Name/Title
AU Lambert, Caroline Deborah [Charles] - 1941-01-30 letter to Bertha Lambert HarrisEntry/Object ID
1990.1.379Context
Jan. 30 – 1941
My Own Precious Sister,
It is very cool here this A.M. We piled on all blankets available last night (as we're now keeping up 6 beds & it takes at least 2 blankets for each one). Bertha & Nellie still here and what a good visit we are having together. It is good to have loved ones with us again!
Dan was taken out of isolation yesterday (having been in quarantine for 10 wks. with a case of para-typhoid — he must have picked up the germ
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in North Carolina last summer as none of us here took it) but to play safe, we all took the "typhoid" inoculations. None of us was permitted to enter his room, except Caroline. We would go to his window or door & talk "long distance" — it was better than nothing.
But Caroline begged so hard (for she knew just how to massage him & place the pillows with the least pain) — that finally they consented to let her go in his room daily. She had to wash her hands in a disinfectant (before & after entering room); don a nurse's cap & gown before entering. She has been most faithful for his 10 wks. quarantine. It w'd have been almost unbearable for Dan, otherwise. These complications have so reduced his strength & flesh that it is a marvel he has conquered it! But, last night, thru
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his tears he rejoiced that he had won!
The weights, that had been on his legs for almost 3 mos., were taken off — but the reaction and his nerves was severe as he was not able to relax. Today, they plan to (under an anesthetic) stretch his legs, feet & toes and place castes on each leg from knees to toes! It will be excruciating and I fear will almost shatter his poor, over-spent nervous system — but the best staff of doctors say it is the only thing to do! Bravely, he tries to smile thru his tears and his determination to win almost carries one up to the Heavenly heights! I trust I have not burdened you by this description — I felt that you and your boys would
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be interested. The rest of us keep fairly well. Olas & Ernest Sanders visited us last week — they have a home in Orlando (Ernest has retired from teaching). We are expecting "Ma" Dudley from Detroit tomorrow. She is a great friend of Dan's (learned to know him while he was in Ann Arbor, Mich at school) — & she is coming especially to see Dan.
Please thank James for his letter to us and one to Dan. What grand sons you have — they dearly love their mother & will be a comfort & joy to you always. Dear Heart, you are continually in my thoughts & prayers — our petitions rise for you to be given strength & grace & bear your loneliness, but, — trust — just trust, dear one — even for the things you cannot know — holding fast His hand.
Always, your devoted Sister Carrie
