I will be MIA for a while

Hi everyone,
I'm writing this in a semi-sleep filled grog. I just slept for nearly 18 hours. 

I want to take a moment to let you know what is going on with me. I mentioned on my blog that my Mom was diagnosed with endometrial cancer late in 2013. I mentioned that I'm the primary care giver for my mom though we do have a host of wonderful people willing and able to help with home care, transportation, etc.  and they are an amazing help.

After Mom's last cancer treatment (Yay!) which happened 2 weeks ago, she got very ill and contracted pneumonia (Boo!) and had to be admitted to the hospital through emergency. It's been 2 days and her fever won't break. Day 2 in the hospital had her fever spiking at 103 degrees again.

That my mom is the only thing on my mind goes without saying. These last 12 months have been terrible for my family. I lost 3 uncles and a cousin within a 3 month period of time. Nearly lost another cousin due to a terrible car accident. I walked out on my uncle's funeral because I just couldn't deal. My mom is in so much pain she keeps begging to die. How do you tell your Mom that you are not allowed to die--you will just have to endure this pain and keep on going? It's been terrible for her because she's experienced the loss of family AND has endured it while in crippling pain and constant sickness. 

I have agreements with friends and clients to write--but my mind has been far removed from writing. Still I was able to put out Everything is Everything, Becoming the Dominus and Urban Vampire despite feeling as if my life is crashing and burning. 

My writing agreements have been nearly fulfilled and after that I need time to focus on myself and my family. I put my own medical needs on the back burner because I simply could not put anything else back there (semi-smile). I've known for several months that my CA-125 level was slightly elevated, but ovarian cancer treatment is not on the list of things I want to deal with. However my Mom has been relentless so now I've put myself on the front burner.

Part of taking care of myself is to keep you guys in the loop. I don't mind sharing this information with my friends fans and family, and my mother gave me permission long ago to share her info. There are other things going on in my life which I won't share--and again, none of it is conducive to writing. 

I don't want you to think that I am taking a break, or a hiatus in my writing. I still write nearly every day. But if you ask when a particular book will be released my answer will have to be I. Don't. Know. As soon as I write them and they come back from the editor (Yes...ALL books go to the editor now) I upload it. I never hold a book in order to give a specific date of release. I upload it as soon as everyone has given me the thumbs up and therefore I do not know a specific date.

My fans have been and continue to be the most supportive fans ever. I'm not patronizing you when I say this. You keep me writing and you encourage me to keep moving forward. The funny thing is this...of all things that I would like to put on the back burner writing ISN'T one of them. Writing is what keeps me sane. 

I'm still here folks ... just a bit slower.

Pep
(8/2/2014)