This is a post-operative medical report: "It's the dear old body that has to be cared for, not the mind !"

40; Guernsey Grove, London SE24 9DE
June 9, 1992

Dear Wignesan,

Greetings! And with reasonably good news.... here I am at home typing (sort of) to you in my second week of recovery after the heart operation. (My last letter to you dates May 7, I think).That was [the operation] on May 22 -- by May 29 the physiotherapist (charming young woman) had me doing four flights of stairs three times a day ! - May 29 afternoon the surgeon said I could go home and start recovery regimens. I was slightly amazed but mightily pleased.

Ironically, I decided to stay in overnight partly because so many people were calling that p.m. -- including a friend coming to tape my contribution to a tribute evening to a poet and ex-student [Anthony Short ?] of mine who is leaving to work in Singapore... So, back home on Saturday, May 30. The following day, I had a grotty evening spell. Post-operative reaction, apparently. But since then, what with proper food, taking care of the walking and so on, and lovely weather, recovery is going well. So there it all is, or some of it ! Just to keep you in the picture, as they say.

I'm not exactly working full-belt yet but beginning, in fact I'm rather enjoying writing, reading and seeing lots of friends. I'm hoping to start train journeys of some distance next week -- I probably could do so now, but think it better not to rush things. But I have some very nice invitations to stay !

Then I am making a few inroads on the pile of correspondence and backlog of commitments ! But that's part of recuperation. It's the dear old body that has to be cared for, not the mind !

I hope this letter finds you thriving. Do write if you can.

As ever - nearly ! -

Eric

(c) T. Wignesan - Paris - 1992-2023