A November from Hell

It's been a really rough month

This entire year, I’d been looking forward to November.

My book was finally being released. I had my book launch scheduled alongside readings at libraries and bookstores over New York, including Barnes and Nobles! I was going to receive an award from Society of Illustrators at the huge Original Art Show! I was even planning to go on a week long residency upstate that I’d dreamed about doing for the last 5 years.

Unfortunately, life really loves to throw curve balls…

And from there the rheumatologist told me…

She prescribed me steroids to help with the swelling and told me the virus should clear up soon.

Unfortunately, it did not.

My swelling only got worse and my blood test for parvovirus came back negative.

My blood tests for rheumatoid arthritis also came back negative.

So she started me on antibiotics in case it was a bacterial infection and after another week of antibiotics wrecking my gut, I was simply getting worse.

I tried to rally for my book launch but felt I was going to pass out. I spent most of my time at the SOI Original Art show sitting because I couldn’t stand for longer than a couple minutes. At least my acceptance speech for my award went well and I managed to get a couple laughs. I ended up having to cancel the rest of my readings and heartbreakingly had to postpone my residency to next year.

There have been a couple breakdowns, mainly because I was so looking forward to November. November was when I would be able to reap all the rewards of my hard work over the past couple years. I’d worked on Pig Town Party for so many years and I was so excited for it to finally be out into the world. But because of this mysterious illness, I haven’t been able to fully enjoy any of it.

I’m now on week four of being couch bound and attempting to keep up a positive spirit. I have to sit when I shower and I keep waking up at night feeling like I broke all my joints when I move. But hey, at least I’ve been watching a lot of Desperate Housewives, Modern Family and Broad City. Luckily friends have been stopping by to keep me company while I rot on the couch and Adam has been very helpful in taking care of me.

I have another doctor’s appointment tomorrow to determine whether I have seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (which is when blood tests are negative but you actually have it) or maybe some mysterious infection. I just really hope the swelling and pain can ease up soon.

Anyways, I just wanted to vent and to let you guys know why I haven’t updated as much this month and why there may be a little break going forward while we figure out what the hell is wrong with me.

I’d also love it if you could buy my book and leave me a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Maybe that will heal me? Hah!

Regardless, thanks for all your support. I really appreciate it. <3