Surgery, books, and comfort food is what I’m about these days. After the anticipation, nail biting days that lead up to surgery, I bask in the glory of books and food. Since I’m exhausted, I’d rather dazzle you with glorious pictures of comfy things that get me through the most trying of times. And now is one of them!
Surgery Went Well
For those of you wondering, the surgery came and went, and all I’m left with is an achy body, fatigue, and an itchy wound that I’ll proudly display once it’s scarred up. The tumor is gone, finished, deader than a door nail, vanished, turned to dust, fish food, AWOL, extinct, annnnndddd you get my drift. Hopefully, never to come back.
Good riddance!
How long must I have dealt with the abysmal symptoms that parathyroid disease incurs. Yep, hyperparathyroidism. It’s a witch with a capital “B” if ya know what I mean.
Hyperparathyroidism Is Often Overlooked
Never heard of it? Well, pull up a chair, and I’ll tell you about it. First of all, it’s not usually caught for a while. And I mean a LONG time. Overlooked. For some reason, many doctors fail to screen for it. Maybe it’s because they’re too busy looking for other more common ailments, but nevertheless, it’s often overlooked. But what damage it can do if left untreated!
From fragile bones to kidney stones (and kidney failure), hyperparathyroidism can steal your life. Fatigue is a prime symptom. We wade through life in zombie-form and are told that it’s probably female problems or I’m too anxious about mid-life, or I’ve stubbed a toe and I’m overreacting kind of thing. Alas, it’s a lie. Yep. Those four, rice-sized glands have rocked my world and not in a pleasant way.
Oh, and by the way, if you ignore it for too long, then you can have a stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, broken bones, and the list goes on. Did I mention death? Yeah, I probably should have said that one. It can. Over time, that is. Think Garry Shandling.
Anyway, my symptoms have been bad for the last few years, but I’ve been suffering for probably the last eight years. Jeez, think about that. Life is precious, folks. I’ve been steadily in decline for the last eight years, and I can’t get it back.
How Did I Catch It?
So how did I catch it? I asked my doctors to check my calcium levels over the last couple of years. From there, I graphed my levels and noticed a “trend.” It was slightly “elevated” they said, but nothing to really worry about. Not true. Good thing I work in the healthcare field. Good thing I ALWAYS ask questions. Good thing I pressed the matter. Good thing I got a second opinion.
Anyway, the damage has been done, BUT I also have stopped future deterioration. I’m healing now. I’ll be okay. However, please, for the love of everything sacred in life, be your own advocate. I know you’re tired. I know you’re scared. I know you don’t want to seem pushy, or mean, or insert your feeling here. But do it anyway. Stand up for yourself. Be heard. Ask questions. Get answers, and if you don’t, then find someone who will help you. Someone who will listen to you. Please. After all, there’s only one you.
Soap box over! On to the next…
Cozy Mystery Books to the Rescue!
Okay, so it was surgery, books, and comfort food to the rescue, and I couldn’t have made it these last several weeks and years without those gorgeous books! As you know, I’m writing The Kaitlynn Dahl Mysteries now, but I’m ALWAYS reading something, and I’ve learned that there are some real good ones set to come out soon. So I’ve got a couple that I’d like to share with you just in case you’re itching for another book to read.
First up is another Hannah Swensen Mystery by Joanne Fluke, and y’all, there’re more recipes!!!!
Coconut Layer Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
Bakery owner Hannah Swensen is leaving Lake Eden to help a friend in sunny California. But an unexpected phone call swiftly brings her back to a cold Minnesota winter . . . and murder . . .
When Hannah learns that her sister Michelle’s boyfriend, Detective Lonnie Murphy, is the prime suspect in a murder case, she goes straight from a movie studio sound stage to the Los Angeles airport.
Back in frigid Minnesota, she discovers that proving Lonnie’s innocence will be harder than figuring out what went wrong with a recipe. Lonnie remembers only parts of the night he went out to a local bar and ended up driving a very impaired woman home. He knows he helped her to her bedroom, but he doesn’t recall anything else until he woke up on her couch the following morning. When he went to the bedroom to check on her, he was shocked to discover she was dead.
Hannah doesn’t know what to believe—only that exonerating a suspect who can’t remember is almost impossible, especially since Lonnie’s brother, Detective Rick Murphy, and Lonnie’s partner, Chief Detective Mike Kingston, have been taken off the case. Before everything comes crashing down on Lonnie like a heaping slice of coconut layer cake, it’ll be up to Hannah to rack up enough clues to toast a flaky killer . . .
Next is The King’s Justice: A Maggie Hope Mystery eBook by Susan Elia MacNeal! A stolen violin, a spy, a serial killer all set in World War II London. Who could want more?
The King’s Justice: A Maggie Hope Mystery by Susan Elia MacNeal
Can a stolen violin lead secret agent and spy Maggie Hope to a new serial killer terrorizing London? Find out as the acclaimed World War II mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Susan Elia MacNeal continues.
Maggie Hope started out as Winston Churchill’s secretary, but now she’s a secret agent—and the only one who can figure out how the missing instrument ties into the murders.
London, December 1942. As the Russian army repels German forces from Stalingrad, Maggie Hope takes a much-needed break from spying to defuse bombs in London. But Maggie herself is an explosion waiting to happen. Traumatized by her past, she finds herself living dangerously—taking huge risks, smoking, drinking, and speeding through the city streets on a motorbike. The last thing she wants is to get entangled in another crime.
But when she’s called upon to look into the theft of a Stradivarius, one of the finest violins ever made, Maggie can’t resist. Meanwhile, there’s a serial killer on the loose in London, targeting conscientious objectors. Little does she know that investigating this dangerous predator will pit her against a new evil—and old enemies. Only Maggie can uncover the connection between the robbery, the murders, and a link to her past.
Buried to the Brim by Jenn McKinley
Finally, what mystery would be complete without the newest in Jenn McKinley’s A Hat Shop Mystery series?
New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay’s beloved Hat Shop duo Scarlett Parker and Vivian Tremont return to don their sleuthing caps and solve a murder that’s death in show.
London’s most refined canines and their humans are gearing up for the Pets and Wellness Society’s annual dog show–and Betty Wentworth, favorite aunt to Scarlett’s fiancé Harrison and proud owner of corgi front-runner Freddy, knows that this could be their year with the right edge. Never one to turn away a corgi in need, Scarlett convinces her milliner cousin, Vivian, to design matching hats for dream team Betty and Freddy as they compete for Best in Show.
It’s a tail wagging good time until the dog-food sponsor of the event is found dead and Betty is the prime suspect. Vivian and Scarlett agree to enter the competition in Betty’s place and help Harrison catch the real killer before Betty is collared for a crime she didn’t commit.
Comfort Food to the Rescue
So, we’ve discussed surgery, books, and now comfort food!
What’s your go-to food when life gets you down? I’m all about pizza, soup, breads, pastas, you name it! Don’t forget the desserts! So, I’ll compile a list of yummy pictures to get your taste buds salivating;-)
Gluten-free French Onion Soup
Check out this recipe for French Onion Soup that’s gluten free and looks amazing! Can’t wait to try this one thanks to iowagirleats.com!
Cream Puffs Taste So Yummy!
My absolute favorite things in life are the Wisconsin State Fair cream puffs. I drool just thinking about them. Check out this recipe from A Taste of Home!
Lasagna for the Win!
Life’s Looking Up
From surgery, books, and comfort food, life’s looking up. All that’s left is the healing. While that may take time, I’ve got family, friends, books, and food to get me through.
Thank you for your words of encouragement! Can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. So, keep reading, laughing, and asking tons of questions, my friends.
I love to hear from you. What are your go-to’s when faced with a dilemma? What are your favorite books, foods, movies, etc…? Comment below or e-mail me at kduptonauthor@gmail.com.
Until next time…
Happy reading,
K.D.
