Saturday, January 01, 2022

The 12 Months of Christmas will be taking a short break...

HAPPY NEW YEAR folks! I hope that you and your families all had a wonderful holiday season.
 
I know our regulars were expecting to see a new challenge posted today. Unfortunately, I have been dealing with some tough issues in real life. I briefly touched on this during the last midway post. I have also posted an update on my personal blog as well.
 
Both my parents were hospitalized after being diagnosed with Covid during the first week of December. My father was released too soon and ended back in the hospital three days later; only this time, in a much worse state. He was diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia and was considered critical when he returned to the hospital. He was pumped full of antibiotics and was on 80% oxygen at the start, slowly weaned down over a two week period. My mom was released after a week in the hospital and thankfully had people coming into the apartment to check on her during her first two weeks. Dad remained on oxygen until they released him on Dec. 19th. Both are extremely weak, exhausted and dealing with the lingering effects of covid (and for my dad, the after effects of having a bad pneumonia as well). Thankfully, for now they continue to have a personal support worker or someone from the Covid Team, checking on them daily throughout the weekdays but it is definitely a challenge for the two of them to look after themselves properly when they are so weak. It has become difficult for them to take care of themselves during normal times, never mind right now. They have been told that it will take MONTHS before they are back to their normal selves.
 
Worrying about my parents and having to check in on them with daily calls to both the apartment and the hospital depending on where each of them was at the time, left me with time for little else during the first few weeks of December. My stress levels and inability to concentrate greatly affected the quality of my work. Given that at the same time, I was supposed to be getting the team ready for our January challenge, it became necessary to take a little break from taking care of the challenge blogs that I am responsible for in order to maintain my own sanity.

I'm hoping that things will calm down soon and I can come back renewed for our February challenge. If it turns out I need some extra time, I'll be sure to provide an update at that time. I will do my best to publish the winner announcement for our November challenge, sometime over the next couple of weeks. I also have a special announcement to make as we'll be making some changes to the way we do things this year here at The 12 Months of Christmas--more on that soon.

I hope that we can count on your support and that you'll all come back and join us when we start up again soon! Until that time, wishing you a happy and healthy start to 2022!
 

12 comments:

cass said...

Take care Lisa

Anita van Deur said...

So sorry to hear about your parents may they have a speedy recovery. Hugs
Anita

monique said...

i hope everything works out fine mine brother got also covid 6 months ago he is only 60 no healthissues stlill recovering he get therapie forv 1 hole year

ArtMBR said...

I hope everything goes well.

KT Fit Kitty said...

Take all the time you need, Lisa. I hope your parents will get through this rough patch and recover fully. Sending hugs and prayers from Nova Scotia.

Kampin' Karen said...

I'm so sorry you and your parents have to deal with this. My husband and I took care of his parents and my mother so I understand in part what you are going through. Prayers for strength and healing. Take your time with the blog aspect of your life!

Wies said...

Sorry to hear the news about your parents. I hope they both will recover well. I wish them and yourself a lot of strength.
Wies xx

Suzanne H said...

Praying for your parents to regain their strength and for you to rest and recover as well. Take care!

Craftyhairlady said...

Hugs and prayers! Always…family 1st…ALWAYS,💙💗
Pam

Barbara said...

So sorry to hear about the "real life challenges" you are currently facing. I hope your parents get out of it alright - and that you keep your sanity and strength. This blog, as fun as it is to be here, it the last thing you should worry about. I'll drop by again and see how things are!

Decosse's Dynamite Doodles said...

Thank you so much to everyone for your kind thoughts, well wishes and prayers. December was rather tough but thankfully my parents are on the mend. It will take them a long while to heal but thankfully they seem to be through the worst of it for now.

Also thanks for your understanding of my need to step back a bit during this time.

Kind Regards,
Lisa

Tina Z. said...

So sorry to hear this, I hope everything will be ok with your parents soon.
Sending love xx