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And then stuff happened #CancerAwareness by Vicki Batman @VickiBatman author of Temporarily Employed #RLFblog
Welcome to day three of Cancer Awareness posts for 2021 on RLFblog. Today's guest is Vicki Batman.
It's been a while...
I haven't written about Handsome and the trials and tribulations due to throat cancer and his treatment over the past fifteen years. Mostly, we thought all was good.
Turned out, stuff happened.
Here's the story: Handsome cut himself, shaving over the plate area of his left jaw, right where the radiation hit him hardest, causing poor blood circulation. The area spread to the size of an eraser and then grew to a half inch. Then bigger. We knew what that meant-a visit to the reconstructive plastic surgeon.
Handsome went to the doctor, who determined tissue from his back would be used, mainly because arteries were larger. The vessel feeding the "flap" would cross under his chin to connect with his right carotid. All sounded good, and surgery was scheduled for July 20.
On the Sunday before the surgery, we took off for Houston, staying at a hotel suite five minutes from the medical district. The following day, we navigated to the hospital. Covid protocols dictated no valet parking, clean hands before entering, wear the mask they provided. Tests were done. At our plastic surgeon's visit, we discussed the surgery again. All decided a "go" for the next morning.
At 5:30 A.M., we arrived for admission. Handsome went to pre-op, and staff readied him for the operation. By 7, the nurses wheeled him to surgery, and I went to the waiting area.
Before noon, the volunteer called my name and said the doctor wanted to meet with me. The doctor? We settled in a consultation room, where he explained surgery did not proceed as planned. The right carotid artery (probably brittle from radiation) sprung a leak. The doctor went into lifesaving mode, called a vascular surgeon who used a stent, who then called a neurosurgeon to make sure Handsome didn't stroke. The doctor took Handsome's right pectoral and laid it along his neck. A graft from his left leg covered this. The doctor said there would be no more surgeries unless needed for lifesaving measures.
We were disappointed but understood. The risk was too high.
Handsome stayed in the hospital until the Sunday after surgery. He looked great. Lost some weight. Wanted to rest and get back to normal. A week after surgery, we went to the reconstructive plastic surgeon's office for a checkup. A drain was removed. We stayed for two more days. After another check on Friday, we loaded up and began the drive home.
Only we didn't get far.
Handsome asked me to pull over, saying he lost vision in his right eye. I did, and we sat for a long while; so long, the police came by. We returned to the hospital's emergency room, where I dropped him at the entry and turned to navigate through the creepy parking garage.
That's when I lost it.
I called #2son and cried. I wanted to go home. I wanted to be with my family and the Adora-poos. I wanted my life.
I found my way back to the emergency room, and a kind security guard guided me inside where Handsome sat, waiting to be called. After an hour, we talked with an emergency room doctor. She and another doctor decided because of the possible stroke risk, Handsome had to be admitted.
Over two days, Handsome saw ten doctors, did a lot of neurological tests, repeated for every doctor his vision loss story, had a CT scan and an MRI done, and ophthalmology testing.
Late Sunday night, the neuro doctor came to his room to review the MRI. He flipped through the images, saying, "nothing. Nothing. Good."
No one knew what had happened. A TIA? Maybe. A vascular spasm? Maybe. No one knew for sure.
We stayed one more night. I loaded us in the car Monday morning and headed out. The drive exhausted Handsome. Once home, I sent him upstairs and unpacked.
So since?
Recovery was challenging. The surgical site looked darn good, except for the area under the chin, which improved slowly. Fatigue swamped him. Handsome lost thirteen pounds, and because he drinks his nutrition, he had a hard time gaining weight and maintaining a higher blood pressure.
Five weeks later, I saw how the surgical site improved greatly. We had few answers for the fatigue. He scheduled a six-week checkup. All determined he looked great. The one-minute vision loss was probably because of low blood pressure.
So what is his future? All we know is we will continue with our plans for trips and living.
I say this every time I blog for RLF Cancer Week. Do Not Smoke. The Number One reason for throat cancer is smoking. But no one knows for sure how Handsome got it as he wasn't a smoker. Our sincere hope by sharing his story is we help someone. Be healthy. Maintain a good weight and eat right. Exercise. Socialize.
Cancer is a booger bear.
When your dream job disappears, your new SUV gets wiped out, and you're desperate for cash, what do you do? Hattie Cook becomes temporarily employed...Temporarily Employed: A Humorous Romantic Mystery
Hattie Cooks Mystery Book 1
Genre Cozy mystery
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): G
Hattie Cook's dream job is down the toilet and her new SUV violated. Desperate for cash to cover the basic necessities of rent and food, she takes a temporary job at Buy-Rite insurance company where she uncovers an embezzling scam tied to the death of a former employee—the very one she replaced. The last thing she wants is to clash with By-the-Book Detective Wellborn, no matter how much he makes her heart pound.
Allan Charles Wellborn has secretly adored Hattie all his life. He evolved from a pocket protector-wearing geek to a handsome police detective. When the police determine there's more to the death of a former Buy Rite employee, he steps in to lead the investigation. Overly dedicated, always perfect, he puts his job first, even if doing so ultimately hurts the one he loves.
Can the killer be found before Hattie's time is up?
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Miserable Isn’t in Our Vocabulary by Vicki Batman @VickiBatman #CancerAwareness #RLFblog
Over the years on Romance Lives Forever, I have shared Handsome’s battle with throat cancer and the treatment/surgeries which followed.A year and a half passed since Handsome’s last surgery, the one to repair the thin skin tear along his left jaw. (In actuality, the first one failed after five days, and he had to have a second go.) With a new graft taken from his left wrist and vessels from his leg, the doctor declared the second surgery a success. Handsome went home with a feeding tube in his stomach, which the doctor removed after a few months. Because his swallowing was compromised, he could only drink his food. He consulted with the nutritionist and found a full-power formula to consume. Ten surgeries zapped his energy. His daily routine included long naps.
In January, he researched his condition and found something which might be of benefit—steroids in high doses to reduce inflammation. He consulted with his ENT specialist and the oncology doctor. Both read the studies and, seeing no complications, decided to go ahead.
Within two days of taking the steroids, Handsome said he felt a tingling sensation in his throat. His mouth and jaw moved better. He spoke distinctly. He had the urge to swallow. However, in the midst of treatment, he immersed in stressful negotiations to sell his company, and his mother passed from lung cancer. Quickly, the benefits of the steroid treatment dissipated. Disheartening, to say the least.
After the sale of the company was completed, his life wound down some. He talked with the oncologist about what had happened—the tingling, the better movement—when on the higher dosage steroids. The doctor decided to try a second round. This time, next to nothing occurred.
The scars, grafts, and jaw healed. His energy level returned. He worked out regularly. Recently, we traveled to Europe and faced challenges with the Italian customs to clear his food (formula) to our hotel. Eventually, all resolved in a nail-biting last minute. Now, we had better knowledge of how to operate when traveling.
What does Handsome’s future entail? Pretty much, he won’t be eating a steak, just drinking the liquid diet. I’ve asked him to consult with a speech therapist. I believe one could help him speak better and correct his bad habits. Maybe, maybe, maybe he might swallow a teensy weensy bit better, too. We don’t know for sure, but he must try. And there is a possibility of another kind of steroid treatment.
Cancer IS a booger-bear. I implore all of you to take care of your body. Because of what I know about throat cancer, my heart bleeds when I see someone smoking even though Handsome didn’t get cancer this way.
I always end these posts by saying how positive he is. Miserable isn’t part of his vocabulary. He doesn’t dwell on being miserable. Truly, he thinks of others’ suffering first. We embrace life fully. Of course, we wish for the old norm, but that’s life. It takes on new life adventures—good and bad.
~ Vicki Batman
Sommerville Days
Love blossoms in the small town of Sommerville in these heartwarming tales, filled with fun and forever possibilities.
Raving Beauty: What if the love of your life was in front of you all along?
Store Wars: The competition is heating up when Janie’s old flame returns to town and is running his family’s store. Could following dreams break her heart?
San Diego or Bust: When a young woman plans a romantic getaway with her boyfriend, disaster strikes. Is her Mr. Right the right Mr. Right?
Where to buy Sommerville Days
Publisher: VLMBatman
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V4NPYFP/Vicki Batman Social Media
Vicki Batman has sold many romantic comedy works to magazines, several publishers, and most recently, two humorous romantic mysteries. Along the way, she has picked up awards and bestsellers. Avid Jazzerciser. Handbag lover. Mahjong player. Yoga practitioner. Movie fan. Book devourer. Chocaholic. Best Mom ever. And adores Handsome Hubby. Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking “What if??”
Website: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com/p/more-about-me.html/
Blog: http://www.vickibatman.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VickiBatman/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vicki-Batman-sassy-writer-of-sexy-and-funny-fiction-133506590074451/
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/vickibatman/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4814608.Vicki_Batman/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/vickibatman/
Newsletter: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com/p/more-about-me.html/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/vicki-batman/ -
Fighting Cancer: The Road We Traveled @vickibatman Vicki Batman #AttackingCancer #Cancer
The Road We TraveledThanks for joining me over the past years for Cancer Week on Romance Lives Forever (hugs for Kayelle!) as I delve into Handsome’s journey with esophageal cancer and reconstructive plastic surgery.
This past January, a small scabby hole appeared on Handsome’s lower left jaw where the skin was thin. The doctor had stitched it closed after the reconstructive surgery last summer; however, we crossed our fingers and prayed the area would stay healed. We were hopeful for a long while. When the spot appeared to grow larger, I asked Handsome if I could touch it, and indeed, I felt the titanium plate. This scenario wasn’t ideal as infections could set in and destroy all the surgeries he’d undergone. We sent photos to the doctor who insisted we come in immediately.
“Coming in immediately” meant driving to Houston which wasn’t a bad trip. Mostly, we were tired of the drive. Tired of the whole thing.
The doctor confirmed the thin skin issue and prepared us for adding another graft plus an artery. The surgery would take place in the middle of February. Handsome would stay in the hospital for about five days. Easily doable.
The surgery went well. Every day, the doctor and the fellow checked for pulse and the color of the graft. Handsome healed so quickly, they said he would be released the following Saturday. Great rejoicing! But on Friday, the fellow checked the pulse. Good near his heart; not good on the graft. In fact, the graft looked like bad chicken skin, all pale yellow-ish and wrinkly. The doctor wanted to see if the graft could be saved and rolled him straight into surgery. The team worked for hours. Afterwards, the doctor said it was a “maybe” and would look at him the next morning. Because of the awkwardness in intubating Handsome, he was kept under sedation in ICU.
Early the next morning, the fellow determined the graft would not survive, and they would be redoing the surgery with two arteries for more blood supply. That was when I got panicky. During all of Handsome’s surgeries, I had been cool. I kept busy with reading, writing, and stitching, but this one got to me. #2 son phoned and asked if he should drive down. For the first time, the need for handholding swamped me. I said, “Yes.”
The 3 x 4 inch grafted tissue came from Handsome’s left wrist area. The arteries from his leg. He stayed another five days with no problems. Obviously, he had grown weaker from having had a second surgery. The progress he’d made with swallowing and neck strength all dissolved. His speech was compromised. Fatigue took over.
To date, Handsome has had ten surgeries in two years, fifteen feet of stitches. The belly tube would stay for another five months. He underwent lymphedema therapy in Houston and ultimately, moved it to a hospital closer to us, which he continues.
Nothing about his surgeries have been easy. Handsome has healed and the doctors are very pleased. VERY. He (laughingly) whined the other day about being tired of the whole thing and wanted our old normal back. He’s allowed to feel this way. I want our normal back too—in every aspect of our relationship. A huge goal to swallow is front and center so he can eat when we cruise the Adriatic Sea in 2019. Even though he has a long haul ahead, we are very hopeful.
How did he get cancer? No one has figured it out. Acid reflux? Maybe. Alcohol? Probably not. HPV? No. Smoking an occasional cigar? Doubtful. Parents smoking? Who knows. Working in oil fields? Possible.
What we do know is this: if you don’t want esophageal cancer, be healthy. Eat right. Drink moderately. Don’t smoke. Exercise.
But the truth is Handsome did all those things. Does this mean not take care of oneself? Absolutely not! If he had not been as healthy as he was, surgery and recovery would have been harder or impossible.
For those of you undergoing cancer treatment, I’m with you. You are some of the strongest people I know, fighting a horrible disease.
We often say a path had been put in front of us and that was the road we had to travel. And no whining.
The Great Fruitcake Bake-off: When five-time champion Samantha Greene teams up with her new neighbor, Dixon Roberts, for The Great Fruitcake Bake-off, they discover baking a prize-winning entry is complicated, bad guys are plotting to take the crown, and first prize isn’t just about a ribbon.Where to buy Whispers of Winter
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GVNX2LZ/
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whispers-of-winter-nicole-morgan/1129416841
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/whispers-of-winter-2/Vicki Batman Social Media
Vicki Batman has sold many romantic comedy works to magazines, several publishers, and most recently, two humorous romantic mysteries. Along the way, she has picked up some awards and bestsellers. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and several writing groups. Avid Jazzerciser. Handbag lover. Mahjong player. Yoga practitioner. Movie fan. Book devourer. Chocaholic. Best Mom ever. And adores Handsome Hubby. Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking “What if?”
Website http://vickibatman.blogspot.com/p/more-about-me.html/
Blog http://www.vickibatman.blogspot.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/VickiBatman/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Vicki-Batman-sassy-writer-of-sexy-and-funny-fiction-133506590074451/
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/vickibatman/
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/author/vickibatman/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4814608.Vicki_Batman/Image credits: road photo by the author
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Sometimes #Cancer Keeps Giving @vickibatman #pinktober
Vicki Batman is helping Romance Lives Forever Blog celebrate Cancer Awareness Week 2016.
- 150 stitches and staples
- Right fibula, tissue and vessels removed and transplanted to jaw
- Skin graft from right thigh to calf
- Left chest muscle removed and grafted to jaw
- One titanium plate
- Five drains
- Trach tube
- Nasal feeding tube
- Three oral surgeries
- 58 hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatments
No one knows how Handsome got cancer. He had an occasional cigar. Worked out. Ate great. Lots of stress. Yet ten years ago, he was diagnosed with throat cancer. The doctors discovered it had spread from base of tongue to lymph nodes in his neck. He had chemo and was nuked–literally.
What we didn’t know at the beginning of this year was the radiation caused bone decay in his left jaw because of poor circulation. Dentists couldn’t diagnose the shadow on the x-ray until we met an oral surgeon who instantly recognized the problem and recommended hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatments. It was just like what you think-Handsome was put in a tube and dived for three hours every day. The tissue improved, but not the bone.
The oral surgeon removed two back teeth. But ultimately the jawbone crumbled in a thin spot. Surgery became the only recourse and would take ten hours. His fibula, surrounding tissue and vessels were transplanted to the jaw. A graft from his thigh would replace this area. The doc was optimistic; however, the transplant didn’t work as the blood supply failed-the culprit: radiation. So back to surgery the next day and a chest muscle replaced the rejected bone.
Out of surgery, he had five drains, a cut from ear to ear. He couldn’t eat because of infection to his mouth; so he had a feeding tube through his nose. A tracheotomy because of the swelling. He stayed in the hospital for eight days.
Being a strong guy going in, he started to walk, sat up, learned how to talk with the trach which was removed when he was discharged. For twenty hours a day, he was tethered to a feeding system until the tube developed a kink two days before scheduled removal and was extracted in the emergency room at the hospital.
Since, he has had a swallowing test and therapy to improve his swallowing. He lost thirty pounds and through a high calorie diet, has regained fifteen. There’s a slight limp in his right leg. And a wicked scar on his chest.
I won’t lie to you-this has not been easy.
After surgery, I said to my sons how I didn’t want Handsome to undergo anything like this again. But we don’t know what life will bring. Seventy percent of all cancers are random mutations. My hope for you is to take care of your body. Don’t smoke. Eat well. Lessen your stress. And exercise.
For more information https://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/hp/oropharyngeal-treatment-pdq
Temporarily Insane
Temporarily Insane, a romantic comedy mystery: Bad job. Wrong love. And Murder. Hattie Cooks is still searching for her dream job and one might be available…in the Big Apple, far from friends, family, and Allan Wellborn, the man who still makes her heart race. In the meantime, she finds temporary employment at an accounting firm where two auditor friends turn up dead.
Detective Allan Wellborn dropped Hattie for Blonde Bimbo who, coincidentally, is employed at NLB where fishy things are taking place. When Allan interviews Hattie, he must determine why all signs point to her as a suspect.
Can Hattie discover why Allan dumped her and who is murdering auditors before death strikes again?
Buy This Book
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Temporarily-Insane-Hattie-Cooks-Mystery-ebook/dp/B01JBSHE0K/
Amazon print https://www.amazon.com/Temporarily-Insane-Vicki-Batman/dp/1509209158/
The Wild Rose Press http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/4520-temporarily-insane.html
The Wild Rose Press print http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/paperback-books/4576-temporarily-insane-paperback.htmlBarnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/temporarily-insane-vicki-batman/1124273024?ean=2940157032470
Author Social Media
Website http://vickibatman.blogspot.com/p/more-about-me.html
Twitter https://twitter.com/VickiBatman/
Facebook http://bit.ly/293iZIz
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/vickibatman/
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4814608.Vicki_Batman/
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/author/vickibatman
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=116288777&trk=hb_tab_pro_top/ -
#Cancer Awareness: To Do: Fight @VickiBatman #RLFblog
Season of Surprises From Kayelle Allen: This week on Romance Lives Forever I’m sharing
stories by authors who have faced cancer either in themselves, or a family member.
The importance of friends and family, and having a support system is vital. One
key to success is being able to ask for help — and then being willing to accept
it. It’s a lesson I’ve had in my own life during various times. I don’t accept help
well. It’s something I fight with all the time. I’d like to think “I’ve got
this” but sometimes I don’t have as good a grip as I thought I did. I have
a friend who’s dealing with cancer right now. A friend’s brother died from cancer
last year. Cancer affects all of us. I hope I’m even half as good a friend as those
you’ll read about in this series.I’m presenting these posts as an opportunity for the authors
to share their real life stories, as well as their fictional ones. There’s a short
list of ways you can show your support at the end of each post.To Do: Fight, by Vicki Batman
Most people know I refer to my husband
as Handsome. What some don’t know is eight years ago, he was diagnosed with throat
cancer.He had a swollen lymph node that all
doctors thought was allergy or infection-related. The drugs and antibiotics prescribed
didn’t knock it out. He had a needle biopsy which came back clean. His ENT doctor
said she wanted to remove the lymph and when doing so, found the cancer in three
spots.My son and I had been waiting for
the doc to tell us all was well with the surgery, but she took forever. When she
did say, she asked if we wanted to tell Handsome. I couldn’t. I couldn’t even speak
or hardly look at him. Waiting in the recovery room for her to discuss all was terribly
hard.Handsome was shocked too, but he was
very determined. He said, “Something to check off my yellow pad: Fight Cancer.”He showed none of the classic symptoms
that lead to throat/esophageal cancer. He smoked the rare cigar. Drank an occasional
vodka or wine. Worked out. Not overweight. Little family history. Yet, he had it.And so the battle strategy was formed
with an oncology doc, an ENT specialist, and the head of radiology. We had our dates,
we had our plans, we were marching forward.At first, I stuffed him with everything
imaginable, but mostly lots of cheese-related products, milkshakes, and pasta. He
eventually did lose 35 pounds because the radiation scarred his throat and swallowing
became difficult. He worked until fatigued, then worked at home. The only one who
cried was me when he shaved his head. Eight weeks later, the treatment was over.
And every subsequent test and examination has shown him to be clear.I believe a combination of many things
helped him through: his faith, our hope, family and friends, the skill of the doctors.And the determination to check off
his yellow pad: Fight Cancer.—Buy This Book
Season of Surprises holiday stories full of wishes and kisses
from eight Amazon best-selling authors including“Holiday Handbag Extravaganza” by Vicki Batman: Christmas
Countdown is on! Hunk-a-licious customer, Jack Treadaway, pesters boutique owner,
Callie Woods, to locate a vintage handbag for his mother. Too bad the wedge between
them is his sister, the meanest girl in town.Find Season of Surprises at: https://www.facebook.com/ASeasonOfMagic?fref=ts/Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Season-Surprises-Holiday-Box-Set-ebook/dp/B014LZJRVM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441331771&sr=8-1&keywords=season+of+surprisesBarnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/season-of-surprises-holiday-box-set-merry-holly/1122604571?ean=2940152242966iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1034934609About the Author
Like some of her characters, award-winning author, Vicki Batman
has worked a wide variety of jobs including lifeguard, ride attendant at an amusement
park; a hardware store, department store, book store, antique store clerk; administrative
assistant in an international real estate firm; and a general “do anything
gal” at a financial services firm–the list is endless.Writing for several years, she has completed three manuscripts,
written essays, and sold many short stories to True Love, True Romance, True Confessions,
Noble Romance Publishing, Long and Short Reviews, Museitup Publishing, and The Wild
Rose Press. She is a member of RWA and several writing groups and chapters. In 2004,
she joined DARA and has served in many capacities, including 2009 President. DARA
awarded her the Robin Teer Memorial Service Award in 2010.Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking
“What if?”Author Social Media
Website: http://vickibatman.blogspot.comFacebook: http://on.fb.me/1ipdLkvTwitter: https://twitter.com/VickiBatmanPinterest: http://pinterest.com/vickibatmanAuthor Central: https://www.amazon.com/author/vickibatmanGoogle+: http://bit.ly/1zUggDFPlotting Princesses: http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.comShelfari: http://www.shelfari.com/o1515093723Ways you can show your support
Cancer Awareness RLF blog Share this post on social mediaFollow the author on Twitter, Facebook, or other sites where
you’re activeEncourage the author by sharing what they sharePurchase the author’s booksReview the author’s booksLeave a comment on the blogThank you for being part of the Romance Lives Forever community. -
On the Yellow Pad: Fight Cancer @VickiBatman @ShieldsAlly #FightCancer #RLFblog
Romance Lives Forever From Kayelle:For three days I’m sharing stories by various authors about
how they or a family member faced cancer. Reading their posts is inspiring and
touching. The importance of friends and family, and having a support system is
vital. From what I’ve read, the key to success includes being able to ask for
help — and then being willing to accept it. It’s a lesson I’ve had in my own
life. I don’t accept help well. It’s something I fight
with all the time. I’d like to think “I’ve got this” but sometimes
I don’t have as good a grip as I thought I did. I have a friend who’s dealing
with cancer right now. My business partner’s brother just died from cancer. It
affects all of us. Reading these helps me understand better. I hope I’m even
half as good a friend as those you’ll read about in this series.I’m presenting these as an opportunity for the authors to
share their real life stories, as well as their fictional ones. Links to follow
the authors and to purchase their books are provided. Today’s authors are Vicki Batman and Ally Shields.—Vicki Batman
Most people know I refer to my husband
as Handsome. What some don’t know is eight years ago, he was diagnosed with throat
cancer.He had a swollen lymph node that all
doctors thought was allergy or infection-related. The drugs and antibiotics prescribed
didn’t knock it out. He had a needle biopsy which came back clean. His ENT doctor
said she wanted to remove the lymph and when doing so, found the cancer in three
spots.My son and I had been waiting for
the doc to tell us all was well with the surgery, but she took forever. When she
did say, she asked if we wanted to tell Handsome. I couldn’t. I couldn’t even speak
or hardly look at him. Waiting in the recovery room for her to discuss allwas terribly
hard.Handsome was shocked too, but he was
very determined. He said, “Something to check off my yellow pad: Fight Cancer.”He showed none of the classic symptoms
that lead to throat/esophageal cancer. He smoked the rare cigar. Drank an occasional
vodka or wine. Worked out. Not overweight. Little family history. Yet, he had it.And so the battle strategy was formed
with an oncology doc, an ENT specialist, and the head of radiology. We had our dates,
we had our plans, we were marching forward.At first, I stuffed him with everything
imaginable, but mostly lots of cheese-related products, milkshakes, and pasta. He
eventually did lose 35 pounds because the radiation scarred his throat and swallowing
became difficult. He worked until fatigued, then worked at home. The only one who
cried was me when he shaved his head. Eight weeks later, the treatment was over.
And every subsequent test and examination has shown him to be clear.I believe a combination of many things
helped him through: his faith, our hope, family and friends, the skill of the doctors.And the determination to check off
his yellow pad: Fight Cancer.—
Temporarily Employed Buy This Author’s Book
Temporarily EmployedGenre: romantic comedy, cozy mysteryRelease Date: October 17, 2014Author: Vicki BatmanPublisher: The Wild Rose PressNew Job. New Love. And Murder.Hattie Cook’s dream job is down the toilet and her new SUV violated.
Desperate for cash to cover the basic necessities of rent and food, she takes a
temporary job at Buy Rite Insurance Company where she uncovers an embezzling scam
tied to the death of a former employee–the very one she replaced. The last thing
she wants is to clash with By-the-Book Detective Wellborn, no matter how much he
makes her heart pound.Detective Allan Charles Wellborn has secretly adored Hattie all
his life. When the police determine there’s more to the death of a former Buy Rite
employee, he steps in to lead the investigation. Overly dedicated, always perfect,
he puts his job first, even if doing so ultimately hurts the one he loves.Can the killer be found before Hattie’s time is up?The Wild Rose Press: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=5829About the Author
Like some of her characters, award-winning author Vicki Batman
has worked a wide variety of jobs including lifeguard, ride attendant at an amusement
park; a hardware store, department store, book store, antique store clerk; administrative
assistant in an international real estate firm; and a general “do anything
gal” at a financial services firm–the list is endless.Writing for several years, she has completed three manuscripts,
written essays, and sold many short stories to True Love, True Romance, True Confessions,
Noble Romance Publishing, Long and Short Reviews, Museitup Publishing, and The Wild
Rose Press. She is a member of RWA and several writing groups and chapters. In 2004,
she joined DARA and has served in many capacities, including 2009 President. DARA
awarded her the Robin Teer Memorial Service Award in 2010.Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking
“What if??”Author Social Media
Website: http://vickibatman.blogspot.comFacebook: http://on.fb.me/1ipdLkvTwitter: https://twitter.com/VickiBatmanPinterest: http://pinterest.com/vickibatmanAuthor Central: https://www.amazon.com/author/vickibatmanGoogle+: http://bit.ly/1zUggDFPlotting Princesses: http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com—Ally Shields
The diagnosis of breast cancer came
out the blue. No family history, no warning. I wastoo young. But the moment I felt
the lump during a shower, I knew what it was. The news went downhill from there.
Seventy-five percent of the nearest lymph nodes were involved. Prognosis guarded.
Three months of chemo later, they found spots in my lungs. It appeared the cancer
had already spread, and I was reeling when I heard the words…four months.
Cross Keys But I was scheduled to begin immediate
training at the Federal Law Enforcement Academy for a course on identifying and
rescuing abused children. My friends, my cop partner, and employer encouraged me
to go, and I did. I was determined to live up to their faith in me that my time
there wouldn’t be wasted, and it helped me stay positive. I met an incredible group
of people. When they learned of my diagnosis, they went out of their way to make
sure I stayed positive throughout training.Upon return to Des Moines, my cancer
doctor recommended a lung biopsy. There was a one in a million chance it was something
else. He thought I might be that one. The biopsy revealed the spots were scars from
an unrelated prior illness. The cancer hadn’t spread after all, and I went into
additional chemotherapy believing I could beat this thing.Twelve difficult months later-with
friends and family beside me all the way- I was cancer free, and have remained so
for 25 years. Of course the medical team was fantastic, but I credit my recovery
to everyone who was around me at that critical time. The effects of friendship on
our minds and bodies can be a powerful thing, a little touch of human magic.About the Author
Ally Shields grew up in the Midwest and currently resides near
Des Moines, Iowa. Writing has always been a part of her life, but in 2009, after
a career in law and juvenile justice, she turned to full-time writing. Her first
urban fantasy novel, Awakening the Fire was published in 2012 and that series continues.
She loves to travel in the US and abroad and incorporates many of those settings
into her books.Buy This Author’s Book
Cross Keys, an Elvenrude novelGenre: urban fantasy/paranormal romanceConspiracy, murder and magic… A dark elf hunts the streets
of New Orleans.Etopia Press Bookstore http://www.etopiapress.com/cross-keys/Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cross-keys-ally-shields/1120425394Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/cross-keysAuthor Social Media
Website: http://allyshields.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/ShieldsAllyFacebook: http://facebook.com/AllyShieldsAuthorAmazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Ally-Shields/e/B009AKNDZUNewsletter: http://paper.li/ShieldsAlly/1353941420
