Thomas D. Easterly | Genealogy Lady

April 4, 1946 envelope

Letter transcription:

April 4, 1946, p. 1

Los Angeles, California
April 4, 1946
Thursday afternoon 3:00

Dear Gladys:

I am so ashamed to think I haven’t answered your letter dated Feb. 20^th – I haven’t written to anyone except Mother, and that was just a note each day since I’ve come home.

Was in the hospital two weeks, came home on the 28^th of Feb. It was just 7 weeks ago today that I had the operation – am so happy that much time has passed. I won’t go into a lengthy account of it because I know how boring the stories of operations can be to others. I had two tumors, each the size of an orange, my uterus and appendix removed. Everything else was in perfect condition for which I was very thankful. The doctors and nurses were amazed because I didn’t have pain, etc., that most patients have with such an operation. Three things in particular, for instance, I urinated from the very beginning, passed gas naturally (had no pains whatsoever) and didn’t have to take laxatives. Those three things helped considerably or so they told me. What do you think Jake? However, I was awfully weak for the first 10 days – didn’t care to read or didn’t want any company. I often sent Tom home after a 10 minute visit – all I wanted to do was lie there and rest and sleep.

We had engaged a lady to care for me the first two weeks after I came from the hospital, but the minute the landlady heard of it she insisted upon nursing me. Tom cooked my breakfast and she prepared my lunch and dinner – it really worked out beautifully that way because I still couldn’t stand to have too many people around. The landlady was in and out during the day. We live in a double apartment (one bedroom) so we really couldn’t accommodate someone all the time.

April 4, 1946, p. 2

[page 2] The doctor thinks I’m getting along very well. I take 9 vitamin, and liver and iron tablets a day – should gain weight and look normal soon. I lost 10 pounds – before the operation I weighed 125, now weight about 119. I have to report to the doctor next Thursday and perhaps he will release me then. Of course I will not go to work immediately – intend to take my vacation and then ask for a month on my own time. Will possibly go back to work around June 1^st, really don’t want to go back at all – am going to give it some thought.

We are still planning on our trip East during the month of May, provided my doctor approves. Tom’s vacation is scheduled April 29^th to May 26^th inclusive. We are both looking forward to the trip and hope we won’t be disappointed by not being able to go.

Received a letter from Mother this morning saying my sister had x-rays taken and that she must be operated on immediately. The gall-bladder is in a very bad condition and has two large stones – they are afraid it might rupture. Her children now have the mumps – everything seems to happen at once.

Well Gladys, I’ll try to write to you before Tom’s vacation and let you know our definite plans – would like to see you if we do make the trip.

Love,
Aileen

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/30/aileen-easterly-3/

January 26, 1946 envelope

January 26, 1946, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Los Angeles, California
January 26, 1946
Saturday morning 11:30

Dear Gladys:

Received your letter dated January 1 and enjoyed all the news immensely. So happy for all of you that Jake is home for good now. Wish he could have visited us while he was here on the coast, but S.F. is 500 miles from L.A. and that would have been so far out of his way. Too bad about the fire in his new offices – – do hope the repair job won’t take too long. The way conditions are these days with help and equipment so difficult to get, one never knows what to expect.

The new restaurant sounds interesting and it really is a pleasure to entertain that way occasionally. I manage to cook dinner every night from Monday to Thursday inclusive, but Tom works Friday night, and then on Saturday we have a big pot of some kind of soup. Sunday is our day out – – we usually try a new place, go alone or with friends, and we enjoy it, especially after putting in such a full week of hard work.

I’m sure your Christmas was exciting because of David – – I can just imagine how thrilled he was with everything. John and Mark will always wee that it is interesting for David. Christmas doesn’t mean so much unless there are children around to enjoy it.

We are having such beautiful weather – – I’m sitting in the kitchen next to the window with my back to the sun (window wide open too) and how I love it. I don’t feel at all well today, so perhaps the sun will pep me up a bit.

Well, I might as well tell you about myself now. You probably thought I was going to have a baby, but no such good luck for me. I think I told you about the bad case of diarrhea I had last May, well, I had another such attack in November. Our company doctor gave me a thorough physical examination, thinking perhaps it might be my appendix causing the trouble. The appendix apparently is alright, but he did discover a fibroid tumor the size of a grapefruit around the uterus. He said no doubt it had been growing for years and asked me when I first noticed any discomfort from it. I haven’t felt well for about three years, but thought I was going through the change. Sometimes I would skip a month at my periods and then I seemed to cramp continuously, almost every day. I’m at the point now where I feel so low both mentally and physically that I just make myself do things. And of course my job at the office hasn’t helped me any either. There are three of us in our division now (450 on our pay roll) and I’m sorta in charge, a little more prestige, but a great big headache. There are 4,000 in the company, but the other employees are on another pay roll because they are in the districts. Ours is the General Office. We even had to work New Year’s Eve and all day on New Year’s.

January 26, 1946, p. 2

[page 2] Our Chief Surgeon said I should have the operation soon. I decided to help out at the office during December and January, the two worst months of the year. I have consented to the operation and will perhaps be in the hospital around February 6^th or 7^th. Our Chief Surgeon has been with our company for 25 years and is claimed to be the best in the City, so I have a lot of confidence in him. All hospitalization will be paid also my two months sick leave. After that I plan to take three months leave of absence on my own time without pay. If everything turns out as we have planned Tom and I will make a trip east perhaps during the month of June.

I am curious what Jake thinks of the operation – – does he approve. Maybe I have no alternative! The doctor said the tumor has kept me from getting pregnant. Is that true? I say that I have confidence in our doctor yet I ask Jake his opinion. Silly, isn’t it? That’s just like a woman.

I will be looking forward to hearing from you when you find time to write. I know how busy you must be, with all your family at home now.

Love,
Aileen