There’s That C Word Again

I guess life, or something, decided that Hubby shouldn’t have all the fun. Nope. It decided I should experience the fun with him.

That’s right. I have cancer. Breast cancer.

I found out the day after I returned from Dragon Con. Certainly hadn’t seen that coming, either, because I’ve had breast issues for decades. Breast issues that had always been benign.

I went in for my annual mammogram back in July. It was my first annual exam after having a biopsy back in January 2016 for a suspicious shadow on my ultrasound (one that came back negative, but I was told to come back in six months. That mammogram came out okay, so they put me back on the yearly schedule.) This time they found something suspicious in the same area as before. Calcifications, they called it. Probably from the previous biopsy, but just to be sure…

After all the mess with Hubby, I went ahead with another biopsy. Better safe than sorry, I said. Truer words were never spoken.

When it came to make the appointment with general surgery to find out the results of a biopsy I was sure would be like all my others—negative—the only open spot I could make was after Dragon Con. Probably just as well. Don’t know how much fun I would have had with that hanging over me.

Surgery is scheduled for Oct 4th. I decided to go with the lumpectomy, followed by radiation (which will start in November). Radiation kind of scared me, what with my leaky heart valve, but I was assured that it won’t be an issue. Whew!

Prognosis is good, though, since they caught it early. And I probably won’t need chemotherapy (that’ll be determined after surgery, when they remove some lymph nodes), since the cancer is so small. So small that I can’t even feel it.

So… if it’s been over a year since you (or a loved one) have had a mammogram, go get one now. I never thought this would happen to me and I’m soooooo thankful I get the yearly exam. You just never know.

Stacy

No Wednesday Reads, But I Have Some Pictures

I didn’t post anything on Monday because I was a little busy on Sunday. You see… My son got married!!

And I haven’t finished the book I was sure I’d have read by now, so no books to report. Which means I can post what I was going to post on Monday, but got too busy doing other crap.

Because apparently crap is taking over my life!

But Sunday was a great day. The wedding was fun. The ceremony started with a little bit of Princess Bride. They sealed it with a kiss while the Mario Cart (game) winning tone played (have to know the game to get that). And they walked up the aisle as husband and wife to Men in Tights.

Yep. Lots of fun. Here are a few pictures I took.

They were married at an old theatre, which was renovated to hold the wedding ceremony and reception. So they got to dress up the marquee.

I've only watched Princess Bride once (don't shoot me!!), but I'm guessing this is also in reference to that film. If not, someone please enlighten me.

My son loves monkeys. When he was told to design his groom "cake" he said he wanted a cookie instead and that he would have a monkey bridal couple on the top. This big cookie is actually six cookies (3 different sizes), with icing in between the layers.
 

Here's a close up shot of the topper. My son had this specially made. I think it turned out so cute!

The wedding cake was pretty. And yummy.

But the topper was super funny! If you can't read it, it says "Mutual Weirdness Forever."

Hopefully if you enlarge this you can read it better. It's quite funny!

This is the back side.

My one good shot of the wedding party. My daughter (on the far right) was one of the groomsmen. And Ashley's daughter (now my granddaughter!) is on the far left.

And here are the newlyweds cutting the cake.

I'm sure I'll get better pictures later (there were two photographers roaming about). This was about all I got that came in clear! It was a fun day for sure and I'm so happy for them.

No honeymoon for them yet, though. That'll happen in February (due to work schedules). And they're going to Hawaii!!

I was kind of hoping I’d get back to writing my next book by now, but it hasn’t happened. Yet. Soon, though. Soon. I can FEEL it!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Asking the Right Questions

I “subscribe” to a lot of writer e-mail groups. I often see writers asking how other writers manage their time to get their books written (because they want to get 2-3-4 books published a year). And it got me wondering: Will I ever write that many books in a year? What happens if I don’t?

It started to stress me out!

Then I realized I was asking myself the wrong questions. No two writers are the same. What works for someone else won’t work for me, because of our goals. So I changed the questions to: What’s my goal in writing? What do I hope to get out of it?

And then it clicked! And relieved me a great deal. I didn’t start out to make a LIVING at writing books. I mean, if that happens, GREAT. But when I started that path to publication, my main goal was to obtain a fun retirement job, to make enough for fun trips. Do I need to write 2-3-4 books a year to get that? Gosh, I hope not. I don’t know if I’d enjoy writing as much if that were the case.

As it is, I’m still waiting on earning that fun money. Good thing Hubby hasn’t retired yet, because it’ll probably take a few more published books before we see any of that money. And that’s okay. I’m in no hurry, because he’s in no hurry to retire.

It’s just as well, because publishing is not a get-rich-quick endeavor. You have to be patient for that long haul. Good thing I have patience!

Writing will be my forever retirement job, though. I love how it can go wherever I go. And if I manage to write more than one book a year, yay! But I can’t let it get me down if I don’t, because that isn’t my overall goal.

So I’ll stay on the slow and steady pace I’m on. It’ll eventually pay off and it won’t stress me out. I’ve got enough stress without adding to it.

So… Is it hot where you are? Today is the first day of Fall. And it’s one of the hottest days of the year around here. I’m starting to think the calendar got a little screwed up this year. Not that I’m looking forward to cooler weather. I’m not. Really!

Happy Fall!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and Summer TV Shows

I’m two-thirds through Ghostly Interlude before I return it to my editor. Should finish it by tomorrow (because today became a busy day). Here’s what I read the past week:

Book #50

Dates read: September 6-14
Title: “Darkest Before Dawn”
Year of publication: 2015
Author: Maya Banks
Genre: Romantic suspense
Series: The Kelly/KGI Series, #10
# of Pages: 378
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Free from a convention (either RT or Rust City)
Blurb from book: The enigmatic Hancock has been both opponent and ally to the KGI teams for as long as they’ve known him. Always working a deep game, Hancock’s true allegiance has never been apparent, but one thing is for certain—he never lets anything get in the way of duty.
     But now, his absolute belief in the primacy of his ultimate goal is challenged by a captive he’s been ordered to guard, no matter how much she suffers in her prison. She’s the only woman who’s ever managed to penetrate the rigid walls surrounding his icy heart, but will he allow his perplexing feelings for the beautiful victim to destroy a mission he’s spent years working to complete—or will he be forced to sacrifice her for “the greater good”?
My thoughts: It was a good story, although the pacing was a bit slower in parts than I normally like. This is also the first book I’ve read of Ms. Banks, so I wasn’t sure if I’d be confused, having started with book 10 of this series. Nope. Well, not until toward the end, when characters from other books came into play. Then it got a little confusing with all the people! But it’s not necessary to have read those other books to enjoy this one.

Anyone here watch “Midnight, Texas”? How about “Salvation”? I recorded both series and I’m still in the process of watching them. The first one I’m watching alone (one episode a day) and man, am I hooked! Can’t wait to read the book now (I have the first of the series I got free at a convention). The second one I’m watching with Hubby. And man, are we hooked! That is one suspenseful series. Twists and turns abound. Can’t wait to see how it ends. But don’t tell me! Oh wait, you can’t. Last episode airs tomorrow. J

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Busy Weekend!

How was your weekend?

Mine was pretty nice. I attended the Central Ohio Fiction Writers (RWA chapter) meeting on Saturday in Columbus. The two speakers were very informative and I left feeling a little smarter and more prepared for my next round of writing. That’s always good right? Next month (Oct 21) the chapter is having a writer workshop featuring Larry Brooks. If it weren't for the fact I'll be in California that weekend, I'd be going. I always enjoy learning more about the craft of writing.

If this is something you might be interested in, you can see all the details here: http://www.cofwevents.org/workshop. You don't have to be a member of COFW to attend (price is $55 for members and $75 for non members) and you don't have to write romance either.

I also finished fixing the edits on Ghostly Interlude on Saturday. Today I will read the book (or at least start reading—doubt I finish it in one day) and make sure my “fixes” didn’t break something else! That’s been known to happen.

Saturday night, I handed over Ghostly Liaison to Hubby (or I should say, his business, Enterprise Book Services) for formatting and I’ve chosen a Sep 27th release date for the paperback, meaning the e-book will be out before that. Yay! Can’t wait to get it back out there.

Other than that, I watched a lot of Football. Friday night the Wayne Warriors (HS) beat Miamsburg, 56-28 (it was tied 21-21 at the half). Always like seeing OSU and USC win on Saturday (I actually stayed up until 1am watching USC beat Texas in double overtime!). And we were able to enjoy watching the Steelers beat the Vikings on Sunday from the comfort of our family room. Only disappointing loss: the Rams. Guess it was too much to ask for a perfect football weekend, huh?

I finally got off my duff and went walking this morning. 3 miles. Not too shabby since my last actual walk was on 8/21. Hopefully I can keep it up. I need to get back into shape. It’s been too long since I’ve been to the fitness center.

So… Do you like walking? When’s the best time for you? I like the mornings best. Air seems cleaner then. Well… except when I run into the smell of skunk, which I did today. Turned around quickly then. Don’t want to find out if it’s dead or alive!

Happy Monday!!

Stacy