Dr. Pippin's

(1993 October)
My friend Helen Bruns was telling me, cup in hand, she was Dr. Pippin's bookkeeper for years,  but we never saw her because she was in an enclosed office.  We seldom went there anyway.  We went to the other one, which I can't think of - what, I shall write in if I can later [but didn't - it was Dr. Edwards].

False alarm

We were told to brush our teeth, as Dr. Williams was going thru here and give free exams. I didn't believe it, and I was right, but I brushed anyway.

Creamed

(1993 February 8)

Bill took me to doctor today, and he [the doctor] saw rash on ankle. I took along creams I had, and he said they were just the ticket; no $ for medicine was needed.

Time to write

(1992 December)

The woman sitting at my table ... is a little odd. Many people here have been sent by their doctors. Margaret Scott pushes her sister around and around until 4 p.m. when relieved by a school girl and then she can write. [Scott was a prolific local historian.]

Exit Annie

(1992 September)

One night I opened the door, and Annie, who is a black kitten, darted out, and MM hurt her arm trying to catch her from elbow to shoulder. Has been to doctor but still very tender. She does everything for me, and a good thing, as I can do less and less for myself - just tired. What I do pretty well is sleep.

Medical science

(1991 late December)

I went to see [Dr.] Tydrick one day - can hardly remember why! Think it was back pain. He was gone, and I got Jareen, who said, "Eat well-balanced meals with plenty of vegetables." What is the use of spending the money? Lately the office girl has been saying, "Can you come here or do you want the doctor to come?" This is new or old revised!

Thearpists

(1991 ? June)

I am not fond of therapists and think they just keep things stirred up, tho perhaps we all need to be set straight on what we are doing wrong that we think is right. At the bottom of it all is: we all want our own ways and find it hard to get along together with our "rights" and privileges. So - we make our rules and try to get along. Sometimes it works and sometimes not.

Depressing

(1990 September 1)

[MM] said her doctor phoned to tell her to tell her relatives to watch a program on TV on depression. .... It was creepy to see these poor ones staring into space sitting alone. ... I am not able to watch depressing programs like that and always avoid them as did LL. One should be aware but not necessarily steeped in it.

Greeks & shrinks

(1975 January 15)

[Instead of teaching Lawrence the Greek language] I would go into Greek culture. It's too bad their culture died out. They got soft and put away their former ideals. That is what is happening to our culture. We are becoming amoral. To my mind the psychiatrists are greatly to blame as perhaps some oracles were then. Our people go to the shrinks with their problems and are told to do "what makes them happy." There are other considerations. Are they ever pointed to the hard way of duty and honor and integrity? Not that I hear of. It's the easy way and that is not my way and I hold no truce with it.

Energy crisis

(1966 March 14)

Also a big question [about travel] is one of my strength. After a visit to the clinic where many tests were run, all seemed to be fine. It is good to know I am not anemic etc. But an hour's activity leaves me spent and ready for the bed. I went downtown Saturday and came home so tired I had to lie down before I could get supper. Went to church, lunch, dishes, hit the bed and slept. However, it is a start and every day it is not raining, I am going out for a walk, trying to build up so I can come [to Kentucky]. To two such healthy specimens as you [Miryam] and Skip I can well imagine this recital seems on the agony side if not overdone. But that's the way it is. I just washed my hair - now am resting, then will try to iron a shirt.

Negative is positive

(1992 June 18)

Yesterday took a cab to County Bank and after that business walked [one block] to Valley Bank, and after that to Richard's, a good place to call a cab and sit down till it comes. In the p.m., cab again to Dr. T to find out why I have been having shortness of breath. Had 2 chest X-rays and paid $66.13 to find out there is nothing at all wrong and I can climb stairs and walk any place! Lorin always said not to feel bad when money was spent "for nothing."

The medicine man

After Polly, at 88, complained of chest pains, her daughter Mary Margaret took her to consult a cardiologist at the local hospital.

So when we got in the hospital parking lot, I sat while she got a wheel chair. Then in elevator up to 3rd floor, where she was told the doctor would not be in till 12:30. So in wheel chair and off to Gables [restaurant] - easier to cope with than Country Kitchen [across the street]; no stairs. Got chicken salad sandwich and malts.

Was at 3rd floor promptly 12:30. Sat and waited 10 minues. What would this wise man look like? Old & bearded? Soon in came a zippy young man about 40 wearing a gray suit, jacket open and flapping, and had my resume - about 3" thick. "Ah" said he, "Carolyn Kay - which of you is? And does your mother live with you?" Correct answers. Behind my chair, pulled up my sweater and listened to my heart. "Hm - perfectly normal now. Go home and do what you feel you can do."

So ended the long looked for appointment. Yes, sometimes I do pant. Sometimes there is a tightness in the chest. MM said that. "Ah yes, yes." So we went home and got in the mail, including your postcard with a bottom corner chewed off. I may return it so you can take it to P.O. if you wish to complain of the service.