Book Update (And Health)

Today I have a delicate topic for me to discuss. I've never been one to share my health problems on social media or publicly because I feel that when people do, it is only for sympathy and that certainly isn't what I want. By all means, if you do this, please do not take offense because I absolutely do not mean any.

We all have our reasons for the things we do and garnering sympathy in order to make yourself feel better, isn't a bad thing. I'm not judging here - nor will I ever. The power of community love and support is a tremendous and wondrous healing thing. I'm certainly not opposed to that. In fact, I call it good karma. Put forth in abundance, and you will receive it back in kind - but only if your heart is sincere and honest.

I released Kahari and Erebus in September. Things were going really well. My production schedule was buzzing along--late--(but aren't I always?)

Then this thing happened.

Let me give you a little background since I'm outing myself. You may as well have the full story. I promise to make it as short as possible (*insert eye-roll). Since I decided to write full-time in 2012 things changed–some for the better, and some for the worse.

I became stagnant. Not as bad as you think because I came from an office job, so it wasn't like I was running marathons. Thanks to my father's genetics (which were really good stock except for...) his atrial fibrillation. You can read up about it if you like through that link, but what it basically is, is that the electricity to my heart is screwed up. I may have had it during my younger years but never noticed. Now as I'm getting (*insert cough) older, it's catching up to me. Some triggers can cause it; working too hard, stress, being in the heat, etc. Or they can just come on at any old time. The old warp engine will be purring along fine and then all of a sudden it's up to factor 10. It's like sitting still and then doing aerobics without leaving the chair or reaping the benefits. It fluctuates--So, it'll drop back down to normal. For a realistic example: 72 BPM (beats per minute) to 145 BPM to 65 BPM, etc.

We discovered this in 2015 where I had what's called an ablation–seven hours of surgery (OH MY GOODNESS MY BACK WHEN I CAME OUT OF ANESTHESIA) where they literally zapped the areas in my heart that were misfiring. I was put on lifetime meds (joy-joy) that keep me safe and was told I'd probably have to have it done again at some point.

Now for that thing, I spoke about earlier that happened.

I'd been working away at plotting book 3 all week, trying to get it done so I could start writing it. I'm especially excited not only because I have so many great ideas, but I was going to push myself to see how fast I could get it done.

I woke up the next morning, and thanks to my Apple Watch, I saw that my heart was beating at 210 BPM...for three hours. Now that hasn't happened since the first incident in 2015. It was like Scotty beamed himself out of the engine room and didn't return.

I'm stubborn, and also because I often go into afib fits and know that once I eat, it usually normalizes. It's part of the fun of having the problem. But this was different. It's never stayed that high. I was sweating on every inch of my body. I could barely walk because my head was swimming in the Void Stream. (See what I did there?) It got so bad that my shortness of breath was so short, I couldn't breathe.

Then I panicked...I was having a heart attack and didn't know it.

That has NEVER happened. My partner, who thankfully was home, was sleeping. I couldn't make it to the bedroom or call out loud enough to wake him up, so I used my watch to call him and wake him up.

He rushed me to the hospital, and I was the CODE BLUE case for the day. Like myself, my heart is stubborn. They pumped me full of meds - didn't work. They tried this, what I call doom medicine that is supposed to stop your heart so it can reset, twice. The first time wasn't so bad, but the second time, they had to hold me down. It was that bad. Guess what? That didn't work, either. I told you. The old ticker is strong (thankfully) and stubborn!

I was the talk of the ER. They'd never seen such a thing. (*insert another eye-roll.)

So, the next course of action was to cardio-avert me. In layman's terms, that's the old: CLEAR! SHOCK-A-ROO!

Now, I've had this done in 2015. So I wasn't nervous until I asked if they were going to put me under like when I'd had it done before. Ummm, no, they said. I guess it was too risky, and there wasn't enough time to get an anesthesiologist. At this point, the warp engine had been running at factor 10 (higher) for almost 4 1/2 hours. They needed to get it down.

All I can tell you is that I have a new experience to write about when someone gets hit with a plasma bolt. HOLY BEJESUS! I don't recommend it for anyone! It feels like an incredible energy burst that slams your body down on the table, bouncing you back up. It was an experience! But...I have to say; it is still better than the doom medicine!

To make this terribly long story for which I apologize, shorter, I'm doing okay. There was some minor damage to my heart, but they've up'd my meds to help with that. I'm scheduled for another ablation (MY POOR BACK.)

Now, to the fun stuff. Because of all that, I won't be releasing book 3, Protogenoi until January, February the latest. Maybe sooner if things work the way I want them to, and the speed production test works. But rest assured, I've been a busy beaver. I've got plans for a book 4 in the Scarab Reign and also for a new colony series involving some really cool stuff! I can't wait to start working on that.

Thank you for reading this lengthy blog, and I hope it comes to you in good health. I guess I should put a lesson in here: don't wait to go to the hospital when something is wrong! I was lucky! Don't take risks...I promise not to from here on out!