Medical Archives - Page 2 of 5

27 February 1945

Dear Folks:

Had a nice letter from Dad today so as long as I couldn’t stand the show just as well spend the time writing. Have been feeling very bad all day. My old kidney attacks began early this morning and haven’t let up all day except that I feel pretty decent now. I went to the hospital again this morning for a urinalysis but won’t know the result until tomorrow. Later the doctor felt around, took my blood pressure, and thumped a few places. He thinks it is urethral colic or perhaps auritis. It has been effecting me on and off for the past two weeks. Sometimes it gets pretty bad. Well the doc told me to go to bed for a few days and wait to see what the hospital does.

I’m keeping very busy but feeling like I do, I don’t have much ambition sometimes.

Pat sent me her picture a few days ago and she is an attractive girl. She writes me often.

I’m sure I’m not getting too much beer – perhaps it would average up to about a bottle every 3 days and lately we have had none at all.

As far as Christmas packages go, I have given up – they are surely sunk. The other mail comes good and I think the others would be here if it was possible.

Now as far as my experience with the Red Cross and what they are doing here. Practically all our emergency furloughs are based on their recommendations and that’s practically the only way to get one. That’s why it is important to contact them first when something serious happens at home. Other than that I’ve had no dealing with them. I think they do most of their work at the hospital. Occasionally a Red Cross girl comes around in a truck with cokes, a little candy and a ready conversation. A field worker is always handy and they have been every place I have.

The wind has been blowing all day and the dirt and sand is something fierce. I hope it rains soon. It raises hell with our typewriters and everything rusts overnight. What a country. But last night was very beautiful with a bright moon and the tall palm trees. For the moment at least, I imagined the war was non-existent.

I have nothing more, I feel like hitting the hay and calling it another day.

Love,

21 February 1945

Dear Folks:

Just came from the show, didn’t like it so we came back. Anyway it looks like a rainstorm. Had a letter from Dick a few days ago – one of his usual ‘shorties’. But it sounded like he was in good spirits and generally taking it easy. Said he had met Duane C. and according to Dick, he has about the same line of B.S. Maybe before I leave the Pacific, I will be able to see him although I wouldn’t miss the visit.

For the past few days have had an attack of my old albumen trouble. A few nights it was really painful but today it is much better. Went to the hospital for a urinalysis but it failed to show anything however the doctor told me to keep a close eye on it and to take it easy if it gets bad again. I can’t imagine what started it. Had a little attack after coming in the Army but it wasn’t bad. I don’t think it will cause me much trouble although it is a bad ache when it sets in.

Have been pretty busy lately and the time seems to be flying. Am getting more optimistic about rotation although it will be many months before I am eligible. Mail, first class, has been coming in good, although no more packages have arrived. I’m beginning to think the greater part of them were lost, although a few more may possibly come. I did get the pen and pencil set which I wanted most. It is certainly a beauty.

I’m about stopped for news, not much to tell, so just as well quit here. I’m always thinking of you and looking forward to the day when we can be together.

Love,

17 February 1945

Dear Folks:

What a pleasant day this has been. After I got through today there was a small package for me and of course it was the pen and pencil set. It is certainly a nice and beautiful set. I will have much use for it. I am always writing or doing paper work. You are a good shopper and it’s exactly what I wanted, and Schaeffer is my favorite brand.

Also had a letter from Pat and she always writes a long rambling one that is really good to read. She wants to send me something. And also received the October issue of Reader’s Digest. Things are gradually catching up with me. Perhaps all packages will arrive before long. And also had a letter from Mom. I think I’d have a hard time finding that fellow you mentioned, it’s quite a job to locate anyone and tougher to get around. And as he is in the Marine Air Corps, it would be harder yet. But you can never tell. Was glad to hear Gramp is better and especially that the pain has subsided. But I wonder what they will do now – probably wind up back in California. With all the Red Cross work you have, I imagine you will be very busy. But I guess all the Mosses are busy now. How different it must be now from what it was a few years back when the care and maintenance of your brood was more than a full job. I hope it will always be easy for both of you from now on.

It will be suppertime soon and after that will probably drink a beer and play a little cards. Perhaps there will be a show tonight. Got another shot yesterday and today the arm is a little tender. Tried to get a refraction at the hospital a few days ago but they were too busy. I have one pair but you can never tell when you might break them. Well this is all. I wrote this with the new pen – good stuff. Thank you many times.

Love,

10 February 1945

Dear Folks,

Better get a few lines off to you while I’m in the frame of mind. Received a letter from you today with the clipping about all the property changes at home. There must be a lot of money around there for so many changes.

There were a few questions you asked in your letter and I’ll answer them as far as I can. In the first place there are no furlough quotas and only emergency ones are granted. At my last station a quota was granted for a couple of months but since that time, there has been none. About the medical end. Yes, there are nurses on the island but they are in the big hospitals. Although you don’t get the pampering and personal attention of a civilian physician I think the care and treatment is good. A hospital is usually a row of tents and cots in it—but everything is in good order. As far as I know and from what little I can observe they have the best in everything. During the Saipan battle the conditions under which the doctors worked was terrible, but they worked in spite of it all. The scene of wounded was something not easy to forget and at first the sight of a dying man made me sick but I got over it. On this subject Monday I hope to get a refraction and have one pair of my glasses fixed. We get two pair and it’s very hard to get along without them so I always want an extra pair. They are a nuisance sometimes though.

And war news—yes we have a couple of big radios that pick up stations the world over—so we listen to the nightly broadcasts from ‘Frisco and other stations. Chungking China comes in strong here as well as Australia. You can listen to any languages you care to.

I wish I could set you straight on my outfit but guess that’s censorable.

I saw “Christmas Holiday” and I thought a lot of it—very good. Wanted to see “Going My Way” but missed it.

Better write Dick tonight so I’ll cut off. Am feeling fine.

Love,

21 January 1945

Dear Folks:

A quiet Sunday morning and I’m taking it easy so a good time to write a letter and perhaps take care of some others. Will probably go to church services this afternoon held in the mess hall across the road. Last Sunday listened to a very good divisional chaplain. The Catholic chaplain who serves our battalion strikes me as a very understanding and likeable fellow, and I think he is the best we’ve had. I hope he comes this afternoon.

Well it was rainy yesterday and everything is mud again but this morning is hot and sunny like a typical June Sunday at home. I even feel the mood of the day, and the morning funnies would complete the setting. But instead of funnies had service records to look at.

Haven’t received any mail the past three days due to the inclement weather. The first class comes in by the plane so if it’s dirty weather, no mail. Should rate several today. No second class has yet come in.

Dan Gottman came in a few days ago with an armload of Star-Heralds and only yesterday I finished reading them. Only a few of them were later than September so everything was pretty old, but still good.

Last nite afforded something a little different in the way of eats. Supper was (a) little weak so we fried a can of bacon that we’ve been lugging around for some time. It’s the best bacon and it was certainly enjoyed. To top this we ate fruit cake that one of the boys received. Each section has a small one burner cook stove so we can heat up a meal when we’re not eating from the kitchen. Probably tonight we will cook the popcorn that the Groves sent me, if we can find anything to substitute for butter. Once in a while we get a PX issue of a few candy bars. The cigarette shortage seems to be felt here also. Now we are issued one pack every two and sometimes three days and that isn’t near enough. Plenty of smokes for the fighting front doesn’t apply here. Have been expecting a hurricane but it hasn’t materialized yet.

Slept pretty well last nite in contrast to a few restless ones. These dark nights make me afraid some Japs may bust in the area and start shooting things up. I imagine they are pretty desperate and hungry now. I always keep my pistol loaded under my pillow together with my knife. Of course we’re pretty well protected but I still wake up easily when I hear a sound.

For the past three nights have been dreaming of getting home. I hope it’s an indication. Last night I dreamt of hitting the streamliner from ‘Frisco and was nervous as a cat. But I can’t help but feel that something will happen that will get me home this year. After I get in the 30 months bracket my chances will increase. Next month the 3^rd I will complete 29.

The Gooks as we call the Filipinos, are working around the area digging drainage holes and cleaning up. It takes about four of them to do an ordinary man’s job. I think they’d be better off working for themselves but a grass hut and a bolo knife seems to satisfy them. (See how I need that pen and pencil set). This one is okeh but it needs a little coaxing occasionally and I’m always using one.

I’m certainly over the dysentery but have a slight cold that keeps my handkerchief busy.

I hope all my mail is getting to you in good order. They seem to censor and dispatch it in good time and I hope they are not too old when they get to you. All the envelopes we get stick together and it’s a job getting them open. Maybe it would be a good idea if you enclosed an airmail envelope occasionally.

I guess I haven’t anything else to write about and it’s about dinnertime now so I’ll knock off, and hope the mailman rings plenty tonight.

Love,

17 January 1945

Dear Folks:

Better get busy with another letter before I get too far behind. A pretty decent sort of day today and I felt more like working. After supper tonight had another shot in the arm – I believe it’s to counteract worms on stomach ailments. My stomach is pretty well shaped up now and I’m eating a little more.

More packages came in today but I couldn’t rate. At least it looks like they know where we’re at and perhaps they will be coming in better order. Many of the boxes today were busted open and stuff was scattered all over the ground. You sure have to wrap them good. But I did get another August Free Press and an August Reader’s Digest. There must be at least 5 more somewhere. And I’ll tell you something else you can send me – a good wallet. This weather is pretty tough on them and mine is pretty beat up. The watch is really okeh – several times it was soaked in salt water and more often it was dusty etc, but it always comes out okeh.

I know you must be wondering about a lot of things but I’m afraid I can’t answer many questions. I hope if Farley does come this way he can look me up but as you say the Philippine

Islands cover a lot of territory and perhaps we can’t get together. Almost got a transfer and a promotion last week but at the last minute some changes were made so it didn’t materialize. Perhaps it will yet develop. Went to our local barber who has his business located under a banana tree and got a close clip. Have had my haircut short for a long time.

This really isn’t much of a letter but I guess that doesn’t mean a lot. Hope some mail will come in tonight – one is due from Mom. Keep hoping ’45 is my year.

Love,

Dan Gettman came around last nite and we talked over the ‘old country’. Said his mother had moved to Idaho for the winter. Told him about Prester but he didn’t know him.

11 January 1945

Dear Folks:

Just finished a pinochle game then wrote a letter to Dick and after writing to you I’ll about be ready for bed. Get a pretty good night’s sleep too – last night took an amatol and slept soundly. We have cats, so keep off the damp ground, and the evenings are pretty cool. All I worry about is a Jap sneaking in but of course that is watched closely. Didn’t work too hard today, still feel a little groggy but steadily improving.

Two letters came in tonight one from Gram and one from Washington. It must be an effort for Gram to write and its swell of her to do it. Glad to hear Gramp is going to Omaha – perhaps they can do him some good. I should write to June soon – I’ll bet she’s pretty blue and busy as hell with her children. Better write Loyd too.

From the tone of Dick’s last letter he sounded in pretty good spirits so I think he’s alright and probably enjoying what he is doing. He’ll make out okeh.

The natives have been working around the area cleaning up and helping get (everything) arranged. Each one has a bolo knife and with that he can do practically anything – build a house, get a dinner, build a boat or what have you. The girls do our washing and do a pretty good job too, but they always want soap.

I’m fine, have a slight cold, and am getting used to the place. Will write again soon. The bill is a Jap money used when they were here. It is worthless now. A peso is equal to fifty cents of our money. Am getting used to saying guess and centavo now.

Love,

10 January 1945

[First of two letters written on this day to his parents]

Dear folks,

Well you haven’t heard from me for a while again so you must be getting a little anxious and now that I’m free for a while maybe I can write a few lines. I just returned from the hospital this morning after a miserable attack of dysentery. I was in for a week and the first three days were bad. I couldn’t eat so they gave me an intravenous injection. After that I improved. I feel pretty good now and am getting better. Lost a little weight but will pick it up again. Had a nice batch of letters waiting which helped a lot. Still no Christmas boxes.

I know you are wondering a lot of things—where I am etc. but I can’t tell you anything more. Don’t you worry for I’m all right and soon we’ll wake up and find ourselves together again.

Love,

20 December 1944

Dear Folks:

I suppose you have been wondering what has happed to me since you haven’t had any letters for sometime. Things have happened that kept me from writing and which I can’t explain very fully. But I had some excitement and felt a little uncomfortable at times. But anyway I’m alright. Maybe I can get back to writing you more regularly now. Had six letters from you yesterday including the pictures of the house and the Waids. They were so damn good to get. And the letter was read a dozen times. I have received only two packages so far but things seem to be arriving every day. They will be here soon. The weather has turned good lately and it’s a relief from the rain. The Filipino population is around us everywhere and they are quite the business people. They wash clothes for a peso or two and are always bargaining for cigarettes and rations. Lately our movie has been working and of course they stand around and chatter and giggle. They especially titter during love scenes and have their own interpretations of what’s going on. Most of them can talk enough English to understand what you are trying to say. They live in small grass huts with chickens sharing the quarters. And each family has a hollowed out log for a boat. Each afternoon I usually manage a cooling swim in the warm ocean.

Well I know this isn’t adequate but perhaps I can write more often now. I’m fine and feeling swell. Starting to turn yellow from malaria tablets but it’ll wear off. I’ve thought about you often and how wonderful are the ways of peace. See you in ’45 I hope – I bet.

Love,

30 October 1944

Dear Folks:

Kind of a lazy Sunday morning with not very much to do, so a good time to write you a letter while I won’t have to rush. Church services are in the afternoon. For a while this morning watched some volleyball games and then walked up to the baseball diamond, but it was pretty hot so I came back. While many things aren’t so convenient for us it helps a lot to get some time off and to be able to relax occasionally.

Since I started this I was interrupted and now it is about eight o’clock in the evening. I received three letters just before the show and just now could read them. This was the first mail in four days and I was beginning to think something had gone wrong again. Two of the letters were from you and one from Washington, so I had a boost in my morale. You once remarked Mom how I could write so much, well you are practically the only ones I write to, and many nights it’s a relief to write rather than trying to kill time and thinking about home so much, so I start writing, and when I’m doing it, it seems like I get a little closer to you somehow.

For the first time in several years I played baseball. The battery organized a third team and today I played third base. I guess I did alright although my hands are a little sore from catching the ball. In the battalion we have two leagues, the American (and) the National set up, so there are a lot of games. I’m on the first three graders volleyball team too, but not so hot at that racket. But there aren’t many of us so I have to play.

Of course the news from the Philippines on the water and on land is drawing our attention as it must be yours. I listen to every news broadcast I can, and we can get them from all sides, Australia, Japan, Germany and London. Two nights ago I ran onto a particularly interesting shortwave broadcast while dialing around. Correspondents for UP, INS and AP were transmitting their messages to ‘Frisco from Leyte and the procedure of getting the news to their agencies was interesting. Of course the Japs are claiming victories on a larger scale than ours, and claim Task Force 58 was annihilated off Formosa. The line of rot they propagate is really something to hear. In connection with the war I happened to get a hold of some interesting stuff on (the) Saipan operation and thought you might like to read it. Some of the commentators seem to think the Naval victory may shorten the war a few months and I’m not inclined to disagree. I hope the Philippines don’t bog down into another New Guinea affair and drag on for many months. Those yellow b___’s can live like gophers and it’ll take a lot to dig them out. They use ‘em to haul garbage from camp and when I see them go by on the truck I wonder what they’re thinking about. They are still bringing them out of the hills. About a month ago three of them were seen in a cane field next to one of the batteries and after killing two of them the other gave up. One of them was almost out in two bullets.

Just a few minutes ago I opened a can of beer and even had peanuts to go with it. The PX got a pretty good supply in and after waiting in line for 45 minutes finally was able to buy a few things.

Yesterday went to the dentist and had a small filling taken care of. My gum had swollen a little but wasn’t too sore so I thought I better see what was up. Luckily it wasn’t bad and he didn’t have to drill around too much. My teeth are in good shape now, and contrary to my civilian habits I brush them regularly.

Well I think I’ve run out for this time. Another Sunday gone by and another week on the way. Time seems to be flying for me to and I hope the next year goes as fast as the last one, for then I will be eligible for rotation. And pray that when we get our next furlough quota I will walk up and draw the little slip with the magic words on it. I worry more about you folks than I do about myself and I hope you don’t upset yourselves too much. Well there’s the curtain on another act so, so long –

Love,