling in an infectious diseases expert. We will update as we hear from the Abbott Clan.

Wednesday, August 11, 2004

You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130

My disease is causing me to think deeply about a number of critical issues, among them, insurance, medical costs, and stem cell research. Here are some thoughts I have about one of these issues:

Stem cell research is THE HOPE for the future for so many people with so many different ailments, including diabetes, ALS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and spinal cord injuries. The current administration has severely limited research in this area based on what I think is a fanatical religious idea. George Bush, under pressure from the religous right, would rather have us throw out fertilized zygotes than see them used for exploration of new treatments. This makes ZERO sense to me. Many of you know that Nancy Reagan, in a courageous defiance of this religious zealotry, has declared her support for stem cell research based on her experience with the ravages of the late president's Alzheimer's disease. Also, Christopher Reeves and Michael J. Fox are two people who know firsthand the horror of seeing promising research cut off for political gain. You cannot know what this promising research means to someone like me. It is HOPE.

Anyone like myself suffering from a disease that might be helped by application of stem cell therapy has great hope for a treatment and/or cure. For my step-granddaughter Alyssia who has child-onset diabetes, this research holds the promise for her to have a full cure and avoid all those horrific complications that can accompany diabetes. Today her parents must keep a 24/7 vigilance to maintain her blood sugar levels. Alyssia lives with a constant and consuming concern that, at age eight, she can hardly even understand.

I hope anyone who reads this Blog will be influenced by John Kerry's promise to end the restrictions on stem cell research and allow this critical line of medical development to proceed unimpeded because it is so important to so many of us and to our families.
You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130


Margaret came home today. Her backside is better. She was much relieved to be home even though it took all day to get her release from the hospital. Margaret's home address is #4 Peg Elaine Court, St. Peters, MO, 63376, and her email address is margaretaabbott@aol.com.

That's all the news from Greenwood, Mutton Hollow, and Tandywhatnot for today.


You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130

Margaret's phone number in her hospital room is (636) 916-9232. She may come home this afternoon but won't know until the surgeon checks her wound.

Brett is home now, recovering from removal of his tonsils, sick but improving.

Tuesday, August 10, 2004

You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130


Hi, it's Sue. Rose and I went to see Margaret late this afternoon. She is still in Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Peters, MO. We left around 5:30 pm while Catrina and husband Rob were still there. Later Catrina called to tell us the physician had come in and told Margaret that he will be back tomorrow at noon to check the wound. He said he had left a hole in her backside about the size of his fist and that if it were healing o.k. she would be able to go home tomorrow. If there is a problem in the healing, he will put her back in surgery to clean out the wound. Therefore, she will have to be prepared for anesthetic beginning early in the morning. Let's pray all is well and that she will come home tomorrow.

Margaret just wanted to go home. The intense pain is behind, literally and figuratively, but she is still very uncomfortable and moving gingerly. Her children and grandchildren are rallying around lovingly.

Meanwhile, Brett, Sabrina's younger son, is in DePaul Hospital in St. Louis County, having had his tonsils out early this morning. He is throwing up so will have to spend overnight in the hospital. Poor Brett! We know how much discomfort and pain he must be going through.

It seems we have several family folk in crisis right now. My stepson Mark had a bicycling accident while in Kentucky last weekend. On Thursday he will have surgery to repair his broken collar bone and reattach a severed ligament. He hopes it can all be done as an outpatient but may have to spend the night. At this point, he is operating with one arm and a good nurse, Karen.

Now, this item from the Marshfield Mail Mutton Hollow (akin to the Greenwood Items or Tandy Whatnots sections) columnist style: The Thirteenth Annual Kids' Week ended on Sunday. We had scads of young people who all worked, played, cleaned, did all the things I couldn't do, and were great company. As the Mutton Hollow columnist says: A good time was had by all!

We had big plans for the next few days with our young friends Jalen and Jamil. However, we have run into a bump in the road and don't yet know how it will all work out. We don't know who will be more disappointed, those two young men or us.

Leslie and son Chase will be here on Saturday and will stay overnight.

Shelly and Mark Goldman, who teach at the same location, start their school year tomorrow. Mark came today and took me to physical therapy.

You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130


Sabrina posted more information about her mother in a comment very early this morning. For those of you who may have missed it, here is what she wrote:

Comments:
While it's true that I said that about my dear old Mom, I also said let's not make light of the fact that she is in the hospital. She has a very high pain tolerance, and given that she did have my Dad take her to the emergency room was an indication as to how much pain she was in. She had not slept in 2 days. The "boil" was, as the doctor said, an abscess that had been there for some time, again indicating her high pain tolerance. Margaret, as every who knows her and loves her knows, does not complain about much of anything. Hopefully this will be something that can be treated with antibiotics, and the worst is over. It all depends on whether the abscess came from something externally or whether it came from something internally. The latter is the worst case. Please keep her in your prayers and pray for a speedy recovery.
# posted by Sabrina : 12:45 AM

--------------------------------

I just talked with Sue who had talked with Norman this morning. Margaret is in less pain and was able to eat breakfast. Norm had been to the hospital early and was heading right back after his own breakfast. He didn't know how long Margaret would be an inpatient, thought it depended on what the culture shows and what the surgeon has to do to remove the packing from the wound. That removal could require another surgery.

Sabrina is certainly right about the level of pain it would take to make Margaret go to an emergency room! Margaret is one who can be very sensitive to others' pain but will minimize and never complain about her own. Catrina, a chip off the mother's block, stayed overnight with Margaret.

On the phone last night Sabrina told me the surgeon came out to talk with the family while Margaret was in recovery. He quickly recognized that Stephanie is the knowledgeable one so talked with her while the rest listened.

Keep Margaret in your prayers and hope the abscess is an outside-in one. We'll update when we know more.

Meanwhile, today is the day Sabrina's younger son, Brett, has his tonsils out. They are at another St. Louis area hospital, DePaul, where that operation is underway.
You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130

Hi, it's Rose again. Margaret Anne did have surgery and is in recovery. The surgeon, an older man the family likes a lot, removed the cyst, packed the wound with gauze, and has Margaret on two kinds of antibiotics until a culture can be done. We'll provide more information when we get it.

Monday, August 09, 2004

You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130


Hi, it's Rose, posting from Chicago. The news is that Margaret Anne is in the hospital. She went into the emergency room at Barnes St. Peters this morning because of a very painful boil on her backside. At last report, around 2:20 pm CDT, she is awaiting the arrival of a surgeon who will remove it. An anestheologist had been in already to prepare her should surgery indeed be required.

Margaret's cell phone number is: (636) 577-1809 for those wishing to check in with her. She is in a room where cell phones are allowed.

Sabrina called me just a while ago to give me an update and to ask, "Has Mom's boil on her butt made the Blog yet?" That prompted me to give this quick update.

Margaret has been talking daily with Mary Pauline who is in the hospital in Kansas (Hutchinson?) for some kind of intestinal blockage. Sally had been to see Pauline several times, and is also in touch with Margaret.

Margaret also had news that a nephew of Maudi's, her brother Jim's son, had died. Here is the obituary Margaret included in her e-mail:

----------------------
William Larimore
Deaths

08/04/2004
William E. (Bill) Larimore, 47, Conway, died Wednesday, July 28, 2004, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He is preceded in death by his father, James C. Larimore, and a sister-in-law, Sheena Larimore.

He is survived by his mother, Frances Larimore, Conway; two brothers, James W. Larimore, Conway, and Ed Larimore, Conway; two sisters, Elaine Larimore, Conway, and Patsy Maune and husband Jeff, Union; a sister-in-law, Electra Larimore, Bolivar; one nephew, James A. Larimore, and wife Lori, Branson; three nieces, Stacey Ash and husband Russell, Buffalo, Amanda Kuhs, St. Louis, and Jessica Larimore, Conway; two great nephews, Chase Larimore, Branson, and Cody Lane Ash, Buffalo, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

No services are being planned, but memorials may be sent in Bill's name to: Barnes Jewish Hospital Foundation, Mailstop 90-94-206, 600 S. Taylor Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 for the Cardiac Surgery Research Fund.

---------------------------

We are sorry to hear of this untimely loss.


On the lighter side, Sabrina told me that when she set out to pick up Brayden from me yesterday, she asked her boys if they wanted to ride along. Brett asked, "Where are we going," to which Sabrina said, "Over by the airport." Brett got a funny look on his face and asked, "By the airport? Are they shipping him in in a crate or something?" Sabrina said his association was from the occasion recently when the whole family went to the airport to pick up the new puppy for Catrina's family.

Sue is now home from the Lake. Den has returned to Chicago. Shirley is on her way back to St. Louis where Sue and Chris will call for her at the airport. I will go home tomorrow.

It was a joy having Brayden for five days. I believe the boy would ride along indefinitely in his stroller if someone would just keep him moving. He gets lots of attention in restaurants, will eat anything, and is good as gold. Shelly, a friend of her's, and I took Brayden with us Thursday to the big Kerry-Edwards Rally at Union Station in St. Louis. The ruckus got so loud that Brayden became frightened just from the sheer din of it all, so I took him to the far corner of the parking lot where we could hear the speeches but were removed from the crowd. Brayden loved it. He especially liked riding the Metrolink. When I told Scott what I had planned, he allowed as how I might be using his son as a political ploy. If so, he surely garnered some votes on our outing.

Tuesday, August 03, 2004

You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130

Two corrections: Margaret Ann is really Margaret Anne. This is news to Rose who has only known her for 62 years! And Bernie broke his ankle, not his foot.

I am back home after several days at the Lake. Shelly and I drove back today. We left Maddog and Mark Goldman there, and they were playing 18 holes of golf. Chris and Dave Smith played golf at Tan Tar A last Friday. Den and Doug fished. They didn't catch any bass, but they did catch crappie. We had various comings and goings over the weekend.

Scott and Brayden will arrive a little after midnight tonight. Alas, Jalen couldn't come, but will be here next week for a few days along with Shirley's young friend Jamil who lives in Bloomington, IN. Jalen and Jamil hit it off when they were both here last winter, and we've been looking for a time to have them back together to do some sightseeing and playing. Scott and I will drive back to the Lake in the morning. Brayden will stay here.

Sabrina is in Canada until late Friday evening. She and her family will keep Brayden when Rose has to leave for Chicago and until Scott returns from the Lake on Sunday.

There is no news about my health. I continue to do my physical therapy exercises, and they are paying off. My ear problem is much better, hopefully cleared up, and I won't have to see an ENT person.

That's all from Greenwood. [For those of you who do not know what 'Greenwood' is about, years ago Pete and Janet and Margaret and Norm subscribed to our hometown newspaper, the Marshfield Mail. It is a small paper and is chock full of newsy little items about areas in and around Marshfield, such as the "Tandy Whatnots" and the "Greenwood Items." The columnist from Greenwood chronicled the preacher's Sunday dinner. Janet and Margaret began to keep track; the guy ate at someone's house every Sunday. They wondered if his wife did any cooking at all; certainly never on Sunday!

The reporter for the "Tandy Whatnots" always reported on people's illnesses. However, if you missed a week, you might never know what happened for the column would read something like, "So and So is some better." Better from what you would never find out. It might be a gall bladder attack, kidney stone, gout, a kick by the cow, or a stubbed toe. ]

One of these days, we'll tell the story of "Is Your Dog Vaccinated." If you have talked to Brother Joe in the past 50 years, you've probably already heard it.
You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130

Hi, it's Rose. Margaret Ann called to say Brother Bernie has broken his foot. Last Wednesday he and Maudie returned from Seattle where he found he did not have to have surgery. On Thursday he fell and suffered the break. For now he is in a 'boot' and will have that replaced with a cast when the swelling goes down. He expects to be wearing the cast for a couple of months. We all hope the ordeal and the healing are quickly behind him!

And Sue's son Mark called to say he broke his collar bone in a bicyling accident this weekend while in Kentucky. He sees an orthopedic physician today to see if he needs surgery. He said one minute he was riding along and the next thing he knew, he awoke in the hospital. A get well quick to Mark, also. He can't ride his bike for a couple of week, and that has got to be tough.