Ethel to Lester, October 19, 1936

Oct 19, 1936 Cleveland O.

P.S. Don’t worry sweetie: Everything will be alright if I take it easy

Dearest Darling:

Just received your letter and will try and make everything clear to you. The doctor says I have a perfect body and am in good condition and really should have it done as soon as possible, as there is no cause for worry now, but here is what I didn’t tell you before besides an inflamed ovary I have a cyst on it. The longer I wait there is a chance of it bursting and me bleeding to heath and that is why I must not run, jump dance etc. But the operation itself is not considered serious and I will have to be at the hospital 2 weeks and then it may be a month before I will be strong enough to go back to work. And darling you know how it used to hurt me when you tried to put it in, well that’s the trouble. I don’t need any private nurses, thank heavens, but I’m going to have a private room, I just couldn’t la in a ward. As to how much it will cost, I really don’t know yet. My room will be $5.00 a day and the operating room $20.00 and that has to be paid right away. But as for the operation itself I can pay that off a little every week. So sweetie I’m afraid we can’t keep ship this winter. I’ll be pretty weak and will have to get to work o I can pay the doctor. So darling there is really nothing to worry about, and if the surgeon thinks there will be complications I’ll have a telegram sent to you, and this way if I go right away, maybe I’ll be up and around when my honey get home. Darling you are so sweet to me and I wish I could see you before I went. Wirt wants me to have Miss Ropell and I told him I couldn’t afford and he as much said he would pay for it, but it isn’t neccessary, And the surgeon is a good one – a protégé of Crile’s and of course I will have a nice scar.
Gee that is a swell picture of the boat. I didn’t realize it was so long.
Well sweetie I want this to go out on the 8 oclock delivery, and will write you soon and let you know when I go. If it should be such thing you don’t hear from me, you’ll know I’m in the hospital and will get someone to write you a note for me. But I think it will be a couple weeks yet, cause I’m expecting to come sick any day now.
Well sweetie take good care of yourself and if you can make it home, it will be grand.
Your loving wife sends you Loads and Loads of Love and Kisses
Ethel