1941 6 20 Beatrice Camp to Olive Schnack

•  Didies is defined as diapers.  
• 'Aunt Lu' might be Lulu Peck, a sister of Beatrice's mother-in-law, Mirinda Peck.

Laurens, N.Y.
June 20, 1941

Dear Olive,

I was down to see Junior just before supper.  I was awfully glad to see him.  I was sorry to find Walt sick, also to hear you don't feel so good.  I hope you can see to read this.

I am going to Cooperstown to see Harriet Sunday p.m. and think I will stop and see you on my way up.  I was hoping to see you here at home.

One of the nurses, Miss Monopoli (do you remember her?) sends me a card most every day to keep me posted.  I didn't hear yesterday and was just about sick thinking but this a.m. I received a card saying she was OK.  They are gradually taking her out of the incubator.  Oh boy, when she gets used to being out of the incubator, I'm going to try to get her home.

Aunt Lu went home yesterday a.m. with a bad cold so I've been trying to get meals.  Harriet will be 3 weeks old tomorrow

night and I don't feel too rugged.  It never took me so long before to get over it.  I am so anxious to get good and strong.  I am trying to go easy on coffee and cigarettes and drink milk.  I'm going to pasteurize my milk as soon as I'm able.  No more raw milk!  Dr. Murray says it is very foolish to use raw milk.

Remember me to Mrs. Groff.  I liked her an awful lot when I was a patient.

Christine was up here for supper last night.  I had a small mess of Swiss chard out of the garden.  Also, some lettuce I picked from some that is suppose to head.  Does it hurt it?  The other kind isn't ready yet.  The garden looks a lot better since the rain.

I hope you can read Miltie's letter.  He doesn't separate his words enough.

Aunt Lu made Harriet some nighties and some didies.  She has fared well for such a tiny girl.  I'm awfully anxious to get her home but don't want her to have any set backs.

Love,
B.

1941 6 11 Bea Camp to Olive Schnack

M. I. B. Hospital is the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital. 

M.I.B. Hospital
Cooperstown, N.Y.
June 11, 1941

Dear Olive,

Here I am sitting up!  I sat up yesterday a half hour in the a.m. and a half hour in the p.m.; was supposed to sit up one hour this a.m. but only sat up about 15 minutes.  I'll tell you why later.  Now I'm going to sit up an hour.  I'll eat my supper while up.

Flo and Carrie were here this p.m. and I only saw them half an hour.  Did I talk fast and then I didn't say half what I wanted to.  Everything went bass ackward.  First, there was a baby in here and then they came and took me downstairs for a violet ray treatment on my rear.  I told you how sore I was, didn't I?  Well, Dr. Green opened all those pustules; about killed me - felt as though he were cutting the skin all off, then he painted it with gentian blue which is a beautiful purple.  The girls have had a lot

of fun.  Mrs. Nugent painted B.C. on but the girls insist it is B.G.  They told Dr. Green he did a good paint job but did he have to autograph it.  Poor man, we make his life miserable.  Yesterday and today, I've had ultra violet rays on once a day.  I guess it is better now.

I fed my Harriet today.  Of course, I was scared but did I love it.  Of course, I think she is grand.  Flo saw her.  I'm anxious to see what she thinks of her.  I didn't see her afterward.  I could see Richard out on the lawn.  Harriet took her formula out of a regular bottle and nipple; a big nipple, too.  She sucked it right down fast.  I can't remember but I guess I didn't tell you Dr. Peckham had me dry my breasts up.  He said I didn't have much and it would be quite a while before she could nurse anyway.  He thought it would be best.  I couldn't get only a little

bit of milk at a time.

The reason I didn't stay up my hour was because I had to be on exhibition.  The Doctors had a meeting and Dr. Peckham showed me off on account of that medicine I took.  The girls helped me get all dolled up.  Mrs. Vogelien, an 18 year old girl (she went home this p.m.), fixed my hair up with bobby pins.  I borrowed deodorant from another patient and wore Mrs. Vogelien's classy bed jacket.  I even powdered my face, the first time in months.  Did I get nervous but it wasn't bad.  He just kept me a few minutes.

Did I tell you I _____?  I'll wait until I see you and tell you all about it.  Dr. Peckham was away; he  just came back Monday.

Flo said you and Jr. were better.  I'm so glad.  I'll be so glad to come see you.

Flo brought me a beautiful pink and white carriage robe.  Aunt ____ sent me a beautiful dress and slip

and big lovely pink blanket.  Emilee, she has a lot of stuff for me.  Harriet is so tiny nothing will fit her.

I'm looking for Len to come up tomorrow.  I'm not the only one that doesn't see my husband and as misery likes company, I didn't mind it so much as I thought I would.

Emilee brought me a good book "Native Son" by Richard Wright.  Having to lie on my side makes it hard to do much.  Emilee can't come tonight.  Jimmie has to clean out his mother's chimney.

I was awfully provoked that I couldn't see Flo and Carrie longer.

I still feed little Willie.  He's cute.  I wish they'd let me feed Harriet all the time.  I'm afraid of her and I want to get used to her.

My sunburn burns a little tonight.  I've been sitting on it too much.

I'll write again.

I had the sweetest card from Vivian and Ed.

Love,
Bea

They have taken 2 stool specimens from me.