Wheelchairs and Crutches

Pencil sketch by Art Price.

With the wedding tentatively scheduled for September 1, 1951, Art decided to address a long-standing health problem in June.  He was admitted to Presbyterian Hospital in New York City and underwent an operation on June 15 to address the pain in his left knee.

Monday, June 18, 1951

Presbyterian Hospital

168th Street, 5th Floor

New York, NY

Dear June:

I was a little surprised myself that I was able to call you today.  I’m glad I could though.  I roamed the halls in a wheelchair most of the morning.  They’re really quite easy to handle.  Then they measured me for crutches and taught me how to use them.

The nurse on duty last night told me I don’t really have to exercise 100 times an hour.  She said this doctor always expects more than the others, so I’ll keep on doing like I have been.  I hear they get people out of here as fast as they can.  I really think I’ll be coming home sometime next week.

We’re listening to Godfrey’s Talent Scouts right now.  I suppose you’re watching them, too.  I wish I could be there holding your hand right now.  Oh well, it won’t be long.  I hope the doctor has something good to tell me tomorrow.  I’ll let you know what he says.

The nurse will be coming in in a minute with our sleeping pills so I guess I’d better say good night for now.  I miss you very much, darling.  I love you, I do.

All my love

Art

(For Saturday – Hope it's not an old groan!)

© 2011 Lee Price

News from Shirl

With the wedding tentatively scheduled for September 1, 1951, Art decided to address a long-standing health problem in June.  He was admitted to Presbyterian Hospital in New York City and underwent an operation on June 15 to address the pain in his left knee.

Monday, June 18, 1951

126 Lincoln Street

Riverhead, NY

Dear Art,

It was honestly a thrill to have you call me today, darling.  I felt so happy after hearing that you were able to get up.  I’m proud of you, darling – almost walking!  And only 24 and a half at that!

Your mother said she’d call me tomorrow.  I hope you will have some news about your infection (that’s what it is, isn’t it?) and the treatment.  If you don’t know the details yet, I’ll practice being patient.  You have been so wonderful about the operation and getting better that I won’t let this worry me yet.

Molly Goldberg, star of
The Goldbergs.

I just took a few minutes off to see the end of Molly Goldberg’s program on television.  They finally got the tall skinny niece married off – even had the wedding ceremony on the screen.  I want to plan for ours now, darling.

I received a letter from Shirl saying that she couldn’t be a bridesmaid because she was getting married in August – but she would love to come to the wedding.  So I called her tonight and she said she’s planning to get married either the 19 or 26 of August.  I told her that if she marries before my wedding she could be my Matron of Honor.  She thinks the idea is swell – although she thought my mother would be that.  I guess that’s how Jewish weddings
work.  So it looks like I’ll have Shirl in the wedding – I’ll know very soon.  She gave me her dress size.

Oh, darling, it was so nice to see you over the weekend.  I love you so much.  I’ll see you this weekend again.  It feels like it’ll be a long time till then – but we’ll be together again soon, sweetheart.

All my love,

June

(Tomorrow – Exercise 100 times an hour.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Exercising Vigorously

Hand study by June Anderson.

With the wedding tentatively scheduled for September 1, 1951, Art decided to address a long-standing health problem in June.  He was admitted to Presbyterian Hospital in New York City and underwent an operation on June 15 to address the pain in his left knee.

Monday, June 17, 1951

126 Lincoln Street

Riverhead, NY

Dear Art,

I had such a nice visit with you today, darling.  It works out swell – imagine getting a newly married young man as your roommate!

This will just be a short letter tonight.  I’m going to catch up on my sleep as soon as I finish.  Just letting you know that I arrived home safely – and love you, my darling.

I called your mother when I got home.  I told her you seemed to be pretty good and were exercising vigorously.  She won’t be getting in to see you till Tuesday.  She’s trying to space the visits so that you won’t have to go too long without any visitors.

I am so glad I was able to see you Saturday and Sunday, both!  I feel more relaxed now that I’ve seen you.  But even better, I was able to be near you and kiss you and hold your hand for a short while.  I’m looking forward to the time when you can make it to Riverhead again, my darling – that will be a wonderful night.  But, I’ll see you before that, sweet, at least once – and, if necessary, maybe many more times.

All my love,

June

(Tomorrow – News from Shirl.)

© 2011 Lee Price

First, a Wedding Gown...

With the wedding tentatively scheduled for September 1, 1951, Art decided to address a long-standing health problem in June.  He was admitted to Presbyterian Hospital in New York City and underwent an operation on June 15 to address the pain in his left knee.

Friday, June 15, 1951

126 Lincoln Street

Riverhead, NY

Dear Art,

Fashion illustration by
June Anderson.

I am so glad it is finally over darling – and so happy you are not in a cast!  I haven’t heard many details yet about your operation, but it seems to be the best we hoped for.  If all they have to give you is a treatment for an infection – that’s very good.  I’ll see you tomorrow and hope to hear a little more. 

Tomorrow, Mother and I are going in to buy a wedding gown first and then come to visit you.  I hope your mother doesn’t think I’m being too selfish thinking about the wedding when you are still sick in the hospital.  But darling, I feel that it’s for both of us, really – and it’s a symbol that you will be well soon.  It will be a concrete fact that will make the time pass a little easier till you are back in my arms.  I love you, darling – so much.  It’s also a wonderful excuse to get me in to see you a day earlier than we had planned, Saturday now as well as Sunday.

I’m so eager to see you, darling.  You probably won’t be in the mood to entertain but all I want to do is to sit near you and know you are alright.

All my love,

June

(For Tuesday – The worst is over.)

© 2011 Lee Price

The Operation

Presbyterian Hospital.

Art had rheumatic fever as a young boy and it had left him with a knee that would sometimes swell and feel very sore.  This operation was triggered by one of these swelling episodes.  While the operation could have taken place at the Southampton Hospital, Art’s family doctor was concerned that the local hospital didn’t have the facilities for him to get a good round of physical therapy following the operation.  The doctor recommended Presbyterian Hospital.

The operation took place at Presbyterian Hospital on Friday, June 15, 1951.  The doctors opened up the knee and drained a lot of fluid.  They didn’t find anything else of concern.  Deciding that a cast was unnecessary, the doctors recommended that Art use crutches for a month or two.  This would mean that he would be off the crutches by September 1, the date tentatively scheduled for their wedding.

In the meantime, Art was scheduled for approximately ten days of physical therapy at Presbyterian Hospital as he recovered.

(Tomorrow – Shopping for a wedding gown.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Six Months Today

With the wedding tentatively scheduled for September 1, 1951, Art decided to address a long-standing health problem.  He was admitted to Presbyterian Hospital in New York City on June 12 for an operation to address the pain in his left knee.

Thursday, June 14, 1951

126 Lincoln Street

Riverhead, NY

Dear Art,

When you receive this letter you will be all finished your operation, thank goodness.  And I will be in to see you soon after.  I’m looking forward to seeing you so much, darling.

I’m glad you had a visitor the other night.  The only part I didn’t care for was that she was a tall single blonde.  Don’t get carried away just because you’re out of my sight!

I went to the movies tonight and kept missing you sitting beside me.  Along the Great Divide – that cowboy picture with Kirk Douglas – was alright, but Smuggler’s Island had so many double crosses in it that it didn’t make any sense at all!

Tomorrow you will finally have the operation over with.  Your mother has promised to call as soon as she hears news.  I’ll be waiting.  It’s six months today that we’ve been engaged, darling.*  I love you so much – I’m sorry I can’t tell you how much over the phone like I would in person.  But I have the rest of my life to tell you that – I can wait a short while.

I hope the cast goes on so it won’t rub your leg.  If it doesn’t feel right, let the nurses or doctor know right away.  They’ll take care of you.

I can’t think of any more advice to give you, darling, so I’ll go to bed now.  I’ll be in Sunday to push your hair back and hold your hand.

All my love,

June

* This reference clears up our earlier uncertainty about the engagement date.  Apparently, June and Art became engaged on December 14, 1950.

(For Saturday – The operation.)

© 2011 Lee Price

You Shouldn't Had Oughta Done It

Art's lettering assignment homework for the Partida Art School.

With the wedding tentatively scheduled for September 1, 1951, Art decided to address a long-standing health problem.  He was admitted to Presbyterian Hospital in New York City on June 12 for an operation to address the pain in his left knee.

Thursday, June 14, 1951

Presbyterian Hospital

168 Street, 5th Floor

New York, NY

Dear June:

My mother and sister got here about 7 and stayed till 8.  It was nice to see them.  And it’s sure going to be nice to see you Sunday, darling.  Thanks for the flowers.  They really are beautiful but you shouldn’t had oughta done it.

They are saying the operation will be early in the afternoon.  They’ll take me upstairs about 12:30.  Afterwards they don’t bring you back to your room until you’re conscious.  Don’t you be worried about me and the nurses.  You’re my one and only wonderful darling girl, you doll.  I hope I’m feeling good by Sunday.  The way everyone talks, I should be.

I guess I’ll roll over and go to sleep in a few minutes.  I feel like I’m going to be able to sleep good tonight.  I hope so.  I love you very much, darling.

All my love,

Art

(Tomorrow – Six months since the engagement.)

© 2011 Lee Price