Real life and all that jazz...
I hate writing notes like this because I never know what to say and I generally try to avoid personal stuff in fandom (I even annoy myself when I get whiney), but I know some folks have picked up on the fact that there are some things going on in my life, and since I'm about to pretty well disappear for at least a couple of weeks (hopefully, I'll be able to be around at least occasionally after that), I thought I'd at least explain a bit. First off, since a couple of people have asked, my health is fine (well, except for a frakking sinus infection that won't let go). My mother, however, has a very serious health issue. Basically, after a bout of jaundice a couple of months ago, and the merry-go-round of tests and biopsies, we found out it was pancreatic cancer. Which anyone who knows about such things knows is pretty much the last diagnosis you want to hear for someone you love. It's scary shit.
However, she seems to have gotten lucky and they believe surgery is a possibility. They won't know for certain until the day they do it, but according to her surgeon, it's about 90% certain that they will go ahead. Owing to the holidays, it was delayed a bit, but is scheduled for Jan 3. The surgery-the Whipple procedure- is pretty massive (removes the gall bladder, about half the pancreas, 40% of the stomach, then reconnects everything), so she's looking at a a minimum of a couple of weeks in the hospital, plus several months recoup time and some serious lifestyle changes for the rest of her life. I've cleared my schedule and for now, my first job is her health.
That said, I plan to keep working on Afterworld. Writing helps keep me sane and this is the first thing in a long time that Mom has been reading something of mine (my doing, not hers), so it's important to me to share with her. I'll be staying at the hospital a lot, but planning on having a notebook along so I can keep writing during the down hours.
Meanwhile, we're mostly pretty upbeat. This is a situation where it's dangerously easy to get lost in stress and mostly so far we've avoided it. Obviously, there's a lot of fear, but she has an excellent doctor and a fantastic hospital and cancer center and is currently feeling pretty good and basically symptom free.
I had hoped to have Afterworld a couple of chapters further along before the pause hit, but unfortunately, there was just no way with everything else going on. I do apologize as I wanted to leave it at a rather more peaceful point. I had hoped to post one more short chapter before Monday, but it doesn't look like it's happening. Way too much to do. Many thanks to everyone who replied and offered commentary. I definitely bear such things in mind when writing. I'll try and check in now and then as I can, though I don't know if I'll be able to post (the hospital is supposed to have wifi access, but not sure how well I'll be able to connect with an older unit).
Past that, say a prayer, send good wishes, light a candle, or whatever makes sense to you. My mother is as fine a person as I've known. She deserves all good things and I can only hope this works and helps give her a lot more years.
-PRP
However, she seems to have gotten lucky and they believe surgery is a possibility. They won't know for certain until the day they do it, but according to her surgeon, it's about 90% certain that they will go ahead. Owing to the holidays, it was delayed a bit, but is scheduled for Jan 3. The surgery-the Whipple procedure- is pretty massive (removes the gall bladder, about half the pancreas, 40% of the stomach, then reconnects everything), so she's looking at a a minimum of a couple of weeks in the hospital, plus several months recoup time and some serious lifestyle changes for the rest of her life. I've cleared my schedule and for now, my first job is her health.
That said, I plan to keep working on Afterworld. Writing helps keep me sane and this is the first thing in a long time that Mom has been reading something of mine (my doing, not hers), so it's important to me to share with her. I'll be staying at the hospital a lot, but planning on having a notebook along so I can keep writing during the down hours.
Meanwhile, we're mostly pretty upbeat. This is a situation where it's dangerously easy to get lost in stress and mostly so far we've avoided it. Obviously, there's a lot of fear, but she has an excellent doctor and a fantastic hospital and cancer center and is currently feeling pretty good and basically symptom free.
I had hoped to have Afterworld a couple of chapters further along before the pause hit, but unfortunately, there was just no way with everything else going on. I do apologize as I wanted to leave it at a rather more peaceful point. I had hoped to post one more short chapter before Monday, but it doesn't look like it's happening. Way too much to do. Many thanks to everyone who replied and offered commentary. I definitely bear such things in mind when writing. I'll try and check in now and then as I can, though I don't know if I'll be able to post (the hospital is supposed to have wifi access, but not sure how well I'll be able to connect with an older unit).
Past that, say a prayer, send good wishes, light a candle, or whatever makes sense to you. My mother is as fine a person as I've known. She deserves all good things and I can only hope this works and helps give her a lot more years.
-PRP