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


Wednesday, June 16, 2004, 11:30 am, Scottsdale Time

Another test finished, this one called Autonomic Study, which looks at the functioning of small involuntary nerves in the body. The EMG yesterday was an examination of the large nerve and muscle functions. Now you know as much as I do. It was painless but uncomfortable at times, unlike the EMG which was terrible, both uncomfortable and painful. The technician explained everything as we went along and was as gentle and patient as all the staff has been. She couldn’t interpret the test; that will be done by a physician-neurologist. The results showed up on a graph which, with all the ups and downs, looked something like Bush’s approval polls.

I had to fast before this test so after it was over, Rose and I went back to our suite where we ate a huge breakfast. We have a small refrigerator and microwave, but no stove. As it turns out, to make toast or fry eggs, all you have to do is step onto the patio and place them on the table for five minutes. We haven’t tried that, but think it would work.

Rose, my traveling computer whiz, couldn’t figure out how to sign up for the high-speed computer connection in our room. We didn’t have Chris to show her the way. Den told us how to sign onto AOL, using dial-up, which turned out to be easy and a good deal less expensive anyway. That Rose, she is always making simple things difficult.

And now we are at Borders, having come here to sign onto their T-Mobile Hot Spot—another one of Rose’s ideas. So here we are having $7.00 worth of coffees to save an interconnection fee of 75 cents, and again she can’t make the connection work. Where is Chris when we need him? Even though all our plans come to naught (“The best laid plans of mouse and women all come to no good end”, we are having a good time—in between treks up the road to the Clinic and the worrisome business I have there.

This afternoon I have a Skin Sensation Test. The explanation for the test is in its name.

We won’t see Den today because he has some big product demonstration going on and has to work. We plan to call niece Kaye (Bernie and Maudie’s daughter who lives in Mesa) tonight.

We’ve been checking in occasionally with folks at home. Margaret and Norm have out-of-town guest, Norm’s niece and husband. Sam, Margaret and Norm’s grandson, flew to North Carolina yesterday, alone at age eight, to visit his other set of grandparents. He is a fine and courageous young traveler. Rose and I surely hope he is not homesick for we both remember that miserable condition, for which ‘home’ is the only cure.

Chris will take Shirley to the airport this afternoon for her usual trip to Chicago.

Rose has just finished a book she enjoyed enormously, THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE. She says it has made all the waiting around at the clinic a real pleasure and recommends it highly.



Wednesday, June 16, 2004, 8:00 pm, Scottsdale Time

Well, it is now evening, and the temperature has dropped to 99 degrees.

The Skin Sensation Test proved to be short and simple, not uncomfortable or painful. Again, the technician was gracious and kind. She will forward the results to Dr. Smith for his interpretation.

Dr. Smith has added blood tests to my itinerary, which mean that we have to be at the Clinic by 7:15 am tomorrow. I am required to fast for the 12 hours before the blood is drawn, so Rose and I ate a simple supper here in our room. We enjoyed it immensely, watching the Cubs win as we munched.

After the blood letting, I am scheduled for a lumbar puncture (spinal tap). For any of you who have seen “Miss Evers’ Boys,” you know what one of those is. I’ve had three previously, and Mary Myers, bless her heart, has had too many to count. It’s not a picnic, but the worse part is having to be very still for hours afterwards to avoid a bad headache.

Mark and Scott called to check in today. Things are good with them and their families. Chris took Shirley to the airport in the little car, and she said he was his delightful self. We wonder how they carried her luggage! They no doubt discussed the new Harry Potter movie as both are big fans.

We have to be up and about really early tomorrow so plan to turn in early.

More later.