Joe Felin sent me this newsy update, so I am posting for all Dear Readers:

"Sue, signing in as a contributor to the blog continues to be a challenge so please look this over and make any corrections, etc. you feel are needed, then post it.

Yesterday, Wed. Sept. 26, 07 Don Felin and I met at Clinton, MO for a late breakfast and short visit. He and Vita are visiting their kids and grand kids in Plattsburg, MO, aka Mayberry, RFD Our visit was short but very enjoyable.

Don said he had talked to Sue during his last visit to St. Louis but they both had tight schedules and did not see each other. Sue was packing for a trip to the lake and Don, Vita, and family members were working
on Vita's Mom's estate. (Sue had previously mentioned this) We all continue to keep Sue's upcoming hospital trip in our thoughts and prayers.

D&V will be returning to Bham, AL over the weekend, then he has a trip to the hospital for a hernia operation plus a trip to Albuquerque, N. M. scheduled.

On my return trip from Clinton, MO, I detoured by the location of the future Mike Madden Winery, near Humansville, MO. No activity so I just kept on motoring.

Brian Madden is home in Nixa, MO recuperating from Phlebitis (inflammation of a vein) and will not be trucking for about a month. Former Pres. Nixon also suffered from Phlebitis. Maybe Brian has been running to the wrong parts of CA? Just because I work four hours at Wheeler Heart and Vascular (Cox
Hospital) doesn't mean I did not use spell check and the dictionary on Brian's health condition. The two of us are planning on getting together for lunch sometime soon.

Don asked how my Genealogy hobby is progressing so here is a short recap. Tonight is the first of eight or so two hour weekly classes at the Ozarks Genealogy Center. Also a short update, (on the MADDEN side)copied from various sources.

"Most of our research seems to be very murky prior to the Civil War. We think James Haven MADDEN
(my ggf) was the son or grandson of one of the original three brothers.?? It looks like he came Olney, IL
and settled in the southeastern part of MO and/or the northeastern part of AR, after the Civil War."

Bro Joe"

I got home from the hospital yesterday, and I was more than ready to leave that place. The neurologist (Dr. Hogan) did get the results that he thought and hoped that he would. The problem seems to be centered on the right side of my brain. All the tests point to this area. He will present my case to a team of neurologists and they will decide where they will go from there. He kept me in the hospital until I had the third episode, and I guess it was a humdinger. He and Rose syayed with me through the whole thing. I don't even remember it, but they said it lasted about 20 minutes. Then Hogan gave me ativan which knocked me out for over 12 hours. He thinks a neurological surgeon will drill a hole in my head and remove the offending part, probably scar tissue from the encephalitis I had in November, 2004. He will let me know in the next couple weeks what and when the decision is. There is a possibility that I will have to have additional testing, this time with sensors placed directly on my brain.

Joe called yesterday to check on my status. Pete called for his usual Saturday checkup. He and Janet are having the Walmart greeter remodel one of their bathrooms. Pete says he's good but slow.

My son, Chris, was forced to go to the Ritenour Homecoming Parade yesterday morning after playing poker with his buddies until three in the morning. He was not in a good mood. I called Scott while he was still in bed and he never did call back.

Margaret and Norman went to the Valley for the weekend. The weather here was perfect for that.

Sandi FeLLin called and was on her way to meet the family some place between Portland and Spokane. Maudie, Anna, and Dan were bringing the 5th Wheel. Sandi was going back to Spokane to spend the rest of the week with Maudie.

I'm going to try to get back to walking and riding the exercise bicycle today. After laying in bed, tethered with 28 wires attached to my head, I'm kinda run down.

Mary Myers, who has been through more hospitalizations than I can count, has been one of my staunch supporters through all this. She is a faithful reader of the blog. By the way, some of our blog contributors are behind on updates!!!!

Lisa, when they drill the hole in my head, I'm going to take the rosary you brought me from Spain with me. I'll need all the help I can get. I'm a bit nervous about it.

Jeffrey, our old neighbor in Springfield, arrived in Ft. Lewis, Washington on Sunday evening from Iraq. This was his second tour there and, hopefully his last one. His fiance met him at the airport and they went for Chinese food. Leslie said they were both a bit nervous, having not seen each other for over a year, but looking forward to a few days together. Her co-workers and friends had arranged a few days together in the Seattle area. Their wedding date is set for December 1 and in Yakima, I think. Leslie and Chase are both going. Jeff, we all prayed you home. Congratulations and best wishes to both of you. Jeff, does she like to fish?

I finally had a couple episodes this morning and I'm just waiting for results. Rose is here with me waiting for the doctor to come in.

I had to edit this entry and make some corrections and had to get Rose's assistance to make the corrections. She conducted a dream group last night and was using my I-Pod for the opening chant. The group gathered and became quiet for the opening chant. Somehow, instead of the appropriate chant she had selected, Willie Nelson's "Put Another Log on the Fire", came up on the I-Pod. She said the group did appreciate the selection and it certainly put a light beginning on the session.

I've been here in Barnes-Jewish Hospital since Monday morning just waiting for an 'incident' or 'seizure', however they label it. They've decreased my seizure medication daily until I had none this morning. Thank goodness for company, computers, phone calls, television, Cardinals baseball, well-wishers, and thoughts and prayers. These things break up the boredom. Scott tried to get Brayden to call me yesterday after pre-k. Brayden didn't want to. Scott told him I'd think he didn't love me. Brayden explained, "I DO love her. I just don't feel like talking.'

The neurologist who is the seizure specialist talked with Rose and me for a while yesterday. Most of the test results have pointed to the right side of my brain to be where my problem originates. It may or may not be from the bout of encephalitis that I had but he never really said anything was certain. He isn't sure what the next step will be in my treatment. The MRI, PET Scans, and EEGs are some of the tests that I think he said were among ones that indicate the problem is on the right side. What he didn't say and what we didn't ask specifically enough was what exactly would be done when and if they drill a hole in my head. After this doctor left, Rose and I thought up a lot of questions we wanted to ask and didn't. We didn't see him today but have a list ready for him tomorrow.

The neurologist who oversees my neuropathy stopped in yesterday. I asked him to measure the strength in my hands and arms because I'm afraid my left hand and arm are losing some more strength. He is going to compare the measurements with the last ones he took and, if I've had some additional loss of strength, we'll go back to the IVIG's monthly instead of every two months.

So much for my complaining about my ailments. The food here is awful. Shirley and Rose, if you eat this Weight Watchers won't even make you count points.

Jana brought Ellie up this afternoon. My head is wrapped in gauze to keep the electrodes in place and I think I was pretty scary to Ellie at first. she soon got acquainted and wanted to run up and down the halls. Rose wants to take a picture of me to put on this blog but I'm afraid all the little children aren't as brave as Ellie.

Rose and Shirley are each teaching classes this fall at the house. Shirley's first class met on Monday and Rose's met tonight. Shirley is going to have her surgery next Monday. She is not looking forward to that.

These photos are of Joyce (Norman's niece), Margaret, Norman, Chrales (Joyce's husband) and Jalen and Brayden in the tree in front of our house

Margaret, Norman, Joyce (the niece from North Carolina), her husband Charles, and I all went down to the lakehouse on Wednesday. The fellows did a lot of fishing. Charles is especially an avid fisherman. He was up first and fished longest though neither he nor Norm caught very many. They had a lot of reasons for why they didn't catch many but, having lived with Denny for so long, I have heard them all.

We enjoyed some of Margaret's wonderful home cooking while we were there. She and Joyce did not like my 'new-fangled' appliances. The stove top, oven, coffee pot, dishwasher and the television had buttons other than OFF and ON. This frustrated and irritated both of them.

We came home Friday to watch the Cubs beat the Cardinals. Mark Lary gave Rose and Shirley two tickets to the game tonight. Mark, I don't know if you're aware of the fact they're rooting for the Cubs. They're both wearing blue tonight.

Pete called this morning to update us on his week. One of the banks that Merri handles was robbed this week. She wasn't there and no one was hurt but the culprit has not been caught. Pete had been to Blackfoot yesterday to sell his calves. He says he's now out of the cattle raising business. He wouldn't lend any money cause he said he didn't have any so I guess cattle raising isn't a very lucrative occupation.

The left side of my face is black and blue and still swollen a bit but removal of this skin cancer, even with the 40 stitches, has not been very painful. It just looks ugly. They'll feel sorry for me at the hospital.

I go into the hospital on Monday for 3 to 5 days. They will take away all medication, hook my head up to electrodes, and put a camera on me. Then I'll just lie there and wait to have a seizure. When I do have one, they think perhaps they can pinpoint exactly where in my brain the problem stems from and remedy it. Medication doesn't seem to do the job and I can't drive as long as I'm having them. I'll have to wait quite some time after they think the seizures are cured to drive again.

We still need updates from our other contributors. I'm sure I'm the slowest typist in the bunch.

It's time for some updates for our other contributors. We haven't had any blog updates from our editors for quite some time.

Things are good here in Missouri. The weather has finally cooled down some. Pete and Janet spent a few days in Arizona (Quartsite) last week and Pete said it was hotter than 'Dutch love' there. What is that and, Janet, how would he know?

Donald and Vita were in town last week. It was a sad time for Vita. She and her siblings were getting her parents' house ready to put on the market. Friday was Donald's 62nd birthday. He, Rose and I are 62, 63, and 64 for a short while.

Rose left for Chicago on Saturday and Goldman took her in the Cadillac. Shirley returned from Chicago on Monday and Shirley got to ride in the Cadillac. They both felt very lucky.

John, Jana, Ellie and I left early Friday afternoon for another wonderful weekend at the lake. Chris, Shelly and Danny Cullinane arrived sometime long after midnight that night. Goldman stayed at Chris's house with the three dogs. John and Jana took baby Ellie for two rides on the waverunner. Chris took them all for a long boatride and the boat heated up AGAIN. I called George, the boat repairman. I don't even have to identify myself. He recognizes my voice. He promised he would be over this week AGAIN to try to fix it AGAIN. I haven't paid him yet because he told me not to pay him til it is fixed so I'm not going to. He's a 'good old boy'.

Sunday was Grandparents Day. Scott said they saw the notice on a church as they were driving by so the boys called and both wished me a Happy Granny Day. Brayden insisted I'm not Grandmother. I'm Granny.

Shelly and Jana whipped up some great meals while we were there. Chris cooked steaks on the new grill but left before it was put back just like Doug left it. John saved him from Doug's wrath. Doug was going to leave a note on it the week before that he'd best find it just the way he left it.

Sunday was a football day so Chris, Shelly and Danny left really early because Chris went to the Rams game with Dave Smith and the boys. John drove Jana, and Ellie and me back. Us girls slept. It was a short trip for the females.

Shirley and Rose were both in Chicago when I got home Sunday. Chris and Shelly brought dinner that evening and Chris came with lunch yesterday.

Chris picked me up early this morning for my appointment with the plastic surgeon. She removed the skin cancer from my face and only had to do a second biopsy. she put 40 stitches in my face but thinks the scar will not be very visible. It may just be concealed in a wrinkled!!! (That's my own guess.)

While I was there, the neurologist's office called and moved the electrode and camera observation stay in the hospital up to next week. It was because they have an opening and not because they are concerned about it.

Norm's niece, Joyce, and her husband Charles, from North Carolina, are arriving sometime this evening. Marge and Norm went to the commisary at Scott AFB today to stock up on staples. I think the 5 of us are going down to the lakehouse for a few days leaving tomorrow. I know Norm likes to fish and I hope Charles does too. Danny caught a mess of crappie last weekend.

Lots of news this week. Doctor's office finally called today with the schedule for my next tests. I won't have to go into the hospital for the 3 to 5 day electrode EEG until Oct. 30. I'm relieved that I don't have to do it right away but would like to get it over with. I'm also relieved that the panel of doctors who reviewed my case did not seem to be concerned about expediting the testing. The next IVIG will probably come before then - around the middle of October - and I had wished they could do both at the same time.

Brayden went back to Pre-K yesterday after a 4 day holiday. He hung on Scott's leg and whimpered until the teacher held out her hand and told hum she needed a line leader and off he went.

Shirley left this morning for her monthly trip to Chicago. Her first flight was cancelled but Southwest has lots of flights to Chicago. She got there just a bit later than originally planned. Rose is going up on Saturday. I'm going to the lake with John, Jana, and Ellie on Friday. Chris and Shelly are coming down late Friday night after a high school football game. Hopefully, Joe and his offspring and their families will join us at the lakehouse on Saturday.

Gotta go watch the Cardinals win. They may get rained out. It's been storming here.

Here is some video from Sunday, September 2, 2007, at Sue's Lake House:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Mcr4wfRHp8

More video later.

It was probably the last big weekend of the summer but it was a really good one. The weather was perfect, cool at nights and in the mornings and hot in the afternoons. Suzanne, Josie, and I got there first on Friday afternoon and got the grocery shopping out of the way. Mike Lynch (Maddog's brother as the kids call him) and two of his kids, Maddie and Zach, arrived next. Scott, Jalen and Brayden met Luke, Doug, Maddog and Goldman at a rest stop on Interstate 70 and caravaned the rest of the way and arrived in time for Doug to set up the new stainless steel grill and cook burgers and hot dogs for dinner. He had to Home Depot on Saturday to get matching stainless steels barbeque tools. Suzanne says his day isn't complete if he doesn't make a trip to Home Depot.

On Saturday the kids all played in the pool and the lake most of the day. Suzanne brought battery powered water guns for them. Goldman wonders just how much easier life is going to get for kids!!! The boat was running fine - first time in 2 years. Brayden was the bravest one of the kids to ride the waverunner. The driver couldn't go too fast to suit him. Doug cooked steaks on the new grill for dinner. When the guys are there without any women, no matter what they have otherwise, their vegetable is always fried potatoes. This time Suzanne made them eat corn and baked potatoes instead of the fried potatoes. There was some grumbling but they cleaned up their plates.

Rose and Shirley arrived late Sunday morning. They donned their bathing suits and set off for the pool and then the boatride. Brother Joe, Dave and MarEllen arrived from Springfield after stopping for a quick lunch which took over an hour. They shouldn't have stopped. The several courses started shortly after their arrival when Maddog began frying the insides of potato skins for our first course. Ray, Trish, their two children Taylor and Tanner, Trish's parents', Donna and Terry, arrived by boat to complete our group of great guests. The children all played very well together. Goldman, even though he is a teacher, strikes very little fear in them, no matter what vhe threatens. He had been promising Jalen that he would demonstrate a back flip and give Jalen some pointers. Jalen held him to his word and Goldman did a pretty impressive backflip but he would NOT do another one.

Scott got the boat out and took a group for a spin. I had bought this big round red thing that holds 500 pounds, seats 3, and is supposed to spin as you pull it behind the boat. We finally figured out that the weight on the 3 places for seating has to be evenly distributed to make it spin. Scott thinks that for even distribution he would be on one seat, Goldman, and both Lynches on the third seat. Rose looked pretty good on it but she and Brayden didn't make an even distribution. Dave and MarEllen rode off on the waverunner with Dave driving. MarEllen was driving when they came back. We were never sure which one of them caused them to dump cause they blamed each other. Dave went in to greater detail about his splash so maybe MarEllen was driving. The two of you will just have to show us and do it again where we can witness it.

The next course for our meal was crab rangoon. I think this was a joint effort on the part of Scott and Suzanne. At this point Shirley said she was up to her extra weight watcher points through December and we still hadn't had any fish for the fish fry. Doug had been catching fish for a big fish fry for a few weeks and he had accumulated a good bunch. Denny used to catch fish in the very same way, using minnows for bait, fishing at the same depth, fishing anytime he had the chance day or night, fileting them when he cleaned them, and probably lying about how many he caught. Doug deep fried them on the sun deck and we all ate our fill. They were as good as we remembered. Denny would have been proud of him. The final course was the outsides of the potato skins dressed up with bacon and cheese. These are Maddog's specialties and, full as we were, we managed to do justice to them.

Marge and Norm went to the Valley this weekend and came back this morning. Catrina and the kids joined them but Robbie had a side job.

Chris ran 20 miles on Saturday in preparation for his marathon. Shelly is going to run a half marathon the same day and ran a long way in prepation but I forgot how far, but it was a long way. I've been walking 1 mile a day and that's a long way.

It was a wonderful Labor Day weekend. I'll write more about it tonight or tomorrow but want in an update about my latest medical news. The neurologists and neurosurgeons reviewed my case and decided that they, at this point, cannot determine exactly what part of my brain the seizures are originating from. I have to go back in the hospital for a 3 to 5 day stay for another EEG monitoring so hopefully they can determine what the next step in my treatment will be. I don't know when this stay in the hospital will be. Some one from the hospital will call me when my stay will be. I'll write more about the wonderful weekend later.