December 11, 1988

Dear Sandy, Betsy and Kirstie,

I am in ICU.  I came thru ER last night.  My BP was 50/30 and heartbeat was 38.  I got 4 boluses of atropine.  They thought my coryard was doing this.  Then they gave me Insulin IV and NA Bucarb IV.  I was dying.  I had a junctual heart beat.  Anyway they found high potassium.  I can't eat.  I have had nothing in over 24 hours.  They want the potassium out of my body.  At 1:30 the nurse said I went in normal sinus rhythm.

Sandy, I am not getting the sewing for my granddaughters.  This is hard to write because I have an IV.  I can't get out of bed or have a sip of water.  I want some toast.  Dr. Ashton is in my doctor.  He stopped all meds.  My room here in ICU is colder than my apartment.

ICU is decorated pretty.  I have no phone.  Grandma and Grandpa will be here today.  My BP came up also.  I hope he lets me eat.  I was near death when I came in.  I also had another.  The nurse told me I was one sick cookie and could have died.

I am out of news for now.  Will write later.  I love all of you.

Love,
Mom

December 3, 1988

Dear Betsy,
So how is the bride-to-be?  May 6 will be here soon.  I hope I am better.  The doctor says I had a major stroke and now I keep having mini strokes.  I am on a blood thinner (coumadin) which disolves clots.

Today I have a lot of energy.  I am trying to pick up my room (living).  Then I must do BR.  When I was in Mercy, I bought a craft kit.  I picked one for Alexsandra's baby's 1st shoes.  I hope I can make them.

I did an insurance form for meds.  Now I wait for the money.

I have cable vision and I love it.  I get up early in night and cable goes all night.

Well, I wanted you to know that I think of you, love you and miss you.

Take care.  Come see me.  I miss you.

All my love,
Mom