1870s ALS from an invalid woman on her birthday, recovering from rheumatic fever and an ovarian abscess

[4]p letter on bifolium, 8 x 5 inches. The year looks like "1818" but is certainly later--Florence Wheatland (née Doty, 1854-1922) was married in 1876. If the 1878 year is correct, she would have been in her twenties and relatively new to married life, motherhood, and a kind of loneliness. She's been sick and waiting for a letter from her aunt and uncle for a long time; she offers to send them a new photo of her daughter and swatch of her new dress, which she's made herself, but hesitates since the last photo she sent was never acknowledged. She also writes about employing a girl to work for her, and that it's her birthday—and no one's cared to give her any presents, "only a lot of nasty ["neadson">meadson>medicine?] to dope for my comfort." Very sympathetic.

Transcribed with some spelling standardization:

Wayland, Mich
March the 1 18[78?]
Dear aunt and uncle
I now sit down to write you a few lines to let you know that we are not very well. I have looked for a letter from you for so long and I have got so I can write a little so I will tell you what a time I have had. I have had the rheumatic fever and a abscess in my side it was an ovarian abscess it has broke on the inside so you may know that I have been sick but we had the best of doctor he
(2) 
stood right by me like a [major?] I have not been out of the house for over two weeks it seems like a year and I can’t hear from you. I look for a letter every time anybody goes to town and none comes
I have got a girl to work for me. She is a good girl. I give her 12 shillings a week. To day is my birthday and I lay here and I did not get a single thing only a lot of nasty [neadson?] to dope for my comfort we have had lots of snow here this winter
Joseph has halled a pile of logs
my little Ann is full of her fun. She bothers me so I can not write much now as it is Sunday night. I am not any better I am almost discouraged
(3)
I hope you will try to write soon as you get this. I am going to go to Wayland to get my little Ann picture taken soon as I can. I will send you one if you would like it I sent you one and you never have told me whether you got it or not so I will wait until I know whether you want it or not. Well aunt I must [close] for this time for I am so tired write as soon as you get this from your niece and nephew Flora C Wheaton Joseph S Wheaton.
Badley Allegan Co Mich direct to Mrs S F Wheaton my love to all write soon
Florence C Wheaton
good by all

(4)
I will send you a piece of my new dress. It cost me almost $18. I made it myself. I think it is [pass?] and Ann sent you a piece of hers. She tells auntie it is my dress.