Time for our monthly meeting of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Hosted as ever by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the aim of the group is to offer a safe space where writers can share doubts and insecurities without fear of being judged. This month's co-hosts are Joylene Nowell Butler, Louise Barbour and Tyrean Martinson.
First of all, I'd better offer an explanation for my absence over the last couple of months, which some of you might have already caught up on Facebook. If not, I'll repost it below. It's a sorry tale, but I'm doing a lot better now.
I got out from hospital a couple of weeks ago after having been admitted on the 4th of December with what I thought was a bad dose of a bug including sickness and diarrhoea. It turned out I had suffered an infection that had gone to my heart, giving me a leaky valve, as well as into my brain, causing a mini stroke. This caused me to describe in a way that my daughter Emma best summed up as “doolally” and led my wife to call an ambulance.
I got my own room for the first ten days and initially I was very disorientated as to why I was in hospital. My vision was bad, causing me to see scrawls on the wall that I thought had been left by a child, and the TV was a mere blur. After a battery of tests I was started on a six-week course of IV antibiotics with the aim of heading for surgery to fix my valve. I was moved to the cardiology ward on 14th December where I shared a room with four other men. At first I found this daunting, but everyone was friendly and welcoming. After I while I found myself the longest serving patient in the room over that time as others started to come and go and were sent to other hospitals or home. Not all patients made for good roommates and sometimes there was too much noise to sleep. It was certainly a full range of humanity but by the time I left the room had become much more relaxing and had been christened the “Brian ward” due to the arrival of four Brians in the space of three days.
Ultimately I didn’t have to go for surgery because it was deemed the antibiotic had done a good enough job of repairing the valve on its own. Not before I had a tooth pulled out in a gruelling procedure because infection had been found there and you can’t have any area of infection when you go for the surgery. It came out with a piece of bone attached and I kept it to proudly display as a souvenir.
When I got out it was one day earlier than planned, which we pushed for because of the red weather storm warning for the next day in Scotland which could have potentially seen me stuck in hospital for another whole weekend. Since then I’ve been taking it easy, getting back to work slowly. I’ll still have some rehab to do cognitively speaking but I'm playing a lot of word games as I was throughout my whole stay. Of course I've got to give huge thanks to my family - Heather, Hannah, Emma and Eve - for coming to see me day after day, as well as keeping things ticking over at home so well while dealing with the sad loss of one of our six pups, Tobi.
In terms of writing, I'll get back to that in due course, but I've had a look at my most recent WIP which was undergoing a first pass before this whole saga. I found that pass is nearly finished, so that's definitely something I could manage over the next few weeks. It will probably need fresh eyes from a couple of new CPs, so if a YA sci-fi adventure where the MC becomes trapped in a VR reproduction of her favourite TV show when the AI engine behind it goes haywire, let me know!
I'm off to catch on all of your exciting doings now. Hoping you're all in good health.
20 comments:
I saw your post on Facebook, Nick. I'm so sorry that you've been so sick. I'm glad you're home and that you're focusing on your health right now. I'm also glad you're back here posting today.
Wow, that is a whole lot of issues! Glad you are out of the hospital and on the mend. And that they didn't have to do surgery.
I saw your Facebook post too - it's good to hear you are home and getting stronger.
Great you are on the mend! I'm glad you were able to put in a blog post this month so we could know your on your way back to writing. Stay well.
Hi Nick - I saw your FB post ... and am glad you're getting back into the swing of things - the longer days and warmer weather will help too. Take care and all the best to you and family ... cheers Hilary
Holy cow! That's a lot. I'm glad to hear you're on the mend. Hopefully it won't take too long until your running around again.
I saw your FB post, and am so glad you are doing better! Getting back to writing will come, as your energy rebounds!
You've had some serious health issues, Nick. So sorry to hear what you've gone through, but I'm pleased you're retuning to health and to writing.
https://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com
It seems I'm having trouble posting here today. I left a comment, but it went into the blogosphere! Just wanted to wish you a continued recovery and wish you well,
https://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com
Wowser. That is all awful, but you came through. Take care of yourself.
I saw your post on Facebook, and it all sounds horrifying. I am glad you are home and I am glad you are taking it easy. The WIP can wait until you heal. Having said that, send me an email if you would like me to give it a read. Praying you heal completely and feel better soon.
My heart goes out to you, no pun intended. That is a LOT to go through.
Love the premise of your WIP!
Oh, my gosh, Nick. I had no idea. I am so sorry to hear this, but thrilled you are on the mend. Your WIP sounds fascinating.
Yikes, how scary. So glad you're okay now. That was a lot to go through.
How frightening for you and your family, Nick. I'm relieved to hear you're on the mend. The hospital is not a place to get good sleep, for sure. I don't have time right now to help as a CP, but I will certainly help publicize your novel when it comes time to release it!
Such a scary experience for sure, Nick. I am so glad you are home and doing better. My prayers are with you and your family. Stay strong, sir!
Such a scary experience for sure, Nick. I am so glad you are home and doing better. My prayers are with you and your family. Stay strong, sir!
Thank you for sharing this story. I'm grateful you are healing and hope that soon brings you back to writing all the stories you wish. Your experience reminds me how careful we do need to be about our health. I recently had foot surgery that led to an infection . . . but, luckily, antibiotics in time saved me from what you experienced. So cherish each day -- and keep writing!
Well done for getting a post up this month. Take it steady.
I'm so glad you are doing better and on the mend. Wish you quick healing.
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