I am starting a do-over of my father's side of my genealogy. They say, "start with yourself." This is a quite an artifact to have in my possession. It is a letter my mother wrote to her dear friend, Madeline Griffin four days after my birth. Twenty-eight years later, it was found by Mrs. Griffin in a box of old letters and was forwarded back to my mother and then to me, as a birthday present. It was undoubtedly the most memorable birthday presents I ever received. The transcription is below for an easier read. Thank you to Dr. Ralph W. Haywood (1893-1979), obstetrician and Dr. Robert T. Moulton (1907-1963), pediatrician for saving my life. I am told that my picture hung in the Salem Hospital nursery for fifteen years.
"Wed. A.M. [9 Oct 1957]
Dear Maddy,
Was delighted to get your note – thought of you soon after the ordeal and thought Cynthia might be talking to you so had Nana call her. Didn’t think of it – but could have had Judy call you as she was home for the week-end. The “kids” were with us through the whole thing and they sure know the facts of life now.
First let me say I’m fine – got up briefly yesterday – and am sitting up in the chair writing this – will probably go home Fri. Have a date to see Sandra June Steele for the first time this afternoon. I want Dick with me as I’ve never seen such a small baby and I don’t know exactly what my emotions will be. Any little mite who has tried so hard to live certainly should – is the way I feel. 2 lbs 10 oz at birth and has dropped to 2-5. Had 2 feedings of sugar and water Mon. then formula, and she takes all they give her. She’s become the “darling” of the nursery and the nurses on the floor all visit her and bring back reports. Dr. Moulton is taking care of her and comes in every day. They say she is strong – can’t get over how she moves around in the incubator and chances are good that she’ll pull through.
Want the gory details? You’re going to get them anyway!
The bleeding was a separating placenta and Dr. H. said he could see it after the delivery. I had quite a bit the first of the week and called him and he said stay off my feet, which I did. The bleeding stopped, but I felt miserable Wed. – Thurs., I felt fine again, but stayed “put” all day. Andy hadn’t been down for quite awhile so Thurs. he tooted down to give me a look at the new jalopy and to have supper & stay overnight. I decided to sit up awhile and knit & watch TV. I went to the bathroom and after getting through had a “swoosh” which I thought would be blood, but turned out to be colorless fluid. Not too much but enough for me to know something new was happening. Watched a little more TV, then came the flood – called the Dr. – and he of course said “to the hospital and don’t go over any bumps.” I prepared myself mentally that a 6 mo. baby wouldn’t live and the Dr. also said it probably wouldn’t. I went right to the labor room, they prepped be, but still no pains. So, they took me to my room and all day Fri. nothing happened. About 7:00 P.M. a few pains and they waltzed me to delivery pronto. 5 min. pains for a few hours then 8 – 10 and the Dr, decided that I better have some sleep so slept through the night and she wasn’t born until 11:00 Sat. night. I did it all myself – knew every pain and knew about the delivery – did that myself and the afterbirth. So, at last. After knowing nothing about having a baby all these years – I can no longer say it. The Dr. says natural childbirth has a lot in its favor and I certainly have felt a lot better than after the other 2. He had reasons for it – wanted me to be able to do what he told me – was with me for hours napping on a cot and jumping in at every pain.
He talked with Judy & Dick for an hour on Sat. – he asked if he could talk freely in front of “J” and of course Dick & she said yes. I have the greatest pride in them – they took all this in stride and I rather guess he (Dick) turned out to lean on them rather than vice versa. They all went to church Sun. and Dick cried all through it; said he just couldn’t stop. It was over by then of course and I didn’t know until a few days later what a precarious spot I was in. Dick said on Sat. that he knew the Dr. was worried, so he felt if he was worried than Dick had plenty to worry about.
In the first place, when the membrane ruptured an infection set in so they were piling penicillin into me for than and the infection ruled out a Caesarian. The scar tissue of the cervix wouldn’t dilate and be didn’t know just what to do. Plus, the baby was breached. I think she finally righted herself though. He tried some new drug to dilate the cervix and it finally worked and everything was over and as I say, felt fine afterward. I’m so glad I went to him and we’re all pleased with everything. Except, it looks like a costly thing from here on. But I refuse to worry about it. I think she’ll be the joy of our lives – “if” – and the if grows smaller each day – and she’ll grow up with four “parents.” The “kids” saw her Sunday and Judy says she looks like a Steele baby – having seen themselves in the movies all these years. I guess they’d know. They’re delighted that she’s living and Andy comes to see me every day and doesn’t fail to stop at the nursery and ask about her. They’ll only show her once a day so Dick and the kids are the only ones so far. Me today – and then Nana and Bupp get their turn tomorrow. So, that’s the story. I do hope you’ll be able to get up. I’ll have a chance to get back on my feet and will be visiting her at the hospital most every day, no doubt.
Hope you’re all well and do write if you’re not coming up. Got to put some gentle pressure on to the folks to leave, but I think as soon as they see me on my feel they’ll take off.
Love,
Ethel"
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