Name/Title
AU Harris, Daniel Alfred - 1952-12-06 letter to Richard Lambert HarrisEntry/Object ID
1989.1.37Context
Dec. 6, 1952
Dear brothers:
Mother had a rather severe attack early this week and had to spend two days in the hospital. She is back home again now and seems to be having no difficulty. Aletha and I have been so busy that we haven't had time to get off any letters. I have to go to school in a few minutes, so I have asked Aletha to give you more detailed information. When I talked to Dr. Siddall Monday morning before taking her to the hospital I asked him whether her condition was serious enough to justify notifying you boys at once, and he said he didn't think so.
This little incident will probably cost about $50. The bills are not all in. She has very little more than that in her bank account. This may occur several times, and we must be prepared to meet it. Also, the Doctor advises having a practical nurse come in two or three times a week to help take care of her and cheer her up. Naturally we are doing everything we can for her, and Aletha has been wonderful. But at this stage of the game it will take more than letters and affectionate words. When she gets to feeling a little better I shall talk to her about the possibility of cashing in part of the Presbyterian Insurance funds to be ready to meet any new crisis. Write to her frequently, and don't worry her too much about the financial part of it.
Sunday, Dec. 7
I continue. Aletha has been too busy to finish this letter, so I'll try to pick up where I left off. Here is a more detailed account of what actually happened.
Last Monday morning Mother got up and ate her breakfast, and as usual had a lot of gas. She rested on the sofa and then went back up stairs. about 9:30 Aletha heard her in the bathroom having trouble, and went in to see what was the matter. Mother had lost her breakfast all over herself. Aletha got her robe off and helped her into a clean nightgown and back into bed, but the gas seemed to get worse and she began to have quite a lot of pain so Aletha called the doctor, and by the time he got here she was really in and having trouble to breathe. Since the pain was in the chest and arms his first thought was heart. He gave her a shot, which eased the pain, and in the meantime Aletha had called me at school, and I went with her in the ambulance to the hospital. Aletha came over to the hospital as soon as the boys had been here for lunch and gone back to school, and she stayed with her all afternoon. They gave her an enema and put hot oil packs on her stomach, and she had no food for 24 hours. Dr. Siddall, who is now specializing in Obstetrics, turned her over to Dr. Stephens, the one we have for the children. He feels that it was not a heart attack at all, - just terrific gas pressure due to indigestion and constipation. He has given her some medicine to neutralize the gas, and a different kind of liver and iron, and she seems to be getting along pretty well. We brought her home Wednesday noon and she has been up stairs ever since. She is able to go to the bathroom, and sits up in her chair part of the day and listens to her record machine. Sometimes she is quite herself, but her memory for recent events is often quite confused.
I don't know what else there is to say. Don't try to telephone her as she can't get downstairs. I know she would appreciate letters, and notes from the children. If you can send her a small check, do so. It would boost her morale. We will try to keep you in formed, and will go ahead and do the best we can to giver her the kind of care I know you all want her to have.
Love to all,
Aletha and Dan
