This year has been a major adjustment for me, and I wanted to share with you all why I have been distant and somewhat unresponsive.
In late March, I was diagnosed with arthritis in my hips. To help increase my mobility I started physical therapy on a bi-weekly basis. Why this may be a simple task for most, my CRPS turned this into a daunting task. My energy levels were non existent, and my flares were constant making it difficult for me to complete even the minimalist of tasks. This continued throughout April and most of May.
I was looking forward to June as my physical therapy would have concluded, my son's middle school graduation complete, and time to recover and get back to my reviews would be possible. Yet, the universe had other plans...
Within a couple days of each other, both my parents (whom I live with) were sick due to covid. Since I am considered a high risk we had to take extra precautions to ensure I did not contract the virus. Therefore, I was responsible for catering to my parents needs as they were both quarantined to two seperate rooms for 10 days. I not only had to ensure they were fed and hydrated, but I now had the added responsibility of disinfecting the whole house and ensuring I was kept safe.
At the time, my son was with his dad's family so I thought I had one less person to worry about. But, yet again, the universe had other plans. I recieved a call from my son's stepmom (as his dad was away for military training) stating my son was in extreme pain and been throwing up for most of the day. After a late night visit to the emergency room we left with no answers as to what caused it, and some medicine to help with the pain and nausea.
When he woke up the following morning, he collapsed when trying to get out of bed. After more doctor's appointments and tests, it was determined that he was extremely dehydrated from his episode. His body was so out of wack he was unable to stand nor walk without assistance. As his stepmom has two small children plus a daily job, we decided keeping my son with me was what was best for his recovery... so he was added to my rotation of care.
After two weeks of being at the beckoning call of my family members, they were "released" from my care. The adrenaline that had kept me going subsided and my body went into recovery mode. Simply put, my body had had enough.
Yet, my physical health was not all that suffered. My mental health was also effected. My mind continued to place doubt that I could keep going at the pace I was required to take. Plus, the failure of letting you, my authors and readers, down was consistently on the forefront. Depression set in.
Luckily, I have an amazing staff of doctors and psychologists who are helping me through this time of difficulty. So, I am slowly on the mend and hope to be back to my "usual" self soon.
So, what does this mean for Literary Lioness...
I'm not going anywhere, but changes need to be made so I can manage.
Here is my plan:
I will refrain from excepting any new review requests at this time
Once I fulfilled the obligation I have already made, I will open it back up
Reviews will no longer have a due date
Release dates will not determine review by date
New requests will be on a first come, first serve basis
Just because I read your book, does not mean I will review it (unless requested)
Typically, this will relate to a series
Sometimes I just want to read a story for enjoyment
I hope you can forgive me for dropping the ball, and know that each and every one of you mean so much. I appreciate your understanding and patience as we can continue together in our love of books.
