Best-laid plans
I had hoped I would have better news for those of you in Europe who were hoping to have a LRK sighting this year, but my husband’s perilous state of health means I’m going to have to cancel the UK leg of the September tour, and probably cancel the Italian conference as well. And I was really looking forward to both.
Noel had a stroke the first part of July, and in the course of treating it they discovered that he had stomach cancer. He’s now had the surgery and was recovering from both, although setbacks and chronic uncertainty seem to be a daily—or hourly—part of life around here. And I can’t see taking off for a month right at the moment.
I presume we will simply reschedule the events, either for next spring or the summer.
As far as I know, I’ll be able to make it to BoucherCon the end of September, and to the Chicago event the day before the conference begins.
Thanks to all of you who expressed concern and good wishes. He’s due to come home from the hospital in a couple days, and without spending four or five hours a day on hospital visits, I may be able to pick up TOUCHSTONE again.
I’m extremely sorry to hear about his problems – both of them – and hope the outcome will be good.
You both will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m so sorry to hear about your husband’s stroke and cancer. I hope he gets better.
Thank you letting know both about yourhusband’s situation and the pardons in Britain. You will be in my prayers.
I too am saddened to hear of your husband’s stroke and cancer. They are such dreadful things!!!
I was happy to hear of the pardons, finally!, for those 306 soldiers.
You and Noel are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sending you and Noel and the family all love and light and healing energy. As Holmes would say, from your brief references to Noel here and there, I perceive that he is a force of nature. If anyone can rally from these challenges, he can. Speedy and easy recovery to him and sleep and patience for you.
Warm thoughts to you and your husband. You will both be in my prayers. Don’t forget to take time to care for yourself.
kay
I too offer my sympathies and wish him a speedy recovery.
Hang in Laurie. I too am praying for you and Noel.
My good wishes and prayers go out to you and your family. The illness of a loved one can drain everyone, so take time for yourself. The prayers of your whole family of fans are behind you and yours.
“…the girl with the strawberry curls”
I have done the hospital vigil and the hospital visits in the past two years. Do pace yourself, be kind to yourself, and call in favors! As Holmes teaches us, the wiry and energetic generally do well. Hope to see you at Bouchercon if it’s in the cards and the prayers of a vague theist continue to be sent to you and the family. –Meredith T.
I’ll be thinking of you and I hope everything turns out OK.
My heart goes out to you, your husband, and your family.
-Wil
My very best wishes to your husband, and to you. I hope that he recovers quickly, and that you both get your lives back to normal soon.
I’m listening to The Art of Detection right now, and really enjoying it!
Laurie,
Send my best to Noel and your children for me. I missed you in San Francisco, but read (and enjoyed) your latest work. I’ll keep you and the King household in my thoughts, and hope our paths cross soon.
Meryl
I too will keep you and family in my prayer Laurie. I’m sorry for this hard time..words seem to fall flat on the page, but my prayers are real and if I could, I’d bring you dinner…God bless and keep you and yours~
My very best wishes to you and your husband, and to him for a speedy recovery also. Wishing you and yours all the best.
We will see you over here next year!
Chris
Edinburgh
Dear Ms. King:
This morning when I read your blog entry re: your’s husband health, my body registered the words with shock and sadness–as if I had received news of a loved one’s (or the husband of a loved one’s)illness. My feeble words can only echo the sentiments of earlier comments. I, too, would bring you dinner (or flowers or extra soft tissues with the lotion or even just an ear), if I could. Please don’t (try not to) stress over (postponed) events and conferences and/or Touchstone and/or your blog. Conserve your energy for yourself and your family. My heart and prayers are with you, Noel, and your children.
Coming home! Those are the sweetest words.
Best wishes for your husband’s continued recovery. Stay strong, take care of yourself too.
My thoughts are with you and your family. Be well.
May Noel’s homecoming be not only joyous but the beginning of a strong and steady recovery, health, vitality and joy for your entire household (and renewed freedom to write, for you!)
Laurie, you have my heartfelt wish for Noel’s speedy and complete recovery. Take care of yourself and your family. Worry not, we will be here when you get back.
Maer
Laurie, you and Noel are in my thoughts and prayers.
Pryers for Noel
Mis mejores deseos en la pronta recuperacion de su esposo.
Laurie,
Along with everybody else, I’m sending good thoughts for you and your husband. Take care of yourself and get the rest you need.
Becky Levine
Sending warmest healing thoughts to you and your family . . .
Love and best wishes to your family.
Dear Laurie,
As always, you show your integrity in knowing the important aspects of life.
I love your novels, and appreciate your candor and openness in your blog.
Blessings to Noel, yourself, and children in this trying time.
The books and promotional visits can wait.
best, Elaine McC.
My best thoughts are going your way. Take as much care of yourself as possible.
With everyone else, I wish you and your family the very best and hope for a speedy recovery for your husband. I look forward to seeing you in the UK whenever you can get here!
~Elizabeth
I was thinking about Dr Noel King today and I goggled his name. I came upon this blog and was saddened to hear about Dr King’s stroke and stomach cancer! Please let Dr. King I am thinking of him as I have done often since I first met him at UC Santa Cruz!! Please let him know he made such an impact on me. I was a American born Sikh girl who met him back in the early 80’s after signing up his class. I have saved every paper that Noel made comments on! Often I think of things that your husband had said to me and it has influenced the way I have made decisions and lived my life!!
My prayers are with you and your family. I hope for a speedy recovery! I will bookmark this page so that I may check for updates on your husbands health!!
Susan K Singh (now Singh-Golden)
Modesto, CA.
singhgolden@sbcgloal.net
Dear Laurie,
First of all I hope Noel will get well soon: my thoughts are with him, you and your family.
Second, and this is probably not the right place and time to do so, I want to tell you I really appreciate your blog. I discovered it a few days ago and have been reading since. The way you keep your fans (count me in, by the way; only Martinelli first, but now I’m going to read all your books asap!) up to date is truly amazing. Love your humor!
Take care,
Sonja (the Dutch girl who had also sended you a letter a few days ago)
Dr. Noel King was a friend from the day he walked into Merrill Steno Pool back in the late 1960’s. I’m saddened to hear of his illness and send love and hopes for continued recovery. I’m
keeping good thoughts for you and your family.
I realize it’s early times yet, but be greatful the cancer was found so early. That’s one of the few hopes we have when it attacks internal organs. And don’t believe a word they say about stroke recovery. So much depends on the strength and vitality of the patient. It will take time and determination, but much (even all) can be regained. The haul will be long, but the results will be contentment.
I wished I could interview you during your planned staying in Italy – hope your visit is just postponed!
I’ve posted today my review of your book, here (in Italian): http://angolonero.blogosfere.it/2006/08/lallieva_e_lapi.html
Hope your husband recovers soon.
Best, best wishes,
Alessandra
Hi Laurie! Sometimes what seems like a tragedy becomes a lifesaving event. I hope your husband’s stroke was one of these unlikely gifts. Since it allowed the stomach cancer to be found and treated, perhaps, in a roundabout way, it will prove to have more positive aspects than negative ones. Still, I share your concern, and hope recovery will follow so that you can share many more happy years. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Iris Lady
The terrifying cancer diagnosis on top of a life-threatening event like a stroke can’t really be sympathized with, because literal sympathy requires that someone else have shared that pain. The dietary problems after stomach cancer surgery alone must be enormously time consuming. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
New books?