Transcription of Document FFDoc-1250.pdf

7-15-71, Thursday 12:30 AM

Dear Ronnie & Joe, Frank & Vee and spouses!

Wish I had some decent carbon 'cause this monotone[?] slime[?] is going to mean extra work - & the carbon won't be so good either.

Just thought I'd bring you all up to date. As Ronnie knows by now, went to hospital Sunday, & really found Leo pretty low - heartburn, nausea, vomiting, very weak, little interest in anything & hardly talked, & could only be heard by getting close to him. Some "drop-in" visitors hadn't helped 'cause he just tried to be alert & respond & really couldn't. So with his permission I ordered "no visitors" except his own "5 women".

Monday was his 3rd day of chemotherapy (4 hrs daily) and he was the same, if not weaker & it was kinda depressing & frightening. Besides saying he had already lost 28 lbs (all fluids we presume) he was showing a daily weight loss of 1-2 lbs and eating very little in spite of his constant theory that food is important.

Tuesday was his first day of no treatment - he was still distressed with some "indigestion" but was forcing himself to eat, had walked the "loop" several times, was cheerful, talked about coming home next week, and admitted it was his best day since admission. Even sneaked into the John by himself & shaved. And he was beginning to act like Leo, and that was heartening.

Today, Wed, was the best yet. He was up early, breakfasted, sat around several hours, ate lunch, & was reading when I arrived @ 1:30. He rested some but was also able to joke & tease, still talks about coming home next week, is even talking about needing a new car for one of us, since is Jeanne is working & now using his. I know he isn't kidding himself - He knows the nephrostomy is permanent, will require special care & adjustment, has said he was told the cancer had reached "some" of his organs, told Jeanne the operation was to prolong his life. Several nites ago he told me "I don't think I can make it." Tonite his attitude was "well maybe I can have a couple more years", & was really cheerful. We got to talking about some questions he asked & I was surprised to find he remembered little beyond admission up to the point he arrived in special care after last Thursday's operation.

He thought he had only met the female nephrologist AFTER the operation; didn't remember my being there all day every day, didn't know Paul spent 2 days there with me right up to operation time, and recalled nothing of his wild insistence on wanting to get out of bed so often. Sooo, I guess I wasn't panicky - we came close to losing him with uremic poisoning.

Tonite the change was so positive I couldn't afford to hold his hand all day anymore unless he sent for me. I've been out 2 wks and have to be available when he comes home, for dressings, nutrition (his hang-up) etc. until we get some routine established - so I've got to get some of my work handled meantime. He's anxious to be home while Paul & Joe are here but figures he can't get to the camps but "maybe, for an hour."

Needless to say, we go up & down with the patient - right now we're all on "ups". I do feel we're not being unrealistic. We've had some long, sad discussions against the day we may have to face the final reality. Meantime we plan to enjoy whatever special & extra gift of time we may be given.

Joe's & the Tergesen's visits were most welcome. And it has been gratifying to hear my girls say they were glad I had them around when the going was rough.

We are aware & appreciative of everyone's prayers - as Leo said to me "keep them coming"!

God bless you all - there's nothing so comforting as that "family feeling" we Shieldses seem to have.

Love Dot & Leo