6/06/35 Dayton, Ohio, letter to EC:
Dear Mr. Cayce:
Today I called on Dr. Schroyer and had him read your letter
of June 3, which arrived this morning - so you see I'm
answering promptly. The doctor said: "Go ahead. Let him
check up on the case and show it to me when it is made. You
can tell Mr. Cayce about the treatment thus far and anything
else you want to tell him."
About six months ago Dr. Schroyer switched from the Elliott
Machine treatment to radium, applying the latter alternately
thru the rectum and thru the urethra - post-terior and
anterior - for periods of from one to one hour and a half.
This treatment has been given at intervals from 15 to 20 days
apart. The last one was given 10 days ago and the next will
be given June 16.
The result has been beneficial in two principal ways:
(1) the incontinence has been lessened; and (2) the enlarged
gland - prostate - as shown by a physical examination, has
been more than half reduced in size. A third benefit has
been noted that the urine passes more readily, from a half
to a pint while semi- or full reclining - not when I'm
sitting or standing. After thus urinating at periods thru
the day from 2-1/2 to 4 hours apart a sensation of relief is
experienced that was not felt a year ago, nor was the
quantity as great a year ago. But I have to sleep with a
quart can always to avoid wetting the bed which is a great
annoyance and, naturally, keeps me wakeful during the night
so that at no time do I have unbroken sleep.
The doctor says that it will take three or four more months
before more complete relief will be obtained.
In the meantime, during the past six months or so I have
dropped the violet ray treatment because it seemed to give no
appreciable relief in any form. During this period I have
taken 1/60th grain of strychnine as prescribed by Dr.
Bechtell for the benefit of heart action and an iron tablet
three times a day. I should add, the strychnine has been
taken from three to five times a day.
My diet, necessarily, has been simple: consisting of a few
vegetables and fruits and cereals with occasional milk and
mush. We do not have meat more than two or three times a
week - more eggs than meat, with now and then some cheap sea
fish, such as we can afford. And I only eat twice a day,
with frequent midnight lunches, light in character. My
weight is 155 pounds which is way under normal for a man
of 6 feet 2 inches, and lower than it has been for 40 years.
Walking exhausts me to such an extent that, frequently when
I go down town to peddle books or do the marketing I have to
rest somewhere every 50 or 100 feet before proceeding or it
seems as tho I would faint away completely. Some days are
worse than others. I spend from 10 to 14 hours in bed, or
lying down; from three to four hours draining of the urine
thru the day, all of which leaves little time for using my
typewriter. In fact, before May 30 I have been unable to do
any writing or anything in the way of desk work, so that my
personal correspondence, much to my dismay, has accumulated
to such proportions that it overwhelms me with discouragement
when I contemplate it, so I try to avoid thinking about it.
The only writing that I have been enabled to keep up has
been the 1600 words that I have to write for my Book Chat
over the Radio once a week. Beginning with May 30 I have
forced myself to do extra work every day, which has not been
an easy task. The reading, scanning, or skimming the books
that I have to include in the Book Chat, I can do while
reclining in a morris chair, or in bed, so that that part
of my work is comparatively easy.
For more than six months I have not been able to write
anything for the local papers until this week when I have
forced myself to write about 1000 words, for which I'm not
paid in cash - only in theatre tickets which furnishes Mrs.
[...] with the only recreation she has. I cannot go because,
during the past year, I have grown so deaf that I cannot hear
anything so I stay away, and am satisfied with the reading I
have to do for my recreation.
In checking up on my case I would like to have you look at
the ears and see if there is anything that can be done to
improve or restore my hearing. It is not only annoying but
it impairs my ability to sell books over the phone and
otherwise.
For the past month I have resumed some light calisthenics
which, when able, I've taken in bed - under cover - before
rising. The slightly renewed strength which I have noted
during the past two or three weeks I attribute to the
exercises, therefore I'm continuing them.
Unless I can regain my strength more rapidly and get relief
from my other troubles in the near future I shall feel like
throwing up the sponge and quitting and depart for the land
beyond as soon as possible, for I cannot continue much longer
to live at this half-dying rate. I do not care to remain and
become a burden.
Within a few days I will select enough books from my psychic
collection to square my membership for the past year and send
them to you via parcel post. When I first appealed to you,
just about a year ago, I sent you a blank that Miss [
350]
gave me which she said would cost me nothing, as that was a
privilege she had. In return for her kindness I sent her an
autographed copy of a book written by W. T. Stead which was
worth $10, the price of my first examination, so that I do
not owe for that. But I do owe you for the check-up and for
the past year's membership. In my present impoverished state
I cannot pay money, as I have told you before, but I can pay
in psychic books in which you might be interested.
There is no doubt in my mind that if you had not prescribed
the use of the Elliott machine and I had not taken that
treatment I would not be here today. In other words, you
saved my life. But notwithstanding that fact, for which I'm
more grateful than words can express, I would much prefer to
square myself with you in books and, in order to do that, I
would like to have you make your usual charge for the
check-up some months ago and for the one which you have
offered to make now. Then I can send what is required and
square the face of the obligation, altho a man whose life has
been saved for the time being can never square such an
obligation.
To the best of my ability I have given you a complete
description of the present situation and hope it may be of
assistance to you in making the new check-up. Don't forget
to look at the ears. And if you will be utterly frank and
candid with me and tell me whether there is any hope for
recover, or whether there is no hope, I will be more grateful
still.
Awaiting your reply with the hour of the appointment for the
check-up, and with best wishes, gratitude, and kindest
regards, I remain, your sick and much disheartened patient,
6/15/35 See
576-3.
Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation