Nov. 27, 1970

Yes, Nov. 27, 1970, 40 years ago today, my sister Wanda Odetta Monson died. She was 10 days past her 24th birthday & it was Aunt Maxine's 28th birthday. I remember I was drinking a can of Dr. Pepper & we were listening to Marty Robbins on her new 8-track player in her hospital room at the Logan Hospital. The old one that was up on the hill kitty-corner across the street from the Logan LDS Temple. Wanda said she had to poo only she used the "S" word. Mother called the nurse & she shooed us out into a waiting room. We heard them calling a Code Blue over the PA system. Mother said she bet it was Wanda. I remember when they came to tell us she had died, my Dr. Pepper spilled & I didn't pick it up. I don't like Dr. Pepper any more. I don't like to listen to Marty Robbins either.

Am I grateful for the advances made in medicine? Yes, it goes without saying. We were told 40 years ago lupus was cancer. People don't die of lupus anymore. Wanda didn't actually die of lupus either, she died of the side effects of cortisone. But her diagnosis was Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE.

Speaking of abbreviations, I have to tell a funny story. Nick & I were talking about Nana, my mother. He said Nana couldn't remember something & I said in all seriousity, "Yes, I know. She has CRS."

He, just as seriously, inquired, "What's CRS?"

"Can't remember $h**!" I said.

"Oh!" he said, "I thought it was something official like that breathing disease she has."

"COPD?" I asked.

"Ya, that. What does that stand for?" he asked

"Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. And then we, you & I, have SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder," I said.

"Whatever," he answered.