So here is the short version of what's happening.

[w_a_i_d]

I talked about some of this under f-lock, but let's have a recap/update for anyone who might possibly wonder where I've been lately.

1) My dad was in hospital for two weeks with heart failure, and the doctors kept yanking us back and forth between "oh it's nothing really" and "DOOM" every couple of days. The final verdict appeared to be "DOOM".

Comments

[jenlee1]

I don't mind helping out with a bit of idea-bouncing, for whatever my thoughts might be worth... I am plotty every now and again, with varying degrees of success.

Feel free to drop me a PM (or not, as you wish). I do think that finding someone to talk with about your work whose opinion you actually *want* is a rather personal thing, so no worries - I won't be offended either way :)

[w_a_i_d]

Thank you! I think I will PM you tonight or tomorrow (I meant to last night, actually, but urrgh, stuff.) I would really appreciate a bit of help.

[vasiliki]

*hugs* I'm glad your dad's doing a lot better now.

[w_a_i_d]

Thanks, it's really appreciated.

[pandorasblog]

I'm sorry you and your family have been through such a harrowing time. I know that when you can't expect a definitive "everything is fine and you can stop worrying" statement, that can also raise some very complex emotions... glad you're beginning to feel better, but do know that basically ANY response to a situation like this is normal, and keep taking care of yourself as well as you take care of the others in your family. <3

[w_a_i_d]

Thank you. This is indeed such a weird, unsettled species of "fine" -- much preferable to the alternative but we're still getting used to it, I guess. And it is really really nice to hear from people who get that.

And I honestly meant to say -- but I was knackered, but realy, I should have anyway -- I'm sorry you went through such a nervewracking ordeal with the NHS lately and very glad it resolved well.

And -- uh, also, I feel bad/awkward about having now crossed paths with you in two different guises, so... will you understand me if I say I'm glad I sold you on the slashy appeal of A Place of Greater Safety (but do feel I must emphasise it is a rollercoaster ride of a book in terms of quality)?

[pandorasblog]

Thank you - and don't worry, I can completely understand the knackeredness!

No need to feel awkward - I'm experimenting with having separate work!me and fandom!me guises online, so it never bothers me if other people do the same.

As for the rollercoaster ride of quality - I'm a Vampire Chronicles fan, so if the good bits are engaging enough I have quite a high tolerance for that sort of thing. ;)

[sabrinaphynn]

Feel free to PM me as well- apparently I make a rather good skull.

[w_a_i_d]

Thank you. I really do appreciate the offer -- I hope you won't be offended that I'm planning to talk to Jenlee about this -- it's just that I know her and her writing a little better. But thank you very much, though.

[sabrinaphynn]

No worries.. No problem.

[w_a_i_d]

Internet hugs and sympathy aren't inappropriate or intrusive at all. Thank you. Ugh, there's this weird dissonance between the uncertainty and the restored normality; I know people can be fine for decades with heart failure, but that sort of relatively laid-back optimism is where we all were before all this happened, so now -- do we go back to that? Even though the cardiologist was so grim? Well yes, of course we do, because what else can one do, but now it feels weird and counter-intuitive and unsafe. And yet at the same time, what with everything being in many ways better than it was before, anxiety in some ways seems actually silly. I know it's not, but there it is.

I really am grateful to you for thinking of me and saying nice things.