Lou Chritton's Diary, May 1946



Dicey Louisa "Lou" (Hogue) Chritton

My great-grandmother, Dicey Louisa "Lou" (Hogue) Chritton, began keeping a diary on the first of January, 1946. The diary was a pocket "five year diary" with each page marked with five small slots to be filled in on the same date each year for five years. This is an excerpt from her diary.

Lou is living with her son-in-law and daughter, Leamon and Ora "Mae" Moot, in Wichita. She suffered from a thyroid condition that cause a goiter. She has been getting nearly daily treatments to reduce the size of the goiter since April.

Like you might expect of any ailing 71-year-old widow undergoing daily treatments, she spends May writing mostly about her health and the weather. 

It's tough reading, but it does get better for her in the months ahead. In June she takes a break from treatments and tells of her travels visiting family in Kansas and Missouri.

Wednesday, May 1, 1946

I went to see Doc today. I about coughed my head off. I got home O.K. I guess I will live.

Thursday, May 2, 1946

Have been to the doctor. Can see my neck is getting smaller all the time.

Friday, May 3, 1946

I went to Doc today. Nearly froze. It was cold. I am getting better all the time, I think.

Saturday, May 4, 1946

I have been to the doctor today. It has warmed up some. I am rather wheasy. My neck is smaller.

Sunday, May 5, 1946

Mae, Betty, and I went to the park today. Seen the monkeys, bears, lions, tiger, leopard, and alligators.

Monday, May 6, 1946

Betty and I went to the doctor today. It looked rainy, but we missed it all.

Tuesday, May 7, 1946

I went to the doctor today. My it was a cold trip. I made OK. It has warmed up now.

Wednesday, May 8, 1946

We went to see Doc today. It has been rainy all week, but we just miss them.

Thursday, May 9, 1946

We have been out to the doctor. It rained on us just a little bit. My I am glad we didn’t get wet.

Friday, May 10, 1946

We went to see Doc today and did we ever get wet. I should say we did, and nearly froze.

Saturday, May 11, 1946

We went again today to see the doctor. It is pretty cold today. We made it all right.

Sunday, May 12, 1946

Marie was here today. She brought me a bouquet of roses and box of s. berries. She is leaving for Germany Tuesday.

Monday, May 13, 1946

We went to the doctor today and it rained. We just about missed out today.

Tuesday, May 14, 1946

Went to see the doctor today. It was a real nice day. Marie left for Germany this morning. I hated to see her go.

Wednesday, May 15, 1946

We went to Doc’s today. Still looks rainy but don’t do much. I guess we can take it.

Thursday, May 16, 1946

We went to the doctor and came back and got our shoes out of the repair shop.

Friday, May 17, 1946

Was to see the doctor today. I feel weak tonight. It has been a nice day. We walked quite a bit.

Saturday, May 18, 1946

I never went to Doc today. I felt too bad to go, so I rested up for next trip.

Sunday, May 19, 1946

We had fried chicken today. I think I will be able to go see the doctor tomorrow. Ha ha.

Monday, May 20, 1946

I went to see Doc toady.  I am feeling some better. He said it was the treatments making me bad.

Tuesday, May 21, 1946

Went to see Doc today. It is a fine day and I am feeling better. I guess I will come out O.K. yet.

Wednesday, May 22, 1946

We went to the doctor today. Mae and Leamon went to see Gloria graduate.

Thursday, May 23, 1946

We went to the doctor. This has been a hot windy day. I am going to fry chicken now.

Friday, May 24, 1946

We went to see the doctor. It was a nice day but a little windy. I am getting tired.

Saturday, May 25, 1946

I [went] to see the doctor today. Was a little late, but made it O.K. This is a fine day.

Sunday, May 26, 1946

We stayed home all day and I slept some. It was a fine day to sleep.

Monday, May 27, 1946

We went to see Doc and made a quick trip. Doc brought us back to town.

Tuesday, May 28, 1946

I went to see Doc today. It was windy. Now it is raining and is pretty cool.

Wednesday, May 29, 1946

Went to the doctor today. I had something in my eye. He got it out. We got home O.K.

Thursday, May 30, 1946

We stayed home today, as it was Decoration Day. Doc was closed up.

Friday, May 31, 1946

We have been to see Doc. This morning got home early and taking [care] of two children.