March 21, 1988 Orem, Utah

Dearest Johnny; Roy, Patrice & Emily Ann; Bob, Claire, Michael, Laura & Brett; Rick, Jean, Ricky, Barbara Jean, Mary Ann & Sarah; and Ron, Ann, Susanna, Jessie, Russell, LeeAnna & Jimmy:

WELCOME LITTLE EMILY ANN!!!!!!! To say we are thrilled to pieces is really putting it mildly!!!!! We were a little surprised she came before the end of the month but for some reason we just knew Roy & Patrice would have a little girl. We laughed at Johnny - he said wouldn't you know that Roy would have it lucky and have her born during the day - Ha!!! She was born about 4 o'clock San Antonio time and Roy said they went to the hospital about 10 that morning - March 19th!!! SHE IS OUR ONLY MARCH BIRTHDAY!!!! Roy said she is just beautiful and has light auburn hair and he said Patrice got along just fine - isn't that wonderful???? We absolutely LOVE her name - the cutest little girl on our street is named Emilee and it's a name that you don't hear often. It is a genealogy name on your side Patrice? We don't have any Emilys on our lines so she will really be distinguished!!!! I would just love to bring you something special for dinner Patrice - Roy said your Mom is coming and that's great!!!! Emily Ann makes our 14th grandchild - our 8th grand daughter - and we're mighty proud of each one of them!!!!

We just came home from seeing Dr. Gaufin - the neurosurgeon. He had the results from the MRI Daddy had taken on the 11th and he had good news for which we are very thankful. We weren't too surprised because Bob had called the Univ. of Utah doctors who took the MRI - he called them last Tuesday and then called us and told us what they had told him. Daddy has a spur (or maybe even more than one) that he thinks is causing the tingling sensations in his legs and he also has a "narrowing" of the spinal chord in the area where they did the radiation that could be causing it. He said they found no spread of the cancer and that was a great relief. He said he would not recommend surgery at this time - only if Daddy has great weakness in his arms or legs. Daddy still has some stiffness in his neck and Dr. Gaufin says he will probably always have that because of the radiation and that he will just have to live with it - he did recommend that he NOT do any shooting of guns. We have called Dr. Anderson, the internist, but Daddy can't see him until April 1st. Daddy's cough has come back - it is still that deep, deep cough - he was completely over it until about last Thursday. He asked Dr. Gaufin about it but all he said was "everyone in Utah county has a bad cough". Bob called in a prescription of an antibiotic for him and hopefully that will help - he suggested that he have a culture made of the "stuff" he is coughing up and we have called to see if Dr. Anderson will order that done but so far they haven't called back. His cough affects everything else about him - his stomach stays upset and his head hurts - one good thing, though, he sleeps really good at night. We had two of our former lady missionaries come by to see us yesterday and as they left they said, "President Mellor, you look great - we thought you'd be sick" - he really does look good.

Johnny has been really sick too. He had a culture made and they called him this morning to tell him he had "strep throat". He has stayed right in bed for the last three days but he went to school this morning to take a math test that he was supposed to take last Friday. Johnny is like I am - HE IS NEVER SICK!!! It has been hard to see him this way - I thought he would have more immunity than that. I can't help but wonder if this Geneva steel plant has anything to do with all our respiratory problems - so many people in this area have complained about it!!!! Johnny is on penicillin but so far it hasn't done much good.

Claire - we think about you all the time - Bob says your folks are wonderful so we know you are getting good care but we also know you must be very uncomfortable and anxious to have your baby. Bob, your conference in Nashville sounded interesting - (something to do with the bones in the ears). Did you go to the Grand Ole Opry? That's the only place in the South that we wanted to go to that we didn't. You have had a busy week Bob - he called us from Martin, Tennessee and he had been gone from home all week going there directly from Nashville - (he works in Martin regularly on weekends - I think!!!!!)

The Woolleys and Weinerts are fine - we talked to Jeannie yesterday and she said they hadn't made any final decisions on their home - she said they had someone who was quite interested in buying their home and if that goes through then they will definitely buy the other one. Daddy & I went to the Woolley's ward yesterday - they put on the Sacrament presentation and it was just excellent. Jessie played a violin solo, then Susanna accompanied Jessie, Russell & LeeAnna on the piano while they sang a song and then Ann & Ron spoke - we were REALLY proud of them. Ann, Susanna & Jessie came over last night and visited for a little while - they didn't have school today so they could stay up later than usual and it was so much fun to have them here!!!!

I went to Brigham City last Thursday to have lunch with friends I grew up with and it was just WONDERFUL. I picked up Charone Smith here in Provo, and Marian Jeppsen in Salt Lake and we drove up together. Charone is Utah Chairwoman for the Republican Party and she is planning the Governor's Ball and she is really "in the know" and Marian is super active in community affairs so it was fun to be with them. The lady who arranged the luncheon is President of the Utah Federation of Women's Clubs - I felt "out of it" but they all understood and I thoroughly enjoyed it!!! I went to see Grandpa Forrest but he was asleep - he is the same. I also went to a luncheon at the Community College in our backyard on Saturday so I had a fun week.

We love each one of you so very much. PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO!!!! Let us know how we can help you. I have one more line so I'll mention little Hans - he is really a darling and smart dog - all house broken and we like him!!!!

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