Upcoming Surgeries and Nerves

One of my favorite spring flowers

Spring is in the air, even though the present temperature is cool at 51 degrees Fahrenheit and there have been snow flurries in the air the past few days here in Northeast PA.

I have to admit, I think I'm more nervous about my husband's upcoming surgery than my own.  Granted, I've had surgery before and know some of what to expect.  And I've sat through more than a few procedures of my mother's that required anesthesia, so it's not like I haven't been through this before.  But I get just as nervous each time with  my mother, so maybe that's just the kind of worrywart I am!

Mr. Janney's shoulder surgery is just over a week away.  I've already taken the day off of work, as well as the next just in case he needs me an extra day.  Like any procedure needing anesthesia, he's not to be left alone for 24 hours afterwards.  Depending on what time his surgery is (we don't have an arrival time yet) I may go to work the next day, especially since it's my last available vacation day until next October.  But since finances are pretty slim at the moment, I may just take it for the extra pay.

An MRI showed that Mr. Janney has a vertical tear in his upper bicep tendon.  We don't really know how it happened, there was no sudden explosion of pain but rather a gradual onset of pain.  It's one of those situations which we think it was caused by his work, but can't prove it because anything could have caused this.  It could have happened before he started his job, but didn't start hurting until he actually used those muscles more.  He does tend to be an inactive gamer.

I finally got the approval for my own surgery from my foot doctor.  The earliest opening he had at the time was ... the day after hubby's surgery!  Since hubby will be coming out of surgery with a sling for at least 4 weeks, and I'll be coming out of my surgery with a cast on my foot and unable to put any weight on it...I told the doctor that back to back surgeries weren't going to work!  So I am loosely scheduled for some time at the end of May - I say loosely because I haven't had confirmation from the doctor's office yet.

In other news:

My friend C.P. Stringham has finished her latest work, "Overcoming Sarah".  No word on a release date, but just to hear that it is finished and in the hands of her proofers and critiquers is exciting news!  She has shared bits and pieces of the work on Facebook as she's been working and it looks like it's going to be a great read.

I will share links and more details as she shared them.

She and her oldest daughter recently helped me with a research trip of my own.  Something I shared about here on Broads of a Feather.  It was a good day all the way around!

As I plug away at work, trying to make at least enough money for our car payment and gas money (and not much else - which is why I haven't taken down the GoFundMe link yet) I find that the routine work is routine enough to allow my mind to work on my own stories. I've had some great breakthroughs for my third novel, as well as an idea for short stories set in the same town but focusing on the supporting characters instead.  For example, in Farmer's Daughter (which will be free for Kindle Sunday and Monday) I find that at Christmas Eve a character named Nora was addressed by Craig as "Mrs. Thompson" but by the time he eloped with Angela, they were on friendly enough terms that he referred to her as Nora and had asked her to watch his and Angela's dog while they were away.  I realize that a lot happened to Craig's character in that time period, but I'm kind of wondering why Nora was chosen to watch Princess.

I also have an unrelated short story idea floating around in the back of my mind.  I need to get it written down and started before it slips away. There are never enough hours in the day for me to write everything in my head, do all my chores and communicate with family and friends.

But I keep trying.

Speaking of family, I have to get this proofed and published so I can get ready to go out to dinner with  my mother.  I hope you all have a great weekend!

An Original Short Story

I shared this short story I wrote in the Notes section of  my Facebook page and I thought I would share it here as well.

Anticipating the Dark; a short story by Robin Janney

Water dripped from the eaves with a resounding consistency.

Each splash echoed slightly, or maybe that was just my imagination.  Either way, it was strangely comforting.

bedtime terror

I pulled the blanket closer, tucking it under my chin.  The darkness was suffocating, surrounding me with no relief.  I close my eyes and pretend it’s not there.  Much good that it does me.

Instead, I listen to the dripping water.  I try to match my breathing to it, but it’s dripping too quickly.  I’ll never be able to sleep trying to breathe like that.  I slow it down.  Slow, deep breathes; counting drips in and out. 1, 2, 3, 4, hold for 1, 2, 3, 4, out 1, 2, 3, 4.

I can feel my body begin to relax as my heartbeat slows.  And still I worry.

Am I alone?  Will they come back for me tonight?  If they do, will they at least let me get some sleep before disturbing me?  God, please, I just want some sleep!

Starting over with my breathing, I try to think of happier things.

Picnicking in the part with Andrew.  Throwing the Frisbee for him and laughing as he races after it and catches it with a flying leap.  He’s very agile for his age.

Bologna sandwiches, with American cheese and just a touch of mustard. On homemade white bread.

A tall glass of lemony ice tea with a lemon wedge for extra lemony flavor and round ice cubes. Round ice cubes always remind me of Grandma and her homemade ice cream.  I’m not sure why they connect in my memory, but they do.

The warm softness of the blankets covering me, though it is late May.  The pillow cupping my head is nothing short of divine, not too soft and not too firm.  The pleasant scent of the lavender sachet I have on the bedside table to help me sleep.  It never helps, but I keep it there because I like the scent.

Suddenly I realize, the water has stopped dripping.  How long since it stopped?  In fact, I can hear nothing but the quiet buzzing of silence.

Then a sound, deafening in the stillness.  The creaking of my door as it unlatches and swings open.  Light leaks in, though I remember turning off all the lights.  A shadow falls on me.

They’re here.

Soon