Amanuensis Monday: A Letter from the Hospital - November 25, 1936

Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

I continue my project to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Not only do the documents contain genealogical information, the words breathe life into kin - some I never met - others I see a time in their life before I knew them. If you choose to join me in Amanuensis Monday and post your transcriptions, feel free to add a link to your post in the comments.

This week I transcribe a letter my maternal grandfather, Martin Deutsch, sent to his sister, Bert, in November of 1936, while he was recovering from an appendicitis attack and surgery.

---

St. Luke’s Hospital
St. Louis, Mo.
Nov. 25, 1936

Dear Bert:

I experienced the greatest pleasure today when I was permitted to get out of bed for the first time in seven days and was able to walk around. I was fortunate in this whole affair in that it came on me so suddenly I didn’t spend any time worrying about it beforehand. Then the operation was so successful that I didn’t suffer any pain and hardly any discomfort since I came to the hospital. Nevertheless, the experience has taught me to have more respect and sympathy for anyone who is ill or has an operation. Something I never had before because as long back as I can remember I’ve never been ill other than for a toothache or stomach ache (the real kind) and just for a few hours at a time.

Well anyway the excitement about me is all over and you can go ahead with the wedding. Hope it’s as great a success as my operation.

As far as I know I’m in excellent condition and will leave the hospital tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day. I’ll really have something to be thankful for when I get out of here.

I’ll stay away from work possibly another week although I feel I could start back today. I’ll be well taken care of when I get out of here and have everything provided for.

The flowers from the folks were certainly the most and the best I ever received. They’ve got lots of life for they’re still here in full bloom as good as new. Tell everyone they were appreciated.

I heard of your long distance call the other day and was sorry I couldn’t call you myself to let you know how well I am. Nevertheless, the one you talked to was as competent to answer as I would be myself.

Best regards to everyone and see you again.

Martin

---

Notes:

1) I wonder who my grandfather references with "the one you talked to was as competent to answer."  Possibly a doctor or nurse.  But also possibly his soon-to-be wife, Myrtle Van Every.

Since he mentions his sister's upcoming wedding, and doesn't mention his own, I have a suspicion he proposed while in the hospital, or sometime between then and December 6 when he wrote a letter to his boss.  Martin and Myrtle were married on December 31.

2) To never be ill beyond a toothache/stomachache until age 29 is rather unusual, I think.  I actually recall him to be consistently healthy, and in good physical shape, up until his final years.