frustration

Since my hEDS diagnosis last week, I’ve been trying to arrange for a number of tests that my specialist ordered.

Some of the tests I was able to do on a walk-in basis and those went smoothly. I’ve been having trouble, though, with orders that had to be faxed. I’ve only been able to schedule one of the three tests, despite repeated phone calls and a few written messages.

It’s only been a week and a half, but I’m feeling really frustrated.

After the months and months of go-rounds of various specialists, waiting to see them, and waiting for the tests they ordered, I’m impatient for more information, in hope that we might actually be able to have some options to deal with my most troubling symptoms.

Deep breath.

More waiting, more phone calls.

What’s a few more days or weeks when we are dealing with something I’ve had my whole life.

PS: After I posted, I realized that today’s prompt for #JusJoJan was “impatience” so, yeah, guilty of that, too.

Join us for Linda’s Just Jot It January! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/22/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-22nd-2026/

back in the saddle (sort of)

Early this morning, I sent out a couple of (hopelessly above my level) submissions of my revised, full-length poetry collection, which centers on the North Adams, Massachusetts area.

I had mentioned in my National Poetry Month wrap-up that I would be working on revisions after feedback from April Ossmann. Unfortunately, my revision work got sidetracked by my still-mysterious medical condition, but I’ve been chipping away at it on days when my brain fog allows. It’s been difficult for me not to be able to workshop some of the revisions with my Grapevine Poets friends, but I decided the manuscript had been out of circulation for more than long enough that I had to skip this step.

I sent it today to a couple of places that were closing at the end of the month. They are not on my list of target publishers but are places that I want to support. If I’m going to send them money, I might as well send my manuscript rather than just a donation.

I’ll try to send out some more submissions soon. I will continue to sneak in some more revisions, too, especially if I can manage to get enough energy back to be able to workshop again.

Onward – however haltingly…

SoCS: three dates

My mother – known as Nana here at Top of JC’s Mind – needs a diagnostic heart catheterization as follow-up to this fainting episode and likely prelude to heart valve replacement surgery.

The date of the heart cath was supposed to be June 28.

The week before, she had to have blood work done and the cardiologist didn’t like some of the numbers, so he cancelled it.

After weeks of doctor visits and tests, she was cleared to proceed.

The next date was August 17.

Unfortunately, the day she had to have the pre-procedure blood draw, she developed shortness of breath and wound up in the hospital overnight with a new diagnosis of congestive heart failure. She was discharged from the hospital and sent home to rest, waiting for the planned procedure on the 17th.

Except that the doctor’s office, looking at the pre-hospital rather than post-hospital blood work, cancelled it again.

I was very, very, very, very, very upset. After consulting with her primary care, the cardiologist promised to fit her in next week.

And then proceeded to give us the date of August 31st.

Which is not next week.

I’m still pretty upset, especially because the delay is what I feel got her into the diagnostic category of heart failure.

But, deep breath, and all that…

Fortunately, she is doing quite well now, although she has to take it very easy.

We are waiting for August 31st.

Third time’s the charm.

At least it better be.
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Linda’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday this week is “date.” Join us! Find out how here:  https://lindaghill.com/2016/08/19/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-2016/

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SoCS: project delay

One of my projects for this year is assembling a book of poetry, growing out of my first ever poetry residency last fall. 

And I am not getting much done these last few months…

There have been a lot of losses with a lot of aftermath.

I’ll get back to my collection at some point…

Wish me luck.
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Linda’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday this week is “book.”  Come join us! Find out how here:  https://lindaghill.com/2016/06/03/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-416/

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