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Or as the rest of the world says, pneumonia. But for now, P-nome-e-ah is how it is pronounced in our house. Because that is the way one of the kids pronounces it and because it has caused pandemonium in our lives.
Yes, after another bout of sickness, my third in three weeks, the doctor did a chest x-ray and discovered I have a rather nasty case of pneumonia. It’s rather like having a guest who won’t leave. The one who abandons wet towels on the hardwood floors and eats you out of house and home. And then leaves all their empties rattling down the front drive.
Let me tell you how bad this is: I don’t feel like knitting. Yes, that bad. And I have another week of staring out of the window from the confines of the couch before I can even start to think about getting up. Not that that I have the strength to. But I chafe at the inactivity and having to just rest. I didn’t even feel up to reading or typing until today. But then again today is the first day in a week I’ve had without a 100+ temp. I call that a milestone. A cause to celebrate.
But without overdoing it.
My poor husband, battered by taking care of a control freak, bad patient like me, the house, the kids and trying to keep up at his job, has called in the reinforcements to make sure I don’t think of overdoing it and he’s called in the heavy hitters: my mom and dad. Mom is here this week, Dad starts his shift on Monday. They know all my tricks so I might as well be in Leavenworth.
And don’t feel too sorry for me. I brought this on myself. I scheduled myself up to my eyebrows for four months straight– traveled, wrote for crazy hours, traveled more, did all the mom things and tried to have it all. I was the proverbial train headed to the bridge Snidely Whiplash has just tied all the dynamite onto. And now I have crashed. Literally. Figuratively.
So the schedule has had to crash as well. Everything, and I mean everything I have scheduled–business and personal–has been sidelined and canceled. I go nowhere until my lungs are clear and the doc thinks that will be a few months. Yes, months.
But there is an upside to all this. When I was a kid, I was often sidelined with asthma. I would spend days looking out at the sky and making up stories. I have found myself doing much the same thing. The next book is starting to take root in my imagination and as I watch the clouds make their lazy way across Puget Sound and the happy, dizzy hummingbirds who inhabit my yard darting about like clownish acrobats, I ponder the next story.
Because right now, pondering is all that is on the menu. That and orange jello.
May 23rd, 2009 at 5:37 am · Link
Aww, hope it clears up really soon. . . me, with my asthma as a kid, I watched Star Wars. After all, us asthmatics have a kinship with Darth Vader and all. 😉
Lois
May 24th, 2009 at 8:32 am · Link
Wow, out of commission for months? Sorry to hear about that! The day dreaming sounds good, though.
May 24th, 2009 at 8:08 pm · Link
I’m sorry you got the pneumonia. I had it when I was 13 — it was how they found out about my heart problem. But I do remember the lethargy that affected me even after my fever was gone. Take care of yourself, take all the medicine until it’s gone and by the time I’m home for the holiday’s you’ll be 100% again!
May 24th, 2009 at 11:35 pm · Link
I was wondering. We all can worry about you, that is what buddies – even net buddies – do for each other. Just know that me and everyone was thinking about you. Hope you are on the road to recovery.
I have found out myself that when your body is run down all ready that those nasty viruses seem to take a better hold on you. Take it easy and get yourself better.
Big Hugs!
May 24th, 2009 at 11:38 pm · Link
Hey, Lois! I am asthmatic, too. When I am having an attack, I like to call it my Darth Vader voice. I saw on a commercial for Night at the Smithsonian that they asked Darth if he was asthmatic. I can see you think the same as me on this.
I say when you have something like asthma that you have to deal with, it is always better to joke than to feel sorry for yourslf. 😀
May 25th, 2009 at 10:03 am · Link
So bummed to hear you’re sick, Elizabeth! I hope it doesn’t take months to recover, but I’ve had pneumonia (not nearly THAT bad, though) and I know it takes a while. Just take it easy and let everyone pamper you as long as you can take it. Healthy Cyber Hugs!
Shannon
May 25th, 2009 at 3:30 pm · Link
I am so sorry you are sooo sick. I just wanted you to know that I just read Memoirs of a Scandalous Red Dress this weekend and I think it is possibly your best book EVER. I literally cried when Dash saw Pippin looking up at the stars (Orion’s belt) when she was on the ship – and they both remembered. It was so beautiful. Even though you are so sick, please know that you have made lots of fans so happy with this wonderful book. Can’t wait for the next one. I would love to see Pippin and Dash’s childrens’ stories. (hint, hint…) Take care.
May 25th, 2009 at 10:20 pm · Link
I hope you feel better soon… I don’t check your site for a week and suddenly you are on death’s door. I take full responsibility and will never “abandon you” again. >
May 26th, 2009 at 1:12 pm · Link
OMG, Elizabeth! I’ve only ever had the walking pneumonia, and can’t even imagine what the full-blown must feel like. You poor thing! Sending positive healing vibes your way for a quicker recovery than the doctor is anticipating. That’s really scary!
May 26th, 2009 at 3:26 pm · Link
I’ve had to wait until my dad has gone to pick up the kids to hit the computer. He’s a shark about making sure I don’t over do it. A regular Nurse Ratchet.
But I am improving. Even got some reading done this weekend. Laura Joh Rowlandson’s new Sano mystery, The Fire Kimono, and a Georgette Heyer–Devil’s Cub. Even managed to score a latte today, so yes, life is returning to the Boyle household.
Thanks to all of you for your well-wishes and good thoughts. They put a smile on my face and make me resolved to get better. Love to all!
May 26th, 2009 at 8:40 pm · Link
Geez! Thank God you have P-nome-e-ah! A couple months of daydreaming and reading is awesome. Your style and flavor is getting a rest, the stories yet to be written, are getting heard.
My father-in-law went in to the hospital two weeks ago and was diagnosed at first with Pneumonia, and a spot on his lung. The next day, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and the updates continued – liver, bone, brain… 3 mos without chemo; 6-9 with, he’s trying the “with” scenario.
So yes, I’m thrilled wonder woman has been knocked down for the count with a curable case of P-nome-e-ah. Rest, breathe. Go to Leavenworth, WA it’s not far from Wanatchee and I love it! The Bavarian food is almost as good at the brewfests!
May 29th, 2009 at 8:23 am · Link
Hope you get better real soon. Love your stories.
Kate
May 29th, 2009 at 5:17 pm · Link
Hi Elizabeth,
I will be praying that you get better soon. When you have the supermom + superwoman mentality it is very hard to sit still (yes, I have this too). At times it is hard to let others take care of us when we are so used to taking care of everyone else. Take care of yourself ~ know your readers care about you and will be praying for you.
May 30th, 2009 at 11:54 am · Link
I know this has nothing to do with this blog but i just wanted to say that your behind the scene brazen angel story made me get teary! tell your husband thank you!
May 30th, 2009 at 10:15 pm · Link
I hope you feel better and have time to relax! When I’m sick I like to sit down with a hot cup of tea and a book! I also want to congratulate you on Memoir of A Scandalous Red Dress. I was also moved to tears while reading some of the parts between Pippin and Dash. I loved that the book concentrated on the relationship between the two characters. There was so much chemistry between them!!!
May 31st, 2009 at 6:52 pm · Link
Hi Elizabeth,
I’m really sorry to hear you have pneumonia, I hope you make a full recovery soon. Whatever you do, REST, REST, REST and just for good measure REST some more.
On another note, I just want to say thank you for Memoirs of A Scandalous Red Dress. I just finished reading it, and I couldn’t put it down. I laughed and cried, Dash and Pippin were wonderful and so meant to be together. I hope we will be reading their children’s stories real soon.
Again, REST and get well soon.
Carolyn
May 31st, 2009 at 10:32 pm · Link
Big hugs, Elizabeth!