Helen Woodrow Bones to Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre

Title

Helen Woodrow Bones to Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre

Creator

Bones, Helen Woodrow

Identifier

WWP17491

Date

1914 July 9

Description

Helen writes to Jessie that Mary has just had surgery for appendicitis and updates her on the family news.

Source

Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library, Princeton University

Language

English

Text

Dearest Jessie

We didn't mean to tell you, till we could report more definitely, that Mary underwent an operation for appendicitis this morning; but Hoover tells me that the newspapers have got hold of it the fact and so I'm rushing this off. It ought to reach you to-morrow afternoon.
Sunday she was taken quite sick—Saturday night, rather. Dr. Grayson thought at once that it the trouble was appendicitis; but he called in Dr. Fountleroy, whom he considers one of the finest surgeons in the city, to make sure. Dr. F. agreed with him that there should be an operation as soon as she was well enough to stand it. They said she was in fine condition as far as everything but her appendix was concerned, but they felt strongly that she ought not to run the risk of having another attack.
She was so much better yesterday that they sent her off to the hospital last night, Miss Lucy of course going with her. Dr. F. operated this morning at half-past eleven and found that the appendix was in bad condition. When I left at two she was safe, but not out of the anaesthetic; later this afternoon Dr. Grayson telephoned that she was doing as well as could be expected. He will be here for dinner and if there is anything more definite to write you I'll send another line or two.Your mother had to be told for fear she should chance on the news in the papers; Nell told her this afternoon and she was her own dear calm self. I expected her to get excited, but she didn't a bit, which simply proves that she is about fifty percent better than she was a week ago!But aren't we a fine household!—Cousin Ellen still an invalid; though improving, oh, so wonderfully!
Mary in the hospital; Annie (who fell on the slippery floor of the hall two days ago) with a badly hurt though not broken arm; Coates with his wife in the hospital! The one real big comfort is that your wonderful, beautiful, splendid father is well and apparently not letting himself be too much worried by the million things he has to worry him.
Margaret went away this morning and I'm glad she went; for she needs the restful time she will have at Dr. Battens! She went unwillingly.
Much love to you and the perfect husband from


Helen

Original Format

Letter

To

Sayre, Jessie Woodrow Wilson, 1887-1933

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/HBtoJWS19140709.pdf

Citation

Bones, Helen Woodrow, “Helen Woodrow Bones to Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre,” 1914 July 9, WWP17491, Jessie Wilson Sayre Correspondence, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.