Letters From New York
Monday 11th Sept. 1967
Dear Mum,
Well if you found my previous letter quite exciting, you may not be so happy with this effort. Not so good news to relate this week as our visit to Jenny’s specialist on Saturday left us somewhat disappointed. To cut a long story short, he’s determined that she’ll have to undergo the heart catheterisation which was virtually promised by the other specialist even before we left Australia. Imagine our dismay when, despite that she shows wonderful (even “abnormal”) progress to us he suggests that the X-ray still shows the heart to be abnormal and exploratory surgery seems to be the only way to solve the dilemma. She performed a treat such that he was not able to complete meaningful tests on her (she’d been quite frightened when, earlier in the week, she’d been taken alone into the X-ray theatre – Joan was banned because of her “condition” – by a big negro orderly) but towards the end of the interview he put the stethoscope on her and remarked to a confrere – “Not a murmur” so the mystery goes on. He says that the op should be done between the ages of 2 and 2 ½ so we’ve virtually decided to have her done by him in March, before we leave. He says he could probably refer us to a good man in Sydney but we're very happy with & confident in him and he’s volunteered to do it at no cost to us so what can we do? As I said – a disappointment – but if it has the result of really putting the finger on the problem it's worth the worry.
First day of school. 1 September 1967
Our other problem – Michael and school – proved to be no problem at all as he went off like a trooper this morning for his two hour session (they do only 2 hours a day for the first week) and hasn’t stopped cackling since he’s been home. Indeed, he wasn’t the least put out when Joan left him to come home and actually cried when she went down two hours later to collect him. He had announced, suddenly, last night that he didn’t think he’d go to school and mentioned right near zero hour this morning that he had a sore tummy but, when the time came, he was good as gold. The somewhat reluctant this morning the others came home beaming, delighted by their respective teachers and enthralled by the prospects put to them of experiments and projects to be worked on during the year.
Your letter arrived somewhat late (only this morning!) this week – no doubt delayed by the P.O. problem – but was most welcome. Sorry to hear about Margaret’s misfortunes but you do seem to be having quite a terrible winter down there, and no doubt the cold & ‘flu germs are about everywhere. Joan’s mother writes to say that she is in the throes of one and Dad’s been trying to throw one off for a couple of weeks. No news on Brian and Maria but they were expected to arrive last Saturday (9th) and imagine there was quite some festivity at “54”.. Neil and his girlfriend have set their wedding date for July 7th next (just a week after we return) so that too might be a hectic period.
Still in mourning myself, over St. George’s defeat by Souths the weekend before last and do hope they survive the finals against Canterbury. Will I hear the end of it from Glenn if Canterbury were to win. Pleased to hear Vic had a win and hoping for one myself this week on Dame Pattie in the Americas Cup (it gets under way tomorrow). Rumour has it that the betting boys at Newport are offering of 20-1 against the Dame and I’ve commissioned Greg to get some of it if it's still available when he & Jill get there (indeed, they should be almost there now). The Travis’ returned on Tuesday and have had one short session with them. Hope to get a real good chat in this week.
Got the Bartels moved OK but it was touch and go before the people taking over their apartment arrived to move in. Worked ‘till very late on Friday evening and up early on Saturday to take Jenny up to the specialist with Joan. Rushed home in the early afternoon to go to the U.S.A. Singles Tennis Semi-finals at Forest Hills. Saw Newcombe (Aust.) trounce an American unknown in three sets & then another American (whom Newcombe defeated easily in the Final) rather luckily defeat a very tenacious & brilliant Dane. It was quite a good afternoon & it whetted my appetite for more yesterday as I watched the final on T.V. Had dinner out again last night as guests of our Argentinian neighbours but fear the social life is proving too much for the boss. She’s biding her time now – tired but well. Will leave the back to her.
Love & best wishes,
Bill
Dear Mum,
As you see I’m still here but I hope not for long. Will do the ironing tomorrow & see if I can go in then (ha-ha). We are thrilled with the young fella and his first day at school today. He loves it. The 3 bigger ones all came home happy too & very pleased with their teachers. Anthony & Cathy have Indian teachers who wear saris and Phillip & Michael have English teachers. Pat Travis tells us you invite Chinamen in off the street. You’re looking for trouble Mum.
God bless, thank you for the prayers. Love,
Joan