Have we noticed yet that Julie is a lazy blogger? Yes. And then things have happened to keep me away from the blogosphere, but that's no excuse. So here's an update because who knows when I'll get around to posting again.
Max died, as I may have mentioned at the time. It's been a hard week. I like to think that Avalie would have his collar on her bedpost, because that's where my son put it. I still catch myself looking for him under my chair or wondering why he isn't making gremlin noises in the morning. We have a remaining pug, Sluggo, who is sort of widowed at the moment and is adjusting slowly. After nine years with Max, it's going to be awhile before we are ready to be a two-pug household again.
The other big thing that happened is that I had weight loss surgery May 17. As of this morning I am down 18 pounds, two weeks later. That, for me, is nothing short of a miracle. Dr. David Hargroder did my surgery in Joplin, Missouri, and I can't recommend him highly enough. Dr. H. and Robin, Carla, and Tonya are amazing.
Now, before you wonder exactly how fat I was, I was in a size 16. Not enormous. But I also had sleep apnea, severe asthma, severe hypertension, and zero exercise tolerance due to my horrid lung function. So while I wasn't miserable with my size, I was definitely miserable with my health. Dr. Hargroder approved me for surgery based on my co-morbidities, my generous parents graciously coughed up $20K, and boom. Surgery!
Weight loss surgery planning takes tons of time. There were primary care physician visits here in the Branson area, labs, a psych evaluation in Joplin (hey Dr. Kent, hey :) and EKGs, pulmonary function tests, you name it. From decision day in late March to surgery mid-May, my life was ruled by the medical profession. So my second and third novels got put on hold while my life was changing.
I had surgery at Mercy (St. John's) in Joplin, in the temporary hospital. My nurses were awesome, and many of them lived through the tornado. While I was there, it was coming up on the one-year anniversary of the storm, and I heard some truly heart-wrenching stories from nurses and techs who were there. Jeannette, thank you for telling me your story. Shawn, thank you for caring for me - I knew you were the best seventh-grade boyfriend ever, but you really proved that old friends make the best caregivers. Cheryl, it was so great to see you again! Thanks for putting up with my preop jitters :) And Brian, dude. I heard that, and next time I see you I will make sure I have bourbon. And a huge thank you to Sarah for the Zofran that got me out of the hospital on time, and the sunny smile on a busy day.
Two weeks post-op, I can honestly say that I only wish I had done this five years ago. I'm still very tired, but I'm never hungry. Once in awhile I will think "Oh, I should eat something," but I have totally lost the ravenous appetite I had before. It's pretty awesome. I've been off my blood pressure meds for a week with normal readings, I haven't needed my rescue inhaler for days, and I'm starting to feel normal again.
So now that I am recovering and discovering the joy of Gatorade, vitamins, and very soft foods (for a few more weeks, anyway!), it's time to get back to the next book. I hope to have it out this summer. Should be good, now that Avalie's Aunt Abigail is my protagonist. I like it. I hope you'll like it, too.
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