Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-03-04
.UPS|DE-DOWN GIRL
GOES UNDER KNIFE
Takes Anesthetic Singing
Confident Operation Will
Be Successful.
CONTINUED From First Page.)

Continued From First Page)
her face with both hands and wig
gled her fingers as dancing blue
eye peeked out at those she passed.
Her mother and her aunt were
with her as she went under the anes-
thetic. Their word was:
"She took it just fine"
For all her cheerfulness Alyce did
not forget her prayers today. Before
the operation she recited one sent her
by Johnny Steinburger in Brooklyn
Hospital. He has had 10 operations.
He wrote her:
"A prayer to say before going TO
operate.
Jesus, tender shepherd, hear me.
Bless thy little lamb tonight,
Through the darkness be thou near me.
Keep me safe till morning light"
Sent Wire to Father.
She sent her father in Omaha .
telegram, telling him that a surgical
girdle had just been pinned upon her,
that now she was ready.
Truesdale Hospital, high on bluff
over the Taunton River, was quiet as
usual this morning.
More than a dozen visiting physi-
clans arrived in the hour before the
operation to be guests. There we're
more requests from medical men to
be present than could be accommo-
dated in the operating room.
Visitors and nurses dressed in white
were waiting at 1000 o'clock, q quiet
group in an operating room flooded
with light from an unusually brilliant
sunshine.
The anesthetist was the last one to
arrive. When he came Alyce was
brought up the elevator from her hoor
below and wheeled into q room across
the corridor from the operating room.
There the anesthetic was given.
Once asleep she was wheeled across
the corridor. The doors Of the oper-
ating room swung open and men and
women in white made q semi-circle In
the room.
Placed on Reclining Chair.
In the center of the semi-circle was
the reclining chair on whick Alyce
was placed, to lie half upright upon
her right side.
The group closed around the sleep
ing child while she was being made
comfortable. Her mother and aunt
who had entered with her, left, her
mother first, on the arm Of nurse.
The operating doors closed and
there was no more going and coming.
Alyce faced the operation with just
one supreme wish-to 60 roller skat-
ing.
She has complete faith that she
will be able before long to do so. This
faith typifies the spirit Of a small girl
who sees herself waiting at the door
of wonderland.
The wonderland is not merely ex-
pected relief from pain, from the
weakness which has kept her bed
ridden for 10 weeks, but in things
more real to a child.
These things are in tokens and gifts
from every State In the Union and
from Canada, from a public stirred by
accounts of Alyce's smiling fortitude,
Iney are IlclpcQ Dy MSO1Cdl PROBES.
sion which knows how to down DOGGY
men"
No Efforts Spared.
One of the first principles Of the
medical profession comes strongly
into play in Alyce's case. That is to
spare no effort to save life, regard
less of the patients status. She came
here through the generosity Of an I'M
named Omaha business man, who
paid travelling and other expenses.
But there is no charge for the serv-
ices Of the medical experts on whom
her life depends. The entire sta1f Of
the Truesdale Hospital has worked on
her case without professional fees.
Physicians from other cities through
their interest have come here at their
own expense to consult with those in
charge of the operation.
This Is not due alone to the I'M
usual nature Of the case. Alyce can
not live much longer If she does not
have this operation.
The operating staff today consists
Of Drs. Philemon E. Truesdale, c. H.