The months of July and August seemed to fly by. But not for my wife, Anita. As many of you know, Anita was hospitalized for a month starting at the beginning of July. That took up much of my time, and her day-to-day care continues to fall on my shoulders. She had to have surgery on her neck to relieve pressure from a deteriorating disk pressing on her spinal cord and causing numbness in the lower portion of her body, which resulted in her inability to walk. The operation was successful. Following the surgery, she went through 14 days of in-hospital intensive rehab and continued rehab at home with a physical therapist coming to the house.
We are indebted to the hospitals, doctors, and medical professionals who were there every step of the way. Anita received the very best care. The doctors and nurses caring for her patiently answered our many questions. While hospitalized, they were there twenty-four-seven to fulfill her every need. We immediately became aware of how hard these people work and how utterly dedicated they are to the patients in their charge. I must also thank our friends and relatives for the phone calls, texts, emails, visits, gifts, cards, and support. They meant a lot to us, were helpful, and kept us going during a difficult time.
Anita is happy to be home and getting around with the support of a walker. She feels good and is getting stronger by the day. Our second-floor condo has been challenging for her to get up and down the stairs, but she has managed it well. We’ve resumed some of our regular activities, such as seeing friends, going to lunch, and endless doctor’s appointments.
So, this is my first attempt at catching up on my writing. Before Anita’s hospitalization, I got a good start on the first chapter of my new novel, Amore Di Napoli. I hope to resume that work. The book is a love story set in Southern Italy during WWII. I still want to go to Italy for on-site research to find the little details that make a good novel.
We are still planning to relocate to Long Island in May 2025. (See my blog GOING BACK HOME – MAY 2024 by clicking My Blog at the top of this screen, then scroll to that blog. On a cell phone, please scroll to the top, click on the three horizontal bars in the top right corner, click on My Blog, then scroll down to that blog.) Preparing for and making the move will take up much of my time and cut into my writing. I’ve done a bunch of research up until now and want to continue working on the novel while all that information is fresh in my mind. I envision writing while surrounded by boxes and packing materials.
Stay tuned for more about Anita’s rehabilitation, our move East, and the book's progress.
On another note, Vince Ciacci, with whom I co-wrote Almost a Wiseguy, called me with good news. Vince’s story has captured Hollywood's interest. This is unsurprising because it has been my most successful book, and much has happened since its publication. It also piqued the interest of a Hollywood producer who helped create a podcast where Vince narrates his story. Based on the podcast’s success, Blackstone Audio turned it into an audiobook entitled Mobshot. Now, there’s a good chance a feature film will come out of it. They say it's not a done deal in Hollywood until the check is in the bank. I go a step further and say it's a done deal when the check clears. You can help boost sales and make it more attractive to producers by purchasing a copy of Mobshot and Almost a Wiseguy. You'll find links and more information about the books by clicking on My Books at the top of this screen. On a cell phone, please scroll to the top, click on the three horizontal bars in the top right corner, click on My Books, then scroll down to these books.
I hope you all enjoy what’s left of summer.
Comments