Another week of Simple September has come and gone. Of all the weeks this month, this was the least simple, but hey. A lot fell beyond the limits of my control, and I handled it with more grace than I anticipated. Although the week’s events weren’t particularly simple, I didn’t overcomplicate them—which is all I can hope for. Only two days to go! I appreciate those who have been along for the journey.
September 22, 2025
Today I got this expensive piece of arm decor. For those who don’t know, it’s called a PICC line and is used to administer long-term IV medications. After several months with junkier-than-ideal lungs, my doctor and I decided this was a good course of action. I have my first infusion of IV antibiotics tomorrow, so let’s hope for minimal side effects. Hopefully I’ll only have the PICC line for a couple weeks, and if all goes well tomorrow, I’ll do the rest of the infusions at home.
When I started Trikafta (the CF miracle medicine) in 2021, I had high hopes that my life was forever changed. I recall thinking I might never have another PICC line—and that sinus surgeries were a thing of the past. But that was before the drug began to negatively impact my mental health. Once I realized that good physical health days meant challenging mental health days, I backtracked on some of those lofty dreams.
The thought of being on IV antibiotics seemed insignificant when compared to the fact that my days had become so uninspired. Sinus surgery seemed trivial when compared to the dread I faced when I woke most mornings, my mind racing. Though I wish I had been able to tolerate Trikafta, I’m grateful to be in a positive headspace as I embark on this round of IV antibiotics.
My doctor and I first discussed this plan during my visit on September 2. My initial reaction was that it was only Day 2 and Simple September was already a bust. But I tried to stay as present as possible, even as the steroids revved me up. I’m thankful I didn’t spend the last three weeks in a perpetual (and exhausting) state of worry. I [mostly] took each day as it came.
I suppose September will become even simpler now that I have one main priority: feeling better. 🫁
September 23, 2025
“Are you writing a paper?” the nurse asked as she began my infusion.
“Sort of. It’s an essay,” I said, scrolling on my laptop.
“Oh, an essay. What’s it about?”
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”
That sums up my writing life lately. Keystrokes yield words, which yield sentences, which yield paragraphs, which inevitably ends with me staring at the screen, asking myself what I’m even doing. It’s best described as meandering, I suppose. But I’m nearing that point where I want to change course—where I don’t want to be typing in a document of almost 40,000 stream-of-consciousness words, as I am currently.
I’ve wanted to write a book since I was young. Technically I’ve written one, but it’s floating out there in Not-Yet-Published World. I’ve tried to edit it, to update it, to reimagine it. But nothing feels quite right. I’m beginning to wonder if that’s not meant to be my first book after all.
I suppose I’ll just keep writing to see what surfaces—to see if clarity chooses to present itself. Maybe I’ll write my way into something unexpected as I’m holed up for this course of IV antibiotics.
Here’s to keeping an open mind. Oh, the possibilities!
September 24, 2025
Note to self. Doodled by self.
September 25, 2025
September 26, 2025
This is Magpie, middle name Sadpie. When Atlanta Beagle Rescue pulled her from a county shelter in February 2018, the vet estimated that she was 12—which would mean that she’s 19 1/2 now. Even if the 2018 estimate was a few years off, my math tells me she’s still old as dirt. And she happens to love dirt, so that fits.
Magpie’s hips have become less reliable this year, and we’re taking all the measures to keep her comfortable. She still dances for her food and whines until she gets her morning walk, so it seems all is well enough in her world. She makes me laugh every day, and I cherish the stubborn little geezer.
I’m taking cues from Magpie for Simple September. She enjoys the little things and firmly plants her paws in the present moment. Just take it all in, Magpie Sadpie.
September 27, 2025
See tomorrow!
September 28, 2025
Simple September is almost over!
Bring on ________ October!
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