Shhh…don’t tell anyone but I took my brace off for a quick pic. This is me about 4 1/2 weeks after surgery. I’m doing too much because Wizard is has a day off of supervising me, LOL! He’s off racing with his friends, and I decided to bake. I’ve really wanted chocolate (although I wanted chocolate cake–chocolate chunk cookies are a good second choice). Anyway, this is me, and you can see the healing incision. It’s not bad.
And here I am wearing the brace just to prove I had it on 99% of the time!
I’ve been dealing with some typical post-surgical blues, and facing two more months of wearing the brace with fairly significant restrictions. This is normal. As far as the pain I had before surgery, it’s better but not gone. Although after doing too much with the cookies, I definitely feel it streaking down my arm, but that could also be residual nerve damage that might heal up in time. We’ll see what happens long term.
Around us, life has had some ups and downs. The saddest thing is that, our new daughter-in-law lost her father a few days before Thanksgiving. We are heartbroken for her, and her family, as well as our son. But they are strong, and will get through it one day at a time.
Otherwise, my brother-in-law who had open heart surgery two weeks before my surgery continues to improve at a solid rate. His surgery was BIG, so it takes time. My oldest son and his wife, CPA Boy and Special K’s, youngest dog had emergency surgery for burst disc that paralyzed his back legs. They don’t know if he’ll walk again, but they’ve put him in a specialised live-in therapy that will give him the best chance. I really admire their dedication to Max! And we had to evacuate AGAIN, this time because we had a significant rain that could cause mudslides. That was two long days of stress, packing and planning. Then came the moment when Wizard heard the low roar rising in the distance like an approaching airplane. That was the moment when we left. But the good news is that while it was runoff and mudflow coming down–it followed the path the city worked so hard to create away from our neighborhoods. We watched it on the news–so surreal. We are very grateful. Of course, the next rain could have a different outcome, but chances are that we’ll be okay.
And Wizard is totally stealing my dog! My Maggie!!! I still can’t walk her because I have a ten pound weight limit, and Maggie is 19 pounds. She pulls here and there on the leash, and the doctor felt it was better if I didn’t do it. Wizard is LAUGHING HIS BUTT OFF!! He has really taken to walking her!
Okay don’t tell Wizard, but part of me is pleased. Maggie is still attached to me, but she’s doing better with him now that he walks her. Once I can do it again, we’ll figure it out how to share 
This is a good problem to have.
Those are just a few of the things that have been pretty nonstop around here.
I did a little work of reading over the book, and it’s a mess. That’s no surprise to me, I knew it was. It’s just frustrating. I’m going to try to put a plan together to clean it up, and figure it out. With the holidays and the fact that I’m not supposed to do too much, I can’t make any promises.
Okay so that’s my catch up post. Now it’s your turn, what’s been going on with you?
December 3rd, 2018 at 6:50 am · Link
Naughty, naughty Jenn. But I totally get it. Sometimes a gal just has to make cookies. I had to look really hard to see your scar in that picture, so YAY! If anyone ever says anything about it, tell them ‘that’s where the alien came out’ and then laugh about it. ;o)
I’m so sorry for your daughter-in-law’s loss. :hugs: And I hope everything will be okay with Max. :hugs:
Yay for Wizard and Maggie!
Sorry your book is a mess. You’ll get it figured out. And I’m guessing you’re still being too hard on yourself about it, but I know how it goes.
Over here? I’m working on the final edits for Unequal so I can get it published on or around the 17th. We won’t talk about writing on the new book. It’s all coming out lame, so I set it aside. Maybe once I get Unequal published, I can think about new stuff again. Other than that? Kira is going through another round of antibiotics for another UTI. Hubs is doing fine. I’m pretty good. The Kid is pretty good as far as I can tell. Life as usual.
December 3rd, 2018 at 10:49 am · Link
Big hugs for the scary but getting better things and heartfelt condolences to your family. The scar is healing well, and isn’t that noticable. Sorry for the extra pain but nerves take a looooong time to regenerate/heal. With time, it should all get better. Cookies! But leave that brace on when doing stuffs. Seriously!!!! *shakes mother finger* Scary mudslides but sounds like the city is being proactive and yay that it worked. Yay for substitute dog walkers and maybe you, Wiz, and Maggie can take walks together…. Yeah?
Okay…life here is…here. The kids were in Wisconsin for Thanksgiving. Had a minor scare when JGG slipped in the bathroom and gashed his forehead on a window sill. Only butterflied the cut and it’s healing nicely. Needless to say, T-giving was quiet here. We won’t talk about writing. I managed to cobble 50K words together between three projects and it all sucks. Depression is an absolute beeyotch but hopefully things will kick in and I’ll get over the hump. I’ve got books to write, dammit!
Oh, I did get one bit of good news! ASSASSIN’S MOON was a finalist in the International Digital Awards.
Now, you take care of yourself and DON’T RUSH THINGS!!!!
December 3rd, 2018 at 11:25 am · Link
B.E., LOL on the alien, I’ll remember that one! Thank on my daughter-in-law and her family, it’s a tough time for them, but they are handling it with incredible love and grace. We are so hopeful for Max, he’s such a sweet little guy.
Oh poor Kira, I’m sorry she’s dealing with another UTI. I’m sure the antibiotics will kick in and she’ll be fine. Good news on hubs and the kid. You’re so close on UNEQUAL!! Get that baby done and published, then you can free up your creativity for new stuff.
Life as usual isn’t a bad thing! Hope your week is off to a good start.
December 3rd, 2018 at 11:40 am · Link
Silver, you’re absolutely right no nerves healing. I fully expected this. I did this surgery because things were only going to get worse. I will try not to rush things. Wizard has just done so much for four long weeks. I want to take over what I can to telp. And he loved the cookies so he couldn’t be too mad
I will on the brace
I swear I only had it off for the pic!
Yikes on JGG!! That had to be a scary moment, especially since head woulds tend to really bleeds. Sounds like you guys have it controlled though.
Wiz and I’ve had quiet T-days like that. It’s not the same, but like you guys, we make the best of it.
50K words is pretty danged good! And HOORAY for ASSASSIN’S MOON finaling in the International Digital Awards.
Depression–ugh. I’m sorry, Silver. It’s tough. I’ve rarely had to battle that until this last couple years. Hugs and now I’m going to shake my mom finger at you–don’t hesitate to reach out. I can’t fix things, but I can be your friend. Always.
December 3rd, 2018 at 3:53 pm · Link
Wow! You look great but you shouldn’t over do it. I bet Wizard loved the cookies but was also worried about you having done too much. By the way, I now want chocolate chip cookies :).
That’s sweet how Maggie has bonded with Wizard while you recover and yet still loves her Jenn :). So do you think you’ll get the walks back or will have to share with Wizard?
So sorry about your DIL’s dad. Was he ill? To bed taken so soon after the wedding is sad.
You guys have really had it bad. Did you go to Wizard’s mom’s house again? How long were you gone. It was so relieving to see your post of the diverted debris flow. Can’t imagine watching it on TV – so scary.
Poor Max. Thank heaven he has such wonderful humans. Praying that he can recover mobility.
We went out Saturday night to Hungarian place to celebrate middle sons 30th birthday, which is on the 6th. It was really nice. Way too much food. Nice atmosphere and really inexpensive :). Everyone, including Harrison, loved it. He ate like a champ.
I hope you’re doing okay today and not feeling any additional aches from baking yesterday. Take care of yourself.
December 3rd, 2018 at 6:22 pm · Link
Viki, thanks but most of the time I look worse than that. I think that was lucky lighting or something
Today I’m sore and cranky, but that’s all normal.
Yes, it turned out DIL’s father was very ill, but no one knew it until the week after the wedding. I don’t want to comment too much out of respect for my DIL. It’s her father, and her story to share as she wishes. But thank you for your condolences for them! It’s never easy for any of us to lose those we love so much.
And thank you on Max. We are so hoping he can regain enough to have a good quality of life.
Okay, now for you! HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY to your Middle Son! The celebration at the Hungarian Restaurant sounds wonderful, and Harrison is developing a wide palate at a young age!
I hope you’re doing well too. Has your arm/shoulder pain improved at all?
Oh when we finally evacuated, we went to our soon to be daughter in law’s mom’s house. She lives out here, saw that evac orders and invited us to come there. It was such a relief and much easier on me because she’s so close by. Thanks for asking!