Sue's Journey Back to Health
This is ding again reporting back with an after thanksgiving update. First let's address Thanksgiving. It was a grand time. I have to give kudos to Bebe and Dave for inviting us into their house. I know how stressful it can be to get your house ready for that many people and prepare a feast. It reminded me much of the old Thanksgivings, when all us clans would get together for Thanksgiving. The only thing missing was the guitars and sing alongs. Also, with a fresh layer of snow, it reminded me a alot of the Thanksgiving at Aunt Roses several years ago when we had a big snow. I don't remember anything except playing in the snow all day. So thanks for everybody who contributed in such a big way.
We also got Denny's stuff moved this weekend. Doug, Goldman, Scott (my brother), Scott (Kaenter, goldman's roomate) and I went up to Chicago to perform the daunting task. It actually went quite well once we got motivated. We got there Friday night and did almost all of the work Saturday morning. Doug, Goldman, and Scott Spreitler took the big load back and then Scott Kaenter and I dropped Mom's car off at Aunt Roses and then took Denny's car back to St. Louis. I would like to thank everybody for their backbreaking labor. To quote my brother "It's a lot easier when you have five guys" And my extra note....especially when one of the five is Doug.
A good story that I would like to share. We did a lot of getting lost. Our internet directions were wrong, and if I hadn't been there last week, I am not certain that we would have found it, but we did. We also learned that doug is our compass (definitely not moral compass though). We would get turned around and Doug would get us straightened out even though we disagreed with him. So Friday night we went out for Pizza and met up with Goldman's old college roommate, Paris. Afterwards, we stopped for beer. At the convenience store Doug explained to Paris (who had goldman riding with him) to take a left on this street and that would take him to the apartment. As we left, Paris went right on the opposite road. They finally showed up half an hour after us.
"Paris, why did you go right on that road instead of left on the opposite road like we explained to you?" I asked.
"Because that was the way Goldman told me to go."
"See you never get directions from a jew....there was a reason they wandered around the desert for 40 years", I responded.
"I thought it was 40 days" someone added.
"40 days, 40 months, 40 years, it always 40 something in the bible" somebody else added.
And then Doug, in his infinite wisdom responded "And hence, we have the 40 oz. beer."
Again I would like to thank everybody who helped us ou not only in the last weekend, but in the last year. I am certain I have forgotten people. I apologize for my ineptitude. One more thanks too to my bride shelly, who put together Thanksgiving for her side of the family on Sunday with virtually no help from me. It was great and went off without a hitch. I truly appreciate it.
More later,
Ding
Monday, November 29, 2004
Thursday, November 25, 2004
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
Sue and I left Chicago yesterday morning at 6:10 am and pulled into our garage here in University City at 11:10 am. We did not stop because of the threat of bad weather. As it was, we drove through rain for the last four hours of our journey. We and the gas gauge were on empty when we arrived.
In the afternoon we went to see Den at St. Mary's. He was exhausted from his morning physical therapy and dreading the coming afternoon workout. He can't come out for our Thanksgiving Get-together at Sabrina's but has had a ton of company so is doing fine.
Scott, Sherry, and Brayden arrived this morning at 1:00 am. Of course, all three of us old ladies had to get up to greet them. Brayden would have nothing to do with us at that hour, clinging only to DADDY with dear life. However, this morning he loves us all, is laughing and playing, and quite content to stay with us. Scott, Sherry, and Sue just went over to visit with Den. We're going to drop two movies off for Den on our way to Sabrina's, and Den does love movies.
I talked just now with Sabrina who, with her sister Catrina, were doing everything that Margaret makes look easy but really is not. From our household, we are contributing the cranberry sauce and Shirley's special broccoli casserole. It is one easy, easy day for us.
This is the first time things have seemed anything like 'near normal' for over three weeks now. There is the near normal and new normal. I think this is the new.
Sue is doing great. The physicians told her it would take a couple of weeks for any improvement in her neuropathy to become apparent after her five-day immuno-globulin treatments. Of course, it will be difficult to know if it was the medicine or Baby Brayden that makes her better. He is such a love and is so loving--full of hugs and kisses and spontaneous affections. And now he talks and talks and talks. The phone rings, off he runs, saying something like "I'll get it!" This morning nothing would do him but having a shower. He loved it. Scott, who was still sleeping at the time, told us later that it was his first. He has to brush his teeth anytime one of us brushes ours. And he loves to look at photographs on the computers. We think he believes a computer is just a big, big photo album.
Sue and I left Chicago yesterday morning at 6:10 am and pulled into our garage here in University City at 11:10 am. We did not stop because of the threat of bad weather. As it was, we drove through rain for the last four hours of our journey. We and the gas gauge were on empty when we arrived.
In the afternoon we went to see Den at St. Mary's. He was exhausted from his morning physical therapy and dreading the coming afternoon workout. He can't come out for our Thanksgiving Get-together at Sabrina's but has had a ton of company so is doing fine.
Scott, Sherry, and Brayden arrived this morning at 1:00 am. Of course, all three of us old ladies had to get up to greet them. Brayden would have nothing to do with us at that hour, clinging only to DADDY with dear life. However, this morning he loves us all, is laughing and playing, and quite content to stay with us. Scott, Sherry, and Sue just went over to visit with Den. We're going to drop two movies off for Den on our way to Sabrina's, and Den does love movies.
I talked just now with Sabrina who, with her sister Catrina, were doing everything that Margaret makes look easy but really is not. From our household, we are contributing the cranberry sauce and Shirley's special broccoli casserole. It is one easy, easy day for us.
This is the first time things have seemed anything like 'near normal' for over three weeks now. There is the near normal and new normal. I think this is the new.
Sue is doing great. The physicians told her it would take a couple of weeks for any improvement in her neuropathy to become apparent after her five-day immuno-globulin treatments. Of course, it will be difficult to know if it was the medicine or Baby Brayden that makes her better. He is such a love and is so loving--full of hugs and kisses and spontaneous affections. And now he talks and talks and talks. The phone rings, off he runs, saying something like "I'll get it!" This morning nothing would do him but having a shower. He loved it. Scott, who was still sleeping at the time, told us later that it was his first. He has to brush his teeth anytime one of us brushes ours. And he loves to look at photographs on the computers. We think he believes a computer is just a big, big photo album.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
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
It's Tuesday night. I'm home again after a long day and my fifth and final infusion. I talked with Dr. Chris and Dr. O'Brien. Both told me this medicine might take some time to show results. I was hoping for something instantaneous. Dr. Chris said that my last bout at St. Francis was indeed encephalitis, which I did not know before today. He doesn't think that episode and this one are related. However, he did say that seizures could occur for up to six months after a bout of encephalitis.
I talked with Den this evening. He had had a very rough day, but sounded in better spirits than he did last night. Kim was there with her three children, and that might have done a whole for Den.
Scott is in need of my car for a few days next week. In our discussion, I bartered with him: Car for Brayden. Looks like we might get to keep Brayden for a few extra days after Thanksgiving, not until first grade as I was holding out for.
We have been talking with Sabrina and Margaret over this upcoming Thanksgiving feast. I can't remember looking forward to a Thanksgiving quite as much as I am to this one. This has been ONE difficult period, but I remain overall very thankful. We don't yet know if Den will be up for an outing for dinner on Thursday, but we surely hope so.
Pete and Janet called this morning from quartzsite, AZ. Leslie called from Springfield. I was relieved to hear that her son Jeffrey was in Ft. Louis, WA, instead of in Iraq. The rest of my conversations with family and friends was around the hot topic of the Thanksgiving guest list and menu.
Rose and I are overnighting in the Chicago apartment. She and I just had a wonderful dinner. It's early to bed because we intend to head toward St. Louis at around 5:00 am. I'm eager to see Den.
I have found Chris' Blog comments most interesting. Several people think his addition to the 'Tandy What Nots' is a good thing and urge us to keep him on. In fact, we welcome comments from any and all readers. Just click on the "comment" below every entry and follow the yellow brick road.
It's Tuesday night. I'm home again after a long day and my fifth and final infusion. I talked with Dr. Chris and Dr. O'Brien. Both told me this medicine might take some time to show results. I was hoping for something instantaneous. Dr. Chris said that my last bout at St. Francis was indeed encephalitis, which I did not know before today. He doesn't think that episode and this one are related. However, he did say that seizures could occur for up to six months after a bout of encephalitis.
I talked with Den this evening. He had had a very rough day, but sounded in better spirits than he did last night. Kim was there with her three children, and that might have done a whole for Den.
Scott is in need of my car for a few days next week. In our discussion, I bartered with him: Car for Brayden. Looks like we might get to keep Brayden for a few extra days after Thanksgiving, not until first grade as I was holding out for.
We have been talking with Sabrina and Margaret over this upcoming Thanksgiving feast. I can't remember looking forward to a Thanksgiving quite as much as I am to this one. This has been ONE difficult period, but I remain overall very thankful. We don't yet know if Den will be up for an outing for dinner on Thursday, but we surely hope so.
Pete and Janet called this morning from quartzsite, AZ. Leslie called from Springfield. I was relieved to hear that her son Jeffrey was in Ft. Louis, WA, instead of in Iraq. The rest of my conversations with family and friends was around the hot topic of the Thanksgiving guest list and menu.
Rose and I are overnighting in the Chicago apartment. She and I just had a wonderful dinner. It's early to bed because we intend to head toward St. Louis at around 5:00 am. I'm eager to see Den.
I have found Chris' Blog comments most interesting. Several people think his addition to the 'Tandy What Nots' is a good thing and urge us to keep him on. In fact, we welcome comments from any and all readers. Just click on the "comment" below every entry and follow the yellow brick road.
Monday, November 22, 2004
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
There have already been 47 hits on this blob today so there is a lot of interest in an update. Here it is briefly:
Sue is doing well. I had breakfast with her this morning and she was in good spirits. Den had called her last night from St. Mary's Rehab to report that he too is doing o.k. He had a ton of company yesterday and that cheered him. Today he begins his intensive physical therapy.
Sue and I have contacted our friend Joanne who is the pastoral counselor at St. Mary's where Den is and asked her to check out Den, to give us any feedback she can about his doctors, and to pray--something Joanne is very good at.
Sue has completed three of the five infusions. She will have the last one tomorrow and be finished with it sometime in the afternoon. Tomorrow is a 'black out' day for Southwest Airlines free fliers (which we are), so we must drive and will head south just as soon as she is released from the hospital.
Dr. Costas came in yesterday afternoon and again was extremely informative. He thinks these last two episodes are related to Sue's neurological problem even though the neurologist does not think so. Costas says the odds are just too, too great that she would have two rare disorders simultaneously. However, he like everyone else, doesn't know just what is the problem. He says that this immuno-globulin treatment is effective 65-70% of the time and expects to see improvement in Sue's whole system in two-three weeks.
Our friend Boris from Madison, WI, called to leave a message after he caught up on his blog reading. His message: "Tell Sue that I had been there, I would have looked."
Nancy Felin Hafla called this morning to tell Sue of her and Caitlin's plans to travel to Lourdes. Sue was so touched by the call and Nancy's message that she told me she could hardly talk for crying. Nancy also is a regular blog reader.
Margaret Anne told me that Mary Pauline in Kansas now has an e-mail address plus reams of past entries from this blog and is catching up on family events of the past months. Margaret and I think putting family e-mails here might be of interest to folk. Let us know if you think that is a good idea.
There have already been 47 hits on this blob today so there is a lot of interest in an update. Here it is briefly:
Sue is doing well. I had breakfast with her this morning and she was in good spirits. Den had called her last night from St. Mary's Rehab to report that he too is doing o.k. He had a ton of company yesterday and that cheered him. Today he begins his intensive physical therapy.
Sue and I have contacted our friend Joanne who is the pastoral counselor at St. Mary's where Den is and asked her to check out Den, to give us any feedback she can about his doctors, and to pray--something Joanne is very good at.
Sue has completed three of the five infusions. She will have the last one tomorrow and be finished with it sometime in the afternoon. Tomorrow is a 'black out' day for Southwest Airlines free fliers (which we are), so we must drive and will head south just as soon as she is released from the hospital.
Dr. Costas came in yesterday afternoon and again was extremely informative. He thinks these last two episodes are related to Sue's neurological problem even though the neurologist does not think so. Costas says the odds are just too, too great that she would have two rare disorders simultaneously. However, he like everyone else, doesn't know just what is the problem. He says that this immuno-globulin treatment is effective 65-70% of the time and expects to see improvement in Sue's whole system in two-three weeks.
Our friend Boris from Madison, WI, called to leave a message after he caught up on his blog reading. His message: "Tell Sue that I had been there, I would have looked."
Nancy Felin Hafla called this morning to tell Sue of her and Caitlin's plans to travel to Lourdes. Sue was so touched by the call and Nancy's message that she told me she could hardly talk for crying. Nancy also is a regular blog reader.
Margaret Anne told me that Mary Pauline in Kansas now has an e-mail address plus reams of past entries from this blog and is catching up on family events of the past months. Margaret and I think putting family e-mails here might be of interest to folk. Let us know if you think that is a good idea.
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
This is ding (chris) giving a guest editorial. First of all, let me thank everybody for their support and understanding. I can not thank people enough. Aunt Rose has already gone on about how poor people without insurance get along, how about people with very few friends and family. And certainly I can not thank Aunt rose and Shirley enough for all they have done for everybody.
Now enough of that. Let's talk Mom and Denny. Shelly and I arrived in Chicago on Wednesday just in time for rush hour traffic. When we got to the hospital, my mama wasn't doing so well. She was having hallucinations where she thought everybody's head was swelling up. It was terribly frightful. We needed my buddy Chuck, who has talked me through such predicaments before. With all the talking I had done, she just didn't do well with hallucinations. I told her how people pay big money for such a "trip" and if she could just channel and enjoy, she would be much better off. She just didn't get it. It ended up being a reaction to acyclovere (my phonetical spelling) which, ironically, Shelly also takes. The doctor said it can cause such side effects in 10% of the patients. Regardless, shelly is thinking of doubling her dosage for recreational purposes.
I will say that everyday Mom improved drastically. And honestly, we laughed far too much to be appropriate. One story in particular made mom laugh so hard that she almost pissed herself (in fact afterwards we had to untangle her IV's and take her to the restroom) The weekend before, shelly and I had gone to the lake for a conference (shelly's). We also knock out lots of Christmas shopping at the outlet mall. One place we stopped at was the Polo store. I thought that it was ironic that all women employees at the store were "low boobed" Mom didn't get that. So I explained that meant they all appeared as though their breasts were growing from their abdomen. It didn't matter if they were young or old, big or small. They were all low boobed. On Friday in Chicago we went to the Polo store in Chicago, on Michigan Avenue. It was comically expensive. $24 to park for three hours. A fur throw for your bed....$8000. a marble card table....$14000. Shelly like one leather skirt in particular...$1500. Anyway, it seems when you charge that much, you can also afford an entire staff of highboobed women. And sure enough the entire staff was either young hot high boobed women or gay guys. It seems that really cuts down on interoffice dating.
Also Auntie is always going on and on about how tough it is to park around her condo. I have always poohpoohed that notion as I have never had a problem. Until Friday night. We drove around for 1 hour and 7 minutes until we came up with a spot that was still some 7 blocks from her condo. We could have paid $12 to park in Aunties parking garage, but after paying $24 to park during the day, I was feeling even cheaper than usual. So instead we drove around for hours.
We drove back on Saturday, but first brought Starbucks to mama and then stopped by Denny's apartment to pick up the mail. I really don't drink much these days, but that never stopped Denny from accusing me of drinking his beer (an accusation that had lots of truth to it seven or eight years ago). It gave me great pride in stealing his last beers. Shelly and I made great time on the way home despite the fact that I drove.
I stopped by the hospital to see Denny on Sunday. I couldn't stay long, and just wanted to see what he needed. Dale, denny's brother, was there visiting. Denny was lamenting that in his current state, he couldn't even tie a fishhook. I told him he was just going to have to use swivels. ( to further explain, swivels are the devils instruments to denny. "weakest part of your line, don't you know"). It is the equivalent of a computer guy such as myself using AOL. In fact Auntie paid me a great compliment this weekend when she was on my laptop and called it the first computer she has ever seen without AOL.
Anyway it looks like we will be getting all of Denny's stuff from his apartment this weekend...probably a friday and/or saturday trip. Email me at dingspreitler@hotmail.com if you have any questions or would like to volunteer. Doug is going to need some help with the heavy stuff.
More Later,
Ding
This is ding (chris) giving a guest editorial. First of all, let me thank everybody for their support and understanding. I can not thank people enough. Aunt Rose has already gone on about how poor people without insurance get along, how about people with very few friends and family. And certainly I can not thank Aunt rose and Shirley enough for all they have done for everybody.
Now enough of that. Let's talk Mom and Denny. Shelly and I arrived in Chicago on Wednesday just in time for rush hour traffic. When we got to the hospital, my mama wasn't doing so well. She was having hallucinations where she thought everybody's head was swelling up. It was terribly frightful. We needed my buddy Chuck, who has talked me through such predicaments before. With all the talking I had done, she just didn't do well with hallucinations. I told her how people pay big money for such a "trip" and if she could just channel and enjoy, she would be much better off. She just didn't get it. It ended up being a reaction to acyclovere (my phonetical spelling) which, ironically, Shelly also takes. The doctor said it can cause such side effects in 10% of the patients. Regardless, shelly is thinking of doubling her dosage for recreational purposes.
I will say that everyday Mom improved drastically. And honestly, we laughed far too much to be appropriate. One story in particular made mom laugh so hard that she almost pissed herself (in fact afterwards we had to untangle her IV's and take her to the restroom) The weekend before, shelly and I had gone to the lake for a conference (shelly's). We also knock out lots of Christmas shopping at the outlet mall. One place we stopped at was the Polo store. I thought that it was ironic that all women employees at the store were "low boobed" Mom didn't get that. So I explained that meant they all appeared as though their breasts were growing from their abdomen. It didn't matter if they were young or old, big or small. They were all low boobed. On Friday in Chicago we went to the Polo store in Chicago, on Michigan Avenue. It was comically expensive. $24 to park for three hours. A fur throw for your bed....$8000. a marble card table....$14000. Shelly like one leather skirt in particular...$1500. Anyway, it seems when you charge that much, you can also afford an entire staff of highboobed women. And sure enough the entire staff was either young hot high boobed women or gay guys. It seems that really cuts down on interoffice dating.
Also Auntie is always going on and on about how tough it is to park around her condo. I have always poohpoohed that notion as I have never had a problem. Until Friday night. We drove around for 1 hour and 7 minutes until we came up with a spot that was still some 7 blocks from her condo. We could have paid $12 to park in Aunties parking garage, but after paying $24 to park during the day, I was feeling even cheaper than usual. So instead we drove around for hours.
We drove back on Saturday, but first brought Starbucks to mama and then stopped by Denny's apartment to pick up the mail. I really don't drink much these days, but that never stopped Denny from accusing me of drinking his beer (an accusation that had lots of truth to it seven or eight years ago). It gave me great pride in stealing his last beers. Shelly and I made great time on the way home despite the fact that I drove.
I stopped by the hospital to see Denny on Sunday. I couldn't stay long, and just wanted to see what he needed. Dale, denny's brother, was there visiting. Denny was lamenting that in his current state, he couldn't even tie a fishhook. I told him he was just going to have to use swivels. ( to further explain, swivels are the devils instruments to denny. "weakest part of your line, don't you know"). It is the equivalent of a computer guy such as myself using AOL. In fact Auntie paid me a great compliment this weekend when she was on my laptop and called it the first computer she has ever seen without AOL.
Anyway it looks like we will be getting all of Denny's stuff from his apartment this weekend...probably a friday and/or saturday trip. Email me at dingspreitler@hotmail.com if you have any questions or would like to volunteer. Doug is going to need some help with the heavy stuff.
More Later,
Ding
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Sue's phone number at St. Francis Hospital: 847 316-4296. Just a quick update. Sue is doing well. In fact, were it not for the medications she is getting, she could come home. As it is, she will probably be released Tuesday or even early Wednesday. She had a good night, continues to walk when she is untethered, and is eating well. She and I plan to go to the noon Mass in the hospital chapel. Sue talked with Den this morning. He is settled in, is very tired, and actually likes the food. When Sue relayed to me the bit about liking the food, she added, "He must be a lot sicker than I thought."
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
Sue's phone number in St. Francis is: 847 316-4296
There are places in St. Francis Hospital that I can connect to the internet wirelessly and others where no such connection is available. I am back at the apartment now. This is the latest news:
Sue is doing well. She walked a lot today, ate well, and when I left was midway through her second immuno-globulin infusion. Kim called early in the evening to report that Den made the trip from Lebanon, NH, to St. Louis just fine today. He was very, very tired, and it was a trip that would tire a well traveler--three hours by car, two hours waiting at the airport, three hours inflight, and another hour getting from the St. Louis Airport to the physical rehab center at St. Mary's. Needless to say, Den was exhausted. He is settled in now. Kim says his intensive threrapy will begin on Monday, and visitors can come when things settle down some. In the meantime, anyone wishing to inquire about Den should contact Kim. She is acting as the caring go-between until Den can do so for himself. Both Kim and Aaron deserve purple hearts for the courage and perserverance they have shown in helping their Dad through these last two-plus weeks.
Sue was tethered to her IV so could not go to a part of the hospital where she could call Den. As a substitute, she had son Chris call Den's nurse, get an up-to-date report and call her back with it. Sue is much relieved to have Den safely housed where he can get the intensive help he will need to be back on his feet. She herself sees two therapist every (normal) week at St. Mary's for her own physical therapy and so knows just how excellent the facility is and how caring are the therapists.
Sue's phone number in St. Francis is: 847 316-4296
There are places in St. Francis Hospital that I can connect to the internet wirelessly and others where no such connection is available. I am back at the apartment now. This is the latest news:
Sue is doing well. She walked a lot today, ate well, and when I left was midway through her second immuno-globulin infusion. Kim called early in the evening to report that Den made the trip from Lebanon, NH, to St. Louis just fine today. He was very, very tired, and it was a trip that would tire a well traveler--three hours by car, two hours waiting at the airport, three hours inflight, and another hour getting from the St. Louis Airport to the physical rehab center at St. Mary's. Needless to say, Den was exhausted. He is settled in now. Kim says his intensive threrapy will begin on Monday, and visitors can come when things settle down some. In the meantime, anyone wishing to inquire about Den should contact Kim. She is acting as the caring go-between until Den can do so for himself. Both Kim and Aaron deserve purple hearts for the courage and perserverance they have shown in helping their Dad through these last two-plus weeks.
Sue was tethered to her IV so could not go to a part of the hospital where she could call Den. As a substitute, she had son Chris call Den's nurse, get an up-to-date report and call her back with it. Sue is much relieved to have Den safely housed where he can get the intensive help he will need to be back on his feet. She herself sees two therapist every (normal) week at St. Mary's for her own physical therapy and so knows just how excellent the facility is and how caring are the therapists.
Saturday, November 20, 2004
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
It's Rose again, correcting some of my omissions. There are so many people who have called, offered help and prayers, and would spring into action at a moment's notice--Mark, Margaret Anne and Norman, Stephanie, Sabrina, Jack Delaney, Melba Scott, and others I'm sure I've forgotten. Additionally, Catrina has answered many, many insurance questions, and insurance is a field as complicated as medicine. We are taking Sabrina and Margaret up on their offer of Thanksgiving. That is a day we are looking forward to! We are surely praying that Jalen will be able to come with Scott, Sherry, and Brayden.
And rumor has it that Mark Goldman, that sterling teacher, budding novelist, and moving man, is gathering a team of folk to travel to Chicago to move Den out of his apartment there.
I just came in from a bike ride along Lake Michigan. It is a cold, blustery day so the ride was a short one. Sue and I will report in from the hospital a little later on.
It's Rose again, correcting some of my omissions. There are so many people who have called, offered help and prayers, and would spring into action at a moment's notice--Mark, Margaret Anne and Norman, Stephanie, Sabrina, Jack Delaney, Melba Scott, and others I'm sure I've forgotten. Additionally, Catrina has answered many, many insurance questions, and insurance is a field as complicated as medicine. We are taking Sabrina and Margaret up on their offer of Thanksgiving. That is a day we are looking forward to! We are surely praying that Jalen will be able to come with Scott, Sherry, and Brayden.
And rumor has it that Mark Goldman, that sterling teacher, budding novelist, and moving man, is gathering a team of folk to travel to Chicago to move Den out of his apartment there.
I just came in from a bike ride along Lake Michigan. It is a cold, blustery day so the ride was a short one. Sue and I will report in from the hospital a little later on.
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
SUE'S HOSPITAL NUMBER IS: (847) 316-4296
Chris and Shelly just left the apartment this morning. They will pick up goodies at Starbuck's, spend some time with Sue, then drive on home to St. Charles.
Last night Sue began the infusion of the immuno-globulin. When I talked with her just now, it was still dripping. We are praying this treatment--very expensive and complicated--will help her neuropathy. Let's all storm heaven with prayer. Surely a great clamor will arouse a great response.
Aaron and Den should be on an airplane that will leave Boston in a few minutes. When I talked with Aaron last night, everything was at the ready. I told him he surely had a big task on his shoulders and wished I could be there with him. He said, "Well, Aunt Rose, it's not a big task because, after all, he is my dad." Aaron and Kim have surely been wonderful through this ordeal. And, of course, Chris and Shelly and Scott equally have risen to the occasion. I'm thinking of filing adoption papers for the whole bunch.
Sue got a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Doug and Suzanne yesterday. When I handed her the card from them, she quietly wept.
Sue had a visit from the hospital social worker, Marge, yesterday afternoon. Turns out someone at Blue Cross and Blue Shield had put it together that Den is in a New Hampshire hospital and Sue in a Chicago hospital. The essential question: Just where is your residence? Sue assured her their residence is St. Louis but that both she and Den, especially Den, do a whole lot of moving around. When Marge began to understand the events of the past two-plus weeks, she shook her head in utter disbelief and displayed the same empathic response as Dr. Costas. Later on, she was the person I appealed to to get Den's driver's license copied and faxed. It helped that she already understood the situation.
SUE'S HOSPITAL NUMBER IS: (847) 316-4296
Chris and Shelly just left the apartment this morning. They will pick up goodies at Starbuck's, spend some time with Sue, then drive on home to St. Charles.
Last night Sue began the infusion of the immuno-globulin. When I talked with her just now, it was still dripping. We are praying this treatment--very expensive and complicated--will help her neuropathy. Let's all storm heaven with prayer. Surely a great clamor will arouse a great response.
Aaron and Den should be on an airplane that will leave Boston in a few minutes. When I talked with Aaron last night, everything was at the ready. I told him he surely had a big task on his shoulders and wished I could be there with him. He said, "Well, Aunt Rose, it's not a big task because, after all, he is my dad." Aaron and Kim have surely been wonderful through this ordeal. And, of course, Chris and Shelly and Scott equally have risen to the occasion. I'm thinking of filing adoption papers for the whole bunch.
Sue got a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Doug and Suzanne yesterday. When I handed her the card from them, she quietly wept.
Sue had a visit from the hospital social worker, Marge, yesterday afternoon. Turns out someone at Blue Cross and Blue Shield had put it together that Den is in a New Hampshire hospital and Sue in a Chicago hospital. The essential question: Just where is your residence? Sue assured her their residence is St. Louis but that both she and Den, especially Den, do a whole lot of moving around. When Marge began to understand the events of the past two-plus weeks, she shook her head in utter disbelief and displayed the same empathic response as Dr. Costas. Later on, she was the person I appealed to to get Den's driver's license copied and faxed. It helped that she already understood the situation.
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 experienced an amazing coincidence this week that I thought I would share. Shirley's friend Barbara is the woman who gave us the name of the person who sat overnight with Sue two nights this week in the hospital. Yesterday morning Barbara's own sister was admitted to the same intensive care unit Sue was in, three doors away. Now, Folks, in a metropolitan area of 10 million people what are the odds of such an occurence?
There was another interesting event that I'm still shaking my head over. Sue had kept Den's driver's license when we left New Hampshire last Sunday for safe-keeping and with the expectation Den would need it for the security check at the airport when they returned to St. Louis. After Sue landed in the hospital, Kim remembered the license and had us Fed Ex it to Den at the hospital yesterday. The Fed Ex package never arrived. Kim called today in a panic. Last spring Den lost his driver's license and had to get a replacement. Later on I found the lost one in Sue's car and stuck it in my wallet to give to him but never did. Today it came in mighty handy. We were able to fax a copy of it to Aaron at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and he had a physician's statement added to the fax--the only acceptable alternative identification the airline would accept.
We experienced an amazing coincidence this week that I thought I would share. Shirley's friend Barbara is the woman who gave us the name of the person who sat overnight with Sue two nights this week in the hospital. Yesterday morning Barbara's own sister was admitted to the same intensive care unit Sue was in, three doors away. Now, Folks, in a metropolitan area of 10 million people what are the odds of such an occurence?
There was another interesting event that I'm still shaking my head over. Sue had kept Den's driver's license when we left New Hampshire last Sunday for safe-keeping and with the expectation Den would need it for the security check at the airport when they returned to St. Louis. After Sue landed in the hospital, Kim remembered the license and had us Fed Ex it to Den at the hospital yesterday. The Fed Ex package never arrived. Kim called today in a panic. Last spring Den lost his driver's license and had to get a replacement. Later on I found the lost one in Sue's car and stuck it in my wallet to give to him but never did. Today it came in mighty handy. We were able to fax a copy of it to Aaron at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and he had a physician's statement added to the fax--the only acceptable alternative identification the airline would accept.
Friday, November 19, 2004
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
Sabrina sent Sue an e-mail entitled "Levity" this morning. If humor is medicine, this is one strong elixer that is worth sharing:
"Hi Auntie!
Just a note to tell you that I am thinking of you and praying for you. I also want to make sure you got the message that you and your family are invited to Thanksgiving at my house. What size turkey does one buy for 30 something people? I had a similar discussion with my Momma yesterday. I wanted to make sure she was still planning to come over and help me on Thanksgiving morning, as she has for the past 3 Thanksgivings (a tradition now). I'm not sure if she was testing me or not when she asked what she should bring.
I said "HELL-LO? What do you always bring?"
She said. "Oh, the pies."
I said, "Well, yes, and what else?"
She said "Oh, the bread."
I finally said,"Margaret, what about that big ugly thing?"
She said "Your Dad?"
I said, "No, Margaret, the turkey."
She said "Oh, that's right, well you better get a big one this year."
Note: I only call her Margaret when I need her full attention.
I better get to work now. I love you truly, and I sure hope to see you next week.
Love, Sabrina"
Hmmm, perhaps it's a good thing that Margaret is the computer guru in the Abbott Household.
Sabrina sent Sue an e-mail entitled "Levity" this morning. If humor is medicine, this is one strong elixer that is worth sharing:
"Hi Auntie!
Just a note to tell you that I am thinking of you and praying for you. I also want to make sure you got the message that you and your family are invited to Thanksgiving at my house. What size turkey does one buy for 30 something people? I had a similar discussion with my Momma yesterday. I wanted to make sure she was still planning to come over and help me on Thanksgiving morning, as she has for the past 3 Thanksgivings (a tradition now). I'm not sure if she was testing me or not when she asked what she should bring.
I said "HELL-LO? What do you always bring?"
She said. "Oh, the pies."
I said, "Well, yes, and what else?"
She said "Oh, the bread."
I finally said,"Margaret, what about that big ugly thing?"
She said "Your Dad?"
I said, "No, Margaret, the turkey."
She said "Oh, that's right, well you better get a big one this year."
Note: I only call her Margaret when I need her full attention.
I better get to work now. I love you truly, and I sure hope to see you next week.
Love, Sabrina"
Hmmm, perhaps it's a good thing that Margaret is the computer guru in the Abbott Household.
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
It's Rose with a morning update. Sue continues to improve. She is still emerging from the drug-induced state of Tuesday and Wednesday. At times yesterday, she acted like one delightful drunk. For example, her day nurse's name was 'Lucky.' Sue told her she didn't care if she was 'lucky,' that she would rather she were 'fast' and would call her that. When Dr. O'Brien answered many of our questions with "I just don't know," Sue told him that for a well-educated doctor, he sure didn't seem to know very much. Both Lucky and O'Brien fell into the spirit of Sue's comments, and we all did a lot of laughing.
Sue was moved to a regular room last evening. The first attempts to start the IV for the immuno globulin failed, but I think it was the nurse who failed. She was one ill-tempered woman; it was her first time at St. Francis; and she was not happy to be there. We gathered that she is more comfortable is an up-scale hospital, something St. Francis is not. We were not pleased. I hated to go off and leave Sue in her 'care.' This is the first time we've run across someone like her through this ordeal. A regular Nurse Ratched.
Dr. O'Brien says Sue definitely does not have Mad Cow Disease. She has not had a stroke, has no infection they can find, and her EEG and MRI results are normal. O'Brien is repeating the EEG today. If Chris Costas didn't take the time to translate O'Brien's mumbo-jumbo, we wouldn't know a thing.
Dr. Costas came in while Chris and Shelly were with Sue and sat and talked with them. Chris and Shelly were struck by the level of empathy he has for Sue's stress level. Shelly said she wished she had taken notes because he was so informative. He wants Sue back here in two weeks for a follow-up exam to see if the immuno-globulin has helped her neuropathy. Of course, we'll do what Costas says.
Aaron has arrived at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center to be with Den until the two of them go to St. Louis. He told me he found Den much better than when he left him a week ago last Sunday. Aaron will talk with Den's doctor this morning then call to give us the latest news from there.
Chris and Shelly brought dinner from their favorite Chicago restaurant to Sue's room. We had a real feast, and Sue ate better than she has for days. Having her baby son (her description) and his caring wife around is pure medicine. Besides food, they brought puzzles, movies, magazines, and flowers for Sue. I can see Sue improving by the hour. Chris thought Sue might have had some 'truth serum' because of all the things she told them.
I know a lot of people are praying for Sue and Den and anxiously awaiting news about them. The 'hits' on this Blob have increased dramatically. If you want to see the statistics, simply click over the symbol just to the right of the latest entry, and it will take you to the site meter.
It's Rose with a morning update. Sue continues to improve. She is still emerging from the drug-induced state of Tuesday and Wednesday. At times yesterday, she acted like one delightful drunk. For example, her day nurse's name was 'Lucky.' Sue told her she didn't care if she was 'lucky,' that she would rather she were 'fast' and would call her that. When Dr. O'Brien answered many of our questions with "I just don't know," Sue told him that for a well-educated doctor, he sure didn't seem to know very much. Both Lucky and O'Brien fell into the spirit of Sue's comments, and we all did a lot of laughing.
It is about 8:00 am here. Chris, Shelly, and I stayed at the apartment overnight. Shelly has gone off to the hospital this morning and will call with a morning report in a few minutes. When she does, I'll update again with her assessment and anything Sue wants to add. Meanwhile, this is where things stand:
Sue was moved to a regular room last evening. The first attempts to start the IV for the immuno globulin failed, but I think it was the nurse who failed. She was one ill-tempered woman; it was her first time at St. Francis; and she was not happy to be there. We gathered that she is more comfortable is an up-scale hospital, something St. Francis is not. We were not pleased. I hated to go off and leave Sue in her 'care.' This is the first time we've run across someone like her through this ordeal. A regular Nurse Ratched.
Dr. O'Brien says Sue definitely does not have Mad Cow Disease. She has not had a stroke, has no infection they can find, and her EEG and MRI results are normal. O'Brien is repeating the EEG today. If Chris Costas didn't take the time to translate O'Brien's mumbo-jumbo, we wouldn't know a thing.
Dr. Costas came in while Chris and Shelly were with Sue and sat and talked with them. Chris and Shelly were struck by the level of empathy he has for Sue's stress level. Shelly said she wished she had taken notes because he was so informative. He wants Sue back here in two weeks for a follow-up exam to see if the immuno-globulin has helped her neuropathy. Of course, we'll do what Costas says.
Aaron has arrived at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center to be with Den until the two of them go to St. Louis. He told me he found Den much better than when he left him a week ago last Sunday. Aaron will talk with Den's doctor this morning then call to give us the latest news from there.
Chris and Shelly brought dinner from their favorite Chicago restaurant to Sue's room. We had a real feast, and Sue ate better than she has for days. Having her baby son (her description) and his caring wife around is pure medicine. Besides food, they brought puzzles, movies, magazines, and flowers for Sue. I can see Sue improving by the hour. Chris thought Sue might have had some 'truth serum' because of all the things she told them.
I know a lot of people are praying for Sue and Den and anxiously awaiting news about them. The 'hits' on this Blob have increased dramatically. If you want to see the statistics, simply click over the symbol just to the right of the latest entry, and it will take you to the site meter.
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 Just a quick add-on: I talked with Sue. She had a fairly good night in spite of all the "beeps, buzzers, the air mattress that keeps humming as it adjust to her movements" Yesterday she said the Intensive Care Unit should be renamed the "Detensive Care Unit" because of the lack of attention. [In fact, while Sue was so ill on Tuesday and Wednesday, the nurses hovered. When she was so improved, they were hovering where more needed.] Just now she told me she had transfered from 'a critical care unit to a piss-poor care unit.' You can see she is healing. Shelly was there with goodies from Starbucks. Chris and I will go up later, and we'll spread out our visits today so Sue isn't so alone.
Thursday, November 18, 2004
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
It’s Rose, reporting from Sue’s hospital room. Sue is much, much better today. She had some problems overnight–nightmares, confusion, and upset. We had a woman, Irena, sit with her overnight just in case she needed something and a nurse was not available. When I came in this morning, Sue thought Irena was a hospital employee and was irate about her behavior. She told me, "That woman did nothing all night; she just sat reading. You should mark the page so you can see she does nothing but read!" We explained that Irena was NOT a hospital employee and that her job WAS to read all night. That satisfied Sue, and she has been better ever since.
One neurologist, a lovely young woman, came in to examine Sue a while ago.. She noted how much better Sue is–something quite obvious to Sue and me. She told us that every single test Sue has had has come up negative, that Sue’s illness is extremely puzzling. She didn’t feel qualified to speculate since so many fine, fine neurologists have said they don’t know. However, she was going off to do research and would talk over any findings with Dr. O’Brien, Sue’s chief neurologist.
Stephanie called early this morning to check on Sue. In our conversation Stef mentioned Mad Cow Disease as a possible cause for all Sue’s symptoms. We asked the neurologist about it while she was here. She said Sue’s symptoms were atypical for Mad Cow Disease, but it might be an intriguing idea. She will take up the topic with Dr. O’Brien and suggested we do also.
Father Bill came in for a nice visit. He is a lovely, caring man. Four weeks ago when Sue was a patient here, Sue, Shirley, Loretta, and I went to his Sunday Mass. He gave a homily about his prayerful, pious grandmother. Afterwards, we chatted with him, and Sue asked about his other grandmother. Father Bill told us she was the very opposite type–fun-loving and full of live. Sue told him, "Next time I’m here, I want to hear a homily about her." That interaction caused Father Bill to remember us, so yesterday he told us about that grandmother.
Interesting how many people do remember Sue from four weeks ago–the EEG technician, the people in MRI, and, of course, O’Brien and a couple of resident docs.
Last night around 6:00 pm Drs O’Brien and Costas came in to examine Sue and confer. They have decided to treat her with a five-day intravenous infusion of immuno-globulin. That will begin today and means she will be here for five more days. The earliest she will be released, it appears, is Monday.
Kim called this morning to give us a report on Den. He is improving, and all plans are go for moving him to St. Mary’s Rehab in Clayton on Saturday. There is much to take care off–getting him an internist, a gastroenterologist, a neurologist, and, of course, all the travel arrangements for the move.
This is Sue’s dictation for the Blog:
"I talked with Kim this morning. She told me people at the hospital told her Den can be released to fly back if he is able to make the journey with only one other person. Aaron will be the one person. Kim will be waiting for Aaron and Den at the St. Louis aiport on Saturday to take Den to the SSM Physical Rehab facility.. I won’t get to St. Louis now until Monday. Den will need a couple days of rest after this ordeal, so check with Kim to see if he is up to having visitors. Kim’s number is (636) 207-9404.
I feel ‘goosy’ and helpless today. Rose tells me the ‘goosy’ is a huge hangover from lots of meds. The helpless is about not being able to do what Den needs and not being able to do a lot even for myself.
Chris and Shelly are here, and Scott is standing by. We are still planning a big Thanksgiving Gathering. We just don’t know where. Sabrina, that angel, has invited us to her house. She and Margaret have decided simply to buy the biggest turkey they can find since they don’t know whether they will host 20 or more than 30!"
We’ll update again after we see the Big Medicine Men.
It’s Rose, reporting from Sue’s hospital room. Sue is much, much better today. She had some problems overnight–nightmares, confusion, and upset. We had a woman, Irena, sit with her overnight just in case she needed something and a nurse was not available. When I came in this morning, Sue thought Irena was a hospital employee and was irate about her behavior. She told me, "That woman did nothing all night; she just sat reading. You should mark the page so you can see she does nothing but read!" We explained that Irena was NOT a hospital employee and that her job WAS to read all night. That satisfied Sue, and she has been better ever since.
One neurologist, a lovely young woman, came in to examine Sue a while ago.. She noted how much better Sue is–something quite obvious to Sue and me. She told us that every single test Sue has had has come up negative, that Sue’s illness is extremely puzzling. She didn’t feel qualified to speculate since so many fine, fine neurologists have said they don’t know. However, she was going off to do research and would talk over any findings with Dr. O’Brien, Sue’s chief neurologist.
Stephanie called early this morning to check on Sue. In our conversation Stef mentioned Mad Cow Disease as a possible cause for all Sue’s symptoms. We asked the neurologist about it while she was here. She said Sue’s symptoms were atypical for Mad Cow Disease, but it might be an intriguing idea. She will take up the topic with Dr. O’Brien and suggested we do also.
Father Bill came in for a nice visit. He is a lovely, caring man. Four weeks ago when Sue was a patient here, Sue, Shirley, Loretta, and I went to his Sunday Mass. He gave a homily about his prayerful, pious grandmother. Afterwards, we chatted with him, and Sue asked about his other grandmother. Father Bill told us she was the very opposite type–fun-loving and full of live. Sue told him, "Next time I’m here, I want to hear a homily about her." That interaction caused Father Bill to remember us, so yesterday he told us about that grandmother.
Interesting how many people do remember Sue from four weeks ago–the EEG technician, the people in MRI, and, of course, O’Brien and a couple of resident docs.
Last night around 6:00 pm Drs O’Brien and Costas came in to examine Sue and confer. They have decided to treat her with a five-day intravenous infusion of immuno-globulin. That will begin today and means she will be here for five more days. The earliest she will be released, it appears, is Monday.
Kim called this morning to give us a report on Den. He is improving, and all plans are go for moving him to St. Mary’s Rehab in Clayton on Saturday. There is much to take care off–getting him an internist, a gastroenterologist, a neurologist, and, of course, all the travel arrangements for the move.
This is Sue’s dictation for the Blog:
"I talked with Kim this morning. She told me people at the hospital told her Den can be released to fly back if he is able to make the journey with only one other person. Aaron will be the one person. Kim will be waiting for Aaron and Den at the St. Louis aiport on Saturday to take Den to the SSM Physical Rehab facility.. I won’t get to St. Louis now until Monday. Den will need a couple days of rest after this ordeal, so check with Kim to see if he is up to having visitors. Kim’s number is (636) 207-9404.
I feel ‘goosy’ and helpless today. Rose tells me the ‘goosy’ is a huge hangover from lots of meds. The helpless is about not being able to do what Den needs and not being able to do a lot even for myself.
Chris and Shelly are here, and Scott is standing by. We are still planning a big Thanksgiving Gathering. We just don’t know where. Sabrina, that angel, has invited us to her house. She and Margaret have decided simply to buy the biggest turkey they can find since they don’t know whether they will host 20 or more than 30!"
We’ll update again after we see the Big Medicine Men.
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
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
It’s Rose again with an update. Sue is still in the intensive care unit here at St. Francis. She has had a pretty good day today–much better than yesterday. This morning she started getting solid food. The physician ordered some kind of test that meant her urine had to be collected over a period of 24 hours. That collection ended at 2:00 pm today. Shortly after that, she got rid of the catheter that had been plaguing her. She also had an MRI today. We have yet to hear the results of that. Sue had a tranquilizer for the MRI, and it has yet to wear off. She has slept the good part of today.
So far, all of the tests have revealed nothing. The neurologist, Dr. O’Brien, was in and said so many intelligent things that we didn’t understand a word. We expect Sue will be moved to a regular room soon and released in a few days. However, Dr. Costas, our answer/medicine man, hasn’t come in yet. We’ll know more after we talk with him. He’s good at explaining things other physicians can’t.
Shirley went to St. Louis today to greet her friends, Dena, Tim, Jamil, and Layla, when they arrive tomorrow. She will keep the children while Dena and Tim go to Jefferson City then Iowa City for music gigs.
Chris and Shelly are driving here. We expect them any time now. Sue and I have talked to lots of people today–Stephanie, Sabrina, Scott, Shirley, Kim, Aaron. Also today, Sue and Den were able to talk by phone. Den’s plan is to transfer to SSM Rehab in Clayton on Saturday. Kim and Aaron are traveling to New Hampshire to help him with the transfer.
I can definitely say now that there is no earthly force that can cancel out Sue’s sense of humor. At one point today, I said to her, "Look at you, your ass is hanging out. For Shame!" Quick as a wink and with that dry way of hers, she responded, "The shame is noone is looking."
This is Sue’s message for the day:
"Keep those cards and letters coming. I’m going to be moved from critical to less-critical care. If things go well, I’ll go to an ordinary floor. One of the side effects of some medication is that I’ve been having nightmares today, well, maybe ‘daymares.’ Sometimes I’m awake; sometimes asleep.
I have had my Nancy Hafla rosary with me through all this. Today Father Bill came in to visit. I had him bless the rosary, something I’ve wanted since I got it. Father Bill also anointed me, gave me communion and did some praying with Rose and me."
It’s Rose again with an update. Sue is still in the intensive care unit here at St. Francis. She has had a pretty good day today–much better than yesterday. This morning she started getting solid food. The physician ordered some kind of test that meant her urine had to be collected over a period of 24 hours. That collection ended at 2:00 pm today. Shortly after that, she got rid of the catheter that had been plaguing her. She also had an MRI today. We have yet to hear the results of that. Sue had a tranquilizer for the MRI, and it has yet to wear off. She has slept the good part of today.
So far, all of the tests have revealed nothing. The neurologist, Dr. O’Brien, was in and said so many intelligent things that we didn’t understand a word. We expect Sue will be moved to a regular room soon and released in a few days. However, Dr. Costas, our answer/medicine man, hasn’t come in yet. We’ll know more after we talk with him. He’s good at explaining things other physicians can’t.
Shirley went to St. Louis today to greet her friends, Dena, Tim, Jamil, and Layla, when they arrive tomorrow. She will keep the children while Dena and Tim go to Jefferson City then Iowa City for music gigs.
Chris and Shelly are driving here. We expect them any time now. Sue and I have talked to lots of people today–Stephanie, Sabrina, Scott, Shirley, Kim, Aaron. Also today, Sue and Den were able to talk by phone. Den’s plan is to transfer to SSM Rehab in Clayton on Saturday. Kim and Aaron are traveling to New Hampshire to help him with the transfer.
I can definitely say now that there is no earthly force that can cancel out Sue’s sense of humor. At one point today, I said to her, "Look at you, your ass is hanging out. For Shame!" Quick as a wink and with that dry way of hers, she responded, "The shame is noone is looking."
This is Sue’s message for the day:
"Keep those cards and letters coming. I’m going to be moved from critical to less-critical care. If things go well, I’ll go to an ordinary floor. One of the side effects of some medication is that I’ve been having nightmares today, well, maybe ‘daymares.’ Sometimes I’m awake; sometimes asleep.
I have had my Nancy Hafla rosary with me through all this. Today Father Bill came in to visit. I had him bless the rosary, something I’ve wanted since I got it. Father Bill also anointed me, gave me communion and did some praying with Rose and me."
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
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 from Chicago with not good news. This morning about 3:00 am Sue became ill, had a seizure, and we couldn't communicate with her afterwards. Shirley and I called Dr. Costas immediately who had us get her to St. Francis by ambulance. Before we arrived at the hospital, Sue had three more seizures. Long story short, she has been admitted, once again, to St. Francis and is in the intensive care unit there. Today she has been heavily sedated to reduce the risk of any more seizures, and she has had a myriad of tests. No conclusions yet. I left her about 7:00 pm to come here to the apartment to do a few things then will return to St. Francis. Shirley is with her right now.
Sue began to 'come out of it' around 2:00 pm but is still very sleepy and groggy. Dr. Costas and Dr. O'Brien, the neurologist, say her state is mainly the result of the medications.
Meanwhile, on the East Coast, Den continues to improve. He had his best day yet today. Kim and Aaron have taken over all the thinking and doing that is required to get him into a St. Louis Rehab facility. It is looking like Den will be able to travel to St. Louis on Saturday. Both Kim and Aaron say there are many details to be worked out, but that is the plan right now.
I talked with Den and told him about Sue. And, of course, I reported back to Sue about Den. Tomorrow we will try to work out a way for them to talk directly. Neither hospital will allow cell phones, and today Sue was just too sick to do much communicating.
Chris and Shelly will drive here tomorrow, and Scott will come later on in the week if we need him.
Folks, no fiction writer could have written this script. Sabrina suggested we should rename this blog "General Hospital" or "As the World Turns." And that was before Sue entered this last bout of hospitalization. I know your thoughts and prayers mean a lot to both Sue and Den.
Hello, it's Rose from Chicago with not good news. This morning about 3:00 am Sue became ill, had a seizure, and we couldn't communicate with her afterwards. Shirley and I called Dr. Costas immediately who had us get her to St. Francis by ambulance. Before we arrived at the hospital, Sue had three more seizures. Long story short, she has been admitted, once again, to St. Francis and is in the intensive care unit there. Today she has been heavily sedated to reduce the risk of any more seizures, and she has had a myriad of tests. No conclusions yet. I left her about 7:00 pm to come here to the apartment to do a few things then will return to St. Francis. Shirley is with her right now.
Sue began to 'come out of it' around 2:00 pm but is still very sleepy and groggy. Dr. Costas and Dr. O'Brien, the neurologist, say her state is mainly the result of the medications.
Meanwhile, on the East Coast, Den continues to improve. He had his best day yet today. Kim and Aaron have taken over all the thinking and doing that is required to get him into a St. Louis Rehab facility. It is looking like Den will be able to travel to St. Louis on Saturday. Both Kim and Aaron say there are many details to be worked out, but that is the plan right now.
I talked with Den and told him about Sue. And, of course, I reported back to Sue about Den. Tomorrow we will try to work out a way for them to talk directly. Neither hospital will allow cell phones, and today Sue was just too sick to do much communicating.
Chris and Shelly will drive here tomorrow, and Scott will come later on in the week if we need him.
Folks, no fiction writer could have written this script. Sabrina suggested we should rename this blog "General Hospital" or "As the World Turns." And that was before Sue entered this last bout of hospitalization. I know your thoughts and prayers mean a lot to both Sue and Den.
Monday, November 15, 2004
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
Kim left for St. Louis today after seeing Den this morning. Den was on his way to have his ultrasound. Later in the day his physician called me here in Chicago to tell me the ultrasound showed that his shunt is working fine. The swelling, his back-up of fluids, is part of the symptoms of his condition. The treatment is difficult because there is a need to keep Den's blood pressure up to insure adequate flow of blood to the brain while medication for the swelling tends to lower the blood pressure. It's a delicate balance to maintain.
Rose and I met with Den's colleague, Ron, today in Chicago. Ron is going to have one of the company executives in England, where Den's company is headquartered, call me on Wednesday morning to review company policy and answer any questions I have about benefits as well as give him a detailed report on Den's condition and prognosis. Of course, noone really can see far into the future. The crystal ball is extremely dark right now.
Rose and I will return to New Hampshire tomorrow. Shirley will go to St. Louis where Chris will call for her at the airport. We all agree that a 'cab' ride with Chris is like a shot of medicine. And the young man is extremely responsive to the needs of us three old ladies. Chris will fly to New Hampshire on Thursday to be with me since Rose has to return to St. Louis. We don't yet know when Den will be able to transfer to a St. Louis facility for physical rehabilitation. Perhaps tomorrow we'll learn more about that schedule.
Today Den was moved from the neurological critical care unit to a more 'normal' hospital setting. His room number now is 151.
Kim left for St. Louis today after seeing Den this morning. Den was on his way to have his ultrasound. Later in the day his physician called me here in Chicago to tell me the ultrasound showed that his shunt is working fine. The swelling, his back-up of fluids, is part of the symptoms of his condition. The treatment is difficult because there is a need to keep Den's blood pressure up to insure adequate flow of blood to the brain while medication for the swelling tends to lower the blood pressure. It's a delicate balance to maintain.
Rose and I met with Den's colleague, Ron, today in Chicago. Ron is going to have one of the company executives in England, where Den's company is headquartered, call me on Wednesday morning to review company policy and answer any questions I have about benefits as well as give him a detailed report on Den's condition and prognosis. Of course, noone really can see far into the future. The crystal ball is extremely dark right now.
Rose and I will return to New Hampshire tomorrow. Shirley will go to St. Louis where Chris will call for her at the airport. We all agree that a 'cab' ride with Chris is like a shot of medicine. And the young man is extremely responsive to the needs of us three old ladies. Chris will fly to New Hampshire on Thursday to be with me since Rose has to return to St. Louis. We don't yet know when Den will be able to transfer to a St. Louis facility for physical rehabilitation. Perhaps tomorrow we'll learn more about that schedule.
Today Den was moved from the neurological critical care unit to a more 'normal' hospital setting. His room number now is 151.
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 came to Chicago early yesterday morning on a nonstop SWA flight from Manchester, NH. We peeked in at Den before we left. He has yet to have the ultrasound to determine how well the shunt is working. He is to have that this morning. He has been moved out of the critical care facility into a different room, probably because someone sicker needed that space.
Kim is with him and will return home today. I'll be in touch with her and with the nurses' station and with Den off and on. Rose and I fly back to Manchester tomorrow afternoon. The report this morning is that Den is still pretty swollen. We'll know more later in the day. I surely hope we can move Den to St. Louis later this week.
I am having lunch with Den's Chicago colleage today to discuss his job, benefits, etc. Yesterday Rose and I went over to Schaumberg where Den's apartment is and picked up some things. We were only lost three times during that trip. Traveling from Rose and Shirley's apartment over to Schaumberg is sort of like going from St. Louis to Columbia time wise, although the distance isn't that great. TRAFFIC! Right now the plan is to rally some volunteers to empty Den's apartment over Thanksgiving weekend.
We came to Chicago early yesterday morning on a nonstop SWA flight from Manchester, NH. We peeked in at Den before we left. He has yet to have the ultrasound to determine how well the shunt is working. He is to have that this morning. He has been moved out of the critical care facility into a different room, probably because someone sicker needed that space.
Kim is with him and will return home today. I'll be in touch with her and with the nurses' station and with Den off and on. Rose and I fly back to Manchester tomorrow afternoon. The report this morning is that Den is still pretty swollen. We'll know more later in the day. I surely hope we can move Den to St. Louis later this week.
I am having lunch with Den's Chicago colleage today to discuss his job, benefits, etc. Yesterday Rose and I went over to Schaumberg where Den's apartment is and picked up some things. We were only lost three times during that trip. Traveling from Rose and Shirley's apartment over to Schaumberg is sort of like going from St. Louis to Columbia time wise, although the distance isn't that great. TRAFFIC! Right now the plan is to rally some volunteers to empty Den's apartment over Thanksgiving weekend.
Saturday, November 13, 2004
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
Hi, it's Rose with an update, Saturday at 6:00 pm. Kim and Sue are with Den. He is doing o.k. He has some swelling which his primary care physician, Dr. Merrens, says is pretty normal given his health problems. He has had to have two blood transfusions today, and they should help his overall condition. He was scheduled for an ultrasound to assess the condition of his blood flow through the liver shunt, and we haven't heard yet the results.
Dr. Merrens thinks Den will be able to travel some time next week. When he can fly, Sue (calling on help from her various sons) will arrange for his trip to St. Louis to an inpatient physical rehab center, SSM in Clayton she hopes. Den is in for a period of intensive physical therapy and a long-term balancing of his blood problems and his liver problems. Dr. Merrens explained a lot of this to Kim, Sue, Mike, and me today. Merrens has been really great for communicating and explaining all that is going on. Den will get a primary care physician in St. Louis who will find a gastroenterologist specialist to oversee his ongoing treatment. Mike is familiar with many specialists in the St. Louis area and will review the Blue Cross & Blue Shield provider list to help Sue select one.
Merrens told us the noninvasive treatment Den had yesterday was at one time done with major surgery, a surgery that Den could not have survived because of the stroke he suffered. He still has trouble finding the words he wants, and he has limited use of his left arm and hand. With help from physical therapy, he has tried walking but has trouble right now with strength and balance.
Kim and Mike arrived last night around 9:30 pm and came in again early this morning to be here to talk with Dr. Merrens. Mike has to leave tomorrow, and Kim will stay until Monday. Sue and I travel to Chicago early in the morning and will return here on Tuesday.
It is cold, cold, cold here. There is snow to the south. This is beautiful country, and this hospital is in a particularly beautiful setting--a woods of oak and pine set high on a hill (mountain?). Last night Sue and I went to dinner and got lost. We ended up in Vermont, we think. After wandering for a time, we went back to a restaurant we had already been to and had a good meal. You know how it is with hospitals: the only thing to look forward to is the meals.
Hi, it's Rose with an update, Saturday at 6:00 pm. Kim and Sue are with Den. He is doing o.k. He has some swelling which his primary care physician, Dr. Merrens, says is pretty normal given his health problems. He has had to have two blood transfusions today, and they should help his overall condition. He was scheduled for an ultrasound to assess the condition of his blood flow through the liver shunt, and we haven't heard yet the results.
Dr. Merrens thinks Den will be able to travel some time next week. When he can fly, Sue (calling on help from her various sons) will arrange for his trip to St. Louis to an inpatient physical rehab center, SSM in Clayton she hopes. Den is in for a period of intensive physical therapy and a long-term balancing of his blood problems and his liver problems. Dr. Merrens explained a lot of this to Kim, Sue, Mike, and me today. Merrens has been really great for communicating and explaining all that is going on. Den will get a primary care physician in St. Louis who will find a gastroenterologist specialist to oversee his ongoing treatment. Mike is familiar with many specialists in the St. Louis area and will review the Blue Cross & Blue Shield provider list to help Sue select one.
Merrens told us the noninvasive treatment Den had yesterday was at one time done with major surgery, a surgery that Den could not have survived because of the stroke he suffered. He still has trouble finding the words he wants, and he has limited use of his left arm and hand. With help from physical therapy, he has tried walking but has trouble right now with strength and balance.
Kim and Mike arrived last night around 9:30 pm and came in again early this morning to be here to talk with Dr. Merrens. Mike has to leave tomorrow, and Kim will stay until Monday. Sue and I travel to Chicago early in the morning and will return here on Tuesday.
It is cold, cold, cold here. There is snow to the south. This is beautiful country, and this hospital is in a particularly beautiful setting--a woods of oak and pine set high on a hill (mountain?). Last night Sue and I went to dinner and got lost. We ended up in Vermont, we think. After wandering for a time, we went back to a restaurant we had already been to and had a good meal. You know how it is with hospitals: the only thing to look forward to is the meals.
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