All Is Well

I finally had an appointment with the surgeon last Thursday. We were so worried, not sure what kind of news we were going to get. In a stroke of luck, it was nothing but good news. I have gastritis, which is already getting better, thanks to the antibiotics. It was a warning sign, and I'm told that I should be completely fine, taking daily medication for the next few weeks.

It's going to be a long work week here, as one of my co-workers broke her wrist and I'm covering her shifts in addition to my own. I don't anticipate having new pieces finished until this coming weekend, but I did list 3 new drawings this past weekend: "Cherries" (ACEO & 5x7" print), "Christmas Glow" (ACEO & 5x7" print) and "Sweet Tooth" (ACEO & 5x7" print).

Holding Pattern

Still no word on my medical situation... I have an appointment to find out the news from last week's procedures on Thursday. I feel a lot better though, so the antibiotics seem to have worked. I'm hopeful that the doctor will give me the all clear and I can move on to bigger and better things to worry about.

Speaking of which... Heather and I are kicking around the idea of my joining the military. I come from a long legacy of military men. My grandfather Richard served as a Military Policeman in the Army before my mother was born. My Great Uncle Grady served in World War II and my father Troy served in the Air Force.

If I do this, I'm doing it for me and for my family. I have an awfully powerful need not to be a starving artist... just plain artist is fine by me. Too bad the military doesn't employ cartoonists or fantasy artists. I think I'd be the perfect recruit. "Private Webb, I want a dozen sexy fairies in various settings by the end of the day! We need to boost these mens' morale!" Now wouldn't that be nice?

It's still just a conversation at this point. There's a lot to consider. The girls' dad lives in Greenville and I have no idea of knowing where I would be stationed. I don't want to live apart from my wife and stepkids. It took me so long to find them, I don't want to lose them now. So there's the planning and discussion over whether moving is an option and how visitation with their dad would work if we do.

There's also the issue of my age. I was in Naval Junior ROTC for 4 years in high school and my preference for the military is the Navy. The cut-off age for joining Active Duty is 34. I'm... 34. The waiting list for most jobs (as I understand it) is a year long at this point... so to leave by December, I'd probably have to take a less than savory position. It's just going to depend on what that position is. I can still join the Army until I'm 42... but deployment to the Middle East, frankly, scares the pee out of me.

So... we'll see.

I have been sick...

And being sick is no fun. I have been sick for quite a while... a couple of months, and just recently got insurance through my day job employer. I finally listened to Heather, who has been telling me to get to a doctor for a while now... and what I was hoping would be a quick trip, easy solution, has become an adventure of blood work and abdominal CT scans and appointments with a surgeon. I don't know anything definitively yet, and I don't even want to speculate... it's worrisome enough to Heather and I without putting it into writing.

Suffice it to say, this is why my blog and shop have been sadly abandoned this week. I hope to play catch up tomorrow, as am I not cleared to return to my day job yet. I'm around... I'm just not at 100%, at least not drawing and writing wise. I have been out of work since Friday and had really hoped to sell some artwork this week to make up the difference, but unfortunately my shop views have also felt the squeeze of my not being online as much.

I should know more by Friday... in the meantime, if you're the praying or crossing fingers or positive vibes type, I'd appreciate all that you can spare.