Last week when I sat down to write the combination newsletter/ blog, there was a temptation on my part to do the standard book announcement thing: Hey, you guys, my book is coming out in paperback on such and such a day. After all it was a book that many of my hardback readers—who also get the newsletter—had already read. But something nudged me to do more than that. And the response has been amazing.
I’ve said before that I consider my blog to be a window on my world, and the window this blog opened was the one about how kidney disease had suddenly appeared in our lives at the same time the book was coming into existence.
When I’m on this side of the screen, I’m usually thinking about the words I’m writing without necessarily thinking about the people reading those same words.
Let’s just say this week the people on the other side of my computer screen responded! They wrote with good wishes and prayers for Bill and for our family. But they also wrote about how their own families and lives have been affected by kidney disease.
When we were in the midst of our kidney failure crisis, it was easy to believe we were the only ones dealing with that issue. What I’ve learned this week is that kidney disease touches many, many lives and many of my readers’ lives as well. And most of the e-mails they sent to me required a personal response because they were personally written and personally received.
It took time to read and respond to those e-mails, but do you know what? It was time well spent.
I know from personal experience that most authors don’t respond to e-mails. I was going to tell you which ones, but as Thumper’s father says, “If you can’t say something nice …” So I deleted those sentences.
But this week, when those messages came in, they really touched me. Because people cared. My readers cared.
Readers are like beautiful flowers in a blooming in garden. And answering e-mails from readers amounts to watering those flowers.
So thank you for all those cards and letter, folks. They are truly appreciated.
As a person who literally had to break my leg to find out I had stage 5 kidney failure, I just wanted to say something here. If you have diabetes, make sure your doctor is staying on top of your blood results! My GP allowed four years to slide by as I progressed to the point that had I not fallen I would never gotten an amazing Kidney Specialist who is fighting for me now. Bill was fortunate to recover a good share of his kidney function and I envy him for that and rejoice he is doing as well as he is.
I think something you have learned is that you have readers who care. I have had no experience with kidney disease, but I think it is wonderful that so many people wrote to share their experiences. You are truly blessed.
Also we appreciate you answering personal emails. It means a lot to us.
Kidney disease just plain sucks! After the “special diets”, medicines, chemo, scopes and more scopes, Dr visits, how many of those? I have so much empathy for you and your family. It’s a family disease! Now my husband is living with one kidney and doing well. He’s 78 still working a part time job and loving life by doing what we love, we hike, we camp and have sleepover with our grandchildren. I personally want to say thank you for being right by my side though so many appointments and hospital stays. Yes, your readers care, keep writing. Respectfully, Robin Hill
I have been out of touch for a loooong time, so I am sorry to hear that your husband is ill. I don’t know except for what I just read. My father suffered from Stage IV kidney failure, but he is a determined individual. He did exactly as his doctor told him and he totally reversed his disease and is now in good kidney health and will be turning 84 this year. I hope your husband is doing better and I will be sure to stay tuned in. God bless you both.
We appreciate that you acknowledge and appreciate us readers.
You let us know that you are a person, not merely an author and do not place yourself above us!
Healing thoughts and prayers for you and all your family (furry ones as well)
To me kidney disease is an unseen disease. We never knew how easily it was to overlook. We took a class on this subject I recommend EVERYONE take a class. There was so much information the dr was unable to explain because of the usual time restrictions. I found I was using so much sodium without ever salting our food.. it was well worth the 2 hours we spent in class. We also had Other people who gave suggestions on different solutions for a lot of problems ..
I am so glad your husband is doing well, we found it takes time to recover..
enjoy your cruise have a glass for me .. Jan
Kidney disease, as well as kidney cancer, are the things most hated here. I will keep you and Bill and your families in my prayers for strength to deal with it. My mother was a diabetic who had kidney failure and was on dialysis for a long time. My husband has had kidney cancer since 2015. I’ve become his only caregiver and my world has shrunk to a 5 mile radius, unless we’re going to the doctor or a hospital or the cancer center. (God bless the folks at Barrow Neurological Institute and M D Anderson!) “Going out to eat” now consists of grabbing a meal in a hospital cafeteria between scans or appointments. His care is a daily challenge, plus having a dachshund with back issues that is in an ex-pen or wheels and has to be carried outside a few times a day.
We are is fortunate that Jojo is now able to get in and out on her own.
My youngest son-in-law had a kidney transplant about 7 years ago after spending 2 or 3 years on regular treatments. I hope Bill is feeling better. Sending love and hugs to you both.Alice
Alice, we had no idea about your son-in-law’s kidney transplant. So glad to know it has worked for him, and yes, Bill is much better.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and writing about kidney disease (& symptoms). Almost everyone I know who is over 60 has been told that they have at least Stage 2 kidney disease. But I want to thank you for writing “Down Fall” (which I just read last week.) My 95-year-old mother died last month after a series of health problems. I find myself feeling much like Sheriff Brady felt about dealing with her mother’s funeral and childhood memories. I left home over 50 years ago and moved half a continent away, so when I heard the eulogies at her funeral, I wanted to shout, “Who was this person in that casket?” These strangers-to-me had a much nicer relationship with my mother than I ever had. As she lay dying, her last comment to me was about my weight! I left her room before she could continue her criticisms. I knew them all by heart.
I’m truly sorry I’ve been out of the loop and unaware of Bill’s kidney diagnosis. JAJ faith will get y’all through this. I’m sure you have been put on every prayer list possible. Why? Because you have created a book family that loves you like your are one of their own. I guess we all know what a author will be doing while waiting for appointments.
Keep doing what you have been doing and knowing that your followers are your “safety net” in times of need. Warm hugs. Be blessed.
Keeping y’all in prayer.
One reason we love your books – and YOU – is because of your blogs. You share so much and so well. And your caring nature comes through. It is obvious how empathetic you are. Your honest concern is so appreciated.
But… keep writing those books!
Jim