We are still in the hospital. Today is Sunday. We got here Wednesday morning. The incision should be “running clear” by now, but it is not. Bloodwork should be showing decreasing inflammation/infection markers, but it is not. The likely explanation is that some of the abscess is still there—a possibility we were warned about, since it was multichambered, extensive, and not in a location where they could see what they were doing (the surgeon said that in order to see it all, they would have had to take risks that were not worth taking). Tomorrow they will likely do another CT scan to see what the situation is. After that, it seems likely there will be another surgery. This is what happened with his sinus abscesses as well, except that time we went home in between; this is longer, but less hassle, and hopefully will result in fewer weeks of antibiotics (last time he took antibiotics for the weeks in between surgeries, and then for a month after the second surgery; it was a lot of antibiotics).
I have finished another book: Plainsong, by Kent Haruf (Target link) (Amazon link).
(image from Target.com)
I would NEVER have selected this book at the library, NEVER. I would have judged it by its cover (boring/bleak), title (sounds like a reference to either the Amish or The Great Plains), author (older white guy), and plot (sounds depressing/bleak). I was sure that I read it ONLY because Sundry recommended it, but can I find that recommendation to link to it? Can I hell. But I know it was before Henry was born, because I remember I was reading the book when I found out I was pregnant with him; I was thinking about that riveting news for the entire rest of the book, and it got locked in. If he’d been a girl, we were strongly considering the name Victoria, the name of one of the characters. It is one of my favorite books I’ve ever read, so I can’t explain why it took me so long to re-read it, except that there are some difficult/sad scenes, and sometimes when I’m considering a re-read, such scenes loom too large, even if I know at the time I considered them well worth it.
Anyway, I’d bought the book at some point during the pandemic, and it was on my To Read pile, and I brought it along to the hospital; and I just finished reading it, and I loved it all over again. I think it is the kind of book that some people would love so much they can’t stand it, and other people would be like “What the heck? I don’t get this at all”—because so much of what I love is the exact way things are phrased, and that is the kind of thing that can yank one heart all around and leave another heart right where it is. So maybe get it from your library and see what you think. This book too has an Unexpected Baby plotline, which I will go for every time.
I have Eventide with me; that’s the sequel, which I don’t believe I ever read. And there’s a third book, Benediction, which I wonder if I’d better just go ahead and order now so it’ll be at my house if we ever get discharged from this hospital. And the last book I have with me is The Tie That Binds, another Kent Haruf, and one that I have because when I ordered Plainsong and Eventide, used books were buy two get one free, and they didn’t have Benediction.
I, too, enjoyed Plainsong and Eventide. This is why I was happy to be in a book club: We read so many books that I would not otherwise have read.
Have you seen the Plainsong (Hallmark) movie?
That is a lot of hospital time.
Recommending books feels like such a crapshoot sometimes, doesn’t it? I read a lot, but when it comes to recommending one, I second-guess myself about whether other people will like it.
I hope they get Edward’s health stuff straightened out soon. Poor him and poor you. Hang in there, keep reading!
A few years ago, for a reading challenge, was: A Book on Tape. I grabbed Plainsong without knowing a single thing about it. And ended up sitting in the driveway, in the parking lot at the grocery store, etc. because the car was the only CD player and I NEEDED to hear the rest of the story. I might have wept at some things. Sending you and Edwards all good thoughts and crossed fingers that the bad stuff decamps and leaves your boy alone. xo
I’m so sorry you and Edward are still in the hospital and another surgery may be coming. Sending you hugs and Edward wishes for a fast and easy recovery.
You mentioned that you and Edward play Wordle. This site allows you to play all the previous days Wordle puzzles if you are looking for more things to help pass the time and/or fuel a Wordle addiction. https://metzger.media/games/wordle-archive/?levels=select
I am so sorry about all the hospital time and all of the really difficult medical stuff your son is going through. “Hospital Mom” isn’t a bumper sticker anyone wants on the back of their minivan. I’m hoping the doctors figure this out sooner than later, for both your sakes.
Plainsong is one of my top ten favorite books. It makes me want to weep with sadness about how awful people can be and joy for how amazing they can be. I have read all of Haruf’s other books, and they are all good, but none quite compare to Plainsong.
Sending you and Edward all the good vibes and healthy thoughts. I hope everything gets cleared up so you can be out of there soon!
Oh no! I think I would be going crazy to think of more time in the hospital and another surgery perhaps for Edward.
Having only read your description of Plainsong (and then looking up some other reviews of it,) it makes me wonder if it might have some of the magic that Peace Like a River by Leif Enger holds for me. Part of what I loved about that book was the writing, including specific phrases or descriptions that rang so true for me, like you said. I felt like it quietly changed my perspective on ordinary things, like the subtle shift in the garden before and after it rains (not to get all poetic on you.)
Hoping you are both tucked in at home very soon!
I LOVE Peace Like a River! He has 2 other books, So Brave Young and Handsome and Virgil Wanderer. I’ve only read So Brave Young and Handsome, but I really recommend it too. I met him at a book signing many years ago and he was incredibly nice.
Peace Like a River is my #1 favorite book of all time! So glad to see others mention it – it is a special treasure to me.
Oh, I’m sorry you’re still in the hospital! I hope they get his issue figured out soon. xo
Loved all of Kent Haruf’s books and was so sad to find out he is no longer living.
Also they made a movie of his book with Jane Fonda – Our Souls At Night. What makes me smile every time is that Europeans hear Arseholes at Night instead! Lol
Plainsong is so harsh and beautiful and has been one of my favorite books for years. I’m so happy to read about it here. I tried to get my mother to read it recently, but I wasn’t able to sell it. Eventide is another excellent read. I think I might actually like it more. I need to think on it. I didn’t even know there was a third book! And my library has it as an ebook. Win – win!
Omg that feels like the good old og google reader blogger days. Swistle! And Sundry! And Tess! And Bossy! Oh oh and Whimsy. Who else? Are all our kids grown? Almost huh?
I read Plainsong on this recommendation and I am so glad I did. It was the perfect book for the time between my MIL’s funeral and a work trip and too much Having To Interact With People And Be Nice About it. Now the others you mentioned are on the to-be read list and I am excited to eventually get to them.
But like you, I would have never picked it up just on the cover/title/summary alone.