What’s on the iPod: I’m Shakin’ by Jack White
Wow. What a couple of days. Okay, so Monday was a good day. I went to bed after having accomplished a bit of work and having gone to a dance lesson. Felt a little tired, but understandable.
Somewhere around 3:30 am, it became obvious Tuesday wasn’t going to be the same kind of day. Serious pain rushed me to the ER. Medication given. Medication-induced nausea ensues for the next 12 hours. An ambulance ride and an ICU room later, I’m in the big hospital downtown and they’re looking at my liver.
That’s the curse of being born with a birthmark on your liver. Right there.
It’s called a hemangioma, and it’s quite common on the outside of one’s body — birthmarks. On livers? It happens more than one would think. And thanks to fluctuations in one’s hormone levels, they can grow. As mine just did. Now it’s pushing up against organs. Twenty centimeters — the size of two baseballs. That’s a lot of birthmark.
I’m home now, but it’s clear this surgery is in my immediate future. Can’t ignore it any longer, and it’s going to take a few weeks for recovery, I’m told. Maybe three before I’m able to drive, six before I can think about exercising again. The good news? I may lose ten pounds in one operation — I hear they’re chunky suckers! And they do have to remove liver along with it, as well as a gall bladder. Not exactly my ideal weight loss plan.
At the same time, work is coming in, much of it from the conference I just attended. Luckily, there seem to be some really good, caring clients out there. Every one of them understood and told me not to worry — we’d get to things. Does the heart good to see such nice people on this planet.
So we have a Writers Worth celebration to attend to, as well. Paula Hendrickson, who has been one of the most vocal forces behind my annual campaign, got in touch about it this week. I had to answer her from my hospital bed, but Paula being who she is jumped at the chance to help make it happen. That’s why I adore her. So the short-term plan for Writers Worth — keep it to a week this year and expand it as the posts and material comes in. I’m grateful for Paula’s help (and her contribution, which I’m sure you’ll love), and I welcome all of you, beginners to pros, to pen a guest post for the event. The “official” day of the first Writers Worth celebration was May 15th, so I’m aiming to have a full week of posts for you this year (and maybe more, depending). If you’re interested, email me at lwbean AT gmail DOT com.
Meantime, I have invoices to get out. And you’ve not heard the last of me yet — April’s Monthly Assessment should be up on Monday. If not, you’ll know I had to head back to the hospital sooner than expected.
So that was my week. How was yours?
Figures. The one month I have a great assessment you and your birthmarked liver would land in the hospital.
Seriously, though, focus on getting well. If I know your regular posters, you might end up with enough guest posts to help ease you through Writers Worth Week and your recovery.
Thanks for finding such a nice was of saying I usually start nagging you about Writers Worth Week in April….
GET WELL. Writer's orders (which we all know mean as much if not more than doctor's orders).
Get well, and let me know if you need anything. Thinking of you and sending you healing energy!
I don't know if it's my email or yours but when I sent you an email (before this post) asking for the det's on the hospital, it bounced my email. That was the rude part I tweeted you about. 😉
Wow, Lori, you don't do things half way, do you? Makes my surgery for the removal of a benign lesion scheduled for this coming week sound like child's play. DO take care of yourself and as Paula & Devon said, do not hesitate to ask if there is anything I can do for you.
Take care, my friend.
Lori: I wondered what happened. It is certainly unfotunate, bu there is never a good time for these things to happen.n I don't know much about liver problems, but gallbladder pain is unbelievable.So glad you're home, but please do what you need to do to be healthy. Take care of you!
Anna Digaudio
Yikes, Lori. Sounds like it was scary there for a while. Surgery doesn't sound much better. I'm glad you found the source of the problem, though, and wish you a quick and easy recovery. Prayers are going up about this.
Thanks, everyone! Paula, thank YOU for jumping on my request for help. I may need it yet, so hang tight. You're a godsend, girlfriend. LOL on the nagging! I consider more a swift kick in the pants — much needed one. 🙂
Devon, thanks. I'd love a guest post fronm you for Writers Worth. Are you up for it/have time?
Cathy, blessings and healing thoughts to you, sister. Any surgery is worrisome, so my love and thoughts are with you next week.
Anna, super to see you here! Thanks for your wishes, doll.
Ashley, the more I read, the more I relax. It's not an uncommon surgery at all, and there's plenty of info out there on it. Mind you, mine is a big-assed birthmark, so I might not be a candidate for laproscopic surgery (and there go my bikini-wearing days, like I had any left!). Still, it's being handled. There are bigger things in the world that require much more attention, I'm sure. 🙂
Lori,
I'm praying for an easy and successful surgery and a rapid recovery.
Best of luck, Lori.
All the best from me, too, Lori.
I quite like the black humor you are using to approach this (i.e. weight loss). It shows that you are very brave.
Petra
(a regular, but rather quiet reader of your blog)
Lillie, thank you. Every prayer is welcome. Lovely to see you. You have one of the most inspiring blogs — a favorite of mine.
Joseph, you should have seen me begging for tea. It was shameful. 😉 Apparently, they can't give tea intravenously…
Petra, I love that you're here. Thank you. And thank you for your thoughts. I'm glad you broke your silence. Feel free to make that a habit. 🙂
Oh,Lori – glad you're doing better now. Sorry for the late well wishes.
Thanks, Kim. 🙂 Haven't seen a new blog post at your blog —do I need to clear cache?
If you were on the National Health in the UK they would have given you tea, and Guinness Stout to build your blood!
Lori, get well soon. I haven't stopped by the blog for a little while and I sure wasn't expecting this. Posting from a hospital bed is pretty amazing. Take care of yourself and don't be afraid to ask for help.
And wouldn't it figure, Joseph? Dammed Americans. 🙂
Hi Wade! Glad to see you. Thanks for the wishes. I'll be fine. 🙂 I'm eager to get back to work, that's for sure!