Doncha hate it when you get an idea and you’re not anywhere that you can write it down? Like when driving? Little hard to rummage around in your purse, find that notebook and pen and then try to scribble down something legible while doing 70 miles per hour on the expressway. Haven’t had to do that in awhile, thank goodness, but I have had to rummage while driving. Not easy to do. Nowadays, I tend to keep a notebook and pen handy … even while driving.

Same thing at night. It always seems like an idea will come to me when I’m in the in between point of wakefulness and sleep. Never, ever, tell yourself that you’ll remember it in the morning. You never do. You’re better off flipping on the light, getting out that notebook and pen and scribbling down the idea. Hell, I’ve written pages of stuff in the middle of the night … just because a germ of an idea invaded my subconscious.

Sure it makes for a disrupted night … but believe me, its worth it. I’ve gotten some of my best ideas when I’m in the la-la land of just about falling asleep. Now the shower? Nope, can’t do anything about that. They don’t make waterproof paper and I really wouldn’t want to try scribbling ideas in the steamy mirror.

Not only are my fingers crossed, but my toes as well. Today is the blood work which will give us my new set of tumor markers. I won’t know the results until I see Dr. D on Tuesday. Hoping for good news.

Today is the fourth treatment of my fourth cycle. Fortunately, this is my “by-week” and I only need to go for a nurse’s visit. Granted, I have to travel through about four to six inches of newly fallen snow … so that’ll be a treat.

Had an interesting phone call earlier this week. Seems my insurance company is trying to institute a new program for cancer patients. Perhaps for other chronic illnesses, but since cancer is my bag, apparently I’m a good candidate for this program … if I want it. “Cathy” (with a C) asked a number of questions about my initial diagnosis, treatment, recurrences, etc., then told me a little bit about the program. It appears to be a sorta proactive, first strike wellness program for the benefits of the insureds. I totally understand. If problems with your illness, such as your mental state, can be addressed at an early stage, ultimately it will be cheaper to cover as far as insurance is concerned. Not a bad idea. Personally, I doubt that I’m one for this type of program. My mental state is extremely level, no pain management necessary and certainly no side effects that need to be controlled.

Funny thing is … I got a call from a former co-worker whose daughter just joined the same insurance company and was talking about the same program. I’ll be in touch with said daughter to see if there is anything I can answer and if there’s other information she can share. Might be interesting

And remember to repeat after me …“YOU ARE A CANCER WARRIOR”

Got an email from Natalie the other day. She said she was pitching “A Touch of Magic” to a number of publishing houses last week. Yay!

Here’s the list:

Kensington
Tor
Sourcebooks
Berkley
St. Martins
NAL
Grand Central
Pocket
Ballentine
Avon
Luna (HQN)

All of these publishing houses are wonderful … although I’m not so sure about Grand Central and Avon. Didn’t think they did paranormals. However, I think this book would be a good fit for Pocket, Kensington, Berkley or Ballentine. I would think that my current WIP - the UF - would fit Tor and St. Martins better. We’ll see. I’ll be subbing that to Natalie when I get it done.

So that’s the latest and greatest with my agent. Keep your fingers crossed that someone absolutely loooooooves “A Touch of Magic”.

Well, it’s good to know that last week I wasn’t reacting to the Abraxine infusion. I think that was the first time I’ve ever been relieved to have the flu. After the second infusion last Friday, I’ve been feelin’ fine. Fatigue, as always, but not the mind-numbing, knuckle-dragging exhaustion that I had last week after the first infusion.

Today I’m getting the third infusion of the fourth cycle. I gotta say that I’m looking forward to having a week off from treatment. There are just times when you need a break and even if its only a week … I’m takin’ it.

On to my dilemma. Seeing how Dr. D is retiring in a couple of weeks, I’d like to get him something. Just not sure what. I thought about one of those Edible Arrangements that you can order … but seeing how our relationship has lasted longer than a number of marriages that I know of, I’d like to find something a little more lasting and a little more memorable.

Open to suggestions.

And remember to repeat after me …“YOU ARE A CANCER WARRIOR”

Well, not only the freakin’ computers, but the company that hosts my website. As I mentioned earlier this week my website had been down for the past week or so. This is because StartLogic, who hosts my website, in their infinite wisdom determined that I had excessive spam and/or porn (?) cluttering up my site. Spam I understand, but porn? Not so sure. Anyway, they sent me a couple of warnings and before I could do anything to address it, shut me down.

I finally got the situation rectified … apparently to their satisfaction, but now I find that not only did I lose about a weeks worth of emails, but I’m still not getting all the emails that should be coming through. Mostly my group ones. What’s with that. I shot off an email yesterday and we’ll see what this dip-sh*ts have to say.

The other issue was the fact that the fan in my ‘puter was either ultra filthy or going bad. That sucker would shut down at the most inopportune moments. Like in the middle of writing a blog. Pissed me off to no end. I can see that happening perhaps once in an hour’s time … but three times in ten minutes. I didn’t even try to use the computer after that. Fortunately, my compensation this year from my employer is a new computer … so here I am with a brand spankin’ new desktop with all the bells and whistles. Lovin’ this sucker. Its faster, quieter, has huge capacity, had all my stuff transferred from the old harddrive and all in all is … sigh … wonderful.

What’s not to love?