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

Yesterday, Tuesday, was the day from hell. Rose and I went to the facility at 7:15 am, and at that hour we had to enter through the back door and walk a mile. Den was dressed and waiting for us. He had been up an hour and a half and was very anxious about his liver biopsy. He also had taken a fall during the night, and his left hand was very swollen. The van which was to take us to St. Louis University Hospital was an hour and a half late which meant we arrived very late for our 8:00 am appointment.

After a long period of waiting, some blood-letting, and uncertainty, Den was taken into a prep roomf for his biopsy. We did some more waiting there, only to find out that Den's blood was too thin so that the biopsy procedure would have to be postponed. Rose and I had raised such a fuss over the medical transport company's early morning performance that the van driver to return to the facility was actually early. While at the hospital, the young doctor handling Den's biopsy took a look at Den's swollen hand and ordered X-rays. Long story short, Den has a broken bone in his left hand which is going to require care from an orthopedic specialist.

I was so distraught by the end of this terrible day that I called Kim and said, "HELP!!!" Kim jumped into gear and arranged for all the logistics for today when Den had a return trip to St. Louis University Hospital where he indeed had the biopsy. Today Kim, Aaron, and Den had the day from hell. They arrived at St. Louis University Hospital at 10:30 am and were there until 6:30 pm. They did get the biopsy procedure behind Den. We will know some results, hopefully, next Wednesday when we have another full day of consult and Den has several evaluations all leading up to a decision about a liver transplant. Of course, all this is extremely critical to Den's future. Much has to happen--dental care, tuberculous testing, all kind of medical tests and evaluations--then the transplant team will assign a priority number to Den if he qualifies for a transplant.

Meanwhile, today, I had an early morning appointment with my neurologist, Dr. Dooley. Dooley was extremely pleased and suprised at my progress. He noted that I can walk as well as most folk, that my strength in arms and legs is much improved, and that my balance is just great. He, Rose, and I atrribute the improvement to the immuno-globulin infusions I had in St. Francis Hospital during the five days leading up to Thanksgiving. I have Chris Costas and Denny O'Brien, my tending physicians at St. Francis, to thank for their going out on a limb with the immuno-globulin when Dooley would not. Now Dooley has become a believer. He wants to think over the next immuno-globulin treatment for a few days. We will consult before next Wednesday, and I will have the treatment either as an in-patient in St. Luke's Hospital or in out-patient treatment over five days in Dooley's offices.

Of course, I and people around me have noted my physical improvement. I haven't used the wheelchair in weeks. I can walk unaided, doing steps and curbs that heretofore have daunted me. My balance is great. The one continuing source of frustration and worry is that I don't have good use of my hands. I am praying that the IG treatments will begin to have more effect on my hands and fingers and soon.

Immediately after Rose and I left this good meeting with Dooley, we raced over to St. Richard's Church for Shelly's grandmother's funeral mass. We were a few minutes late but so glad we could take part in the ceremony. Clearly Gramm's life is one to celebrate, and the mass was just that--a celebration. I was so proud of my son Chris who, along with Shelly's cousin, delivered a moving and loving eulogy. Shelly didn't think she could do it, so Chris stood in for her. Rose and I sat with tears streaming down our faces.

This evening I visited with Den and with Aaron at the facility. Den was exhausted after two miserable days. And tomorrow should be another miserable day. Early in the morning Rose and I will accompany Den to his neurologist for one more medical opinion. All this "doctorin" is a royal pain in the arse.

Shirley left for her routine Chicago days today. Rose will go on Saturday. My plan is to spend Saturday with Chris and Shelly, then spend Saturday night and Sunday night with the Abbotts. I am hoping to see some of the Abbott Clan while I'm there.

Den's big day is coming up next Wednesday. After that full day of consult and evaluation, we should know more about the possibilities for a liver transplant.

One note for all of our Dear Readers to consider: BE AN ORGAN DONOR!!! This whole process with Den is teaching us how very much people's lives and health depend upon the genrosity of all of us.