30 Jun 2009, Posted by Cat in News, 33 Comments. Tagged dad, life, writing
Life
Dad was mostly non responsive yesterday. I spent an hour trying to get him to drink… anything. Two spoonfuls of apple juice was all I could get into him which is more than the nurse had been able to manage after trying all morning. I’d even taken him a cup of tea but he didn’t want it — the surest sign of all that he’s not himself. They’re going to have to put a feeding tube through his belly button cos he just won’t take anything by mouth at all. The doctors say his brain waves are low, which I think means he’s barely there.
Today I’m at work in our pretty little cottage by the seaside, a cat curled up by the heater at my feet. I’m laying out a book on recycling and waste management, listening to JJJ while a chill wind nips at the windows and shakes down the trees in the yard. Why does my workplace have a cat? Because the previous owners are still here, renting a section out back while their new house is being finished.
Caught up with some good friends last weekend. Looking forward to catching up with some more this weekend coming.
I’m reading a great book — Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. Found out one of my stories, ‘Palisade’, published in Clockwork Phoenix, made it onto Gardner Dozois’s recommended reading list. I submitted a grant proposal to the Australia Council’s Emerging Writers initiative. I have yet to resume fiction writing. Maybe this coming weekend I’ll give it a go.
Life goes on.
33 Comments
June 30, 2009 3:49 am
time_shark
Your strength is inspiring. Hang in there.
June 30 2009 03:50 am
Cat @
thank you!
June 30, 2009 3:58 am
adamhenderson
Wow, Gardner Doxois’ reading list! That’s some illustrious company Cat, congratulations!
Thinking of you and your Dad.
June 30 2009 04:01 am
Cat @
thanks. Yeah, I was chuffed.
June 30, 2009 4:05 am
martianmooncrab
his electrolyes could be off, or he has a bladder infection, but he can do better… wishing the best for him and for you.
June 30 2009 04:07 am
Cat @
thanks
June 30, 2009 4:06 am
tallaudrey
Hugs*
June 30 2009 04:08 am
Cat @
XX
June 30, 2009 4:21 am
aidandoyle
Congrats on the honorable mention.
Sorry to hear your Dad’s not doing so good. I’ll make sure he gets a double batch of Russian ladies.
Good luck with the Oz council grant. I know a few people who have sent off a proposal, including myself.
June 30 2009 04:41 am
Cat @
if you beat me to the loot, I'll punch yer lights out!
June 30, 2009 4:25 am
karenmiller
Damn, Cat. Sending you good thoughts. Hang in there.
June 30 2009 04:42 am
Cat @
XX
June 30, 2009 4:26 am
lisahannett
*adds to Angela’s hugs*
*hugs*
June 30 2009 04:42 am
Cat @
thanks
June 30, 2009 4:42 am
strangedave
Sorry to hear your dads recovery is so slow.
Cloud Atlas is terrific, isn’t it? Congrats on the recommended reading list inclusion.
I was in Sydney last week, but I figured you had more important things to worry about than trying to catch up with me in the few gaps in my social schedule.
June 30 2009 04:42 am
Cat @
Thanks. Sorry to have missed your visit.
June 30, 2009 5:00 am
russellbfarr
hang in there. take care.
June 30 2009 05:01 am
Cat @
XX
June 30, 2009 7:10 am
kateorman
Warn him that if he doesn’t drink up, you’ll have to put him on a tea drip. Along with a little milk drip and a little sugar drip.
June 30 2009 08:49 am
Cat @
see, normally he'd go for that...
June 30, 2009 7:11 am
stephen_dedman
Commiserations for the bad news, but good to see that it hasn’t ruined your ability to appreciate a great book!
And good luck with the Australia Council (especially since we’ve applied for different categories)!
June 30 2009 08:49 am
Cat @
ditto on the good luck. May we both score!
June 30, 2009 11:41 am
Anonymous
Dear Cat,
I’m so sorry to hear your latest news! You and your Dad are very much in my thoughts. Please come over for a visit after you see your Dad if you feel like it. Children are very good cheerer-uppers.
Lots of love,
Ali xxxooo
June 30 2009 11:46 am
Cat @
Thanks Ali. I'd definitely love to catch up with you folks. XX
June 30, 2009 12:12 pm
robynv
Crap news about your dad. Great news about the accolade. Good luck with the grant. Hang in there.
June 30, 2009 12:54 pm
austspecfic
Gee Cat that’s a mixed bag. Must be difficult seeing your dad like that after hanging in there through the worst of it and then thinking he’s doing fine only to find that he’s not as with it as you hoped. But I wish you luck with the grant. And all that hard work and talent has earned a just reward in Dozois’ reading list. Go you.
June 30, 2009 9:29 pm
lyndahawryluk
I hope he overcomes this set-back.
What a truly shitty thing to have happened to him, and your family.
June 30, 2009 11:44 pm
murasaki_1966
I hope he starts feeling better. My mum went through a period like this after her bowel cancer operation. She actually said she’d prefer the cancer to the treatment and she just wanted to die. For a few days we thought she’d lost the will to live, then she recovered and got better. Your dad will too.
July 15, 2009 12:27 am
keithstevenson
Hey you. Just starting Cloud Atlas now for my non-Mountains book group. I’m only on the first section, but I’m loving it.
K x
July 15 2009 00:29 am
Cat @
Cool! The writing rocks but it's the structure of that novel that really sets it apart.
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