DIY History | Transcribe | Iowa Women’s Lives: Letters and Diaries | Eve Drewelowe's journals, volumes II-III, 1950s

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Eve Drewelowe's journals, volumes II-III, 1950s

Page 141

awake with distress. And now having Van on my mind and the promised telephone call, I jumped out of bed, threw a robe around me and dashed down the darkened silent night hall in the direction of the stairway, 
Almost there I had to pass the chartroom. The nurses on duty here simply threw up their hands and demanded to know "Why Mrs Van Ek, what on earth are you doing out here, this time of the night?"
"Oh I am calling the Dean; as [per?] agreement," I stated. "He wasn't home last night when I tried to get him and I promised to give him a ring. It isn't a very considerate thing to do - I know - but I have been given no alternative, and it can't be helped now."
I went on down the stairs, swiftly, almost stealthily and made the booth. I put in my call to the same operator who had been helping me earlier in the evening; deposited my pile of dimes and nickels and prepared to wait. Almost momentarily, however, cam Van's voice out the wire "Oh hell Eve! What is the trouble?"
"There is no trouble whatsoever." I replied. "I am fine, Only I am going up to surgery this morning."
"Then, I had better come right away."
"Oh no!" I protested, "it isnt necessary at all. I am fine. I have Dr Gray, and you know what I think of him. I have every confidence in my doctors, They will do every thing for me that needs to be done. I am fine and there is nothing to be alarmed about and I will be all right." I tried to be convincing. I tried to be reassuring. I think I was for in my own heart I knew no panicky fear. The long three minutes were finally ended and I went back to bed but not to sleep.
Before five the night nurse came to complete final preparation before they went off duty and the day shift came one. From then on there was scarsely a minute to think. I even had time, however to wedge in a last tubbing - the last in a number of weeks before Dr O'Brian came at six to pump my stomach. He very adroitly and delicately inserted the tube through my nostril - a fine performance - and soon we were finished not only with that, but all preparations were made.

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awake with distress. And now having Van on my mind and the promised telephone call, I jumped out of bed, threw a robe around me and dashed down the darkened silent night hall in the direction of the stairway, Almost there I had to pass the chartroom. The nurses on duty here simply threw up their hands and demanded to know "Why Mrs Van Ek, what on earth are you doing out here, this time of the night?" "Oh I am calling the Dean; as [per?] agreement," I stated. "He wasn't home last night when I tried to get him and I promised to give him a ring. It isn't a very considerate thing to do - I know - but I have been given no alternative, and it can't be helped now." I went on down the stairs, swiftly, almost stealthily and made the booth. I put in my call to the same operator who had been helping me earlier in the evening; deposited my pile of dimes and nickels and prepared to wait. Almost momentarily, however, cam Van's voice out the wire "Oh hell Eve! What is the trouble?" "There is no trouble whatsoever." I replied. "I am fine, Only I am going up to surgery this morning." "Then, I had better come right away." "Oh no!" I protested, "it isnt necessary at all. I am fine. I have Dr Gray, and you know what I think of him. I have every confidence in my doctors, They will do every thing for me that needs to be done. I am fine and there is nothing to be alarmed about and I will be all right." I tried to be convincing. I tried to be reassuring. I think I was for in my own heart I knew no panicky fear. The long three minutes were finally ended and I went back to bed but not to sleep. Before five the night nurse came to complete final preparation before they went off duty and the day shift came one. From then on there was scarsely a minute to think. I even had time, however to wedge in a last tubbing - the last in a number of weeks before Dr O'Brian came at six to pump my stomach. He very adroitly and delicately inserted the tube through my nostril - a fine performance - and soon we were finished not only with that, but all preparations were made.