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


Dr. Costas was just here. He is still saying the same thing: West Nile Virus and/or complications from the meds plus recent cold medicine. The short term memory problem will disappear in either case. He will let Sue leave the hospital late on Monday if all the tests turn out as he expects rather than keep her the full seven to ten days he was threatening yesterday.

Costas is a great guy. He told us places to get some great carry-out food, which we plan to do for dinner. He also shared his view of eating organic food (He's in favor of it with certain caveats.), and he had some suggestions for treating Sue's psoriasis. Sue liked his suggestions because it wasn't 'try these 42 prescription creams and come back and see me in six weeks,' the usual spiel she's heard from the numerous dermatologists she's seen.

The neurologist, Dr. O'Brien, is also a great guy and very funny. Yesterday, during his examination, he asked Sue "to spell 'the word, 'World' backwards but, please, drop the 'W'." She was only too happy to do so.

This morning Sue had her EEG, but those results aren't in yet. And she is still awaiting her trip to the MRI tube. The employees of this hospital are great and numerous. However, Sue says they are NO help with her mental confusion because she never sees the same one twice.

Den and I have been around, off and on, all day. The days in the hospital can be awfully long and boring. I remember years ago Sue going on a trip with Bob in his Eighteen Wheeler. She said it was like being in the hospital--nothing to look forward to but the next meal. Now she says the food was better at truck stops.

Pete and Janet called this morning. The big 'do', their granddaughter Caitlin's cotillion, is tomorrow night. They were looking forward to the event. Pete said that after he was here last time, he found out that he is not yet 'house broke.' So he has a new rule: All women have to leave the toilet seat UP.

Chris called to check in. Sabrina and Margaret called. And Jack, from the office, called. Shirley has checked in with us periodically, and her friend Barbara called to see how Sue is.

I've had numerous voice mails and am relying on general communications since you're not allowed to use cell phones in this place.

Sabrina and Sue talked about her temporary amnesia, and Sabrina quizzed her about certain happy events until she was reassured. Sue told her how good Den has been, "like a rock," which reminded Sabrina of a song, "I Don't Remember Loving You," and she added 'sounds like you're falling in love all over again.'

Margaret, of course, is purely delighted with the Cardinals--as is Denny. Margaret was also so very helpful in reminding us that she too had confusion with her recent terrible infection and was fine in a short few days.

I have talked with Scott daily. We always love news about Jalen and Brayden. He said Jalen is going to have his last name changed to "Spreitler," which makes us all really happy. Jalen just completed a perfect month of all 'green frogs' at school so he earned the promised new computer game. I asked Scott if Brayden is communicating more. Scott chuckled and said that the other day Brayden came up to him, got his attention, then pointed to his butt. He had 'dropped a load,' as Scott put it. That's communicating.