Progress

Posted on by Nathan

The first round of treatment ended last week. These next two weeks will probably be worse than any of the treatments as my body reacts to the aftermath.

“Survive Today” still seems to be the best approach.

Status

All writing related work is on hold pending some kind of recovery. Ishmael’s call is getting stronger. I’m looking forward to digging into that story again.

What Am I Reading?

I’ve read a lot of so-so stuff over the last month. The most memorable of them is Rachel Neumeier’s Tuyo, which I recommended to my newsletter a couple of weeks ago. I haven’t found the confluence of character and world building excellence since M C Burnell’s Foreign Sorcerer series.

That said, I’ve quite enjoyed Michael G. Manning’s Art of the Adept series. It begins with Choice of Magic and follows the career of a young wizard through some dark and twisty passages toward his goal of mastery. It’s basically a coming of age story – with wizards, fae, and – yes – a cat.

Maybe grab a sample and see what you think.

Looking Ahead

I’ve been warned that these first couple of weeks after treatment tend to be the worst. My experience so far supports that claim. I won’t get into the nitty gritty except to note that it is both nitty and gritty. I’m not getting enough calories in a day but the positive spin on that comes from not having my body being broken down by radiation and chemo. I don’t actually need as much this week as last.

The next big milestone is new imaging in October. We’ll see if one course of treatment is sufficient. I’m hoping it will be but I’m trying not to put too much faith in it.

Have I mentioned that Ishmael is calling me? Yeah. We’ll see if I can answer him any time soon.

In the meantime, safe voyage.

NL

28 thoughts on “Progress”

  2. Wishing you a speedy recovery Nathan. Hoping one round is enough.

    Happy Birthday Ishmael.

  4. Also wishing you a speedy recovery Nathan. Hoping one round is enough.

    Happy Birthday Ishmael.

  5. I’m probably just going to continue to post wishes for speedy and full recovery. As usual, please let us know if you are looking for anything we can supply. Best!

  6. Bravo and congrats on completing the rounds. May the recovery time be shorter than you expect, the meals tastier than average and the inspiration uplifting.

  9. Best wishes Nathan.
    I had cancer over 20 yrs ago that required surgery and radiotherapy. And I still clearly remember the profound nausea and vomiting, the anorexia, and everything tasting metallic. I would have quit if it wasn’t for the strong prospect of cure, which it did! I do hope your journey isn’t as unpleasant, but still achieves the same outcome. “Nitty and gritty” does however suggest you’re gritting your teeth too.

  11. My first post here to send you all good wishes, Mr. Lowell. I hope that you’ll soon feel well enough to answer Ishmael’s call. Until then, here is
    a book suggestion for you to consider ~ Linesman by S.K. Dunstall.

  12. I’ve never rooted for someone as much as I am you. Yeah, I know, all lives matter, but yours is especially precious to me and I’m willing to be selfish about it. This must probably be such a lonely time for you, even with everybody wishing you well.

    I’m sending you love and all the good wishes possible.

  13. Well, shoot. I just now caught up with the news of your diagnosis and I wish I could give you a hug and a spare cup of energy. I had cancer as well, so I know some of what you may be feeling and going through. I’ll be cheering you on 🙂

  14. My mother and I love your writing and my Mom has a big crush on Ishmael. When I read her your blog just now she cried and said it made her heart hurt to think of your struggle…

    We both send big healing vibes your way.
    Deborah and Dianne

  17. Been there and done that and half a lung later starting to get back to functioning agai` best wishes and praying for you.

  18. I’ve been looking for news in all the wrong places, so I’m glad to see you have been able to post now and then.
    Thanks for the book recommendations, I read the first Backyard Starship and enjoyed it. Now I’m zooming through several other series and really having fun.

  19. Thanks for the magical stories Nathan. May your path be long and flowered with smiles.

  21. I sent ginger snaps (from susansnaps.com, fwiw) to a friend undergoing chemo. Either he was polite, or they were as tolerable to his palate as the article suggested. Hope that’s useful.

    Best wishes!

  23. You must eat, your body needs the nourishment. I added protein powder to almost all his food & also to milkshakes. Keep on top of the anti-nausea meds too. And remember to breathe.

  24. Best wishes for improving health.
    I’ve just been relistening to ‘To Fire Called’ and just focused on the scene in the carpet/fiber art store where Pip can’t read any expression in the masks. That little detail made Pip’s character finally come into focus and explained a lot about him. He really can’t read people and really doesn’t understand why so many find him irritating. Ishmael has an incredible amount of patience with him.
    Thank you for all your books. I second the SK Dunstall ‘Linesman’ recommendation. And add Victoria Goddard’s Greenwing and Dart series – first book is Stargazy Pie. Brilliant fantasy, and incredible character depiction.

  25. Darn it, I really want “The Wizard’s Cat”. I’ve read the butler 5 times I think.

  26. My niece went through this battle; 3 courses of chemo and radiation over three years. Her youngest daughter never knew her when she wasn’t sick, until now — well, soon. She’s been cancer free for a year and is finally well enough to have the hysterectomy her doctors advised. She has a suggestion for you: There’s a cap you can get that will cool your brain (it gets hot), she recommends it because it helped. You can do this Nathan. It’s no picnic by far, but treatments are so much better now than they were even 5 years ago. All those who love your characters, love you. We all want you around for a long time, so I’m personally sending healing energy your way. (Also, you have to write about the Butler again. I’ve listened to all the Ish books, over and over, but that Butler book soothes my soul. I think it might be magic.) Much love and joy and healing.

  27. P.S. If you like funny, science-y soap operas in space books that make you laugh and think, give Stephen W. Bennetts KOBAN series a try — it’s awesome on audio, (even though the narration on the first book was a bit clunky for the first half), that narrator was replaced for the rest of the series by Eric Michael Summerer, who is amazing. Lots of different aliens, planets, and even hogan’s hero’s style war shenanigans. Those who’ve listened to it are devoted fans. It’s one of those series I re-listen to every year. I hope it makes you laugh.

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