Letters From New York
24th September 1967
Dear Mum,
By now you will have received my cable concerning the birth of our new addition – Helen Maree – and we trust the news has been as well received as it was here. Everything [text cut out], was pretty [text cut out] organised as Joan awoke from [text cut out] sleep about 5.00AM [text cut out] again until 6.00 and [text cut out] about 7.00 with the [text cut out] this time it was for real [text cut out] had me take her to the [text cut out] about 8.00AM. Helen [text cut out] part (we hope you [text cut out] names!) and arrived [text cut out] (12.03AM 24th September Sydney time) a small – [text cut out] 8ozs and 19” in [text cut out] a typical Dwyer [text cut out] the image of Michael [text cut out] Joan doesn’t concede [text cut out] and is absolutely [text cut out]. Except in the labour [text cut out] didn’t see her [text cut out] today (she’s been put [text cut out] a bottle) as she ([text cut out] been anaesthetised and [text cut out] groggy and they don’t [text cut out] babies to the mothers for a [text cut out] hours.
Phillip and Anthony cruising around Manhattan while Helen is being born.
[text cut out] a really hectic week [text cut out] Jenny being very [text cut out] Tuesday & Wednesday [text cut out] tonsillitis & allowing us very little sleep as we frantically tried to get her temperature (mostly over 102° & up to nearly 105°) by bathing her in cool water and applying damp cloths. Had the doctor in of course but he could advise little more than to let the illness take its course and dose her up with aspirin and an antibiotic. Pleased to relate that, by Thursday, she was showing signs of mending but then Thursday night saw Joan under way for hours with what turned out to be a false alarm. We sat up together until well after 3.00AM before going to bed & I spent an agonisingly anxious day at the office all day Friday (can imagine how Joan felt!) awaiting the expected call which didn’t come. Retired quite early on Friday night and had an undisturbed night’s sleep – which probably did the trick!
With the signs out we had boarded Jennifer (now very much improved) out with Jill and Catherine out with the Travis. They’ve both settled down like veterans much to Joan’s relief and are the darlings of their adopted “mothers”. The boys and I have been doing very well as we’ve had hospitality showered on us from all sides by the ladies around us &, so far, I’ve had to prepare only two meals for us – breakfast & luncheon this morning. Stunned by Joan’s news today that the doctor has told her she can be discharged on Tuesday – was prepared even to let her go tomorrow – so it’s really an assembly line job here. I’m going into the office tomorrow but will no doubt have a hectic job packing my three “charges” off to school and expect to have the rest of the week off so as to ease the strain on Joan & allow her a little more time to get back on her feet. In fact, they had her up twice yesterday (for visits to the bathroom) and she’s been up and about a bit today.
One of the strange coincidences was that the Australian girl who’s been attending the clinic with Joan – and was due next week – decided to deliver early; went into hospital at 1.00AM this morning; had another girl (her third, plus one boy) and wound up in the bed opposite Joan. How’s that eh! Joan says the service has been [text cut out] she had very little [text cut out] trouble and really [text cut out] quite well. She says Helen [text cut out] a hungry one [text cut out] as bald as a badger [text cut out] little hair she has [text cut out]. Joan’s in a Salvation [text cut out] hospital and it seems [text cut out] pretty well run.
Seems [text cut out] little other news in [text cut out] Jenny seems to be [text cut out] her illness and [text cut out] bit inconvenienced [text cut out] by being put into [text cut out]. Greg and Jill relieved us of all of them on Saturday morning as, along with their four, they took all of the children out on the yacht on which they spent Americas Cup week at Newport. They had a marvellous time and it relieved Joan and I at a time when the tension was really on. Was most appreciative of the press clippings of job vacancies but disturbed that so few cost you 40c. If you must send them please do so at the printed matter (papers) rate not the letter rate – or at the very worst write a page or two of a letter and slip it into the envelope. That’s not illegal, just good sense. If it’s going to cost you 40c each week, I’d sooner go without the information.
The weather here has suddenly turned quite cold.
Very sorry that our news of Jenny’s “operation” caused such consternation and want to reassure you that it isn’t quite as bad as you’re obviously thinking. It’s purely an investigative process involving the injection of dyes and tubes into her system to highlight and isolate the particular malfunction. The specialist assures us she won’t be [text cut out] inconvenienced and will be hospitalised [text cut out] because of the need for special equipment [text cut out] day & a half. He says its more [text cut out] an appendectomy.
Had meant to write to Margaret but, as you can imagine, its been pretty hectic and may try to do so tomorrow. Feel sure you will have passed the news on. Pleased & relieved the anxiety’s over.
Will write as usual next week.
Love, from
Bill & Joan & the little six