You probably know I’ve been sick for several months, and you probably marked my long absence from Peppermint Place to that illness. If so, thanks for your patience. And if you’ve been praying for me, double thanks! It’s been a rough ride.
I couldn’t possibly catch you up on everything that has gone on since the last time I wrote, but here’s the abbreviated version: Thanks to the Crohn’s disease, I wound up with several abdominal abscesses, one of which settled against my psoas muscle, which leads to my left leg, and rendered me almost lame for a few weeks. The doctors who saw my CT scan faced me with grim looks. One said something he’d never said before: “I’ll be praying for you.”
Frankly, that scared me to death.
My surgeon considered my case too complicated and sent me by ambulance to ETMC, a hospital in Tyler, Texas. So I spent the two weeks before Christmas in a hospital bed carefully watched by a surgeon, an infectious diseases expert, a gastro-interologist, and an internal medicine physician.
The plan of action was to drain the abscess resting against my muscle and give me a regimen of antibiotics to dry it and the others up until they’re gone. The plan worked well enough that now I’m home–but I still have the drain, and I have a PICC line in my arm so I can self-administer my antibiotic IVs. The object is to avoid surgery, something I couldn’t do last time I had an abscess. Even the ETMC surgeon was worried about having to operate on me. Turns out that my innards are in quite a mess, and the doctors worry that another surgery, particularly one that includes another resection, will leave me in a condition where I can’t support my body orally–I won’t be able to absorb the nutrients. Scary, huh?
But the good news is that the antibiotics do seem to be working and surgery is becoming less of an issue. At least I don’t feel sick anymore, which is a huge plus. It’s hard to do anything productive when your brain’s in a fog. So, I can tentatively say “I’m back,” at least until the doctors say otherwise.
Since I don’t have much else to write about except my hospital experiences, maybe I’ll post about them. Who knows? Maybe someone who needs sickbed scenes can use them in a WIP. Or–could it be possible?–some of the antics may actually be entertaining. Like when I told the woman who needed to know whether I lived in a one- or two-story home that I lived in a squirrel’s nest . . .
Several years into it, and this blog still refuses to be categorized. It's eclectic and includes everything from writing posts to snippets from my ordinary life. 
Linda W. Yezak 
Oh, it’s good to have you back. Even though I can’t relate PERSONALLY, you know we’re on a journey of our own with the little guy. I’m sure I’ll be able to relate soon enough! Still praying for you… 🙂
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I’d rather be the sick one than watch someone I love suffer. This has been so hard on MSB, and I know watching sweet Mr. X suffer has been hard on you. I’d hate to be in your shoes!
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So happy to see you well enough to post anything, Miss Linda! I’ve missed you.
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Thanks, Betty. I’ve missed you and all my cyberpals. It can get pretty lonesome in the “real” world when the bulk of my friends are in cyberspace! 😀
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Hi,
It is good to have you back. Although I don’t pop in regularly, I knew you were sick, and you were in my prayers. I was pulling for you lady. Writing about your time of sickness may be good for you. I’ll be praying that you make the right decision about it. Right now, take it easy and write whatever your thoughts lead you to write, until you see light at the end of the tunnel.
I know you already know what I am about to say, but I am going to say it anyway. One of my most favourite verses of scripture, of which I have many most favourites, is All things work together for the good of them that love the LORD and are called according to his purposes. God has a beautiful purpose for you, so keep trusting him. Those are not empty words from me. I came up against some scary and hair raising things last year, and sometimes I thought this cannot be for real, but it was. One thing I learned through all of it was, God is faithful.
So hang in there. God is faithful, he won’t leave you alone. He knows exactly where you are because he is there with you.
Love you, Linda.
Shalom,
Patricia
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God is indeed faithful. Whatever he has planned for me, he has the best in mind. I believe that. Thanks, Patricia.
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Yay! You’re back. Sounds like your on the mend, but the climb isn’t over. Still praying!
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Thanks, Katie. All prayers are welcome!
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Hey Linda. This is Nikki from Dr Hancock’s office. I am finally making the plunge into the world of being a writer. I wanted to run somethings by you. Then I read your blog and almost feel out of my chair. I really want you to know we are praying for you. I hope you get well soon. We can talk about my publishing woos later.
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Write me anytime, Nikki. I’ll be happy to help you with your publishing woes. I’m well enough, and could use the diversion.
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Glad to have you back.
I find it interesting you call your blog 777 Peppermint Place, and as we all know peppermint [especially oil of peppermint] work wonders on stomachs. So I suggest you suck some clear peppermint candy whose basic ingredients are corn syrup and oil of peppermint.
Anyway, as far as I’m concerned, my debut YA Paranormal/Time Travel/First Kiss romance novel, entitled “I Kissed a Ghost” came out on Dec 20th, Currently I’m trying to correct the problem the book has on Amazon where when you try to view its pages you see several different fonts on one page,
Until next be well and GET BETTER.
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Oh, if it were only as easy as sucking on peppermints! One of the reasons I got the nickname of Peppermint is because I love them so much. If that was all it took, I’d never have a Crohn’s flare-up! (and peppermints are much cheaper than specialists!)
Good luck with your debut novel!
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Precious friend, I did not know you were having a flare up. So sorry. And all of this during the Christmas/New Year time. :>( May the Spirit of the Lord bring you comfort, assurance, and healing–all in the Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I picture you wrapped in a three layer blanket made up of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Love to you.
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Thanks so much for the prayer, Pat–and I *love* that three-layer blanket! I’d like to snuggle in it forever!!!
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Absolutely, positively praying, dear Linda – as I have been. Hard stuff – but glad you’re feeling up to posting.
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Thanks, JoAnne! Your prayers are always welcome!
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Glad you are some better and sounds like continuing to get better, Linda. Still praying for you. With your skill as an author, I am sure your hospital experience will make us laugh, cry and shake our heads. By all means, post them all! We’d love to read them. God bless you.
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I may post ’em, but most of my time there was boring punctuated by truly scary moments, like when they told me my kidneys were failing. I’m not sure about posting all that…
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Linda, you’re so funny–even when you’re sick. I’d love to visit that squirrel’s nest some day! I continue to pray for you and love the idea of a three-layer blanket. Pat’s a sweet godly lady too!
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The squirrel’s nest story was funny. I couldn’t figure out why she needed to know what kind of house I lived in, so I told her we lived in a squirrel’s nest. The squirrels had left it in good shape with a great foundation. We just built up the sides and added a roof. This was at a point when I couldn’t walk, so when I added that I was having trouble climbing the rope ladder to get to our home, she really got a kick out of it.
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