I've been lousy at keeping promises lately, at least to my cyber friends. That's because circumstances out of my control (read: life) have consumed my free time. Other than my submission to the anthology, I haven't written anything in months. Nada. Nothing.
All I've managed to do is some research for my next novel. But even that was largely collecting info. I haven't had time to read much of it or make notes.
So what HAVE I been doing?
Well, let's see...
I transferred hospitals in late November. I love the new job (an the new NICU we just moved into!) and working closer to home, but the position is full-time, not part-time. It also has more mandatory meetings and inservices than my old one. Bye bye, writing and blogging time.
I treated a serious health issue around the same time. For years, I've been living with Hepatitis C. Best the doctors can tell, I got it from a blood transfusion I had as a child. It was diagnosed about 14 years ago, but, because the treatment was so rough, I decided to wait and watch.
A friend recently encouraged me to check out the new options, so I did. Instead of shots that would make me sick and possibly lose my hair, all I had to do was take one pill a day. Luckily, my insurance covered the $50,000 Harvoni regimen. My liver was starting to show signs of damage, even though I rarely drink alcohol. I did lose some hair, but I am now negative for the virus. :)
My oldest graduated high school.
Woohoo!!!
But, oh my gosh! I barely survived May!
And then she started college this week.
*mom falls over dead-tired and penniless*
I'm not sure what my writing life is going to be like in the coming months, but I'm not giving up. I'll have a little blogging time this summer, and hopefully some writing time, too. What the fall will bring is anyone's guess.
I've missed you all, and I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit you like I used to.
What's going on in your life?
All I've managed to do is some research for my next novel. But even that was largely collecting info. I haven't had time to read much of it or make notes.
Well, let's see...
I transferred hospitals in late November. I love the new job (an the new NICU we just moved into!) and working closer to home, but the position is full-time, not part-time. It also has more mandatory meetings and inservices than my old one. Bye bye, writing and blogging time.
I treated a serious health issue around the same time. For years, I've been living with Hepatitis C. Best the doctors can tell, I got it from a blood transfusion I had as a child. It was diagnosed about 14 years ago, but, because the treatment was so rough, I decided to wait and watch.
A friend recently encouraged me to check out the new options, so I did. Instead of shots that would make me sick and possibly lose my hair, all I had to do was take one pill a day. Luckily, my insurance covered the $50,000 Harvoni regimen. My liver was starting to show signs of damage, even though I rarely drink alcohol. I did lose some hair, but I am now negative for the virus. :)
My oldest graduated high school.
Woohoo!!!
But, oh my gosh! I barely survived May!
And then she started college this week.
*mom falls over dead-tired and penniless*
I'm not sure what my writing life is going to be like in the coming months, but I'm not giving up. I'll have a little blogging time this summer, and hopefully some writing time, too. What the fall will bring is anyone's guess.
I've missed you all, and I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit you like I used to.
What's going on in your life?
That's absolutely fine given what you've gone through lately. Your health comes first and beating the virus is fantastic news! Congrats on the anthology and to your daughter too. Just take things slow and I'm sure you'll find a writing routine that can fit with your job.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nick. I hope so, too.
DeleteEgads, girl! Glad to hear you're free of the virus and that you survived motherhood clear through college. Boy, oh boy, reading about your life makes mine sound downright calm. I'm happy your new job is working out well and here's to hoping you find a bit of time to write!
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
DeleteIt's great that you're back. Glad the medication worked. Is this something you have to keep monitoring, or does testing negative mean it's all done with?
ReplyDeleteI changed over to a new job at the beginning of the year. It's more fun and pays better, but it also meant less writing time for me, so that means staying up later to write.
Congrats on the daughter. I've been spending a lot of time helping my daughter get past chemistry during her sophomore year. Thank goodness she took the final yesterday and she's done for the year.
BTW, did Alex throw you off the list again?
DeleteI have one more blood test this fall to make sure it's gone, but we don't expect any surprises.
DeleteYes, he did. LOL I told him to, because I knew I wasn't going to be able to post. ;)
This is really all wonderful news--virus free, kidlet graduating. Even the off to college part, though maybe a little weepy. :)
ReplyDeleteShe's living at home and driving to a local college about 20 minutes away. I haven't had to say goodbye yet. ;)
DeleteWow, talk about life's craziness. It's great that the treatment cured the hepatitis without horrible side effects. Congrats to your daughter and good luck to her on her new college path! Best of luck to you, too, on keeping up with everything. I hope you get some down time somewhere in there to write again.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Me, too. :)
DeleteThat pill was the greatest blessing!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was. I joke it was the best $50,000 Memorial Hermann ever spent. LOL
DeleteSo glad to see you! Life has a way of ganging up on you, doesn't it? Hope you have a wonderful summer.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Same to you!
DeleteI'm a master at 'doing research/collecting info for a project and then taking forever to actually read and study it. I really need more time. Congratulations on your oldest graduating! (💜 The smiley face, btw.)
ReplyDeleteI didn't feel right posting someone else's kid's picture on my blog, but the pic was so perfect. I thought the smiley was better than just smudging his face into a blur. LOL
DeleteExcept you did post him on FB!! I do hope you get some blogging and/or writing time this summer. Best of luck with it. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteHis mom had already posted it on Facebook.
DeleteThanks. :)
Yeh for being negative! :)
ReplyDeleteJust do what you can with everything. Make sure you enjoy all the good. :)
Thanks. I know... but I hate that my writing has been stalled for so long. I miss it, and it frustrates me to lose the momentum publishing-wise.
DeleteFantastic health news! And great daughter news, too! And a new job! You have been one busy woman. Grab a weekend of your own. Have a spa day, and one day to do nothing but lounge, read, and eat bonbons :) You deserve it.
ReplyDeleteI plan to enjoy some free moments from time to time this summer. :)
DeleteIt's great to see you! I am so glad you are now negative for the virus - what a relief that must have been for you. But $50,000 - wow! Thank goodness your insurance covered it.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your beautiful daughter. She must be very driven to be starting college right away. Best of luck to her!
Take care of yourself and do what you can - we will be around whenever you are able to share. Happy Summer!
Same to you!
DeleteI'm lucky. A lot of people get turned down by their insurance, some until they're so sick they have little quality of life left. Supposedly, my being a healthcare worker helped me get coverage.
Ha! My daughter is not so enthusiastic now that she's in college. LOL One of her professors assigned an essay the first day. I think daughter's going to take a break the second summer session and pick it back up in the fall.
Thanks. Hope you have a good summer, too. :)
Hi Melissa,
ReplyDeleteWhat a time its been for you! It's good you like your new job. I reckon you will be able to find some time to blog and write. You can write a bit more about your new job experiences.
Bless you and the pill. Hearty congrats to your daughter.
It's lovely to see you. Please, take care of YOU.
Gary :)
Thanks, Gary. I've missed you, too. :)
DeleteI missed you too! But you've been busy with important things. Things that must take top priority. Congrats to you and your daughter!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz. :)
DeleteIt's good to hear that things are going so well. ^_^ And I hear you on being hit with a lot of things at once, though it definitely sounds like you've come out of them better for it. Yay!
ReplyDeleteWhat a busy lady. I can't even think about the fall! Hope I make it through the summer first, and that my house sells, but no one has even looked at it... Oh well, this too, shall pass. Glad the new job is going so well!
ReplyDeleteIt seems we're all busy! I'm obviously not visiting as much as I used to, but wanted to check in and say high. Good luck on the new job.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen anything from you all summer. I had to come stop in and see if you've disappeared or I've been oblivious to your online presence. I hope things are going well!
ReplyDelete@Mason - Some days I think so, some days not. LOL
Delete@Lisa - I can't believe no one wants that gorgeous house!
@Lee - Thanks!
@Crystal - I'm still here, barely. I wish I could blog like I used to. I miss you guys. :(
Thanks for stopping by. :)