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
A quick update on transferring the sofa to the lake: After Rose and I put an "APB" on this blog, we had many offers of help, so many we had to turn some down! Margaret would have gone with me without Norm because Norm's knee is bothering him. Joe offered to bring "Papa's Van" from Springfield here, then to the lake. Doug seemed actually put out that we weren't using his trailer. The resolution was that Dave Smith, Sabrina's husband, is going this morning with all sorts of stuff, sofa included. We met him at the Oakland house last night. Doug came to help load the truck and make every thing waterproof.
Dave is still hobbling on crutches. On Friday he will have surgery on his knee. We deeply appreciate his and Doug's help and all the other kind offers of help! I have called on various neighbors at the lake, especially the Meisels, to aid in the unloading this morning. THANKS TO ALL!
Den, Rose, and I went to the mandatory meeting for people awaiting liver transplant yesterday. The surgeon who actually does the transplant was the featured speaker. He was extremely informative and had a reassuring bearing and 'grayness' about him. Of course, there are major risks surrounding the actual surgery and dangers of infections in the recovery months. However, there are greater risks in not doing anything. Den's liver cancer makes him a more immediate candidate for the transplant. Fortunately, his bood type is "O" which means his wait may not be so long. "O" is the most universal blood type.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Monday, April 25, 2005
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
We are still looking for a way to get the sofa to the lake. We've had some volunteers--Doug with his flatbed trailer, Dave Smith with his truck--but our problem is RAIN. This is going to be a stormy week, it is looking like. We'll see what the week brings. I continue to marvel at the way time presents solutions to seemingly intractable problems.
NEWS FLASH: Margaret Anne just now called. She has cooked up THE SOLUTION. She and I will take the sofa in their covered truck on Wednesday afternoon and return on Thursday morning. Thanks, Margaret!!!! We'll find help on either end for the loading and unloading.
Dave is hobbling on crutches right now because of a knee problem. He sees an orthopedic specialist today, and we hope the knee problem is soon history. About 20 years ago he had orthrascopic surgery on the same knee so has an idea of what is in store.
Chris and Shelly hosted a birthday barbeque for me yesterday. Rose, Shirley, and I called for Den, and the four of us went to the Spreitlers via the Bass Pro Shop in the afternoon. Sabrina and Family, Catrina and Family, Mark and Karen, and Margaret and Norman came.
The first clue that there was a Spreitler Party in store were the dozens of balloons floating in front of the house. Shelly, with the aid of her mother and aunt, had decorated. All told, there were more balloons than my age--a lot of balloons! I had a wonderful time and deeply appreciate all the thoughtfulness of people about my birthday, especially my son and daughter-in-law.
This was the first time we had seen Mark since he 'went under the knife.' He is doing great! The surgery was three weeks ago, and he has been working full time for the past two weeks. Next week he returns to biking. He said he will have a consult with an oncologist, but no further treatment is necessary.
On Saturday, the actual day of my birthday, Rose and I made a whirlwind trip to the Lake to check progress on the updating projects. Also, Candace and her friend Mark were there. We hadn't seen Candace in six years, so seeing her was a treat. She is still the same vivacious, friendly, loving, and competent young woman who was married to Scott. Candace has a housecleaning business in Columbia, and I had asked her to come do the spring cleaning of the lake house, which she was there to do. Now I am very eager to get back to see the transformation that I am sure she wrought. It was one holy mess after the work we've had done.
While at the lake, Rose and I ate lunch at Ruthie D's, a wonderful new restaurant just about two miles from the house. It was much like the place where we had dinner with Joe except it is closer, the food better and prices more reasonable. Alas! We had no big brother to pick up the tab this time. It would have been nice to have had Pete's credit card or Joe's debit card. With the current price of gasoline, we could have used such a card more than once!
Pete called yesterday to wish me a happy birthday. He had returned from the Brothers' Annual Fishing Trip to Florida. He said that their group of six 'great guys' caught 98 pounds of red snapper and had a wonderful time.
It has been over a week now since I had the second immuno-globulin infusion. The last one brought noticeable improvements in my balance and strength about three weeks after I had it, so it's too soon to tell about this one. Dr. Dooley has scheduled my next round already. I will have it in his office rather than in the hospital on May 17.
We are still looking for a way to get the sofa to the lake. We've had some volunteers--Doug with his flatbed trailer, Dave Smith with his truck--but our problem is RAIN. This is going to be a stormy week, it is looking like. We'll see what the week brings. I continue to marvel at the way time presents solutions to seemingly intractable problems.
NEWS FLASH: Margaret Anne just now called. She has cooked up THE SOLUTION. She and I will take the sofa in their covered truck on Wednesday afternoon and return on Thursday morning. Thanks, Margaret!!!! We'll find help on either end for the loading and unloading.
Dave is hobbling on crutches right now because of a knee problem. He sees an orthopedic specialist today, and we hope the knee problem is soon history. About 20 years ago he had orthrascopic surgery on the same knee so has an idea of what is in store.
Chris and Shelly hosted a birthday barbeque for me yesterday. Rose, Shirley, and I called for Den, and the four of us went to the Spreitlers via the Bass Pro Shop in the afternoon. Sabrina and Family, Catrina and Family, Mark and Karen, and Margaret and Norman came.
The first clue that there was a Spreitler Party in store were the dozens of balloons floating in front of the house. Shelly, with the aid of her mother and aunt, had decorated. All told, there were more balloons than my age--a lot of balloons! I had a wonderful time and deeply appreciate all the thoughtfulness of people about my birthday, especially my son and daughter-in-law.
This was the first time we had seen Mark since he 'went under the knife.' He is doing great! The surgery was three weeks ago, and he has been working full time for the past two weeks. Next week he returns to biking. He said he will have a consult with an oncologist, but no further treatment is necessary.
On Saturday, the actual day of my birthday, Rose and I made a whirlwind trip to the Lake to check progress on the updating projects. Also, Candace and her friend Mark were there. We hadn't seen Candace in six years, so seeing her was a treat. She is still the same vivacious, friendly, loving, and competent young woman who was married to Scott. Candace has a housecleaning business in Columbia, and I had asked her to come do the spring cleaning of the lake house, which she was there to do. Now I am very eager to get back to see the transformation that I am sure she wrought. It was one holy mess after the work we've had done.
While at the lake, Rose and I ate lunch at Ruthie D's, a wonderful new restaurant just about two miles from the house. It was much like the place where we had dinner with Joe except it is closer, the food better and prices more reasonable. Alas! We had no big brother to pick up the tab this time. It would have been nice to have had Pete's credit card or Joe's debit card. With the current price of gasoline, we could have used such a card more than once!
Pete called yesterday to wish me a happy birthday. He had returned from the Brothers' Annual Fishing Trip to Florida. He said that their group of six 'great guys' caught 98 pounds of red snapper and had a wonderful time.
It has been over a week now since I had the second immuno-globulin infusion. The last one brought noticeable improvements in my balance and strength about three weeks after I had it, so it's too soon to tell about this one. Dr. Dooley has scheduled my next round already. I will have it in his office rather than in the hospital on May 17.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
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
We need some help. This is the problem: We have had a sofa and chair recovered for the lake house. The people who did the reupholstering can deliver the finished pieces to St. Louis but NOT to the lake. The sofa is 84 inches long but not heavy, and the chair/ottoman are also lightweight. The problem will be keeping them 'new' AND getting them from the Oakland House to the lake before our big weekend on April 29.
The pieces will be delivered on Saturday morning, April 23. Rose and I are going to the lake on Saturday, but, of course, my car is far too small.
If any Dear Readers can think up a solution, know anyone with a covered truck or van and can help us out, please call me (314 452-3685) or e-mail me mboaz35150@aol.com
We need some help. This is the problem: We have had a sofa and chair recovered for the lake house. The people who did the reupholstering can deliver the finished pieces to St. Louis but NOT to the lake. The sofa is 84 inches long but not heavy, and the chair/ottoman are also lightweight. The problem will be keeping them 'new' AND getting them from the Oakland House to the lake before our big weekend on April 29.
The pieces will be delivered on Saturday morning, April 23. Rose and I are going to the lake on Saturday, but, of course, my car is far too small.
If any Dear Readers can think up a solution, know anyone with a covered truck or van and can help us out, please call me (314 452-3685) or e-mail me mboaz35150@aol.com
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Friday, April 15, 2005
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
Joe told us that his daughter Lisa's mother-in-law passed away on April 8. She had been ill for some time so the death was not unexpected but still very difficult. We were sorry to hear about it and extend our condolences to Lisa and Jack.
I'm home again. My 24-hour hospital stay turned into 48 hours because of a funny chest pain I experienced. Dr. Dooley, being the model conservative physician, called in a cardiologist who looked at me, asked questions, did an EKG and blood tests, and concluded my heart was fine. Probably it was gas. Believe me, it was not a gas to spend one more day in the hospital. It was boring. However, now it is over. I have had another immuno-globulin infusion similar to the one I had in November in Chicago and am hoping this last one is as effective as that first one. It took about a month for the improvements from that first IGIV to manifest, so I will just try to be patient.
Rose returned Brayden to his dad on Wednesday. Reluctantly. Scott chuckled and said he thought she might have moved and left no forwarding address. Shirley, Rose, and I were all tempted to kidnap this precious child. Alas, he is home now, and we are bereft. One of the highlights of this visit was that Shirley took Brayden grocery shopping. He is a model child, never asks for things, sits in the cart quietly, and has shy attacks when people make over him which they do a lot.
We had Jalen only for a few days and Brayden for 11 days. Both boys enjoyed visiting Den whom they call "Pa Pa." Brayden quickly caught onto the geography and would know when we were nearing the facility where Den stays that we were 'going to see Pa Pa.'
I've been remiss in not reporting on the wonderful party that Chris and Shelly took me to on Saturday, April 2. This was a coming home party for Derrington who had been in Afghanistan. I had a great time and really enjoyed seeing all the young folk that my boys grew up with. I was the oldest one there, but nobody seemed to take note of that fact. After the party, I went home with Chris and Shelly where we awaited the arrival of Scott and sons for their visit.
On that Sunday, April 3, Scott, Chris, and Shelly went to Columbia for their fantasy baseball draft. The boys and I went to Sabrina's. Margaret and Norm came for dinner, then the boys and I went home with them. We had a marvelous time with Sabrina and family. Her Big Boys are a great influence on Brayden and Jalen, especially Jalen because of his age.
I'm having some long-needed repairs done to the lake house--new roof, chimney repair, new flooring, updated HVAC, etc. We've already reported on the enlarged deck. We have a big lake visit planned for the last weekend of this month. Den is so looking forward to going there and doing some fishing. I'm looking forward to seeing all the work DONE. Once Den is on the liver transplant list, which may be as soon as May 3, his visits to the lake will end until after the surgery. He cannot venture that far from the hospital because he has to be available should a donated liver become available. We will know more on May 3 when we see his gastroenterologist the next time.
With the fast pace of events these days, we are missing some birthdays--Stephanie's, Shelly's, Pete's, Alex's, Brett's, and Mary Pauline's. [We did not miss Margaret Anne's.] Probably we've missed others. Just know, Dear Readers, that we have a pile of cards that we haven't got around to sending.
The hour is late. I got terrible rest for two nights in the hospital, so it's time to turn in.
Joe told us that his daughter Lisa's mother-in-law passed away on April 8. She had been ill for some time so the death was not unexpected but still very difficult. We were sorry to hear about it and extend our condolences to Lisa and Jack.
I'm home again. My 24-hour hospital stay turned into 48 hours because of a funny chest pain I experienced. Dr. Dooley, being the model conservative physician, called in a cardiologist who looked at me, asked questions, did an EKG and blood tests, and concluded my heart was fine. Probably it was gas. Believe me, it was not a gas to spend one more day in the hospital. It was boring. However, now it is over. I have had another immuno-globulin infusion similar to the one I had in November in Chicago and am hoping this last one is as effective as that first one. It took about a month for the improvements from that first IGIV to manifest, so I will just try to be patient.
Rose returned Brayden to his dad on Wednesday. Reluctantly. Scott chuckled and said he thought she might have moved and left no forwarding address. Shirley, Rose, and I were all tempted to kidnap this precious child. Alas, he is home now, and we are bereft. One of the highlights of this visit was that Shirley took Brayden grocery shopping. He is a model child, never asks for things, sits in the cart quietly, and has shy attacks when people make over him which they do a lot.
We had Jalen only for a few days and Brayden for 11 days. Both boys enjoyed visiting Den whom they call "Pa Pa." Brayden quickly caught onto the geography and would know when we were nearing the facility where Den stays that we were 'going to see Pa Pa.'
I've been remiss in not reporting on the wonderful party that Chris and Shelly took me to on Saturday, April 2. This was a coming home party for Derrington who had been in Afghanistan. I had a great time and really enjoyed seeing all the young folk that my boys grew up with. I was the oldest one there, but nobody seemed to take note of that fact. After the party, I went home with Chris and Shelly where we awaited the arrival of Scott and sons for their visit.
On that Sunday, April 3, Scott, Chris, and Shelly went to Columbia for their fantasy baseball draft. The boys and I went to Sabrina's. Margaret and Norm came for dinner, then the boys and I went home with them. We had a marvelous time with Sabrina and family. Her Big Boys are a great influence on Brayden and Jalen, especially Jalen because of his age.
I'm having some long-needed repairs done to the lake house--new roof, chimney repair, new flooring, updated HVAC, etc. We've already reported on the enlarged deck. We have a big lake visit planned for the last weekend of this month. Den is so looking forward to going there and doing some fishing. I'm looking forward to seeing all the work DONE. Once Den is on the liver transplant list, which may be as soon as May 3, his visits to the lake will end until after the surgery. He cannot venture that far from the hospital because he has to be available should a donated liver become available. We will know more on May 3 when we see his gastroenterologist the next time.
With the fast pace of events these days, we are missing some birthdays--Stephanie's, Shelly's, Pete's, Alex's, Brett's, and Mary Pauline's. [We did not miss Margaret Anne's.] Probably we've missed others. Just know, Dear Readers, that we have a pile of cards that we haven't got around to sending.
The hour is late. I got terrible rest for two nights in the hospital, so it's time to turn in.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
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 with a quick update. Sue is in St. Luke's Hospital getting her second round of immuno-globulin infusions. Of course, it is taking longer than the 23 hours expected, but she will come home some time today. She checked in yesterday at 8:30 am, experienced some questionable symptoms last evening, had those checked out, then got back on the IG juice after a short intermission.
It is eerily quiet in our house this morning. Shirley is in Chicago, Sue in hospital. Yesterday Brayden and I went over into Illinois where we met Scott. It was hard to tell which guy was happiest, Brayden to see his "DADDEEE" or Scott to see his son.
Hello, it's Rose with a quick update. Sue is in St. Luke's Hospital getting her second round of immuno-globulin infusions. Of course, it is taking longer than the 23 hours expected, but she will come home some time today. She checked in yesterday at 8:30 am, experienced some questionable symptoms last evening, had those checked out, then got back on the IG juice after a short intermission.
It is eerily quiet in our house this morning. Shirley is in Chicago, Sue in hospital. Yesterday Brayden and I went over into Illinois where we met Scott. It was hard to tell which guy was happiest, Brayden to see his "DADDEEE" or Scott to see his son.
Saturday, April 09, 2005
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
Robbie, Catrina's husband, is coaching a boys' baseball team this season. Sam, their son, is one of the players. Catrina, the computer mastermind, has put together a website for the team: ppp-allstars.tripod.com We are thinking this is going to be one exciting baseball season.
Scott brought Jalen and Brayden last Sunday. Jalen had to go home on Thursday and did so on Southwest Airlines. He made his first 'solo' flight quite courageously. Rose and Brayden and I accompanied him to the airport. Only one person was permitted to go through security to accompany our young traveller, so I stayed with Brayden near the security entry. Rose said Jalen acted as though he made such flights regularly and was undaunted by any of the challenges the trip presented.
Earlier on Thursday, Shirley, Rose, and I had to answer some of Jalen's questions about "Those mean guys that flew airplanes into buildings" and "That mean guy (bin Laden) who made them do it." After hearty assurances from the three of us, Jalen's fears evaporated. His dad met him in Louisville and said the airline person who delivered Jalen to him told him Jalen was a wonderful young man and a great traveller. Certainly we enjoyed Jalen during his time with us. When he appears in our neighborhood, kids of all ages start showing up to play with him.
We are enjoying Brayden to the fullest and will post some photos when we get time. Sunday we spent at the Smiths' house, then Sunday night at the Abbotts'. We all had a truly wonderful time. Chris and the boys and I picked Shirley up at the airport on Monday afternoon, then Shirley and the boys and I called for Rose on tuesday afternoon.
Robbie, Catrina's husband, is coaching a boys' baseball team this season. Sam, their son, is one of the players. Catrina, the computer mastermind, has put together a website for the team: ppp-allstars.tripod.com We are thinking this is going to be one exciting baseball season.
Scott brought Jalen and Brayden last Sunday. Jalen had to go home on Thursday and did so on Southwest Airlines. He made his first 'solo' flight quite courageously. Rose and Brayden and I accompanied him to the airport. Only one person was permitted to go through security to accompany our young traveller, so I stayed with Brayden near the security entry. Rose said Jalen acted as though he made such flights regularly and was undaunted by any of the challenges the trip presented.
Earlier on Thursday, Shirley, Rose, and I had to answer some of Jalen's questions about "Those mean guys that flew airplanes into buildings" and "That mean guy (bin Laden) who made them do it." After hearty assurances from the three of us, Jalen's fears evaporated. His dad met him in Louisville and said the airline person who delivered Jalen to him told him Jalen was a wonderful young man and a great traveller. Certainly we enjoyed Jalen during his time with us. When he appears in our neighborhood, kids of all ages start showing up to play with him.
We are enjoying Brayden to the fullest and will post some photos when we get time. Sunday we spent at the Smiths' house, then Sunday night at the Abbotts'. We all had a truly wonderful time. Chris and the boys and I picked Shirley up at the airport on Monday afternoon, then Shirley and the boys and I called for Rose on tuesday afternoon.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
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
We are happy, happy, happy to report that the pathology reports from Mark's surgery show NO CANCER. He will be released from the hospital this week and will require no additional treatments.
We have Brayden and Jalen with us for a few days. Jalen has to go home tomorrow (Thursday) and will fly alone on Southwest. When I asked him if he were afraid to fly alone, he said, "Oh, I won't be flying alone. That airline lady will be flying with me." So I knew Scott had briefed him and had him well prepared for this first-time experience.
Our neighbor Elizabeth has a granddaughter, Marie, just Jalen's age so they play together when Jalen is in town. Yesterday Elizabeth retrieved a bicycle Jalen's size that she is loaning to Jalen for the duration of this visit. Jalen and Marie went biking yesterday under Elizabeth's watchful eye.
Brayden is a two-year-old delight. He loves yogurt and strawberries but will eat anything. Both boys are very loving and affectionate which, of course, delights three old women. And yesterday the boys' affection delighted Papa Denny. Both were very glad to see Den and brought much joy with them when we went to the facility.
We are happy, happy, happy to report that the pathology reports from Mark's surgery show NO CANCER. He will be released from the hospital this week and will require no additional treatments.
We have Brayden and Jalen with us for a few days. Jalen has to go home tomorrow (Thursday) and will fly alone on Southwest. When I asked him if he were afraid to fly alone, he said, "Oh, I won't be flying alone. That airline lady will be flying with me." So I knew Scott had briefed him and had him well prepared for this first-time experience.
Our neighbor Elizabeth has a granddaughter, Marie, just Jalen's age so they play together when Jalen is in town. Yesterday Elizabeth retrieved a bicycle Jalen's size that she is loaning to Jalen for the duration of this visit. Jalen and Marie went biking yesterday under Elizabeth's watchful eye.
Brayden is a two-year-old delight. He loves yogurt and strawberries but will eat anything. Both boys are very loving and affectionate which, of course, delights three old women. And yesterday the boys' affection delighted Papa Denny. Both were very glad to see Den and brought much joy with them when we went to the facility.
Friday, April 01, 2005
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, Karen, Dave (Mark's co-worker), and I spent part of the day at Missouri Baptist Hospital waiting until Mark's surgery was over. He is fine. The surgeon talked with us before and after the surgery. He removed about 6-8 inches of the colon on the right side, said there was nothing he could feel or see that looked cancerous, but any further conclusions will have to await the pathology reports. Hopefully, this surgery is all the treatment Mark will need. Worst case, he could need chemotherapy IF the pathology reports indicate. The surgeon told us Mark's appendicitis of two weeks ago was probably caused by the cancer but they will never know for sure.
Mark's spirits were so good this morning that he could have been going to play racketball. He may have been putting on a happy face to reassure the rest of us. NOW we are reassured.
I assumed Scott would know he and his family are always welcome at the lake, hence I didn't specifically mention him. He called me to say, "Hey, Mom, how about your son and grandsons?!" So, here is the official invitation to Scott, Sherry, Jalen, and Brayden for the last weekend in April. Scott, do bring your paint brush.
Rose, Karen, Dave (Mark's co-worker), and I spent part of the day at Missouri Baptist Hospital waiting until Mark's surgery was over. He is fine. The surgeon talked with us before and after the surgery. He removed about 6-8 inches of the colon on the right side, said there was nothing he could feel or see that looked cancerous, but any further conclusions will have to await the pathology reports. Hopefully, this surgery is all the treatment Mark will need. Worst case, he could need chemotherapy IF the pathology reports indicate. The surgeon told us Mark's appendicitis of two weeks ago was probably caused by the cancer but they will never know for sure.
Mark's spirits were so good this morning that he could have been going to play racketball. He may have been putting on a happy face to reassure the rest of us. NOW we are reassured.
I assumed Scott would know he and his family are always welcome at the lake, hence I didn't specifically mention him. He called me to say, "Hey, Mom, how about your son and grandsons?!" So, here is the official invitation to Scott, Sherry, Jalen, and Brayden for the last weekend in April. Scott, do bring your paint brush.
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