First and more importantly, I want to thank those bloggy friends who have emailed me and asked what happened on Wednesday. Bless you for your kindness !!! I was planning on blogging about this “personal journal” item that I created to help me travel down this road. It is so overwhelming to me that my “new bloggy friends care so much” and are following this blog segment since it isn’t “book” related. Again…THANK YOU…there are no words to describe what and how your kindness and genuine caring means to me (so sorry…but am tearing up right now…been doing that a lot since Wednesday). There will be 2 posts again today. After I post about this very difficult decision that I am facing (worse than I thought), I will be doing what I enjoy most and that are the daily memes that I have joined and gives me the chance to find more great blogs and meet more nice people. I will try to be as brief as I can with all the info I had to process…….so here goes:
MY 
JOURNEY
On Wednesday I traveled to Boston for a consult (I was lucky to be seen) as this doc sees patients from the entire U.S. and performs surgery on patients with complicated cases, which I fall under. He is the 5th doc I have seen over the past few months (being a RN and knowing certain facts, I did not feel comfortable with what the previous 4 said). I liked him from the minute he walked into the room, introduced himself, and said give me a sec to look at the films, which I have a library of and like my book, go everywhere with me. However, the news went from good, bad, and absolutely terrifying. After looking at all the films (CTscan, myelogram,x-rays). His next words were “the good news is I can help you” (thinking…so there is a possible light at the end of this tunnel but it wouldn’t be for another 2-3 months…that’s his surgical schedule). His next sentence was “looking at you sitting here and then looking at these films, I would never believe the 2 go together. You have very severe problems (ok….Oh God…its worse than I thought). He then explained what needs to be done and stated a hospital stay of approx 5 days (thinking…5 days without reading my emails and blogging…my inbox will be overloaded and no blogging…oh no..wonder if I can bring my laptop….there are priorities in life lol) He also told me that if I didn’t have surgery, my symptoms will be spiraling downward at a rapid rate due to what he sees on the films(ok..not good…can’t imagine it getting any worse than it is now) And then it hit me…what he just explained about what he would do if I chose surgery. The 1st day he will be making a 5-6” abdominal incision to get at the front of my spine and injecting a protein gel that would create a false disc (for 5 levels) as there is no disc now, just bone on bone, vertebrae on vertebrae (forgot to ask the length of time I would be under anesthesia for this procedure..CRS moment), the next day…back on the OR table (did ask and was told at least 4 hrs and a large incision down my back due to where the damage is) removing the old hardware, try to remove some of the arthritis and scar tissue from last 3 operations, and placing a new rod and screws to the entire area of the lumbar spine. So there it all is….a very big decision. My brain is overloaded with all this but have put it in God’s hands…he will help me decide what to do. And once I know…you will know…..and again thank you for caring…….to be continued………
Original Sin by Allison Brennan (Rating–4.5)
Published by The Random House
ISBN 978-0-345-51167-6
At the request of The Book Trib, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.
Synopsis: Moira O’Donnell conceived, for the sole purpose to become a human sacrifice for the underworld, flees from her mother’s grasp. She finds refuge in the hills of Ireland learning the ways to stop this demonic state that her mother controls. She also learns and now knows the danger that mankind will experience if her mother isn’t stopped Moira spends seven years traveling the world to locate her mother. There is only way to stop Fiona ODonnell, and that is murder. Along her travels, she teams up with a demonologist and a trusting sheriff, in small town, USA.
My Thoughts: I was very apprehensive when I first accepted this request as I have never read a book in the genre of paranormal. The author’s imagination and writing style is nothing less than believable and at times I was questioning if there was some truth to this work of fiction. Add to that a fast paced action, mystery, love story and the war between good and evil. This was the first book that I had read of this author’s but will not be my last.
My Opinion and Rating: I gave this book a Level 4.5 rating. It took approximately 6 chapters for me to get involved with the characters and true basis of the story line. There was some disappointment with the ending. I am, however, aware that this is the first book in a series of seven deadly sins, and will hopefully have some of my questions answered in the next installment that I have already placed on my “to be read” list.
There will be 2 postings today. I will be posting a book review later today. I have a lot to post about so need 2, maybe 3, installments.
My morning routine. Boot up the laptop, grab my mug of coffee and read my newsletters/emails. Sign into my blog, read my google reader and start commenting on sites that posted something that caught my attention. Today, however, I woke with an unclear mind and dread as I am still trying to process all that was said at yesterday’s orthopedic consult (more on that later). And sorry to repeat but it is so true….my mantra that I live by is that “everything happens for a reason….and we don’t ask why…just know it is to be”. Vicki over at Reading At The Beach (readingatthebeach.com) signed up for a 2010 challenge “365 Photo Project” where she posts a different picture every day. The pictures that she is posting are phenomenal and I have been commenting almost every day because they are so beautiful. Which is what I was going to do this morning. So I head on over for a visit and before I got to her photo, I found another posting that FLOORED ME. She has presented me with another award…and so fitting due to my mental state this morning. She has been such a friend and mentor to me and then to receive another award is overwhelming. The awad is the “HAPPY 101”. There is criteria that I will be posting on next. But first….THANK YOU VICKI !!!!! You are too kind !!!!!!
This is a two part award.
First I list ten things that make me happy and then pass this along to 10 blogs that make me happy.
What makes me happy:
1. My hubby
2. My 2 fantastic sons and their girlfriends, “my daughters”.
3. All other members of our family
4. My friends
5. A great mystery
6. A large Friendly’s 5 scoop sundae
7. The start of Spring and warm weather
8. Sitting by the pool and having “bonding reading time” with hubby
9. Vacations (which we are due)Cruise or Aruba
10.Book blogging and meeting so many awesome “new friends”.
So what blogs make me happy: (in no particular order)
1. J. Kayes Book Blog
2. Bookin’ With Bingo
3. Xmas Dolly
4. Rundpinne
5. Bermudaonion
6. Book Reviews by Bobbie
7. My Cozy Booknook
8. Find Your Next Book Here
9. Bibliophile By The Sea
10. Lori’s Reading Corner
I pass this on to you. And thank you for having great blogs !!!! I could only pick 10 but there are so many other blogs that make me happy.
I just decided…….today I am going to enjoy this award and make this my “Happy 101 Award” day and post about “My Medical Jouney” on a later post, which is probably better as there is so much to process. My mantra, has done right by me again. Thank you VICKI !!!!
http://btt2.wordpress.com
Today’s question:
1. Do YOU like books with complicated plots and unexpected endings?
My favorite genre is mystery/suspense so I love unexpected endings!!! What I don’t like are plots that are complicated and/or detailed espionage. I lose interest with that type of book.
2. What book with a surprise ending is your favorite? Or your least favorite?
I was given a book to read by my “Book Buddy” Jess, my son’s gf because I had said that I had never read anything by Jodi Picoult. She gave me My Sister’s Keeper. I have to say that this book, with its ending, I never saw coming. This was definitely my favorite “surprise ending” read. Highly recommend.
Original Sin by Allison Brennan (Rating–4.5)
Published by The Random House
ISBN 978-0-345-51167-6
At the request of The Book Trib, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.
Synopsis: Moira O’Donnell conceived, for the sole purpose to become a human sacrifice for the underworld, flees from her mother’s grasp. She finds refuge in the hills of Ireland learning the ways to stop this demonic state that her mother controls. She also learns and now knows the danger that mankind will experience if her mother isn’t stopped Moira spends seven years traveling the world to locate her mother. There is only way to stop Fiona ODonnell, and that is murder. Along her travels, she teams up with a demonologist and a trusting sheriff, in small town, USA.
My Thoughts: I was very apprehensive when I first accepted this request as I have never read a book in the genre of paranormal. The author’s imagination and writing style is nothing less than believable and at times I was questioning if there was some truth to this work of fiction. Add to that a fast paced action, mystery, love story and the war between good and evil. This was the first book that I had read of this author’s but will not be my last.
My Opinion and Rating: I gave this book a Level 4.5 rating. It took approximately 6 chapters for me to get involved with the characters and true basis of the story line. There was some disappointment with the ending. I am, however, aware that this is the first book in a series of seven deadly sins, and will hopefully have some of my questions answered in the next installment that I have already placed on my “to be read” list.
There will be 2 postings today. I will be posting a book review later today. I have a lot to post about so need 2, maybe 3, installments.
My morning routine. Boot up the laptop, grab my mug of coffee and read my newsletters/emails. Sign into my blog, read my google reader and start commenting on sites that posted something that caught my attention. Today, however, I woke with an unclear mind and dread as I am still trying to process all that was said at yesterday’s orthopedic consult (more on that later). And sorry to repeat but it is so true….my mantra that I live by is that “everything happens for a reason….and we don’t ask why…just know it is to be”. Vicki over at Reading At The Beach (readingatthebeach.com) signed up for a 2010 challenge “365 Photo Project” where she posts a different picture every day. The pictures that she is posting are phenomenal and I have been commenting almost every day because they are so beautiful. Which is what I was going to do this morning. So I head on over for a visit and before I got to her photo, I found another posting that FLOORED ME. She has presented me with another award…and so fitting due to my mental state this morning. She has been such a friend and mentor to me and then to receive another award is overwhelming. The awad is the “HAPPY 101”. There is criteria that I will be posting on next. But first….THANK YOU VICKI !!!!! You are too kind !!!!!!
This is a two part award.
First I list ten things that make me happy and then pass this along to 10 blogs that make me happy.
What makes me happy:
1. My hubby
2. My 2 fantastic sons and their girlfriends, “my daughters”.
3. All other members of our family
4. My friends
5. A great mystery
6. A large Friendly’s 5 scoop sundae
7. The start of Spring and warm weather
8. Sitting by the pool and having “bonding reading time” with hubby
9. Vacations (which we are due)Cruise or Aruba
10.Book blogging and meeting so many awesome “new friends”.
So what blogs make me happy: (in no particular order)
1. J. Kayes Book Blog
2. Bookin’ With Bingo
3. Xmas Dolly
4. Rundpinne
5. Bermudaonion
6. Book Reviews by Bobbie
7. My Cozy Booknook
8. Find Your Next Book Here
9. Bibliophile By The Sea
10. Lori’s Reading Corner
I pass this on to you. And thank you for having great blogs !!!! I could only pick 10 but there are so many other blogs that make me happy.
I just decided…….today I am going to enjoy this award and make this my “Happy 101 Award” day and post about “My Medical Jouney” on a later post, which is probably better as there is so much to process. My mantra, has done right by me again. Thank you VICKI !!!!
http://btt2.wordpress.com
Today’s question:
1. Do YOU like books with complicated plots and unexpected endings?
My favorite genre is mystery/suspense so I love unexpected endings!!! What I don’t like are plots that are complicated and/or detailed espionage. I lose interest with that type of book.
2. What book with a surprise ending is your favorite? Or your least favorite?
I was given a book to read by my “Book Buddy” Jess, my son’s gf because I had said that I had never read anything by Jodi Picoult. She gave me My Sister’s Keeper. I have to say that this book, with its ending, I never saw coming. This was definitely my favorite “surprise ending” read. Highly recommend.
Should Be Reading http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com
*What are you currently reading?
Among Thieves by David Hosp
*What did you recently finish reading?
Original Sin by Allison Brennan
*What do you think you’ll read next?
Doors Open by Ian Rankin
Hosted by Bermudanonion’s Weblog http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com
I just finished Original Sin by Allison Brennan. There were 2 words that I wasn’t familiar with. But when I went to look them up there were no definitions for these words. Am thinking that they were just part of the story and the reader was to interpret, which I will do now.
Conoscenza–Book of spells
arca–human container of demons…..sacrifice
I just read one of morning subscribed newsletter from Rundpinne Blog (http://www.rundpinne.com/) and she posted a picture of many, many books of hers. I gasped when I saw the piles (lol). So my question is… and hopefully experienced bloggers will share with me their knowledge and tricks of the trade. I recently added my name to accept requests for reviews. I am enjoying every facet of this world of book blogging. However, I am a little behind in reading and getting a little anxious as I have 7 books waiting to be read and reviewed. How do you catch up when activities of daily living still need to be done, do authors/publishers have a time limit, do you post about books before you read them (ex: give the bookjacket synopsis when you receive each book or do you post about the book when done reading/reviewing.? Any comments, suggestions, tips would be appreciated.
MY JOURNEY
Well…today is here and I am having a lot of anxiety. Not knowing is so very hard. Hopefully I will get some answers today but then if I do, I will have to make some very big decisions and only I can do that. And to make matters even harder, hubby isn’t going with me. He is so torn about today but he has a very high level meeting that he could not get out of. I am lucky to be blessed with a very good friend. When I told her the situation she got out her appointment book, she is a nail technician, crossed off the day and then called her part-time job and asked to be taken off the schedule. The saying goes that God gives us angels and they are called friends. Since we are driving to another state for this appoinment we are planning to make it a “girl’s day”. And she will have pen and steno pad in hand to let hubby know everything that happens. Sorry to those that are reading this because I am rambling which I tend to do, especially when “nervous”. To my BFF..Thank You
Should Be Reading http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com
*What are you currently reading?
Among Thieves by David Hosp
*What did you recently finish reading?
Original Sin by Allison Brennan
*What do you think you’ll read next?
Doors Open by Ian Rankin
Hosted by Bermudanonion’s Weblog http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com
I just finished Original Sin by Allison Brennan. There were 2 words that I wasn’t familiar with. But when I went to look them up there were no definitions for these words. Am thinking that they were just part of the story and the reader was to interpret, which I will do now.
Conoscenza–Book of spells
arca–human container of demons…..sacrifice
I just read one of morning subscribed newsletter from Rundpinne Blog (http://www.rundpinne.com/) and she posted a picture of many, many books of hers. I gasped when I saw the piles (lol). So my question is… and hopefully experienced bloggers will share with me their knowledge and tricks of the trade. I recently added my name to accept requests for reviews. I am enjoying every facet of this world of book blogging. However, I am a little behind in reading and getting a little anxious as I have 7 books waiting to be read and reviewed. How do you catch up when activities of daily living still need to be done, do authors/publishers have a time limit, do you post about books before you read them (ex: give the bookjacket synopsis when you receive each book or do you post about the book when done reading/reviewing.? Any comments, suggestions, tips would be appreciated.
MY JOURNEY
Well…today is here and I am having a lot of anxiety. Not knowing is so very hard. Hopefully I will get some answers today but then if I do, I will have to make some very big decisions and only I can do that. And to make matters even harder, hubby isn’t going with me. He is so torn about today but he has a very high level meeting that he could not get out of. I am lucky to be blessed with a very good friend. When I told her the situation she got out her appointment book, she is a nail technician, crossed off the day and then called her part-time job and asked to be taken off the schedule. The saying goes that God gives us angels and they are called friends. Since we are driving to another state for this appoinment we are planning to make it a “girl’s day”. And she will have pen and steno pad in hand to let hubby know everything that happens. Sorry to those that are reading this because I am rambling which I tend to do, especially when “nervous”. To my BFF..Thank You
Hosted by Should Be Reading http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
*Grab your current read
*Open to a random page
*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
*BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
*Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser:
“Well, I can tell you that you’re not possessed and you’re not under a spell. If you were cursed, we’d know it here, in this room.”
Original Sin by Allison Brennana page 235
I enjoy the daily memes…it’s a great way to meet other book bloggers….. and am always looking for more. Molly at My Cozy Book Nook (http://mycozybooknook.blogspot.com/) introduced me to this next meme which sounds like fun. This will be my first posting for It’s Tuesday, Where Are You?
Hosted By An Adventure In Reading http://raidergirl3-anadventureinreading.blogspot.com/
Today I am in Santa Louisa, California helping Moira locate her mother, a witch of black magic.
MY JOURNEY
Tomorrow is the day that I have the consult with the orthopedic surgeon who supposedly takes on patients with complex issues. According to his web site, it states “that he evaluates patients from all over the U.S”. I have to say that I am very ambivilent regarding this appointment and anxiety is starting to kick in. Out of 3 options that were given to me, this is the one that I didn’t want to be the solution of my problem. Depending if he can help me, I will have to make a huge decision that is terrifying to me. Another fusion (#4), which another doctor told me would be risky and complicated or continue living with this pain and not being able to have a good quality of life? Do I take the chance of another fusion with so much scar tissue built up since last fusion? We shall see…..
