Writing

*Submission, Star*Line, 7/4

Everything Else

Happy 4th of July, everyone!

I'm feeling: It's just lemonade, alas.

Update

June 2009 Tally

Submissions: 0
Rejections: 1
Sales: 0

Total submissions for 2009: 19
Total rejections: 17
Total sales: 5

Ave. submissions/month for 2009: 3
Percent sales for 2009: 26%

Oof. Slow month in Marcyville.

Writing

*Submission, Dark Faith antho, 7/1
*Submission, IGMS, 7/1
*Rejection, Butterfly Affects antho, 6/30 (RT: 1 month)

There, that's better. Heh.

Everything Else

Max had his cardiologist visit today and everything looks great! He's up to 17 lbs., 3 oz. and 26 inches (97th percentile for both), still symptom free, and no sign of any aortic involvement. So we'll do another echo in three months, but we don't need to see the cardiologist again until then. Yaay!

Thanks to everyone who has been praying for him!

I'm feeling: So very grateful

Writing

Wrote a poem today. It didn't start out being about Max, but by the end, I realized it was -- about all my boys, really. Because heartache is great fodder for poetry, and there's no greater heartache than having children. And no greater joy.

Speaking of sad things, I found out that Wizards is going to let Legacy of Wolves go out of print, along with many other books. I'm going to see about buying up their remaining inventory, so you'll still be able to get copies from me, even if you can't find them anywhere else. But in the meantime, if you haven't bought your copy yet, I'd suggest doing it now, while you still can.

Well? What are you waiting for? Buy it, already! Heh.

Everything Else

EB's hair falls in gorgeous curls past his shoulders, the envy of many of his female classmates, but today he's decided he wants it cut. So after spending an hour combing out all the snarls for him this morning, we will be heading out to the salon later to consign said curls to the salon trash. I'll post blackmail...er, I mean, before and after pictures this afternoon if I get a chance.

I'm feeling: Alas, poor book

Writing

I had someone ask me the other day if my WotC books had been canceled because I haven't been talking about them here. I haven't mentioned the books mostly because there's just not a lot that I can say about them at this point, but never fear, faithful reader(s), they are still a go, and I'm still pecking away at them (between 2 AM feedings, diaper changes, and doctors appointments, heh).

Everything Else

Max had his second echocardiogram today. The hole has not closed any, but because Max's heart is growing as he grows, the relative size of the hole is smaller than it was, and he no longer has symptoms of congestive heart failure -- his respiratory rate is normal, he's not having any trouble feeding and he's gaining extremely well. In fact, he was up to 15 lbs today! So the doctor is taking him off of the Lasix and we are going to monthly visits now instead of biweekly. Yaay!

However, while Max's cardiologist is now of the opinion that the hole probably will close on its own, he thinks it will be slow going -- possibly taking up to 2 years. The concern with letting it close on its own over such a long period of time is that the closest aortic valve flap might get sucked up into the hole as the blood flows through it, which would be very bad for his aorta and for his heart in general. If that starts to happen, he will still have to have surgery, even if the hole is showing signs of closing. So we are basically still in wait and see mode, but at least we're doing it free of heart medications and symptoms now, so we definitely have no complaints about that!

Thanks, as always, for all your prayers -- we are forever grateful!

I'm feeling: Thank you, God!

Update

May 2009 Tally

Submissions: 3
Rejections: 1
Sales: 0

Total submissions for 2009: 19
Total rejections: 17
Total sales: 5

Ave. submissions/month for 2009: 4
Percent sales for 2009: 26%

Writing

*Submission, Butterfly Affects antho, 5/30

The lovely Sam Henderson wrote a poem that's (sort of) a tribute to me and all the other Marcy/ies she knows (oh, yeah, and to some guy named Bradbury, too). Go check it out over at Lone Star Stories: Marcy Rode a Meteor.

Also, after many months of neglect (on my part), my web designer (the talented Amanda Downum) and I should have my new website up and running soon. Watch this space for more info!

Everything Else

The propranolol is already working to shrink Max's hemangioma, but his blood pressure was a little on the low side at the dermatologist visit yesterday (66/34, keeping in mind children tend to have much lower pressures than adults), so we are keeping an eye on that. We're also starting to see some signs that we may not be able to wean Max off of the Lasix just yet, but he sees his cardiologist again on the 9th for his second echo, so we'll wait until then to make that decision.

In other news, today is EB's last day of being a high school freshman (unless he bombs all his finals, heh) and YB's second day of summer school, his last taste of preschool before becoming a kindergartener in the fall. Hopefully, with the older boy home and the middle boy off at school for a few hours a day, I might actually be able to, you know, write something. Heh.

I'm feeling: Well, I can dream, right?

Writing

*Rejection, Shine antho, 5/28 (RT: 3 weeks)

Very complimentary rejection -- the story just wasn't positive enough for them. The editor actually said he thought it'd be suitable for Analog. Can't complain about that.

Everything Else

Max appears to be experiencing some side effects from the propranolol (cold, clammy hands and feet), so after talking with both the cardiologist and the dermatologist, we're going to half the dosage and see how he does on that. I guess the one nice thing about having a kid with a heart problem is that doctors (not their assistants or nurses) actually return your calls, the same day even. (The down side being, of course, that you have to make those calls in the first place.)

And hubby made the mistake of teaching YB how to play chess over the weekend. We've got a Bobby Fischer in the making here, challenging everyone in sight. Of course, he still talks in terms of pieces "eating" other pieces, so he probably won't reach Grandmaster status any time soon. Heh.

I'm feeling: Heh.

Writing

In my dreams, heh.

Everything Else

More Max news. Saw the pediatric cardiologist AND the pediatric dermatologist on Tuesday. The cardiologist is very pleased with Max's progress. His respiratory rate is down in the high 30's now, and he's not having any real trouble nursing any more, so the cardiologist opted not to increase his Lasix dosage -- we're going to let him grow out of it and see if his symptoms worsen. His murmur sounds a bit louder, as well, so the cardiologist thinks the hole may be starting to close. It's the first time he's really talked about possibly not needing to do the surgery, so we're just over the moon about that!

The pediatric dermatologist decided to put Max on propranolol to shrink his hemangioma (which looks normal to her) so he won't have any issues with it growing bigger and potentially affecting his eye/vision. Normally, they give steroid shots, but they've recently found propranolol to be very effective. The dermatologist also determined Max has eczema on his face and trunk (I thought he might, but it's hard to tell from baby acne sometimes) and so put him on two different steroid ointments that we have to apply twice a day. So THAT'S been fun, and messy, but it already looks better.

Then yesterday we saw the pediatrician for his 2-month visit. He's up to 13 lbs, 13 oz. (89th percentile) and is 24 3/4" long (95th percentile), which is GREAT! Then he got 4 shots, which was NOT so great. But overall, he's doing wonderfully, and we couldn't be more grateful! Thanks again to all of you who are praying so diligently for him -- it's definitely helping!

YB also had his 5-year visit yesterday. No shots for him (luckily), but he's still at about the 79th percentile for weight (he's been anywhere from the 73rd to the 88th over the past two years) and at the 85th percentile for height. What can I say -- my boys grow big! (EB is wearing a size 13 shoe in 9th grade, if that gives you any idea, heh.)

I'm feeling: Go, Max!

Writing

Completely missed the submission period for this year's Sword & Sorceress antho, darnit. But go congratulate Jonathan Moeller, who didn't.

Everything Else

Max was in the ER over the weekend with a horrible stomach virus -- vomiting up every feeding, fever of 101.5, diarrhea, and a concerning decrease in wet diapers that signaled the onset of dehydration. Because of the fever and his age, he had to have a complete work-up -- blood, urine and a spinal tap, which was just awful. Poor baby broke a bunch of blood vessels in his cheeks from crying so hard during the procedure. Two doses of antibiotics (just in case), some IV fluids, and twelve hours later, we came back home. Had a 24-hour reprieve, then hubby and I came down with the exact same thing and were down for a day and a half. I think everyone's finally on the mend here now, though. Fingers crossed.

Max has also developed a small, bright red hemangioma on his forehead. Of course, it's sort of protruding (almost like a horn bud), so the pediatrician wants us to go see a pediatric dermatologist to make sure there's nothing else going on. Because, you know, the poor kid needs more issues and more doctors. Sigh.

ETA: Here's a picture we took in the ER. For his baby book, heh.

I'm feeling: What next?

Writing

Got my royalty statements for Legacy of Wolves yesterday. I'm supposed to get them every quarter, but somebody dropped the ball and I got all of them from June 2008 to March 2009 all at once. Some day, I might actually even be able to make heads or tails out of them, but not today, heh.

Everything Else

First of all, Happy Mother's Day!

My Mother's Day gift was getting to go see Star Trek yesterday with my hubby. I've been looking forward to this movie for a LONG time, having followed it on AICN from script to director to cast to filming. Overall, I'd give the movie a qualified A, but I'll have to admit I left the theater disappointed.

( Here's why... )

I'm feeling: Why?

Writing

*Submission, Black Gate, 5/5
*Submission, Shine antho, 5/5

Everything Else

Another cardiologist visit today. Max is at approximately 11 lbs 13 oz (he was really wriggling on the scale, so we couldn't get an exact weight) and 22 3/4 inches. The Lasix seems to be helping with his breathing (by removing the fluid from his lungs), which is in turn making it easier for him to eat (though, obviously, with his weight gain, he wasn't in any danger of starving, LOL). The doctor will probably up his dosage at our next visit, and maybe add ACE inhibitors depending on his blood pressure reading.

Going to the cardiologist always depresses me. Max is gaining so well and looks so healthy, it's easy to lull myself into thinking he's doing okay. But it's the stuff I can't see that really determines how well he's doing, and the only place I get an inkling of that is at the cardiologist visits. That's when I learn just how hard his little heart is actually working, and it makes me so sad to think of how much he's struggling and I don't even know it. It makes me feel powerless, which is torture for any mother, but even more so for a control freak like me. Good thing I know it's all in God's hands, or I'd be a complete wreck, not just a walking fender-bender, heh.

I'm feeling: My poor baby. Sigh.

Update

April 2009 Tally

Submissions: 1
Rejections: 4
Sales: 2

Total submissions for 2009: 16
Total rejections: 16
Total sales: 5

Ave. submissions/month for 2009: 4
Percent sales for 2009: 31%

The sales percentage is actually not skewed, because all of the sales were of pieces submitted in 2009. The rejections, however, include some pieces that were submitted in 2008, which is why the total of sales and rejections is greater than the total of submissions. Just in case you were wondering about my math, heh.

Writing

*Rejection, Necrography, 4/30 (RT: 6 1/2 months)

Everything Else

Despite what the Great and Mighty Internet might tell you, the following things will NOT work to clean melted, cooked-on crayon out of your dryer:

*WD-40 (which is, scarily, what Crayola recommends)
*Baking soda
*409
*Goo Gone
*Goof Off

What DID actually work was using a couple of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers followed by scrubbing with Comet. And a lot of elbow grease. I mean, a LOT. Just in case any of you ever finds yourself in a similar situation, heh.

Not sure yet what I'm going to do about the clothes that were in the dryer...

I'm feeling: My arm hurts!

Writing

My poem, "Maple Season," is available now at Ruthless Peoples Magazine. Go check it out!

Everything Else

The crazy weekend wrapped up with a neighbor's birthday party on Sunday and a cousin's birthday dinner on Monday, and then a trip to the doctor for YB today, who after all the fun is hacking like an old man with a four-pack-a-day habit. So he's got a standing every-four-hours date with the nebulizer for the next few days. Luckily, it's just a cold, as baby brother Max is apparently VERY susceptible to RSVs and the cardiologist says any little bug could land him in the hospital. So we're stocking up on hand sanitizer and have instituted martial law in regards to hand-washing (which we're pretty anal about anyway), and hopefully that will keep us all in better health in this era of pig-bird-human flu outbreaks.

I'm feeling: Wash those hands!

Writing

These aren't the droids you're looking for.

Everything Else

Crazy busy this past week/weekend, so I'll do a short day-by-day recap:

Wed -- Max had chest x-rays. His heart is enlarged and he has fluid in his lungs (pulmonary edema), both of which were no surprise.

Thurs -- Max had an EKG and saw the cardiologist today. He weighed 10 lbs., 5 oz. and was 22 inches long. When the doctor listened to his heart, he said the sound of Max's murmur is changing, which MAY signal that the hole is beginning to close on its own, but we won't know until early June when we do another echo. But based on his xrays, EKG, physical assessment and the fact that he's gaining so well, the doctor said we can hold off on both supplementation and ACE inhibitors for now. He did prescribe Lasix for Max, to help clear out some of the fluid and hopefully make it easier for Max to breathe and, consequently, nurse.

Fri -- Max had his 1-month pediatrician visit, where he weighed 10 lbs., 8 oz. and was 23 inches long (though I highly doubt he grew an inch overnight, heh). Got a shot and was diagnosed with a mild case of thrush. We are going to hold off on Zantac for the reflux for now and see if the Lasix helps by improving his ability to nurse.

Sat -- Max was Baptized! He didn't cry during the ceremony at all until the very end, during pictures. Then we celebrated both his Baptism and YB's 5th birthday with a ton of family and friends at our home. It was a great day for us, and we had a wonderful time -- in fact, we are still opening presents and gorging on cake two days later! Thanks to everyone who sent gifts and well wishes for the boys and our family -- we are eternally grateful for your kindness!

And thanks to all of you who continue to keep Max in your prayers. I know the only reason he is doing so well is because he has so many people praying for him and sending good thoughts his way -- he couldn't do it without you. None of us could. Thank you.

I'm feeling: Thankful

Writing

*SALE!, Dark Poets Column (HWA Newsletter), 4/15 (RT: 1 day)
*Submission, Dark Poets Column (HWA Newsletter), 4/14
*Rejection, Abyss & Apex, 4/12 (RT: 6 weeks)

The poetry article (my first one ever!) should appear in the HWA Newsletter around June 1st, so if you're a member, look for it. If not, Marge will also be reprinting it in Star*Line at some point, so you'll have a chance to read it there.

Everything Else

First, the Max update. He had his weekly weight check today and is currently tipping the scales at 9 lbs., 11 oz., thank you, God! He's up to the 57th percentile, so I'm very hopeful we won't have to supplement his feeding at all. His respiratory rate also seems to be continuing to improve -- though he still has periods where he's up in the mid-sixties, he also has periods where he's down in the 40's (i.e., NORMAL). Again, VERY good news, and I know it's all the prayers coming his way, so thank you all so much!

Unfortunately, he does seem to be showing some symptoms of reflux, which YB had, as well. It doesn't seem to be interfering with his weight gain, so we will probably just try to treat the discomfort it causes him, likely with Zantac.

In other news, did anyone else see CSI last night? "A Space Oddity" -- a Star Trek/Battlestar Galactica spoof/homage, complete with a guest spot by Kate Vernon (BSG's Ellen Tigh) and what looks like both Grace Park and Rekha Sharma in the crowd of fans who hate the new, grittier re-imagined "Alpha Quest." Ronald D. Moore also had a cameo. VERY funny stuff -- best LOL moments I've had in a long while. If you missed it, you can catch the whole episode several different places online. It's worth it to track it down. Trust me.

I'm feeling: Thanks be to God!

Writing

*SALE!, Paper Crow, 4/8 (RT: 6 weeks)
*Rejection, Paper Crow, 4/8 (RT: 6 weeks)
*Rejection, Escape Clause antho, 4/9 (RT: 6 weeks)

The Escape Clause reject was very complimentary, so that's always a plus.

Everything Else

Started Max on his weekly weight checks today, and he's up to 8 lbs., 14 oz., thanks be to God! The PA who saw him at the pediatrician's office said Max was gaining as if he had no heart issues, which is WONDERFUL news! Also, his respiration rate seems to be slowing down a bit -- mid-to-high fifties while at rest now, instead of the mid-to-high sixties. Still too fast, but definitely an improvement, so please keep those prayers coming -- they're obviously working!

I'm feeling: Thank you, God!

Update

March 2009 Tally

Submissions: 1
Rejections: 0
Sales: 2

Total submissions for 2009: 15
Total rejections: 12
Total sales: 3

Ave. submissions/month for 2009: 5
Percent sales for 2009: 20%

Writing

Been a little busy. See below.

Everything Else

For those of you who don't already know, last Thursday at Max's first pediatrician visit, his doctor heard a fairly significant heart murmur and referred us to a pediatric cardiologist. We went on Friday to do an echocardiogram, where they saw a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), which is basically a hole in his heart. At that point, we didn't know how bad it was -- small ones usually close on their own, but larger ones require medication and/or surgery.

Tuesday we saw the cardiologist to discuss the results.

Max has a medium VSD (4 mm), a size that might or might not close on its own. Unfortunately, it is right below the aorta, so the potential for causing further (and much more serious) damage is pretty high.

Right now, we are in a holding pattern. The cardiologist doesn't want to start any medications just yet, since Max is so young. We go back in two weeks (and every two weeks after that, for the foreseeable future), where they will do a chest x-ray and another echocardiogram and assess his breathing and weight gain. He is experiencing rapid breathing (65 breaths per minute at rest, when the normal for an infant -- awake -- is 40) and trouble nursing, which are caused by the fact that too much blood is being sent to his lungs and they aren't able to handle the extra fluid. If there is no improvement by his next visit, the cardiologist will start him on diuretics and possibly ACE inhibitors to make it easier for his heart to pump. If he isn't gaining weight well, the doctor will also want me to supplement my breast milk with a special formula mixture -- meaning I will have to pump the milk, add the mixture in, and feed him from a bottle, which is hugely disappointing to me, but I'll do whatever I need to for my baby boy. Hopefully it won't come to that, though, since he seems to be gaining well right now.

They will monitor him for a couple of months to see if there's any sign that the hole might close on its own, but because of the proximity to the aorta, they can't afford to wait as long as they normally would, and the cardiologist pretty much said we'd likely be looking at surgery at some point between 2 and 6 months. The goal right now is really just to get him stronger, so he can weather that procedure better.

So for now we wait, and pray. Your continued prayers and positive thoughts would be much appreciated.

I'm feeling: Sad for my baby

ANNOUNCEMENT

Please welcome:

Maximilian Gerard
Born 3/23/09
9:01 AM
20.5 inches
7 lbs. 13 oz.
After two LOOOOONG hours of pushing!

I'm feeling: Taking a week-long nap

Writing

Nothing to report here.

Everything Else

I believe this is it, ladies and gents. Will probably be leaving for L&D within the next hour or so, so the next update should be the announcement of our new arrival. Prayers appreciated!

I'm feeling: Come on, baby!

Writing

*SALE!, Arkham Tales, 3/21 (RT: 6 weeks)
*SALE!, Ruthless Peoples Magazine, 3/21 (RT: <24 hours)

Gotta love birthday sales! :)

Everything Else

Got spoiled rotten by my family today. Wonder Woman hardcovers, a Wii (well, okay, it's for ALL of us, but, still), lunch AND dinner out, cards, flowers, and even some alone time. The only thing that would have made this day better would have been the arrival of a certain much-anticipated child, but I guess I shouldn't have expected an Aries to want to share his birthday. Heh.

I'm feeling: Life is good.

Writing

*Submission, Ruthless Peoples Magazine, 3/20

Everything Else

Well, despite having contractions for the past two weeks, I am still only 2 cm dilated, 50% effaced, and at -2 station (same as last Friday). Obviously, BB is in no hurry to get here. On the upside, there's very little chance at this point that he's going to be a Pisces. On the downside, I really can't be going into active labor at the start of April, as we have a mandatory class for BB's Baptism, which has already been scheduled. If I miss the class, we have to cancel the Baptism, which would cause MAJOR problems at this point. Luckily, my doctor said if I'm still pregnant by this time next week, we can schedule a date to induce. And with my blood pressure taking a sharp jump this week and what looks like another bladder infection, really, this little guy's birthday can't come soon enough to suit me!

I'm feeling: 39 weeks pregnant - ugh