It's no secret that I have been struggling with chest pain for a long time. Off and on for about four years now in fact; ever since my heart surgery in 2010. My first cardiologist told me it was part of the recovery process, my surgeon told me I was making it up and my current cardiologist has actually been trying to help me. It has been very slow going, but it seems that we are starting to narrow down the suspects.
We have tried all the usual tests and medications. I've had stress tests, EKG's, echo-cardiograms, chest x-rays and CT scans of the chest. All of which has always come back normal so we have never been able to pin down a reason for the chest pain. We have tried Ranexa, isosorbide di-nitrate and nitroglycerin tabs as well anti-inflammatory meds with mixed results. Some didn't work at all and some only worked for a short period of time before the chest pain returned and back to the doctor I went.
I suppose on the plus side I have already met my deductible and my out of pocket maximum for the year. And we're only half way through July.
The latest thing we have decided to try is a heart catheter. The reason my cardiologist wanted to put it off for so long is because of the invasive nature of the procedure. It's not normal for someone in their early thirties undergo such a procedure. But I also pointed out to him that it's not normal for healthy 29 year old women to have strokes. He concurred. During the heart cath, the doctor is looking for anything that could be causing the chest pain; scar tissue, heart disease and malformations of the heart. While we're hoping that there is no need for further surgery, I have been made aware that is a possibility, albeit a slim one.
So now I'm just in that place of limbo where obviously I don't want there to be anything wrong but I want there to finally be a solution to one of my problems. The sooner we can take care of this one, the sooner we can take care of the rest. Oh, how I hate saying that there is still more to work on...
Till next time my friends.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Monday, June 2, 2014
Fun Friday
My husband has Thursdays off right now so we used that day to run our errands. I also enjoyed an evening out listening to my son's band concert. (He was amazing, as always.) So while Thursday was a little bit busy, it was nothing out of the ordinary. Until that night. I was sitting and watching television after the kids had gone to bed. Nothing unusual there, but suddenly I felt an incredible pressure on my chest; like someone was standing on me. Then it felt like someone was squeezing my rib cage together.
I got up and walked over to husband, who was standing in the kitchen, and told him I didn't feel well. It didn't occur to my to take my nitroglycerin because I wasn't in severe pain. There was just a squeezing sensation. A little later I felt dizzy and there was a throbbing in my temples followed by a headache. Then I couldn't talk. My speech was slurred and I was having severe difficulty finding my words. My right arm and leg were weaker than usual and were experiencing pain.
I suppose any other person would have gone to the hospital right then and there. But not me. These symptoms, especially the aphasia, come on pretty frequently and without warning. So we decided to go to bed and wait it out. When I woke up, I felt pretty much the same, sans headache, and still couldn't speak.
Victor took an unscheduled day off, helped me get the kids ready for school and acted as my interpreter all day. We called the neurologist. She suggested the symptoms were brought on by a seizure or by a migraine and to monitor the symptoms. If they got worse, head to the ER. We called the cardiologist. He said that it sounded like on aura brought on by the headache and that he would head to the ER if symptoms did not resolve in the next few hours.We waited about another hour and decided to go to the hospital because the aphasia had never before lasted more than an hour and we were heading into hour 12.
I hate heading to the hospital whenever I experience a neurological event. One of two things always happen. One, I am not taken seriously. Or two, I am made into a science experiment. On Friday, I they took Door Number One.
After all the tests (electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, CT-scan of the brain, blood work), I am told everything is fine. There was no reason for my symptoms and I can go home as is. With no relief for the chest pain and no explanation for the event. They tried to relieve the pain with both morphine and toradol but to no avail. All I was told was that when patients come in with chest pain with no reason that can be pinned down, they usually chalk it up to stress and anxiety.
I'm not going to deny that I have stress in my life. That would be stupid. I have three kids, a husband, a mother in law and a dog to take care of. I do all the laundry, all the cooking, a large majority of the cleaning, I can't drive till October, I hate being a housewife but I love writing everyday, and I probably won't ever get to back to work ever again. But my kids are a huge help around the house, my husband takes me out whenever he can, and I don't feel particularly anxious and overly stressed. In fact, I have had less migraines in the last few months than I can remember ever having in recent years thanks to changes in diet and household environment. I have had a definite problem with chest pain since my heart surgery in 2010 that we are just now getting under control. And we are only just now starting to under the repercussions of my stroke in 2010. So while stress may have played a part in Friday's events, I feel like it was not the whole story.
This week I am focusing on creating a healthy environment. I feel better when my house is clean and smells nice therefore I am taking that little extra effort to make sure that my house is the way I like it. I am making doubly sure I am eating right, drinking plenty of water, exercising and keeping a daily journal to help get out anything that is bothering me. At this point, I will do anything to keep my heart and brain healthy and working together like clockwork.
I got up and walked over to husband, who was standing in the kitchen, and told him I didn't feel well. It didn't occur to my to take my nitroglycerin because I wasn't in severe pain. There was just a squeezing sensation. A little later I felt dizzy and there was a throbbing in my temples followed by a headache. Then I couldn't talk. My speech was slurred and I was having severe difficulty finding my words. My right arm and leg were weaker than usual and were experiencing pain.
I suppose any other person would have gone to the hospital right then and there. But not me. These symptoms, especially the aphasia, come on pretty frequently and without warning. So we decided to go to bed and wait it out. When I woke up, I felt pretty much the same, sans headache, and still couldn't speak.
Victor took an unscheduled day off, helped me get the kids ready for school and acted as my interpreter all day. We called the neurologist. She suggested the symptoms were brought on by a seizure or by a migraine and to monitor the symptoms. If they got worse, head to the ER. We called the cardiologist. He said that it sounded like on aura brought on by the headache and that he would head to the ER if symptoms did not resolve in the next few hours.We waited about another hour and decided to go to the hospital because the aphasia had never before lasted more than an hour and we were heading into hour 12.
I hate heading to the hospital whenever I experience a neurological event. One of two things always happen. One, I am not taken seriously. Or two, I am made into a science experiment. On Friday, I they took Door Number One.
After all the tests (electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, CT-scan of the brain, blood work), I am told everything is fine. There was no reason for my symptoms and I can go home as is. With no relief for the chest pain and no explanation for the event. They tried to relieve the pain with both morphine and toradol but to no avail. All I was told was that when patients come in with chest pain with no reason that can be pinned down, they usually chalk it up to stress and anxiety.
I'm not going to deny that I have stress in my life. That would be stupid. I have three kids, a husband, a mother in law and a dog to take care of. I do all the laundry, all the cooking, a large majority of the cleaning, I can't drive till October, I hate being a housewife but I love writing everyday, and I probably won't ever get to back to work ever again. But my kids are a huge help around the house, my husband takes me out whenever he can, and I don't feel particularly anxious and overly stressed. In fact, I have had less migraines in the last few months than I can remember ever having in recent years thanks to changes in diet and household environment. I have had a definite problem with chest pain since my heart surgery in 2010 that we are just now getting under control. And we are only just now starting to under the repercussions of my stroke in 2010. So while stress may have played a part in Friday's events, I feel like it was not the whole story.
This week I am focusing on creating a healthy environment. I feel better when my house is clean and smells nice therefore I am taking that little extra effort to make sure that my house is the way I like it. I am making doubly sure I am eating right, drinking plenty of water, exercising and keeping a daily journal to help get out anything that is bothering me. At this point, I will do anything to keep my heart and brain healthy and working together like clockwork.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
What the Heart Wants
I have been struggling with moderate to severe chest pain off and on for nearly four years, ever since my heart surgery. The reactions I have had from the medical community have varied. I have been pushed aside, ignored, regarded with suspicion, told I was lying and told I was crazy. I have been fortunate (finally) after all this time to have found a cardiologist who not only listens but agrees that a normal, healthy woman in her early thirties should not be experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath.
For just over a year he and I have been working together to try and find a root cause to the symptoms. My doctor is not always as aggressive as I would be, but at least he hasn't given up on me. Recently we tried a different approach with my medications. The Ranexa I had been taking had ceased to be effective in controlling the pain so we stopped it all together. He gave a prescription for nitroglycerin pills to try out. When my chest pain got really bad I was to take one, under the tongue. After trying it out five times I was to call him and, if it worked, I would get a new prescription for a new heart medication.
Well, within a week I had given the nitro a good trial run so I called the doctor back. I have a new prescription for isosorbide. It's a medication designed to relax and dilate blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. So far it seems to be working. I have a steady low ache instead of a stabbing pain, so that's some improvement. I have the nitro for sudden, strong pain. I'm supposed to keep them with me all the time. I feel like one of those old men in the movies who suddenly collapses and gasps for his pills.
There are still no clues as to the reasons for the pain and my doctor hesitates on running any further tests. I understand why. Everything so far has declared me fit and healthy and he is doesn't want to put me under undo stress for nothing if more tests also reveal no answers. I get it, I do. But my thinking is that where there is pain (and has been for a long while) there has to be a reason. Right?
For just over a year he and I have been working together to try and find a root cause to the symptoms. My doctor is not always as aggressive as I would be, but at least he hasn't given up on me. Recently we tried a different approach with my medications. The Ranexa I had been taking had ceased to be effective in controlling the pain so we stopped it all together. He gave a prescription for nitroglycerin pills to try out. When my chest pain got really bad I was to take one, under the tongue. After trying it out five times I was to call him and, if it worked, I would get a new prescription for a new heart medication.
Well, within a week I had given the nitro a good trial run so I called the doctor back. I have a new prescription for isosorbide. It's a medication designed to relax and dilate blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. So far it seems to be working. I have a steady low ache instead of a stabbing pain, so that's some improvement. I have the nitro for sudden, strong pain. I'm supposed to keep them with me all the time. I feel like one of those old men in the movies who suddenly collapses and gasps for his pills.
There are still no clues as to the reasons for the pain and my doctor hesitates on running any further tests. I understand why. Everything so far has declared me fit and healthy and he is doesn't want to put me under undo stress for nothing if more tests also reveal no answers. I get it, I do. But my thinking is that where there is pain (and has been for a long while) there has to be a reason. Right?
Thursday, May 1, 2014
National Stroke Awareness Month
May is National Stroke Awareness Month!
I guess it is only appropriate because it was in May four years ago that I had my first stroke. It was in August that same year that I had my last one. Recovery has been a very long road and I'm not done yet, but I faith that one day things will get back on an even keel once again.
So how did I know I was having a stroke? I didn't. I was 29 and completely healthy. I had a migraine the previous night and was still feeling bad that day, but I had a history of migraines and thought nothing of it. My right arm starting tingling and my hand was feeling numb. My right arm and leg felt like they weighed about 20 pounds. The right side of my face felt numb. I felt dizzy and lightheaded. I was slurring my speech and felt very drowsy. I went to the hospital. The admitting nurse believed that I had a stroke and pushed me through. However, when I went to the back, the doctor didn't take me seriously. He barely touched me during his very brief examination. My pupils are two different sizes, a condition known as anisocoria. Every single doctor I have come across has questioned me about my pupils. Except this one. Because he didn't care.
My final diagnosis from this particular doctor from this particular hospital low potassium and a sinus infection.
It was nearly 48 hours later that I got the final diagnosis from my neurologist via MRI that I had indeed had a minor stroke. Over the next few months I was subjected to numerous tests to discover the reason as to why. The cause of my stroke was an un-diagnosed congenital heart condition. I had a hole in my heart that produced no murmur, no chest pain, no shortness of breath, nothing. What it did do, was allow blood clots to flow up to my brain, causing a stroke.
In August 2010, I underwent open heart surgery to correct the situation and suffered another stroke during the operation. When I woke up, I had no feeling in my right hand, parts of my face and couldn't talk. Now, four years later, I still have a loss of feeling in two of my fingers, parts of face, and I still garble my words from time to time but that is nothing compared to the phantoms pains I have in my right limbs. I now have chest pain and shortness of breath, but the causes of those remain a mystery. Good news is, I have an appointment tomorrow with my cardiologist to be reevaluated. Again.
That's my stroke story. What's yours?
I guess it is only appropriate because it was in May four years ago that I had my first stroke. It was in August that same year that I had my last one. Recovery has been a very long road and I'm not done yet, but I faith that one day things will get back on an even keel once again.
So how did I know I was having a stroke? I didn't. I was 29 and completely healthy. I had a migraine the previous night and was still feeling bad that day, but I had a history of migraines and thought nothing of it. My right arm starting tingling and my hand was feeling numb. My right arm and leg felt like they weighed about 20 pounds. The right side of my face felt numb. I felt dizzy and lightheaded. I was slurring my speech and felt very drowsy. I went to the hospital. The admitting nurse believed that I had a stroke and pushed me through. However, when I went to the back, the doctor didn't take me seriously. He barely touched me during his very brief examination. My pupils are two different sizes, a condition known as anisocoria. Every single doctor I have come across has questioned me about my pupils. Except this one. Because he didn't care.
My final diagnosis from this particular doctor from this particular hospital low potassium and a sinus infection.
It was nearly 48 hours later that I got the final diagnosis from my neurologist via MRI that I had indeed had a minor stroke. Over the next few months I was subjected to numerous tests to discover the reason as to why. The cause of my stroke was an un-diagnosed congenital heart condition. I had a hole in my heart that produced no murmur, no chest pain, no shortness of breath, nothing. What it did do, was allow blood clots to flow up to my brain, causing a stroke.
In August 2010, I underwent open heart surgery to correct the situation and suffered another stroke during the operation. When I woke up, I had no feeling in my right hand, parts of my face and couldn't talk. Now, four years later, I still have a loss of feeling in two of my fingers, parts of face, and I still garble my words from time to time but that is nothing compared to the phantoms pains I have in my right limbs. I now have chest pain and shortness of breath, but the causes of those remain a mystery. Good news is, I have an appointment tomorrow with my cardiologist to be reevaluated. Again.
That's my stroke story. What's yours?
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Heart of the Matter
I think I tend to hold off on updating this blog most often of all my blogs because I feel sometimes like I am just coming here to complain. But I don't want to sound like I am complaining. This is about stroke recovery. I have a wonderful life. Sure, there are things I would change if I could. I would love to be able to go back to work or at least make a living working at home. Unfortunately, my health has taken a toll on me in such a way that is just not going to happen any time soon.
I had a date in mind. On June 24 I was going to be allowed to drive again. You have to be six months seizure free before you are allowed to drive. In the state of Texas, physicians don't have to report patients to any authorities when they are experiencing seizures. However, if someone were to have an accident and it were to come out that they have a history of seizures, their license could be taken away permanently. So it's better to be safe than sorry. On April 8, my six months started all over again.
And that has been followed by two weeks of dizziness, nausea, weakness and sometimes periods of disorientation. So I have been a mess. To top it all off, about a month ago I began experiencing chest pain again. I went back in for a visit with my cardiologist. We bumped up the dosage of angina medication. But if in two weeks of taking it, it doesn't work I may have to go in for a heart catheter to look for any blockages or abnormalities that could be causing the pain. It has been one week and I have seen no change.
What bothers me the most about feeling so bad is that it cuts into the time spent with my kids. I had to quit walking them to and from school after one day when I barely it back home. That is valuable time I lost talking and playing with my children. Not to mention the fact I probably embarrassed the hell out them when I sat down on the sidewalk with my head on knees when I got so dizzy I was afraid I would collapse. I also lost several days not meeting my goal this month for my Writing 12 in 12 challenge. It's National Poetry Month and I was trying to write a poem a day, but I couldn't even look at a computer screen for more than a week.
And to my precious nephew, who had to turn four without his Aunt Lala, I am so sorry I couldn't make it to your party. I hope it was wonderful and fantastic and everything you wanted it to be. You are such a big boy and no one will ever love you like I do. I promise I will do my best to be there for every one of your milestones but sometimes I have some hurdles I have to jump over to be there. Hugs and kisses to mommy and daddy. Lala loves you.
I had a date in mind. On June 24 I was going to be allowed to drive again. You have to be six months seizure free before you are allowed to drive. In the state of Texas, physicians don't have to report patients to any authorities when they are experiencing seizures. However, if someone were to have an accident and it were to come out that they have a history of seizures, their license could be taken away permanently. So it's better to be safe than sorry. On April 8, my six months started all over again.
And that has been followed by two weeks of dizziness, nausea, weakness and sometimes periods of disorientation. So I have been a mess. To top it all off, about a month ago I began experiencing chest pain again. I went back in for a visit with my cardiologist. We bumped up the dosage of angina medication. But if in two weeks of taking it, it doesn't work I may have to go in for a heart catheter to look for any blockages or abnormalities that could be causing the pain. It has been one week and I have seen no change.
What bothers me the most about feeling so bad is that it cuts into the time spent with my kids. I had to quit walking them to and from school after one day when I barely it back home. That is valuable time I lost talking and playing with my children. Not to mention the fact I probably embarrassed the hell out them when I sat down on the sidewalk with my head on knees when I got so dizzy I was afraid I would collapse. I also lost several days not meeting my goal this month for my Writing 12 in 12 challenge. It's National Poetry Month and I was trying to write a poem a day, but I couldn't even look at a computer screen for more than a week.
And to my precious nephew, who had to turn four without his Aunt Lala, I am so sorry I couldn't make it to your party. I hope it was wonderful and fantastic and everything you wanted it to be. You are such a big boy and no one will ever love you like I do. I promise I will do my best to be there for every one of your milestones but sometimes I have some hurdles I have to jump over to be there. Hugs and kisses to mommy and daddy. Lala loves you.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Let's Get Physical
I had a frank discussion with my neurologist about my physical well being. Over the last three years, my right side has progressively gotten weaker and weaker. Because of the neuro-pathic pain (a present from my stroke) that we just haven't been able to get a handle on, I have gotten less and less active. It can now be a struggle to do my daily activities due the pain and weakness I am experiencing.
It's a vicious cycle that I haven't figured out how to break. I try to work out and go for walks. In fact I walk my daughters to school on average about three times a week. The walk is one mile round trip. Granted, after half a mile, I am already ready to call it quits, but I try and fail and try again. Thus prompted the discussion with my doctor. Something has to change. I am on lifelong medication, some of which has made me gain weight, and I need to get more active to lose the weight to keep a healthy heart and reduce the risk of another stroke.
We decided on a round of physical and occupational therapy to help my body get back to where it needs to be. I had my first appointment last Thursday. It was my evaluation day. After that, the insurance company gets to decide whether or not to continue paying for the therapy. The evaluation went well. I have lost a lot of strength in my right side as well as range of motion. Cindy, my therapist, was great. She was knowledgeable and patient. She answered all of my questions. I honestly couldn't have asked for better.We didn't get to the occupational therapy, something I will have to address at my next appointment, but I was sent home with plenty of exercises to do everyday to help build my core strength and my balance back up.
All that's left is waiting to be sure there are no hiccups with the insurance company. I spoke to them on the phone to confirm my benefits and they gave no indication that there would be any refusal for treatment. The only reason it is even on my mind is because I was asked to fill out more paperwork to send off to them. I had physical, occupational and speech therapy right after my initial stroke in August of 2010. I was 29 years old at the time. I recovered remarkably well, considering. I am also worried because my occupation is "homemaker". It wasn't a job that was important enough to fill out the JOB section of the insurance company's questionnaire. Never mind the fact that the reason I have no job is stroke related.
It's the after effects of living with a stroke that seem to have done me in. The neuro-pathic pain, the seizures, memory loss and problems with retention have led me to quit school and my job. But I can't quit the most important job I have, that of raising my three kids. They are counting on me and I can't let them down. So even though it really hurts, you'll have to excuse me. I need to go do my exercises now.
E-mail your members of Congress and ask them to stop therapy caps for Medicare patients who have had a stroke.Without therapy, vital skills could be lost.
It's a vicious cycle that I haven't figured out how to break. I try to work out and go for walks. In fact I walk my daughters to school on average about three times a week. The walk is one mile round trip. Granted, after half a mile, I am already ready to call it quits, but I try and fail and try again. Thus prompted the discussion with my doctor. Something has to change. I am on lifelong medication, some of which has made me gain weight, and I need to get more active to lose the weight to keep a healthy heart and reduce the risk of another stroke.
We decided on a round of physical and occupational therapy to help my body get back to where it needs to be. I had my first appointment last Thursday. It was my evaluation day. After that, the insurance company gets to decide whether or not to continue paying for the therapy. The evaluation went well. I have lost a lot of strength in my right side as well as range of motion. Cindy, my therapist, was great. She was knowledgeable and patient. She answered all of my questions. I honestly couldn't have asked for better.We didn't get to the occupational therapy, something I will have to address at my next appointment, but I was sent home with plenty of exercises to do everyday to help build my core strength and my balance back up.
All that's left is waiting to be sure there are no hiccups with the insurance company. I spoke to them on the phone to confirm my benefits and they gave no indication that there would be any refusal for treatment. The only reason it is even on my mind is because I was asked to fill out more paperwork to send off to them. I had physical, occupational and speech therapy right after my initial stroke in August of 2010. I was 29 years old at the time. I recovered remarkably well, considering. I am also worried because my occupation is "homemaker". It wasn't a job that was important enough to fill out the JOB section of the insurance company's questionnaire. Never mind the fact that the reason I have no job is stroke related.
It's the after effects of living with a stroke that seem to have done me in. The neuro-pathic pain, the seizures, memory loss and problems with retention have led me to quit school and my job. But I can't quit the most important job I have, that of raising my three kids. They are counting on me and I can't let them down. So even though it really hurts, you'll have to excuse me. I need to go do my exercises now.
E-mail your members of Congress and ask them to stop therapy caps for Medicare patients who have had a stroke.Without therapy, vital skills could be lost.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Baby Steps
I (finally) had my follow up appointment with my neurologist on Tuesday. My husband came with me, mostly because I am still not allowed to drive, but also as support. I like it when he tags along because he is one of my biggest advocates. He is all about helping me communicate with the doctors to try to move forward and find a solution to my problems.
As it turns out, there only three medications out there that can help with the neuro-pathic pain I have on my right side. I have tried all three. Amitriptyline I can no longer take because one of the side effects is seizures. Well, I already have those. Don't think I would like to have any more. Lyrica, the second one, is one I have taken before and complained about endlessly. I took Lyrica about two years ago when I was trying to finish my Bachelor's degree. I didn't like the initial side effects. It made me very loopy for a very long time, until I got used to it. Then it made me gain a lot of weight. My previous doctor took me off of it because he thought it was responsible for my memory problems. It wasn't. There was no change to my short term memory issues after we changed my medications around. Neurontin is the third medication for the pain. It isn't working at all. The Lyrica did it's job. When I think back on things, I remember being much more active than I am now. I was in less pain. Not pain free, but better off than I am now. I think that is a better place to be. So we decided to try the Lyrica again.
I have to go through the loopy stages, which I really hate, but I hope and pray that it will be worth it. One of the added benefits is that it is also an anti-seizure medication. So if all goes well, I may even have a reduction in the amount of seizures I have. It's hard not to get my hopes up about it, but it sure would be nice to be able to take myself to the grocery store, the library, the mall, my friends' houses, anywhere really. I even had hopes of going back to work, but I know that is probably not ever really going to happen. So I'll just keep on keeping on with the writing.
I got the courage up to submit two shorts to a competition recently. Mine weren't chosen, but it was fun writing them. I also participated in the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in November. I didn't make it to the desired 50,000 words in 30 days. In fact, I only wrote 6,337 but it was a lot of fun writing it. And I'm not finished, just distracted. I will complete my novel and continue on to finish my non-fiction piece as well. I am finally feeing good about things.
As it turns out, there only three medications out there that can help with the neuro-pathic pain I have on my right side. I have tried all three. Amitriptyline I can no longer take because one of the side effects is seizures. Well, I already have those. Don't think I would like to have any more. Lyrica, the second one, is one I have taken before and complained about endlessly. I took Lyrica about two years ago when I was trying to finish my Bachelor's degree. I didn't like the initial side effects. It made me very loopy for a very long time, until I got used to it. Then it made me gain a lot of weight. My previous doctor took me off of it because he thought it was responsible for my memory problems. It wasn't. There was no change to my short term memory issues after we changed my medications around. Neurontin is the third medication for the pain. It isn't working at all. The Lyrica did it's job. When I think back on things, I remember being much more active than I am now. I was in less pain. Not pain free, but better off than I am now. I think that is a better place to be. So we decided to try the Lyrica again.
I have to go through the loopy stages, which I really hate, but I hope and pray that it will be worth it. One of the added benefits is that it is also an anti-seizure medication. So if all goes well, I may even have a reduction in the amount of seizures I have. It's hard not to get my hopes up about it, but it sure would be nice to be able to take myself to the grocery store, the library, the mall, my friends' houses, anywhere really. I even had hopes of going back to work, but I know that is probably not ever really going to happen. So I'll just keep on keeping on with the writing.
I got the courage up to submit two shorts to a competition recently. Mine weren't chosen, but it was fun writing them. I also participated in the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in November. I didn't make it to the desired 50,000 words in 30 days. In fact, I only wrote 6,337 but it was a lot of fun writing it. And I'm not finished, just distracted. I will complete my novel and continue on to finish my non-fiction piece as well. I am finally feeing good about things.
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