::pokes her nose out:: We did a schedule announcement and the blog is still standing. Phew! Thank you for all of the votes of confidence, guys.
Someone pointed out that the tentative schedule for this year didn’t include novels. The releases for 2024 are limited to novellas and why is that?
This will be a bit TMI. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been put on the diabetic medication because I was speeding like a bullet train toward the full diabetes despite vigorous exercise and a strict diet.
The good news is that 3 months of medication adjusted my blood sugar. In December my A1C was 6.4 and my fasting glucose was 145. Two weeks ago my A1C was 5.7 and my fasting glucose was 95. I’m one decimal point away from normal A1C and my glucose is in the normal range already.
I should probably mention that these results are not necessarily typical. I went on an even stricter diet, and everyone’s body responds to medication in its own way.
This rapid adjustment had some side effects. It’s kind of like if you were driving on the shoulder for a while, then noticed it, and jerked the wheel to the side to get back on the road. The correction is bumpy.
One, I might have to have gallbladder removal surgery. While it is a common procedure, it is still major surgery that will require recovery and may result in complications. Some time has to be allotted for it. Scans, tests, and just the overall exhaustion have also stolen time from the work schedule. For some reasons, digestive issues just sap my energy. Roman should’ve been finished by February, and instead we are at the end of March.
The second problem is that, apparently, our eye lenses are very sensitive to sugar. My eyes adjusted to my near diabetes. Now, with the blood sugar in almost normal range, my vision is very blurry. I went to see the eye doctor, who informed me that I also have early stages of cataracts. Not diabetic, just the usual cataracts, which are for some reason, showing up a couple of decades ahead of schedule despite no steroid use. Fun, let me tell you.
The blurry vision slows everything down. Supposedly the eyes will adjust, and the blurriness will go away in a few months, but so far it hasn’t. Lubricating eye drops help a little, but not much, and I keep trying to wipe the blurriness away so if you saw me rubbing my eyes during Coastal Con, that was why.
I will say that all the side-effects, as unpleasant as they are, are worth it. Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the entire body, and if I can do something to hold it at bay, I have to at least try. And there have been a lot of positives. I used to get slightly lightheaded, which my previous doctor attributed to anxiety. I don’t as much anymore, which means it was probably uncontrolled sugar fluctuations. The weird muscle pains are gone too, which is so welcome.
And that brings us full circle. There are no novels on the schedule, because I’m hedging my bets. I’m not working at 100%, and I will need rest time to recover, while Gordon does a lot of heavy lifting workwise.
The mystery project, which we can neither confirm nor deny, is a priority. The remaining time will be spent on the next novella. Hopefully my vision improves, and we can finish it quickly and dive into longer works, but for now, we are reasonably confident that we can at least deliver a novella. It’s better to promise less and deliver more than the other way around.
Early cataracts happen! I had mine done at 55. The surgery is a breeze (if you have a competent surgeon) and recovery is fairly swift. Best wishes.
I had my cataract surgery in 2017. Best thing I’ve done for myself in a long time. As surgery goes, cataract surgery is easy. My surgeon told me that he would not do both eyes on one day. Turned out not to be problematic.
I had mine past year at 35 and no family history of early catarat. My cirurgy was with a great doctor and my recovery was excelent thank god. I envy your diet ethics cant keep my not become diabetic diet. My luck is that my not become diabetic medicine hold me mostly on its own.
Wishing you a speedy recovery! My mom had uncontrolled diabetes and only figured out as she pretty much went blind for a while, which got better once her blood sugars evened out after medication. As a side note, my mom was terrible at managing her diabetes but she always got better about it when she started going blind again. (><)
I’m so glad to hear that your new health regimen is working for you! It’s amazing how much even subtle physical discomfort distracts from mental focus. I’m battling GI and BP issues on several fronts right now and it’s a PITA in every way. The GI issue impacts the BP and the BP med impacts the GI. Then there’s the environmental stuff that I have no control over.
Getting a handle on the whole system is really up and down. Not having a handle on it makes focusing on everything else more difficult. Do what you need to do and take what time you need for yourself. It’s a good investment. Best wishes to you.
That’s what’s always “funny” about medications. Take Pill A for your issue, take Pill B to compensate for the side effect caused by Pill A, take Pill C to compensate for the side effect of Pill B, etc. etc.
Etc. etc. into infinity is about right. Treating the symptoms rather than the disease is what keeps the gravy train moving.
Yay! that the efforts toward controlling the diabetes is working! But yeah, the interconnectedness of the body. Such fun, she said, rolling her eyes. One thing goes wrong and decides to bring so many friends along for the ride. (The upside is that as you correct one thing, hopefully that will continue to help with the others.)
#TeamAllowPlentyofTimeforthe”commonprocedure”
this part. It may be a common procedure for the Dr, but it’s uncommon for me.
I’m personally glad your health is the priority before the writing. I had a breast cancer scare last month, and it really forced me to make my physical and mental health a priority after many years of ignoring them.
We, the BDH, will survive with whatever you are able to give us. ❤️
+1
+1
+1!
Sending you the strongest healthy vibes I can muster, Ilona.
Wow, I think this is the first time I’ve been in the Top 10 for comments!
+1000
I am severely myopic. The only upside is that when I take off my glasses and stick something up near my face/nose, I can read even the teeniest writing.
All this to say that my Opthamologist and I are looking forward to me getting cataracts because when I have the surgery, I will then be able to get up in the morning and SEE without grabbing the glasses. First time since I was 7!
So it ain’t all bad, Babe. Hang in.
Had my cataract surgery last October. Not only do I not need glasses or contacts to see distance, but colors are different! The two weeks between eye surgeries I would walk around looking through one eye than the other to compare colors. “Old” eye saw things with a heavy yellow tinge, “new” eye was crystal clear and beautiful. However, I DO still need reading glasses. My doctor was quite emphatic about me knowing this. Lots of people think you won’t need ANY glasses after cataract surgery. Your eyes are still old, it’s not lasik surgery.
I don’t mind. I’ve worn glasses since I was eight and would probably miss them (a little!)
The downside to that is that you lose that really close up vision. Which can be compensated for with reading glasses if needed.
I found that out when I had mine done last spring after MANY years of glasses, contacts (fifty years of hard lenses!) and severe myopia.
The color thing is weird. I don’t know if it’s just because the blue receptors are over sensitive after the light-blocking yellow of the cataracts is removed, but the sky color really POPS. I swear the artificial lenses give a slight extension of color vision into the UV; certain white fabrics in bright sunlight have a purple effect at the edges almost like the glow from blacklight…
Hugs to you Ilona!! Wishes for a very speedy recovery and good health!
Hang in there! That’s a lot of health changes at once. Do what you need to do to get better. I especially send hugs for your eyes!
Sending you healing love!! Your health is number one and I’m so glad you are taking care of yourself!!! I love all your series so happy with anything you both create to share with us!!
+100
Thanks for the TMI. Please take care of your health. Blessings your way.
Best Wishes to you! Diabetes is scary to me, all of my dads siblings have/had it and 7 on my mom side. So Ive been trying to hold it off as best I could. Last check up I was 1 point below pre-diabetes.
Hopefully your eyes settle soon and the surgery and recovery are safe and speedy.
” I might have to have gallbladder removal surgery. While it is a common procedure, it is still major surgery that will require recovery and may result in complications. Some time has to be allotted for it. ” – I had this surgery on an emergency basis.
I work an office job – no heavy lifting etc. My surgeon was ADAMANT that for 6 weeks, I imitate a sloth and do the most minimal. That meant no working, no sitting for hours at a desk. Nothing. The most I was allowed to do was leisurely walk for a while.
Take your time, catch your breath. Health issues are no fun and even getting on the right course of health correction is difficult.
The BDH love you and we would rather have healthy happy you than stressed out and ill you.
EXACTLY….if you need to have your gall bladder removed, please follow the surgeons directions for recovery. Had mine removed 2 decades ago and it was a slower recovery than my C-Section. I asked to go back to my desk job after a long weekend, the doctor said go ahead and try…..he was correct to be cautious. It was impossible to sit and be productive for only half a work day,
Congratulations on improving your sugar/diabetes. That is a major accomplishment.
A lot depends on the route of surgery. Laparascopic Cholecystectomy (camera surgery) heals a lot faster than open. I had a co-worker who tried to come to work the day after her emergent gallbladder surgery (clearly insane) but who was back quite quickly because she had the camera type. Listen to your body and your surgeon and ask whatever healing forces are right for you to support you in your recovery. The BDH will also be sending all of the healing energy we can, promise (if only because……. ). Be well, sending all the hugs and hopes.
We love the both of you! I believe the worry is also stressing your mate. So
I hope you both will take care and do your best to relax when you can.
Sending healing energy and all around good vibes. I eat low sugar and carbs at least 95% of the time. Glad to know what you’re doing is working!
I had early cataracts too, the surgery was easy, and a major benefit was that they corrected my nearsighted problem, and I was able to give up my contact lenses that i had been wearing since I was 14. Don’t wait on getting that done, you will be amazed at the difference!
Your health comes first! We all want you to be around and happy and working at writing for many decades to come. (If you could arrange to live to be 426 years old, that would be a huge plus, lol). Good vibes for you to regain amazing health and vitality.
Pish posh! Life begins at 427! Best years ahead of you!
You take care of you! And Gordon needs to take care of himself (and I’m certain support you as well). BDH will be here to provide support and levity – Mod R can crack the whip. As the old adage goes – Those who matter don’t mind and those who mind don’t matter. All the healing vibes to you! (I will start a re-read when I need my fix. LOL)
+1! Very well said! 🤗
+1 Thank you Tanya for expressing so well what many any of the BDH feel. Please take care of yourselves and each other Ilona and Gordon.
We send our best wishes for your return to good health.
When you publish something we will be excited ; till then we can enjoy a reread.
Mod R (aka knowledge repository for all things Roman) I have a question . On one of the talks Ilona and Gordon gave , which I recently rewatched on u tube, Gordon let drop that they had someone in mind for Roman’s love interest. ( I think he turned to Ilona and said “ It’s that witch girl, isn’t it?”)
Is Finn’s sister Andora ‘ that witch girl’ he alluded to? I was trying to work out what Finn’s sister is. Is she a witch or an avator for a goddess or something else?
Mod R response: I think we’ll have to wait a bit to see where things go with the two of them 🙂.
Dark Mod R response: IT’S A SHIP! To your battle stations! Man the decks, everyone on board, Roman has a love interest and it’s the sister! 🖤🖤🖤 ALL HAIL CHERNOBOG, GOD OF BONES!
Ahem. 😅 It’s pick your own adventure over here hehe.
As for what Andora is, well- remember how Evdokia, Roman’s mother, has a bunnycat and a house on chicken feet that turns with the sun? She’s Evdokia but she is also the Baba Yaga figure for the Slavic community?
In the same way, Andora is syncretic with the Vasylisa figure. Vasylisa is the typical female protagonist of Russian fairytales- kind of like “Prince Charming” shows up in multiple Western fairytales. It’s not really the same person, but the same stock character. If you want to read some of the stories, the absolute reference book is Alexander Afanasyev’s Russian Fairytales book but here is a link with some very basic summaries 🙂 https://fairytale.fandom.com/wiki/Vasilisa_(Russian_folklore)
Is she a witch? I think it’s absolutely fair to say, based on the description by Roman, that the Ilona Andrews Vasylisas probably are witchy. She definitely has magic and he uses words like charms and sorceress:
“The first one was enchanting, alluring, and irresistible, relying on magical charm and manipulation to make armies kneel and entice powerful people to do her bidding. The second was a creature of deep magic, a sorceress with offensive powers, unpredictable and sharp.”
from Chapter 7 Part 2 https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/chapter-7-part-2-2/
In the more classic Eastern European fairytales, depending on the story plot (see the ATU index), I would say that, generally, the Vasylisa Prekrasnaya (the beautiful ones) exist to be well-behaved, respectful, hard-working and tormented by evil parents or wizards. They’re not particular witchy, unless you count them obtaining magic objects as rewards or inheritance.
Vasylisa Premudraya (the wise ones) do get up to some fairly witchy acts and demonstrate great powers and magical knowledge- they fight, and conjure and transmute the elements and themselves.
You really are the best Mod R!
Thank you for that Mod R! You are amazing and much appreciated! 🤗
+1
Sending good vibes for your health and wellness. 💗
May all go well, and better than expected.
Thank you for the kind update.
I am so happy the meds are working well. I grew up with men who declared they were not going to take medication, ie: aspirin, because someday they might need medicine for something serious, and the pills would no longer work. This theory of life long suffering to save aspirin etc. for a rainy day did not work out well for them. So take your meds as soon as you need them and clearly that is what you are doing. Congrats. Also, if you need cataract surgery, get it. Boy howdy, does it make things better and clearer. I got mine in my 60s and it was wonderful. Good luck with the gall bladder surgery. I was told five years ago I needed it but put it off since I was making a major move. Now I am told I am too old for the surgery (82) but I still have the same problems.
Appreciate your update. Please take care of your well being. I’ll send encouraging positive vibes your way.
🥸 BDH will go back to their waiting areas and gnaw on gosh only knows what. I will personally continue to buy whatever you’ve chosen to release 🙌
Just get better on all fronts. Congratulations on the great A1C. As a diabetic I understand just how hard it is to bring it down.
Disappointing to not get a novel, but 💯 completely understandable. I would rather have some novellas and a healthier you any day. Take care of yourself and feel better.
Ditto!
Heck, I would rather have no output and a healthy you.
I know you need the income, but the thought hits anyway.
Take care, my friend, and get better.
PS: if you get the cataract work done, and you can afford it, spring for the fancy “adjustable” lenses. It makes a difference.
+100
Focus on your health please!
Get some rest.
Get some precious, personal time with Gordon.
(Tips from one of your loyal fans)
And the recovery time for diabetics is longer. Give yourself the time you need, we’ll wait ( maybe not patiently).
So happy to hear your improvement of the blood sugar numbers! It’s not an easy dance to do. you are very smart to hedge your bets. I’m enjoying re-reading all the Nevada novels now. Next will be the Innkeeper series. Please take care of yourself. You’re doing great!
Good luck with your diabetes control! My spouse is T1 and it’s a daily struggle but one that is well worth it. Getting a continuous glucose monitor was a gamechanger for him, even moreso than a pump was.
That is a lot of health things. So glad the newer medication is helping you and kudos for building in time to rest and recover.
The blog is here. GA will keep releasing KD. The Facebook fan thread is always fun to read – shipping news and all. Please take care of yourselves!
I could not write novella if my life depended on it. I have deep respect for your talent and completely understand you need to feel okay to produce the quality you do.
Please look after yourself/yourselves.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who’ll still be there when you publish whatever is you have finished.
Hugs.
Bits and pieces keep the BDH healthy which is how we want you to be! Novellas and snippets from House Andrews are much better than a ghost writer working from your notes because there is no House. Take care of the two of you, TAKE CARE of those nasty health problems and we will all cheer you on.
You are crushing that A1C!!! Way to go, woohoo 🥳! Happy that things are moving in the right direction for you.
Strict dieting sucks. Makes me have food on the mind all the time just to torture myself 😭. Getting anything done is an accomplishment to savor (like a yummy treat lol). Anywho, keep kickin ass!
Having been playing the diabetes roulette game for 10 years I have the utmost sympathy for you. I’ll read whatever you write and like it. I’ll send good thoughts and healing light so you have least pain and recovery time.
As much as I LOVE your books and can’t wait for the next one, take care of yourselves first!
Wishing you health!! A full recovery. To many more years of health and writing ❤️
if you do get the gallbladder surgery look into post surgery supplements as with no gallbladder you can’t process fats and thry have enzyme and prebiotic to help with that but usually fail to mention it to the patient.
Wahoo on getting blood sugar under control. Big HUGS that you recover completely.
Please take care of yourself! I think EVERYONE can agree that your health is FIRST & books are 2nd(Well probably 3rd or 4th but you know what I mean). Also you got oodles of people sending you prayers/good vibes/love/positive thoughts of healing
Sorry to hear about your health problems. I got rid of my cataracts with supplements and no recurrence after 20 years so I just keep taking them. Stress does a lot of damage to our bodies. Take care of you; God knows we all understand that life happens and sometimes you just have to hit pause while you recover!
My brother and I both had to have cataract surgery at age 50….. crazy. My mother was 85. Hopefully, your blurriness clears up and no surgery will be needed for a long time. Your health should be #1 priority!!! Take care of yourself.
I appreciate your candor, your thoughtfulness and of course the books y’all write!!
Glad your previous doctor is your previous doctor and not your current doctor.
Growing pains suck no matter what stage of life we have to go through them, and I love that you are as usual treating them with the emotional maturity and wisdom that has drawn me to your blog for years. Congratulations on getting results from all the hard work you put in – if nothing else, your blurry eyes are your body’s vote of confidence in your changes sticking around. <3
Congratulations on managing your diabetes, hopefully you will be able to come off the tablets in time and won’t develop it fully.
Regarding fuzzy eyesight, I’m not sure how it works with US gp’s, but last year my mum had something weird suddenly happen with her eyes. She got a third nerve palsy from having high blood pressure while her meds got settled. (It can come from other things though). It made it really difficult for her to see clearly and they had to send her to the hospital to treat it properly. My uncle had type 1 diabetes, poorly controlled as he got older, and they mainly kept track of his eye health for the pressure, vessels and glaucoma. His sight was good.
Congrats on getting your A1C and fasting glucose down. I am having the same struggle. I am inspired by your commitment and good results. I also had some symptoms a few weeks ago that I didn’t realize may be related to the pre-diabetes (occasional blurry vision and weird muscle aches) until you mentioned them here. I am seeing my Dr in two weeks and will mention all of this to her then. Hopefully my A1C and fasting glucose will be down as well.
Take care and wishing you the best, as well as the time you need to heal.
Sending hugs!! The battle with A1C is real hard – you are a warrior and you can do this!! 💖💖💖
For my family, early cataracts were hereditary. if you have worn glasses, imo getting the cataracts replaced is magnificent. I’ve needed corrective lens since I was 10, but haven’t needed glasses at all in the several years since cataract replacement. In my experience, it was fast and painless. Best wishes!
Hug hug hug. We just went through that with Wadly (venerable spouse) up to and including eye surgery for cataracts. We both switched to full keto (other than being overweight I don’t have blood sugar issues) and his blood sugar dropped from over 11 to 6.6 and I’ve been steadily but slowly losing weight. Adding your condition to my thoughts and prayers.
I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2017. No, not fun. I’m currently on Mounjaro which has helped my A1C greatly, as well as the side benefit of weight loss. Unfortunately, so many doctors are prescribing it just for weight loss that it’s causing shortages, so those of us who need it for diabetes are having difficulty getting it. I have the eye blurriness occasionally when my sugar is high. It does go away when you are diligent about keeping blood sugar lower. I had a lot of stomach upsets too – Prilosec helped. Good luck, I know you will come through this.
Hope this year goes great for you. I have diabetes and drink coffee with sweeteners and creamers. I have been wanting to start drinking king teas and wonder what you recommend
My favorite black tea is Harney’s valentine tea: https://www.harney.com/products/valentines-day
My favorite oolong is Milky Oolong: https://www.harney.com/products/milky-oolong
My favorite white tea is Yunan white Jasmine: https://verdanttea.com/2020-yunnan-white-jasmine
I find that I can drink the last two plain with nothing in them – if they brewed at the right temperature, which for me is 185 degrees. But the first one, which I brew at 205, I add one packet of Splenda to. It doesn’t cause a blood sugar spike.
I drink coffee very occasionally. 🙂 I like creamer in mine but I actually use International Delight sugar version because sugar free causes a lot of stomach upset for me.
Oh, that White Jasmine from Verdant Tea is sooooooo good! I’m hoarding my last because I won’t let myself buy more tea until I drink a lot of what I have, but that one might have an order “slip through”. 😉
My husband’s family all have early onset Cataracts. He got both his lenses replaced this past year (mid 50s). His results have been really good. Both his mom & two of his siblings needed theirs done in their 40s. The procedure was quick & the healing time was fast. Health issues are always scary. I hope you get through these without any more trouble
that is so fantastic that you were able to get your numbers down! Go Ilona!
The BDH can be patient for you to take care of your health. Right, BDH?
I am 31, started wearing glasses at age 5 for myopia, am genetically predisposed on both parent’s end to eye troubles and found out I have early onset of cataracts already – likely fueled by stress. And while I’ve somewhat learned to accept it, please know that you don’t have to deliver anything. This community you’ve helped develop is it’s own reward. Think of the overzealous inhabitants of BDH as a scary book – you can always keep us in the freezer for a while before getting back to it when ready (Friends).
Good luck if you do have gallbladder surgery! I had mine removed and was miserable during recovery. I discovered that I’m allergic to the surgical glue they used and the meds they prescribed weren’t strong enough. I took the pills anyway but didn’t really feel a difference after taking them. I haven’t had any digestive issues since then which feels incredible.
I just had cataract surgery last year in both eyes. Very simple, I stressed over nothing. The hardest part was making sure I did the drops in both eyes before and after like recommended.
Best wishes on the Diabetes. I myself have had type2 for over 20 years. I am now rely on insulin medicine. Quality of life is good and the aches and pains I have is mostly due to being 65 and playing sports when I was a teenager. Take your time and work at a pace which is comfortable to you where you can give 100% to the stories.
As to your new book you know it is really super secret when neither you or Gordon can confirm or deny to each other.
Have fun when you can, with the writing and work on being healthy and have a great day.
Thank you House Andrews for all you do and give to the us, the BDH.
Please take care of yourselves.
I am so grateful for you and will wait patiently for what you are able to give 💕
No job is worthy your healthy! Take care and wishes for a speedy recovery.
I’m so glad the medication is helping. Multiple members of my family are diabetic or pre-diabetic and I know a bit of how frustrating it can be to deal with. Sending you good wishes and, as always, thrilled with any kind of stories we can get, whenever it works for you to get to them.
Congratulations on getting diabetes under control! That is a terrible disease. Good for you!
Big hugs to you, Ilona! Glad you are taking the steps you need to make your health a priority. Nothing but support.
Please take care of yourself. The Horde can be ravenous all the time. However, we can be patient and pull back to give you space and time to do whatever health issues you need to do. 🙂
Mod R can wrangle the Horde if we get too rowdy.
At least cataracts can be taken care of by surgery. I have astigmatism, which is genetic on my mom’s side (for the most part). I can see just fine in the dark, but during the day outside, I have to wear the darkest color sunglasses I can get with my prescription.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint. And I’m selfish – I want you guys around as long as I am! So PLEASE take care of yourself first. The BDH ain’t going anywhere and will be happy as long as you are.
And novellas are good! I find it’s a good way to drag my friends and family into the BDH. 🙂
I’d like to say something inspirational and heart-warming but appear not to have those words available.
I hope all goes well and you start feeling like your old self. Or even better than that as it sounds like you’ve suffered intermittent symptoms for some time.
Thank you for all the amazing books.
On a side note; I recently found out that Taylor Swift had a song she reduced by about 30% and made the mistake of telling her fans when she did it. They nagged her for years to release the full song and then she did. That made me think of Ruby Fever. Just saying. 😉
Please get well first and then, only then, feed the BDH!
Congratulations on your health improvement. I am so happy for you. Your health is the most important thing. Keep up the great work ❤️
Take care of your health first. We can wait. Much love your way.
Take care of your self! Health is most important. Thinking about you! Wishing good thoughts and health.
Take care of yourself first!
Take the time needed for your health. That is what’s important. Humans are not machines. I hope as you take care of your self you can also stop to “smell the roses”.
All the best wishes and hope the cataracts either goes full on to be treated or slows down completely. In between can be the worth.
I am in the lucky group born with cataracts, so it was vision depletion to the age of 5 and then surgery and big glasses. Now at least they are a lot better with replacing the linses.
Mine were ‘stapled’ in…. yeah ‘stapled’…
Looking forward to anything published! Blog post, novels, novellas or…mystiry projects!
Please, do keep taking care of yourself! We can wait.
Oh man. I’m glad the meds are working for you and I hope the blurriness goes away sooner rather than later.
Great news about your A1C! Isn’t this a fun time of life? “Yay! I’ve finally got time and funds to do fun things!” Body says, “Hold on, now…”
You and I are doing almost exactly the same thing, right down to matching A1Cs. It is *exhausting*. I’m glad it’s working for both of us, though! I have much less back pain these days, which is worth it, never mind all the rest.
Isn’t it? I feel so tired some days. And this is kicking my butt, because I would climb on my elliptical 4-5 times a week and do 3-4 miles. Now I walk for 2 miles and I am like, wooo, success. I need a lie down.
Well, having less sugar in the blood means literally also less energy.
What I personally felt was even worse was going on blood pressure medication… I was always tired and cold.
S, what changes did you do to reduce back pain?
Take care of yourself because your health is important!
I have type 2 diabetes; so far manageable by pills, thankfully.
So, your health comes first, and the Horde will patiently, ravenously consume what you deliver on your own schedule.
Er, just just for clarification, about project Voldemort, can you tell us if this is under contract or like Maggie – first written, then shopped around?
To make it easier, here are the predefined answers:
A) under contract
B) like Maggie
C) neither
D) won“t tell
E) There is no Voldemort project. Here, look into this special flashlight… ZAP
Oh, this flashy thingamajig here? It’s really nice, such pretty colours. Ever seen a kaleidoscope? Let me show you!
Where am I and who are you?
Thank you for sharing. Sounds like you’re making all the wise choices! Wishing you a speedy recovery and as healthy a future as possible. And yes, that wish includes (but is not limited to) the very selfish reason that I love reading your books,
Thank you for sharing your health status with us. I appreciate your trust in the BDH. We want only the best for you and Gordon! Glad things are looking much better and we will just possess our souls and patience until you are ready.
Wishing you continued health!
From one diabetic to another – get back to health first! We will all be waiting when you are ready.
Your health is more important than novels. Hopefully you will find your equilibrium soon and speedy recovery!
Good job getting those numbers down!! I had cataract surgery at an early age (took steroids for lupus) and it’s been amazing! Reading glasses do a fine job.
“Get some rest. If you haven’t got your health, then you haven’t got anything.”🤗
ALWAYS get the cataracts done as early a yo can find a Dr. to do them, because my mother put it off and it turned out that you can’t see through cataracts to see if you are developing Macular degeneration, so she went blind
Hope you can recover over the next year! Glad to hear that your blood sugar is in control. When age, we become insulin resistant, starting in our 40’s, and no one talks about it. Recently learned that and started a diabetic diet to help counteract the insulin resistance. wish i knew this years ago. Anyhoo, glad the meds helped!
We are with you and if you need time, take it.
To novel, or not to novel; that is the question. Whether ’tis nobler in the — ahh, waitaminnit, that’s not how that dude from Stratford-on-Avon wrote it …
Well, anyways, do what you need to do to stay healthy. We can abide.
Wishing you a speedy recovery! Your health and family are more important than anything.We just want you happy so you do all you must. xx
It all sounds very promising, frankly! Hang in there and don’t sweat the small stuff. Best to you both always!
In an aside, I was told I had cataracts forming over 20 years ago and they’ve done nothing more in that time. So I’m wishing you the same luck!
Hang tough Ilona, I have been living with diabetes for many years and the meds have helped enormously. And you are absolutely right, diabetes can damage your eyes, your kidneys, all kinds of things including your brain. Too much sugar is a BAD thing. Who knew our mothers were right all along about that. Do what you have to do. Taking care of your health is the essential thing. And somehow the BDH will manage to limp along with novellas and rereads of all our favorites.
So glad to hear you are prioritizing you health. This is your life and you are more than your entertainment value. My you continue to heal.
Do please take care of yourself. Definitely grab the Diabetes beast and wrestle it into submission.
We will take whatever we can get from you both…..and be happy.
Thank you for sharing and keep the pace you want to set.
If we haven’t learned patience by now, it’s about time we learned to have it.
So glad you are getting the appropriate help for your diabetes and that you are doing better. Sorry about the cataracts but my hubs had cataract surgery for both eyes (one after the other, not together) and it was no big deal. He was back reading in days. I truly appreciate anything you write. Yes, I love your novels but novellas are great as well. Whatever you do, I want it! Meanwhile, take care of yourself – this is most important and you are always in my thoughts and prayers for good health.
You know we will always be here…… 😁 stalking in the background 🤭
Hope you start to feel better soon xxx and we’ll appreciate all the more when you are back on form.
Hope you have a long Easter break, Uk gets 2 Bank Holidays!! Yay!!
Be well, be gentle with yourself, and take care of you—you are precious! I have had insulin-resistance for a couple decades, and so far, life style and meds have kept diabetes at bay… and at 53, I also have plain old cataracts that will need to be tended to in the next 5 or so years— they never told us to wear sunglasses as kids! So cheers— here’s to your healing and swift easy recovery! 💜
Where I lived kids in sun glasses were considered pretentious – not that we knew the word that young, but we knew they were stuck up!
They do, however, delay the onset of cataracts. That’s been known for at least 40 years. And the cheap ones from the grocery store work just as well as the ridiculously expensive ones, so that’s a good investment without being pretentious.
I actually scheduled my gall bladder removal around one of your release dates. Can’t remember which one it’s been a few years. But I had the surgery and then the next day I was able to read the book guilt free ☺️. I had an easy recovery, didn’t even need pain pills and no problems since.
Reading reward :D! I like your style and so glad you’ve been problem-free since!
Good grief, the gallbladder just had to pile on, huh? You keep taking good care of yourself and we will all be here cheering you on! My wife had to have her gallbladder out on an emergency basis years ago, and her digestion has never been the same since. For such a tiny little organ it sure gets up to some trouble, and the trouble only gets moreso when you take it out! Congrats on tackling that A1C though, it’s no picnic!
Your health is the most important thing to focus on. If the BDH must wait, then so be it. I, as a loyal mamber of the BDH, prefer you get healthy and provide me with joy for years to come.
right there with you, diabetic but I blame some of the other issues to menopause, sleep is the kindest thing you can do for your body without decent sleep your body can not function properly..getting older sucks so it is always a good thing to take care of yourself, I want many more years and stories from you….
Health should always be the priority.
I’m very glad you’re doing better
🙂
Best of luck with your fight against diabetes. I’ve had it for 20 yrs and it’s worth doing anything you can to prevent it. I’m so glad you had a good enough doctor to help you prevent it. One other coincidence, my vision got really bad and I was convinced it was diabetic retinopathy but NO, it was cataracts, just like you have. Unfortunately, I’m too scared to get the surgery so I’m using the really big fonts in my eBook. Thank goodness for my Kindle.
I had cataracts in both eyes done in September (age 69). Outpatient surgery. Very fast and, for me, completely pain free. I no longer need bifocals just glasses for distance. Color perception change was immediate and recovery is very quick and easy. The idea of someone working on your eyes is very scary but the surgery was so worth it. Also a diabetic of long standing and the A1c fight is really tough. Fantastic job Ilona!
Best wishes on your health journey. Celebrate each milestone.
Best wishes for your health Ilona! We wish you a very speedy recovery
So sorry to hear of your health struggles; my thoughts and prayers are with you. your health is first priority; so don’t push to get things done work wise. it will happen when it happens. best wishes for continued improvement, rest, and peace.
Sending you positive healing energy, Ilona. ✨ I greatly appreciate how transparent you are with us. Please do whatever you need to do to stay happy and healthy. We, the BDH, gladly support you and will devour whatever you publish.
Fervent prayers for your health!
I do not know if you’ve heard of the “carnivore diet” – not really a diet but eating only animal products – meat, eggs, dairy – with the emphasis on red meat – can be very helpful in getting blood sugar issues under control.
Ilona is under a doctor-recommended diet which avoids fat atm, due to gallbladder issues 🙂
Oh right, gallbladder issues. Painful AF. Hopefully the docs can sort it out for her.
I’m so proud of you and your success with the diabetes, nutrition and weight! The changes needed to make positive impacts in these areas are so hard.
As for the rest, it’s always something. Take the time you need to address your issues and get well. We will be here waiting for you and your delectable stories (last week’s Roman was magnificent).
Hugs. The BDH wants you to be well.
Get some rest. If you haven’t got your health, you haven’t got anything.
I’ll say it again you guys are the best. I look forward to purchasing sanctuary as a Novella and an audio. I can’t help but hope that your secret project might have something to do with Arabella, and or Augustine. You could really have some fun with some Novelas in that world or even a book of short stories around various characters.
That you manage to bring your health back into alignment, it sounds like real challenges. Health has got to be first. Wishing you well, and as always waiting breathlessly for your next publish words😊💜🥳
My fellow member of the BDH who lives a few miles from me recently had gall bladder surgery. It is, indeed, major surgery; but except for the soreness at the incision, she felt better pretty much immediately.
I’m glad your blood sugar levels and A1C levels are improving. Take good care of yourself.
Don’t worry a whole lot about giving us a new novel. All the ones you’ve produced so far stand up really well to multiple re-readings.
Good job on getting your blood sugar under control. Very admirable and impressive. 🙂
Slowing down and taking care of yourself should always be top priority. Take care and I hope you continue to feel better and better.
May (from OWW. Still lurking around here and there 😉 )
Diabetes is a nasty thing. I’m sending all the positive energy your way. Please take care of yourself and we will wait patiently no matter how long it takes for new stories. Your health is more important than our Book Devouring Hoarding issues. 😁
Personally, I am happy to hear you are slowing down to take care of yourself. I lost my dad too soon mainly because he didn’t. Too many people wait too long and you are too special to lose a minute before we have too. My wish is that you retire when you want and spend a lot of time loving and being loved by those around you.
I was suprised to get the tentative release schedule, but I will take anything I can get! Congrats on the hard work paying off. Hoping everything evens out for you over the coming months.
I’m so glad to hear that your meds and other changes are having positive results. While not diabetic myself, my son was diagnosed with type 1 over 30 years ago, 2 weeks before Kindergarten. It was so scary and overwhelming and as you can guess, took a lot of adjustment and trial and error. Plus trying to get him to understand and cooperate was challenging. Thankfully he is doing very well.
Take care yourself. And remember that after a while the new changes will become a normal routine and second nature.
I feel you on the chronic health problems. It can be so frustrating when you have to adjust to what feels like a whole new physical reality. It takes quite a bit of time to figure these things out. I am sure all of us fans really support you taking care of yourself. Side note: I have had severe myopia since childhood. Got my cataracts replaced two years ago and it was like a miracle. I could see perfectly! I could see the floor! I could see the bathroom in the night when I usually get up. I hope you have a comparable experience.
Take care of yourself number one. Everything else will work itself out.
Healthy wishes your way!
Best of best wishes as you continue to rest and recover. While we love more stories, your health is much more important to us. Our hats off too, to Gordon for the extra workload.
I hope things settle for you soon! Diabetes is a bastard so you’re smart to do all you can to get ahead of that. I’ve spent a lot of 2024 rereading/relistening and thoroughly enjoying myself. I went back down an Innkeeper rabbit hole as 2024 began, then revisited the Edge and then Kate in Wilmington and am currently on my umpteenth relisten of my book boyfriend Hugh, all of which is to say thank you and I’ll look forward to whatever comes next. But mostly Hugh 2.
Glad your health is improving, but sorry the course corrections are kicking your butt!
I’m glad you are adjusting your schedule to support your health. Take care of yourself. Sending positive thoughts your way.
Get well soon! I’m so impressed you brought your sugars under tight control!
Yes, your health comes first!
all the best to you
All the good vibes to your continued improving health! You take care of you and the BDH can behave ourselves. 😉
You guys are my favorite authors, but you’re people first. Appreciate your vulnerability and hope you both stay healthy and continue to thrive. As a sweatshirt-wearing member of the BDH (I’m obsessed with that thing), I can comfortably say we’ll read whatever you write whenever it getshere.
I am selfish enough to say that I hope you (both) take care of your health first because I want you around and writing for a long time so I can keep reading them!
The amount of books that you two are able to produce in a year is outstanding! It’s completely understandable if you should need to slow down sometime.
If you ever need to keep the BDH entertained, you could always give us a line and have us all guess the world, the character, or something else about it. I’m sure we would run rampant with the guesses and the comments could keep us entertained for a long while!
Thanks for sharing your journey, your tentative schedule, and your creativity with us all! You are both greatly appreciated! 🤗
I am glad you are feeling better and I hope as your body adjusts to the more healthy situation the concerning symptoms will be reduced. I am just as greedy as everyone else for new work but I am happy right now with the Roman installments. There was a time when you were not “working” on anything you could share and so just put fun things on the blog that you came upon like new video games or international series/movies and of course I loved the real estate “can you believe this house” posts. Don’t stress about the blog, as you have repeatedly said, it supposed to be fun place and I enjoy what you are willing to share. Having said that I would like to put in a request for MORE VIDEOS OF THE FURRY SUPERSTARS PLEASE. Have a great day.
Wishing you the best of health…. Take care, take time, get well, play with the dogs, hang with your family, knit when you can and just know all of this positive energy is flowing your way. Peace and good will to you and yours!
Wishing you well! I had my gallbladder taken out some years ago and have a family history of diabetes (I don’t have it but am currently struggling with high blood sugar) so I understand to some degree. I really hope you feel better soon
Take care of your health! More important than anything else
Look after yourself. This member of the BDH understands.
What happened to Maggie? I thought it was a completed novel…
See Ilona’s answer above 🙂 “We cannot confirm or deny anything in regard to Maggie.”
I apparently had a genetic condition that caused rapid onset of cataracts when I was 44. I went from fine to virtually everything being completely blurry in 2 months. It’s great after surgery. I recommend watching their progress carefully. I didn’t know that was even a thing beforehand. Not trying to scare you or anything but it’s something to watch for just in case.
Hi, Ilona!! I had gallbladder surgery two decades ago, in my forties. Without going into details, I had to be opened up. The resulting scar is awesome looking! I used to tell mean people I was in a knife fight- and won. LOL.Bending the truth a hair, but not really lying. Since they knew I was an armored fighter in the SCA- Society for Creative Anachronisms- they were never mean again. And a scalple is a kind of knife… I recovered fully in about two to three months, and up and about in about seven to ten days. I am a person of size.
With laproscopic surgery done today, gallbladder surgery is a snap. Hopefully, ( and praying) yours will be as well. We love you, and we want you to be and stay healthy and happy, so if you have the surgery *please don’t push yourself too soon*, okay? Take your time to heal, as stress inhibits that. We all understand if you need to step back to heal up properly!
Bright Blessings! Happy Easter!
Your health is the most important thing. Take care of yourself. Gallbladder surgery – just make sure you rest up after the operation and don’t push yourself for a couple of weeks and you should be fine. Cataract surgery is ok too – just make sure you have a good surgeon. We can wait until you are well for any more books
I so sympathize with your blurry vision! I had cataract surgery and a year later I was straining to see again! It turns out as your body heals it does too good a job (in my case) and healed over the implanted lenses! Luckily all it takes is an in office laser procedure to fix it.
I’ve been retired for more than 10yrs, so not super up to date, but (depending on the case) gallbladders can be treated via endoscopy. This makes a huge difference in recovery because you don’t have the big incision to deal with. So ask if that’s possible for you.
So glad you are doing better with your sugars. We can wait for whatever HA has planned! Hugs and well done!
Big hugs to you!!
Your health is top priority, the BDH can wait! Hoping for a speedy recovery for you!
As others have said, you write it, I will buy it. All I want to add is that your health and wellbeing are more important. Sending love & best wishes to both of you.
BDH loves House Andrews ❤️🙏🏼💪🏼
It is fantastic that you are going to still give us novellas while you are looking after your health. Best wishes, you deserve this rest and recovery time!
Fear not, the BDH will be patient for your efforts, and keep loving prayers for your healthy recovery. These are serious health problems that need to be addressed. Know that you are loved and adored. Also, the BHD will keep a vigil for you and your family as all are involved in this journey to your better health.
Please take care of yourself! That is by far the most important thing! The very best wishes for your continued improving health!
Glad to hear you’re getting the diabetes under control. Taking care of your health is the number one priority.
Take care of your health. Diabetes is no joke. I lost a good friend to complications from it several years ago, and I have another friend who has just started dialysis. On the good side, my best friend is on one of the new meds and is almost in the normal A1C range, and her weight is the lowest it’s been in 20 years.
Getting old stinks, doesn’t it?
Huge respect that you are dealing with several health issues and still thinking about your readers, keeping them up to date and not letting them down. Most people take for granted, if they are poorly they focus on themselves first and their career waits. Wishing you a speedy recovery and thanking you for the many, many hours of happiness you have brought me.
That is a lot of medical problems to deal with, what you are experiencing plus the unknown of what could be next. I’ll be happy to get anything new this year, and I’m enjoying graphic audio versions of books I’ve read and listened to, but the stories are so good I enjoy listening to them multiple times.
It’s a rough time, with the medical issues giving you a lot to deal with, while taking away the energy you need to do so.
I’m wishing you a swift and full recovery.
Take care of yourself, we love you.
I am so glad that your diabetes is being better controlled. Good for you! One thing that struck me is that your doctors blamed “anxiety” for something that was a very real medical issue. Sadly, I believe this is pretty common. I’m glad you kept pushing back. I hope your gallbladder surgery goes well and that you continue to see positive movement with your diabetes control!
I know you will get lots of support for cataract surgery if you need it, but I would like to add my own. My husband has had many eye issues since he was a child, including surgery. When he developed cataracts at 60, he had a great surgeon who offered options (including those not covered by insurance). He initially scoffed at the thought. But basically the insurance covered lens replacement and he chose the lens. Result was correction for everything. At 60 he now has 20/20 vision. He almost cried it was so amazing. Best gift ever to himself.
Continue to take care of yourself Ilona. YOU MATTER🫂
I’m so sorry to hear of your health issues, but SO glad you are facing them head-on and getting them under control! And I totally understand how difficult it is, being in the same boat on all counts ( gallbladder removal, prediabetes, early cataracts, etc.) Hang in there!
The good news is you are doing a great job of handling it, doing all the right things, and no doubt in the long run you’ll have all of this under control and you’ll feel so much better!
Keep doing what you’re doing, and try not to get frustrated…this too shall pass. You’re doing great!
And please don’t worry about what comes out this year! Novels, novellas, short stories, phone book entries: if HA wrote them, the BDH will eagerly read them! I think I speak for everyone when I say we are more concerned with making sure you are taking care of yourself!
😘💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
Glad to hear that the change in medication helped. Please continue to take care of yourself and prioritizing your health.
We hope you feel better soon: warm wishes for your complete and speedy recovery.
Your health is the most important thing. You have a wonderful family who need you. Books are not a life or death matter.
My mom had cataract surgery at 49. She was completely blind in one eye. She had the lasik stuff done at the same time, I think. Now she only has to wear reading glasses at 61.
Glad to hear you’re getting your sugar under control. Constantly dieting and exercising, yet seeing no results is no fun. I’ve been at that point for a while, but no sugar problems so far.
I’m so sorry this has been such a difficult year for you health-wise. Here’s to wishing you a healthier year as it sounds like you’re on a good path. As much as we all love reading books from our favorite authors, it’s more important to keep our favorite authors in good health so they can enjoy life.
I love that blog title, we still use Alan Rickman’s sublimely compelling evil Sheriff of Nottingham quotes that made the whole movie worth watching!
Thank you for sharing. It sounds like you are making great strides in improving your health, even tho there are glitches along the way. Sending you positive healing energy.
If you have a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (not just an acupuncturist) in your area, I would suggest consulting. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can do alot to promote organ health.
Best wishes, and thanks again for keeping out expectations in order. We appreciate you!
Please just take care of YOU. Your heath is more important than the BDH’s obsession with your writing.
And on a purely selfish note, if you’re healthy, more books…it’s a win-win.
“If you haven’t got your health, then you haven’t got anything.” I would rather wait for books than never have any more. I love all of the work you and your husband create and I will patiently re-listen to your series until the next work comes out. Currently that is Ruby Fever. I wonder if Catalina will get together with Michael when she gets her series…
We love you both! Prayers for speedy and full recovery, Mrs. Andrews! And thank God, Mr. Andrews is there as a wonderful Support. Take care of your health first! That is most important thing in the world. The BDH isn’t going anywhere! We’ll still be ravenous little Otrokars when you’re ready for us to eat again!
Dealing with health concerns is always at the top of the list. Hope everything goes as smoothly as possible for you.
Glad the medicine is working for you! As prediabetic myself, I understand your desire to avoid full on diabetes. Wishing you a positive journey to better health!
Big wishes for better and better healing and feeling. Empathy and sympathy here for your health challenges. My heart and mind knows you are improving every single day.
Sending love and healing vibes your way!
Dear Ilona, you are so right to prioritize your health. Taking care of you is the most important thing you can do right now. Yes, indeed, diabetes really damages not only the eyes but the kidneys & other organs. The books can wait. I’d rather have you alive & healthy & going on to live a joyous, long, full life.
Hang in there and take that time for yourself. Any medical or issues are challenging and can take a lot out of you. I’ll keep you in my thoughts.
After cataract surgery I have 20/20 vision. (Chose the option) surgery takes about 17 minutes and the results are immediate. And your vision never changes again! Not scary at all. Good luck
Sorry to hear about your health issues. Besides ongoing unemployment, I am battling a bad case of covid that was a great thing ( our son’s chamber group won a major industry award, we were at the ceremony in NYC, likely where I got it) turning into a bad thing…but wouldn’t miss it for the world, validation for the tremendous effort of support we put into it and the incredible work the group puts into it.
gallbladder surgery these days is usually laparoscopic, I had mine removed 17 years ago and was out the next day, back at work in a couple of days. in terms of post surgery and eating, I don’t eat a lot of fried food or fatty foods, but when I do I have had little trouble digesting it since. obviously everyone is different, but wanted to share my experience if it makes it any easier:)
you have to take care of yourself, of course, the books will come when they do. glad you are getting your sugar& such under control.
Ilona, Rest, take time to care for yourself. I am simply grateful to you and Gordon for the total pleasure and enjoyment you and Gordon provide me (and the rest of the BDH) with your writings–Novel, novella, short story . . . you name it. Please, please, please take care of your health and just know that any “pushiness” for MORE writing from House Andrews is an expression of serious fondness and deep admiration. In a world that has gone mad, your and Gordon’s work provides respite and renewal for this nun. Thank you.
Sounds like you’re doing all the right things. You all take good care. Sending healing thoughts and a hug your way.
Cataract surgery was a blessing BUT I had it when I was still working as an IT person. The two months (one after each eye) of not having proper glasses (prescription comes once your eyes have healed) was not fun. I ended up buying these weird glasses where you can individually dial the focus for each lens. They got me through those two months as I could not use my old prescription glasses and taking a single lens out did not work for me.
From your blog I know that you do crafts. I do too. I had always been nearsighted. With the cataract surgery that could be corrected, but then I would lose my near vision. I chose to have one eye done at a readying focal length and one done at mid-range (computer & grocery shopping). I am glad that I did. I can do my crafts and groom my dogs without glasses. Actually, I lucked out and do not even need glasses to drive but that was unexpected by my ophthalmologist.
I had my eyes lazered when I was 42 and they did the dominant one for distance and the other for close up- I’m ambidextrous and my brain decided that I wasn’t going to see properly out of either! I paid so much more for that particular surgery and they tried to correct my distance vision 6 months later- but no improvement. The only good thing out of it was that my new script wasn’t coke bottle thick. Cataract surgery made an amazing difference. I had no idea how sepia coloured my vision had become. After the first one was done, I could hardly wait to get the second one done and have the colours improve. Best surgery ever! 🙂
Adding my voice to the cast of thousands wishing you well. That cataract surgery, why you’ll sail through that. I had to laugh, my surgeon had all of us patients lined up in one little curtained alcove after another; a row of us! And he came in, chatted pleasantly and briefly then (sound effects here) he gives post-surgical instructions and off he goes! the cool part is when you come home everything looks yellow out of the undone eye and purpley white out of the one that’s finished (once you get your patches off 😁) Best of luck, know you are supported. When given crap health diagnosis, I might feel scared and sad, but then I get pissed. Driving an A1C down like that, you are scary determined.
I can relate to the health issues- mine went down the same path. But now, I’m post gall bladder surgery(8 yrs ago), cataract surgery(3 yrs ago) and the blood sugars are ‘acceptable’ most of the time. If they could do something about the lymphedema I’d be rocking! I know what the mental exhaustion feels like. I’m usually very creative and just now feeling like knitting and calligraphy again after all the adjustments. But in the middle of the mess? No way. You take care of yourself, Ilona, and we will wait patiently until your creative juices and energy to write come back in. We want you to enjoy the writing process as much as we enjoy the stories. Cheers!
So glad you are taking care of yourself. Regardless of the books, you need to have a life you enjoy living.
Also, watch your feet. Diabetes can eat your toes!!
honestly, whatever you write I will read and be glad of it. if you wrote postcards they would no doubt be best sellers.
I recently had to retire from part time work because of my health and as hard as it was on me emotionally, physically it seems to have been a good thing. I’m able to put a little more life in my life. I would rather be healthy, but that wasn’t an option God gave me. I’m glad God gave you that one.
I’m so glad you’re taking care of yourself and trying to schedule realistically. I’d love to look forward to a near-lifetime of novels from you every couple of years or so.
Ok, first of all tanks for being you.
For letting us know the ins and the whys.
Second, I very much prefer a slow year and Ilona for many more.
So please, take care, prioritise your health, the Bird will wait and be nice in the while or else…
So sorry, my warranty has also lapsed and maintenance is regularly required.
Mom (93) broke her hip and I immediately dove into Innkeepers for an attitude assist during the “hurry up and wait” times. Thank you so much for the wonderful and entertaining distractions.
Maggie was not mentioned previously…..I hope all is well and moving along on that front.
Best wishes and good luck!
Had surgery a while back and watched a lot of Star Trek while stuck on the couch. Remember being real mad how the doc would just run a flashlight over the injury and it’d be all better. If only it really worked that way. Maybe someday…
I’ve had type 1 diabetes for 55 years and yes taking care of your blood sugars is high priority. I still have good eyes and feet and overall good health. I’m glad that you are having success in that with your new regime. Take care of yourself and I will always look forward to whatever you are writing whenever it comes. Sending prayers your way for continued good health.
I’m so happy you’re getting good results, Ilona, and sending you all the good vibes on the side affects💕
Good morning and happy day! My friend has started something called time restricted eating to help with her A1c. Here is a link to a research study in case you are interested in reading about it. Just sharing information. Best wishes.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9671354/
Great job on avoiding diabetes as long as possible. Everything else is secondary to your health at best. I am happy to get anything. And if it means you are healthy: nothing. Thank you for all you do.
Gall bladder surgery can be minimally invasive these days with laproscopic and robotic surgery arms (assuming no complications that prevent those options of course)! I had my gall bladder out a few years ago – I was in and out of the hospital in half a day, and while I was in a fair bit of pain the first few days, the recovery was no worse than dealing with a flu. I was back to work fully functioning two weeks later. I was told by my doctor before the surgery that gall bladder removal is one of the most routine and least invasive of the major surgeries, and my experience aligned with that. I know not everyone has the same experience but I hope this gives you some reassurance and I hope that if you do have your gall bladder removed, that everything goes smoothly and you have an easy recovery.
Sorry, but I forgot to mention: if your doctor does recommend gallbladder removal, listen to him/her and don’t think about it too long. You don’t want this to turn into an emergency surgery.
I had mine taken out on an emergency basis about 15 years ago (not because of poor planning on my part: I did not previously have any symptoms at all so I did not know I had issues.)I lucked out though, and they were able to remove it laparoscopically, but this is not always the case when it’s an emergency. Because of complications, emergency gallbladder removals often must be done via the original process (the full open surgery.) The difference in recovery time (a few weeks for laparoscope vs a few months for open removal) and recovery/comfort after the surgery are like night and day.
Sending happy thoughts, prayers, peace, hugs, good health, tea, diet-appropriate cookies, and whatever else might help your way! 🥰💕💕💕
I had cataract surgery at 45. The surgery itself was no big deal. The worst part is that now I can see dust and dog hair and I have to clean my house WAY more often than I did when the whole world was blurry!
Please accept my very best wishes for a smooth and uneventful full recovery.
I heartily endorse your approach to your health (absolute priority) and to your writing schedule (responsive to reality and flexible).
Just keep on doing what is best for you two, in the timeline and manner that is best for you — I appreciate and honor everything you share with your adoring public.
+1
Ilona, thank you for sharing you health journey, but really, you do not owe us any justification for what and when you choose to write. We love your work, and want MORE-MOREand more, but really, you are the boss. Do what is best for you. We love you.
I am glad you’re improving! This story is oh so common with women and it’s unfortunately not looked into enough! I am sure you have already looked into this but as we go through perimenopause and menopause the fatigue, weight gain, metabolic syndromes increase despite or best efforts and even as we step them up! There is increasing data about this and so many options for us including supplements and HRT that are safe and definitely need to be explored more as options with us and out doctors and it just doesn’t happen! I was very fortunate to have a great doc to help me through this, even as a doctor myself I had to really research and understand because they don’t teach this at all. It really has been about shaming women into thinking we just aren’t enough, not doing enough, not trying hard enough and that’s just not the case. If by some off chance this has not been brought up or discussed please look into it the scientific studies are increasingly good and out there. I hope the improvements continue for you
I feel like some of women’s problems are that they think we complain too much or about every little thing and/or that they don’t believe us or think it’s all in our head. I’ve been dismissed over things and if only they realized how much I hate going to doctors and that I will wait to go, then maybe they would look at me differently. But I also feel like the doctors I’ve seen lately are more about addressing the symptom but not the problem. And my primary doctor is a D.O. Healthcare is too expensive to be treated this way.
Okay, off my soapbox!
As you poke your noise out, make sure you have some sunscreen applied. Your health is much more important to me than when I get the next novel. Novellas and “the big not-to-be-named-not-project” can follow their best development path. Remind Gordon that he cannot make up the gap. His health is important, too.
Well done on the diabetes control – that’s so hard.
“For some reasons, digestive issues just sap my energy.”
I think it’s because when we are healthy we don’t notice our bodies, particularly not our abdomen, we don’t realise it’s quietly working away because the most that happens is a bit of wind. As women we may get monthly symptoms which can be bad (until we don’t, yay!), but even then the rest of the time we don’t notice what our guts are doing. It is just exhausting all by itself having gut problems, so you are being wise in adjusting your planned schedule accordingly.
Your health is the most important thing, you have already given us so much wonderful work, anything more is just the crunchy sprinkles on top of the complete salad (almost went with a cake metaphor and thought better of it!), lovely but not essential to the dish.
Oh and a big load of sympathy to Gordon, I’ve been the sick one and the watching my beloved be ill , I’ll take being sick myself every time thank you.
The early stages of diabetes is easy. You are gung-ho and religious in following orders. Then you get comfortable and tend to slack off. Next you get high blood pressure which comes with its own diet restrictions and last chronic kidney disease. Apparently, you lose kidney function as you age, but diabetes hastens the process.
Moral of this story: make them explain the lab work numbers. Your kidney function, at my age of 73, should be in the 80-90 range. It has been in the 40-50 range for decades and suddenly dropped to stage 3b (moderate to severe). Now I am on 4 diet restrictions. Diebetic, sodium, potassium and phosphate which is the kidney restrictions. Had I known about the effect on my kidneys I could have been eating kidney friendly foods earlier. I’m on a waiting list for a kidney class. If you don’t know the questions to ask, you can’t get ahead of the game. You will be able to take care of your other issues, just start taking care of all the other side effects of diabetes. I know what I have written is scary, but knowledge is power. Don’t fall into the trap I did. To quote Spock, “Live long and prosper.”
+1
In the spirit of oversharing and connection: I have had Type 1 diabetes since I was a kid (almost 40 years now). I have also always had anxiety and ADHD (I rock or bounce as a response to a hard to describe discomfort that ebbs and flows). It took me decades to align those feelings with sugar fluctuations! I am so happy you know this early. Maybe doctors know this now and those of us on the lifetrain have never been told? I know now if I go to bed and cannot stop kicking my legs, I should check my bloodsugar. It still happens, but having the right words for how I feel is everything.
Please take care of yourself. Great news re A1C and yes, it is difficult to manage – I know you will succeed! Sending, and will continue to, good health vibes and healing thoughts! Health is number 1!
Health first. Take care of yourselves. We can wait.
Hi Ilona, I’m sending up prayers of support for you as you navigate this tiring adjustment. In our family diabetes was not taken seriously and it is showing it’s long term affects in so many ways.
SMH. I applaud you for building in time to take care of yourself. Best wishes from CA.
SO glad you are taking good care of yourself. I had missed Puffles when it was first posted and I enjoyed it very much. Who wouldn’t want more of that? I’m always up for more Innkeepers and Hidden Legacy, especially Arabella. But I will listen to anything you want to write.
I had double cataract surgery during February. So I went a month and a half where my old glasses didn’t work and had to forgo knitting and reading anything that wasn’t blown up on the laptop. But then I didn’t need glasses any more, which I had worn since I was 2 1/2. I was advised to get monodical without laser and it worked out fine. My brother in-law had multifocal and laser at the same time and he was just told that it might be up to 2 years before he will see normally again. So, please beware that this is one of those times when throwing tons of money at a problem is not necessarily going to be the best solution. Be well.
You have done a great job getting your blood sugar under control. It will help with your surgery. Don’t worry about a novel this year, just take care of yourself. Good luck.
I wouldn’t worry about the gallbladder surgery since they seem to be on top of it. Testing is an ultrasound and some bloodwork.
Saying that… my first gallbladder attack was a few days after Kid 2 was born, the removal was 18 years later a few days before his 18th bday. So much for our free healthcare, eh?? My family Dr during most of that time said “it’s ok, it just sloshes” (btw, sloshing is not a medical term per my surgeon and nurses) My new family Dr – the old had retired – had everything in progress but it was a 3 week wait for the ultrasound and I made it 2. Soooo…. do not do what I did and brush it off with a “been here done that” from Sat to Wed. You go to the emerg before you do the, try to find a vein blood work that you are at least smart enough not have eaten or drank anything that morning, the 5 hour sit on the emergency room floor lying in a corner because you can’t sit, 4 tap ultrasound with a “have you seen the surgeon” before you’re tossed back into the wheel chair and back in to emerg and they plan to send you to a much bigger hospital than the rural one you are in. I spent 5 days in Maternity – because that was where the empty bed was – 4 of them on every 6 hours IV antibiotics and a drain. The drain… well, the next morning I told the surgeon he really didn’t need to wash every internal organ I had… and I got the look. You know the one your parents give you that says “are you truly that stupid”.
So….. don’t wait for them to decide about the gallbladder. If they say “well maybe later” the response it NO NOW!!.. it can get infected whenever it feels like it. You want the few hour stay, the 2 weeks being waited on hand and foot at home with a little exercise (I had to walk the halls to get the gut working again)… not the “but maybe it’ll go away again”… had you been well enough to think about it you wouldn’t have done it, version.
Don’t do what I did… had I known then, I would have been a whole lot more pushy about it.
The books can wait…
To heck with novels, take care of yourself, and family.
Thanks for what you have given us already.
I recently had cataracts surgery at 63. I have 20/20 vision for the first time ever, and it wasn’t at all bad. I’m glad you’re doing better.
Is ‘Maggie’ a forbidden topic?
Or will there be random updates?
Love the story and its been on my mind…
It’s not a forbidden topic, but there are no news we can discuss at the moment 🙂
When I was diagnosed with diabetes at 54, I took a deep breath and told myself FIRMLY that this was one of the best things ever to happen to me, because it would force me to take good care of myself. I am now 81, and I have been working hard on this ever since. No complications so far — no retinopathy, no neuropathy, blood sugars in the “pre-diabetic” range. One sweet treat of any kind would prove that I am not pre-diabetic. I have diabetes. It cannot be made to go away, but I can keep it under very tight control. The thing that has helped the most is an extremely low carbohydrate/keto diet, which was urged on me by my physician son. It took a solid month of zero sugars or sweeteners of any kind to rid me of cravings for sweetness, but I am really glad I stuck with that part of it. And I really miss carbs, especially potatoes and breads, but the low A1c is worth it. It’s a permanent life-style change, and difficult to cling to, but I am in pretty good health, and since I have every intention of living another fifteen to twenty years (got to have goals, after all), I intend to adhere to this for the duration. So take heart, you will be fine, you will do fine. Sometimes it’s one day at a time, sometimes one minute at a time. But it can be done, and it is worth doing. And everyone is on your side.
I’ve a friend whose vision changed, then fuzzed out, when originally diagnosed and treated for diabetes. Getting the blood sugar leveled and the diet regimented was ‘easy’, compared to the (seemingly) endless time it took for the eyes to adjust back to the correct sugar levels, and could be used to read anythong smaller than billboards. It took weeks.
Patience – it will all work out in the end; it just seems endless during the intermediary steps.
Best of luck
I’m sorry to hear all this health news! Makes the scheduled release plans even more impressive! My vote is a Julie novella
Good luck on the blurry going away! If you do have gallbladder surgery, when you get home, don’t throw the covers back before you get in bed, because then you might not be able to reach them. How do I know? Because that ‘s what I did! Fortunately, my Mom had come to stay with me (because hubby had to work) and I was able to whine, “Moooommm, I can’t reach the covers!!” 🤣🤣
Wishing you health!
Congratulations on the medication working on your blood sugar!! I hope that you will be able to get the other problems taken care of, and without the need for yet another medication that probably comes with some new and delicious side effects! I am very glad to hear that your health is improving, and I hope it continues to do so.
Thank you for being kind enough to give a tentative look ahead at what you plan to be working on and publishing. As a member of the BDH, I am always eager to get my hands on anything you write! I do not expect you, or any other author, to post a schedule of what works they will be writing, publishing, and when. Nobody can reasonably expect any author to be able to provide that information for a year ahead with 100% accuracy, nor to be able to strictly stick to that!!!! Fictional writing is a creative endeavor, and creativity does not always happen on demand and to schedule. Then there is the pesky little fact that there are unexpected things in life that happen that there is no way for anyone to predict, and which play havoc with schedules. I appreciate that you are kind enough to give your devoted and ever hungry horde (I mean readers – hee hee) an idea of what you plan to be working on and when you hope to finish. I wouldn’t dream of holding you to anything though, and would hope that nobody thinks they have the right to do so, or to complain if for whatever reason you are not able to. You have always shown yourselves to be not only very kind and available to your readers and fans, but to hold yourselves to a pretty strict work schedule. I am and always will be very grateful for whatever you publish, and whenever it becomes available. I am a proud and voracious member of the BDH, but I am also reasonable. I thank you for always dealing with your eager readers so graciously, and for your continued literary efforts!! Long may you write!! There have been several occassions where your works have helped get me through some difficult times, making them a little less unpleasant or unbearable.
I wish you a swift recovery and plenty of rest. I am so happy to know that Hugh 2 will still happen, I am so looking forward to learning more about Elara, I love her.
I have an unrelated request: could we have another recommendation/request post for books to read? The last one was half a year ago and there was nothing in it for me. I am terribly picky to begin with and HI has ruined me further with their excellent writing, great, believable, relatable characters and interesting plots.
Thank you for sharing. It is just another way you show how much you care for us by sharing the health updates so we can watch out for ourselves. I am glad that you have the information you need to get better. Best wishes on the journey. I love your writing and like many have said buy without question. But if you stopped for a while I could and would go back and read all the blogs and laugh and cry and enjoy while you are taking a break. Take care.
Ilona, thanks for sharing your news with us, and can I just say that you have been utterly amazing to work through this at all? And although the book devouring horde may worry about not getting a novel this year, ignore us. Me me me, but at this time I hope you know to focus on you you you. We are utterly grateful for the totally awesome book shelf worthy books you have created already. Zinging you best wishes and prayers for health, strength, and peace.
Sounds like a rough time coming up. If you get your gall bladder out, some people can continue eating things like normal afterwards (my aunt) and some people can’t (me). If you are in the latter group, it took me over a year to find Ox bile supplements, so I always tell everyone about them to save people the pain. Available on Amazon, you take one when you eat anything and no more upset. I live by them. Hopefully, you’ll be in the can-still-eat-anything camp. 🙂
Thank you! Sadly I am restricting refined carbs and sugar for diabetes, fat for gallbladder, and spicy and acidic foods because of the general stomach upset. I eat lettuce and white fish. And sometimes I split it in two meals, because I eat a little bit first to see if my stomach can handle it.
I had the same problem of not finding ox bile until about 2 years after my surgery. For me, it’s mostly to help my digestion (no stomach upset, just other issues). But it makes me wonder if people who have their gallbladder still could benefit from them if they’re having issues. I think some people on the Keto diet use them.
going through the same thing here, including the vision weirdness and lightheadedness.
Take care of yourself.
I would rather wait than see anyone fight the complications of diabetes. <3
I was born w very sm cataracts in both eyes. I had a Vitrectomy, to get rid of the floaters in my rt eye, it wasn’t that severe in my left. My cataract in the rt eye got worse very fast, had the surgery. Shd have done both! Very happy with the results. No pain and the recovery was easy peasy.
I would like to thank you for the frank disclosure of your handling diagnosis of diabetes. It’s a hurdle that I am facing now. Getting older is a challenge, but hey, I can do it! Lol
I , too, need to lose at least 40 lbs. I set up dr appt w a nutritionist, endocrinologist, trainer and started walking 2x a day. I have a buddy system with two other goal seekers, we keep each other in chk and sympathy 🤨
Hi, we are a greedy horde.
You know this. So, our gluttonous tendency aside, you need to make yourself and your health the priority. Get healthy, or as healthy as you can be, with the clearest vision possible. THEN come back and satiate our overindulgent tendencies. We can survive on novellas for the next year, I hope. 😒
stay well.
Hope it’s all smooth (or smoother) ride from this point onwards. I am 55 and I had cataract done for both eyes last year. BEST 2 DAYS IN MY LIFE! I was extremely near-sighted and now I have 20/20 vision.
I have had both surgeries . The gall bladder surgery normal recovery is quick.No lifting for awhile.
Not much pain. One week being careful and then take it easy a little longer. Cataract surgery was 24 hour recovery. The only pain was the IV to allow for drowsy medicine during the 10 min surgery. You wear a plastic cup to keep your hands from touching your eye for one day. No pain and immediate vision improvement. Wishing you an excellent surgeon and good nurses. My hospital allows patients to rate their doctors and I picked an excellent surgeon.
You do what you need to take care of yourself. I will do my best to stay alive to buy your next novel . Sounds like a good deal to me. Hugs to you and yours.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
I’m sorry your health is causing so many issues. I completely agree the underpromising and over-delivering is the best coarse. Hopefully the lighter schedule and rest will have you firing on all cylinders in no time.
Please rest and recover. I appreciate so much the attention and effort HA puts into BDH maintenance. Thank you for the hours and hours of escapes and entertainment thus far.
Well, you got a bit going on (I’m finding more happening to myself as I get older – and I started with problems in my late 20s). I had gallbladder surgery a few years ago. Make sure to grill your doctor if you continue to have digestive problems afterwards. I had someone else tell me about ox bile, and it has helped with digestion. I also sometimes take super digestive enzymes (helpful especially if you have a meal with fatty foods). I’m not saying you or anyone else needs these things, but I think more natural supplements are discounted as useful even more than they used to be by doctors.
As for the diabetes, I’m glad it’s getting under control. My husband has it and hasn’t taken the best care of himself, so he gets injections in his eyes a few times a year, has to wear glasses because of it, and has some diabetic neuropathy in his feet. Hopefully we’re getting it under better control now.
Anyway, all that to say that I hope you both are taking care of yourselves and each other. And make sure to rest when you need.
Thank you for taking the time to “love yourself” like we love you two.
I’m impressed with your diligence. It takes a lot of fortitude to diet as strictly as you have.
Congratulations on the lowering of your A1C!
I wish you a swift recovery from everything!!
And thanks to Gordon for doing that heavy lifting!
sending love, blessings, and all good thoughts, take your time. Gall bladder is no picnic. And thank the gods you ignored the fools and got the diabetes problem diagnosed.
Cataracts? Walk in the park…. But do NOT please go for low end lenses, or hack surgery… or both in one day. Snort. I had to pay through the nose for mine and never regretted it . NOT using Kaiser . \
Love again . Take care of you.
I am glad that the new diet and medication have really helped, and I hope that your eye lenses readjust soon.
I want to thank you for sharing and being transparent with us. You don’t need to (period full stop.) And I think it’s helpful for your readers.
I was shocked when my fasting blood sugar came back in the prediabetic range. I’m cutting processed sugar from my diet and starting to lower carbs. Not easy! I don’t want to give up fruit— which is not allowed on a strict keto diet. I have a huge sweet tooth so I’m hoping that cutting out dessert will make enough of a difference.
Going back to your post, building in rest and recovery for yourself is also inspiring.
I need to do more of that too!!
One thing I wish I had known when I had gallbladder surgery is when they fill you with air to do laparoscopic surgery, a lot of air stays trapped inside of you. (Apparently you don’t deflate like a squeeky baloon when they pull the scope out.) A friend suggested that I sleep in the recliner for a few days and that worked great, but when I made the mistake of trying to sleep propped with pillows in my bed on the third day, it hurt like crazy and didn’t stop even with pain meds. It took over a week to absorb the air pocket. Please note, I felt okay until I tried laying flat on day three. Avoid. Avoid. Avoid. Do Not Test.
Praying you an easy recovery.
You do deflate…just not all the way. It’s impossible to make that happen. Thus the bubble…and the pain.
Or the other thing that can happen is that *TMI* your stomach absorbs the gas and you “throw it up” rather violently. I was fortunate that the anaesthesia nurse had had that happen, she warned me it might, and reassured me that my stitches etc wouldn’t burst if it did.If she hadn’t I would have been terrified rather than just feeling lousy for a little while.
So very glad you continue to take care of your needs first. As you ought!
As very sad and bereft as that leaves us, the BDH, of more stories/people/incredible writing to consume in an instant…we shall persevere, rereading every word once again. heh.
I’m probably going to get blasted for this, but have you considered bariatric surgery? It stops/cures diabetes instantly. I know because I had the surgery. I personally had a very short and easy recovery. But of course everyone is different. As long as you have a reputable and knowledgeable surgeon goes without saying. Many diabetics get the surgery even though they do not require weight loss. I had the sleeve. Just an option.
You are not going to get blasted. 🙂 I am a big believer in doing what is best for your health. At my heaviest, I probably would’ve met the requirements, but due to weight loss, I no longer meet the threshold. I could’ve made my case with diabetes, but my insurance claims that I am prediabetic rather than diabetic so they don’t have to cover my medication. 🙂
Thank you for saying that 😊. Insurance sucks where diabetes is concerned. I’ve heard of some who actually restrict insulin. You’d think they would approve anything that could very well cost more in the long run and cause other serious health problems. Not very logical are they?
Nothing but hugs for you.
As someone with no gallbladder the weirdest thing is judging your fat intake by the color of your poop. Too much & it gets lighter. Too little & it gets darker. Both too light & too dark are bad. /eyeroll
As for the surgery itself, it’s abdominal surgery. One never considers just how much you use that area till you suddenly can’t. Prep a comfy spot & then don’t try to get up without assistance for a couple days. Then make sure you increase your exercise per dr orders so you don’t invite other problems. Having someone right there is still a really good idea.
Moms cataract surgery went fine but did require an extended period to recovery (disclosure: she’s a disabled vet with a traumatic brain injury – extended time wasnt a surprise). Dads tho went so well I didn’t even realize he’d had it done till way after the fact.
Congratulations on your diabetes improvement. that is fantastic and inspiring to me. take care of yourself and your family!
Wishing you the best for your health, and it seems like you’re on the right track! blessings and bright vibes.💗
Ilona,
You’re doing a great job handling the diabetes diagnosis. Getting it under control takes so much discipline and time. My husband and I spend take 15-30 minutes longer in the grocery store now, as we read the label of everything we buy. Unfortunately, he is not married to an excellent chef, like Gordon has the pleasure to be!
Thank you for taking care of yourself, giving yourself time to heal from upcoming surgeries. Your BDH fan club make complain a bit but you and Gordon make any wait for your books worthwhile!
Love,
Judy
It’s most important to take care of your health first. Your emails are a highlight of my day, long or short.. Wishing you the best, and a good recovery.
Please take care of yourself. New books can wait. I’m crossing my fingers for your health to continue to improve and for your eyes to adjust.
Thanks for sharing your diabetes details, particularly about the eyes. My vision is annoyingly blurry even with glasses and I’ve been pre-diabetic for years. Guess I need to make some appointments.
Here’s to to you feeling better and taking care of yourself! Of course I want to know how everything comes out and goes on (cue the Innkeeper series), but your body is where you live, and as we only get one of those, you need to take care of it!
Sending good wishes and healing thoughts- J
You’re doing so well! coming off of sugar was the hardest “addiction” I had to break, much harder than cigarettes, and much harder than wheat (bread, pastries, etc). You’re doing great, your body will adjust and catch up … you just surprised it, and all the systems that were used to the sugar diet are now in the process of restoring and reinvigorating themselves. Each step you take will bring huge improvements, be patient with your adjustments, you’ve headed off so many problems before they could start. Rest up, drink tea, plan nefarious deeds for your characters.
You are important! so glad you are taking care of yourself! sending hugs!
The most important thing is that you are as well as you can be. We love your books, but we can wait….reluctantly, but we can. Rest and take care of yourself.
Sending all the empathy your way. I know it is so hard ( doctor here with chronic health issues and NICU babies) but you HAVE to put your own mask on first. Thank you for managing our expectations. Feel better
Thank you, thank you so much!!! You shared your story of how you went to another doctor after a friend told you about it and got other treatment. So I looked at my numbers and thought: not as good as told. So no sugar since this year and loosing weight. A few weeks ago: A1C 6,4…. In Germany I do not have to think about money when ill but you have to look like everywhere yourself if you think something is not right. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for nudging me in the right direction by sharing your story! Herzliche Grüße aus Deutschland
Healt should always be a priority, the rest can wait. I will delighted if you wirte a novella, and more if we have other suprises, but I would rather be patient now, then having someone else health compromise to alleviate our impatience.
I am glad to know you are improving a little. Focus on you and your familly first.
Stay well !
Happy you’ve kinda figured the problems out so hopefully the only way from here is up! Take care 💙
Also I just got to this blog after randomly deciding to read Magic Tests I’m getting excited about Julie again (already read Blood Heir!)!! 😍
Kinda random but hoping to see more Ashlyn and Yu too ~ they’d be a unique couple since Ashlyn isn’t some combat type of supernatural and they’d be so cute together. 😯
Anyway back to the blog post I’m wishing for a smooth recovery! 🤞
Super good that you’re prioritizing your health over work ~ hope you continue to ❤️❤️
I hope you have a complete recovery. As we say in Hebrew, refuah sheleima!
My best wishes are sent to you and I hope for you to keep healthy and for the eyes to get better.
Health challenges are always best met head on and I think that’s what you are doing. Take however long you need and we will still be here waiting on the next morsel. Health takes precedence.
So sorry to hear of your stuggles. Thank you for sharing with us. By the way, careract operations are a snap – both my husband and I have had both eyes done. Be sure to choose an eye surgeon who does a lot of cateract operations and you will be amazed at the improvement.
Just to let you know gallbladder surgery is fairly quick and easy. Usually they do it laparoscopic. When I had mine removed I was back at work in a week, at the time I worked on the line at a stamping plant. Good luck and I’m glad you’re doing better health wise.
I went through the same thing last year, about the diabetic diagnosis & blurry vision. The blurry vision starts when your sugars start getting back into line, but it can take a while to “settle”. It took about 2 – 3 months for mine to completely stop changing.
Yes, I will throw my two cents in and say getting old sucks.
And
Good luck with your health issues.
Sending you well wishes, good vibes, and energy for perseverance. I’m glad you’re taking care of you. Thank you for thinking of your readers and even in this by giving us explanations and schedules. You are too good to the BDH!
Please take care of yourself, first and foremost. (Novellas are perfectly fine!)
Cataracts normally progress gradually from the outside in, so ,once you have blurred vision from cataracts, not sure why they would “clear up” on their own. Just sayin’
Take care of yourself, and we’ll do the same, so we can enjoy the treasures to come next year.
I took it to mean that the blurriness caused by blood sugar issues will clear up, separate from cataracts.
Indeed 🙂
Can I just express my anger that once again, a doctor has opined “anxiety” to a woman with a treatable, blood sugar issue? GRRRRR
First, please take care of your health and your devoted Horde will wait to be fed. We may whine and we may grumble, but we love House Andrews and want you to be healthy even if we have to attempt patience.
Second, you know you aren’t fooling anyone— a novella House Andrews Style is as long as some novels I’ve read. 🙂
I’ll read anything you want/ manage to write! and thankyou! please take care of yourselves!
Cataracts are a pain in the tuchus. Fortunately, the insurers have quit arguing on the need to do BOTH eyes if one is bad enough to need lens replacement. They used to insist you waited to see if the other eye was getting “bad enough” (yup, they didn’t want to pay for it if they didn’t “have” to).
I had mine done about a year ago, about a month apart. Didn’t even have an eye patch. Best part was that my severe myopia was corrected to 20/20 in one eye (distance vision) and even my near-vision eye (your brain learns to switch as needed) is less myopic than before.
Thank you for sharing even though you don’t have to. Also thank you for taking care of yourself. It’s not always easy, but it’s very necessary. As a survivor of many things, I’m sending you healing vibes and hope for a healthful future! 🪄
Wishing you all the best regarding your health. Of course you need to take that as the no. 1 priority! Hugs 🤗
I had cataract surgery at 40. My surgeon kept asking me if I had a previous head injury and my response was “does banging my head against a wall in frustration count?”
I hope you feel better soon.
I wish you a swift recovery ! And digestives issues are taxing, that is true…
i just had my gall bladder out last month! for all the pain that thing caused, it was a huge relief to have it gone. gall bladder attacks are some major bleeping pain! they did mine laproscopically, so i have four little scars on my belly, one in the belly button. the first three days i needed the prescription pain relief, but after that the pain significantly lessened and tylenol was more than enough to fully manage it. for me, sitting fully upright felt like it was squishing my liver, so i the first week or two on my recliner sofa with the seat reclined somewhat. not fully reclined, just, not fully upright. thats all fine now.
the surgeon said my gall bladder was in horrible shape, just filled with stones. my surgery was same day surgery. it started at 8am, and i was home by noon. i wore a lot of long loose dresses and nightgowns that first month because waistbands didn’t feel good on all my little wounds. but after that month i could do pants again no problem. they used surgical glue on me and it was kind of nice, no bandage changes, no messy clean up, no stitches to be removed. it did get itchy though, but then so does all healing skin.
the surgeon put me on a no-low fat diet that first week after the surgery, and i really stuck to it because eating higher fat food made me feel bad. not being able to even have butter on toast sucked though. i had no idea how much fat is in everything! it has been eye opening. and frustrating. a week after the surgery was my follow up appointment and the surgeon gave the ok to GRADUALLY add fatty food back to my diet. i’m doing that, and eating smaller more frequent meals as recommended too. if i eat too much fat at one time, i still don’t feel good. i’d say i’m about halfway back to normal now. he said my body WILL adjust to not having a gall bladder, but to give it time and baby it a while. and it truly IS adjusting! i would suggest keeping a food diary for one month after surgery, just so you can easily look back and see which foods might have made you not feel so good.
my mom had her gall bladder out as well. she said her surgeon told her that gall bladder removal is the 3 F’s. Female. Fat. in your Forties/Fifties. that demographic fit both my mom and me.
while surgery sucks, i am SO bleeping relieved my gall bladder can never hurt like that again. seriously, gall bladder attacks are some terrible pain! i’m about 6 weeks post-op and have returned to my regular exercise routine (swimming). the last three weeks i was allowed to exercise, under orders to take it easy, which i did. no heavy lifting. and twisting/bending in the beginning was not so good. but i’m almost back to where i was physically at before the surgery. it is good to remember that your outsides heal a lot faster than your insides. just because your wounds are healed up doesn’t mean your liver is.
also, my dog tried repeatedly to heal me with her love. which would have been adorable if she wasn’t such a BIG heavy dog trying to lean against my owie belly.
I am praying for your health and those around you. Praying for all of the family. Our books can wait! I want you well so the future will contain the both of you longer.
I’m a great fan of the ‘under-promise, over-deliver’ approach to most interactions in life. Seems to avoid massive disappointments for all parties. So – good on you for assessing what’s realistic given the constraints. Also – thank you for role modelling so skillfully for us all how to manage and appropriately prioritise our physical wellbeing and the emotional and mental well being which dance hand in hand with our bodies. Great to hear the steps you’re taking are working for you. Also really interested to hear about visual sensitivity to blood sugar. The more I hear about our eyes the more they amaze me. Thank you. Stay well.
Get the cataract surgery. You will be amazed at how well you will see. Allow three weeks recuperation time for each eye.
You A1C sounds very similar to mine. 6.4 is December, but I’m only at 5.9 with med changes and diet changes. So, now it’s super strict diet mods for me. Good job reducing your A1C!!
No one ever told me that my eyes would adjust to cataracts and the blurriness would go away. In fact, my doctor told me that it would just keep getting worse. So, I had cataract surgery a couple of years ago. The surgery is quick and I could see perfect the next day.
Bye the way, thank you for continuing to work while you don’t feel good and releasing a Roman chapter a week. You are too good to your Horde!
Dear Ilona, best wishes for your health! I don’t always read your blog so I don’t know what has already been said but if I may give you the following advice: keep to a plant-based diet! Studies show that a vegan (or even vegetarian) lifestyle has a gread effect on diabetes.
I can tell you from personal experience that it makes a difference – I had diabetes during my first and second pregnancies (I even had to inject insulin) but after changing my diet to vegetarian I had no problems during my third pregnancy… I know that this type of diabetes is different, but please google for yourself! 🙂
All the best, Roswitha
Please take care of you! Quite aside from a selfish, greedy desire to read many, many more of your wonderful books, I would miss your words of wisdom about the work that goes into writing and the need for a healthy body to house the sound mind. I can so relate to the gall bladder and pre-diabetes issues. Digestion can surely slow you down. Keep focusing on staying well.
Illona
Glad to hear your A1C is down and sorry you are having complications on your way to better health. Take the time you need and don’t feel guilty about it. Unfortunately as we age, our bodies tend to show us our past mistakes, in my case, loving bread waaay too much. Cheers and good health!
I hear where you are at, since I have joined “Club Metformin”, but I have chosen to deal with my stomach issues with Dandelion & Milk Thistle tea. Both of these traditional herbal medicinals have long histories of helping the liver, gallbladder, and kidneys. I am only suggesting to do some homework and decide for yourself before surgery.
Dandelion is a great plant, the dried leaves are used for medicinal tea, fresh leaves can be put in a salad or sauted instead of spinach, the root can be dried and used as a decaf coffee substitute, and the flowers when picked at full bloom make an interesting wine. It is a good source of potassium, calcium, and the bitter micronutrients we are supposed to get from greens. I have never understood why we Americans hate it so much. I have in the past had to put signs in my garden to prevent well meaning friends from removing it. Plus with some seed saving its Free, or you can get the super tall salad type seeds online.
But I do wonder what the Dandelions in Unicorn Lane would be like? my mind conjures a large helpful plant whose flowers look like lion cub faces, which purr when a cat shifter comes near.
I also have similar vision issues so I feel your pain. My son hooked me up with a larger screen and some Dragonware Speech-to-print software for when its real bad. Our generation built the technology so we might as well use it.
Do what is best for you. But these are a few ideas that have helped me while dealing with a similar situation. They are meant with love and support. Have a great Easter & Dingus Day, or whichever Holiday you are celebrating, it’s all Good!
Novella + novella = novel
Bona valetudo tibi = good health to you
Well done YOU! Congrats – that is a huge accomplishment – so glad you’re prioritizing yourself. A role model to all of us to be sure 🙂
Positive thoughts and prayers for a full and complete recovery are with you. Pay no attention to anyone who tells you that gall bladder removal is “routine”. It is, but be prepared for a long recovery. I had gall bladder removal surgery and it went very well, but resulted in unending bowel issues, ie. explosive liquid diarrhea until my doctor got me on medication to control it. Weakness in the abdominal muscles caused by the stitches then caused a hernia which again was “routine” surgery but the recovery from that was more than 6 months before I was pain free. Couldn’t lift anything heavier than a tea cup for all that time. Happily that surgery cleared up the diarrhea problems. Before you go in for the gall bladder surgery do yourself a favour and do what you can to strengthen your abdominal muscles.
Please prioritize your health! Sending best wishes for better health each day!
Your health absolutely is the priority. All the best in your recovery, Ilona!
I have been fighting my weight most of my life. Then Multiple Sclerosis (MS) hit and I went from zaftig to obese and diabetic With all the new drugs my Doctors want to put me on them. But I am resisting MS already is impacting my digestive tract and vision why would I want to take drugs that may paralyze my already painfully slow digestive tract or increase my chance of blindness. Why am I writing this? Because if your eyes are having problems and you are taking one of these new drugs may need to drop it, just waiting it out may not work. Insist on getting tested for the side effect don’t let the doctors phoo foo you
diabetes’s is a multi -armed monster 👹. The drugs to treat it full of positive and negative effects getting what works for you is a process. The fuzzy vision is a pain. Good luck 🍀 on your journey.
Thank you for the weekly Roman posting. It’s a weekend joy which I appreciate. Ditto to all the cataract surgery comments & will be thinking of you and sending lots of positive vibes for your surgery & continued A1C progress.
Your health and well-being are the most important priorities; kudos for reducing work goals a bit until everything stabilizes. I’ve read the Kate Daniel’s series at least 5-6 times and will enjoy reading it a seventh time while waiting for a new novel. Take good care of yourself!
I’m so sorry to hear about your medical issues! I have been experiencing similar issues, and I’m glad to hear there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Please take your time and publish when your mind and body allow it, do not feel forced to march to the tune of business needs and clamoring readers. I am your most devoted fan, I await an Ilona Andrews release like other people await lottery winnings, and I’d much rather you be healthy and happy and live a long life than stress yourself out with deadlines. Life’s too short. You’ve done so much for us already! We’ll wait. That said, I hope your future at some point includes a Conlan sub-series!
rather you healthy long-term. carry on
Just get well. The BDH are happiest with something you are happy with also. We can survive with novellas.
So sorry to read about your current medical problems. I also suffer from diabetes and have for more years than I can currently calculate. I will continue to follow your posts because I enjoy them. (This is despite the fact that my favorite series, Hidden Legacy, seems to be on a long hold. Poor Arabella …) Rest up and recuperate.
Grats at getting your numbers down. I went from full diabetic to not because of weight loss and a massive diet/lifestyle change last year. I’m super thankful that I didn’t get the eye issues. We want to read your books in 30 years so anything that helps that dream come true is awesome for us. There is a lense replacement for cataracts which is when they can do a type of Lasik which they cannot do otherwise. so if you have glasses those cataracts could be a blessing in disguise. Good health and thanks for giving us the TMI.
You guys just take care ofHouse Andrews! That’s a lot to deal with so *try* to cut yourselves some slack and focus on your health & each other! The BDH can just do some extra re reads for a bit. And also BIG CONGRATS For doing such a good job with your diet & exercise-tough work & great staying power
I’m sorry to hear about your medical stuff. Congratulations on getting your levels down, diabetes is no joke. Hoping your eyes recover and you can be on the mend for the rest of the year. Sending warmest Aloha – Lacey
I’m impressed with the Graphic Audio versions also. I’ve just listened to Sweep of the Heart for the third time. I hope this is not a spoiler but for some reason, I want to name the new Inn, “Magnolia Hunt.”
I didn’t recognize myself as one of the Horde until I discovered the wonderful blog. I wish you all the best in health and writing. I look forward to more of the Innkeeper Chronicles.
Kind regards,
Rebecca
Praying that your health continues to improve! Very glad that you are feeling better already. Thank you for anything that you post for us whenever that is. Health (mental and physical) definitely comes first!
Huge hugs and so much appreciation and gratefulness to all the wonderful vibes and positivity you put into this world with all your AMAZING stories and examples you set and show of compassion, acceptance and tolerance, kindness, and non-xenophobia with your stories and your blog and your life. Sending you well wishes for continued success in reversing the pre-diabetes, eliminating the cataracts, and any other challenges that may arise. You’ve already made such huge gains reversing the prediabetes, way to go!! You’ve got this! Take as much time as you need. We will all be here as long as you need!
So happy to hear you are getting your numbers in order and that it’s helping everything fall in line. So great to have Super Husband to help while you recover.
When my Mom had to get her cataracts fixed we upgraded the lenses because insurance only lets you pick one either close or distance vision and you will need glasses to correct the one you don’t choose. (My aunt didn’t upgrade because she had good reading vision and chose the distance lens assuming that was going to give her both). It doesn’t!
By changing your lens you get what you pick so make sure to plan in around $3000 per eye lens because normally eye doctors don’t redo the surgery just to change the lens!
when I did mine I upgraded and am very happy I did. Sucks to put out that much extra but its your vision and you can’t do without it!
Taking care of your health is essential. I know this now after being diagnosed with Type II diabetes, having a minor stroke, getting endometrial cancer (and a reoccurrence), and being in two major bicycle accidents, all in the last three years. i just had cataracts surgery, so my eyes are adjusting. Thank you for your writing, which has kept me going.
Glad to hear that your health is improving, even if there are some unwelcome side effects. I hope that those get better soon. Take care.