Aghhh! Poor little love!
One of the hardest things about chronic illness is finding the right medicines, and often, to find those, you have to try a lot of them that don't work and/or make you feel like you'd rather die than live having to take them. You need a lot of hope and somebody to distract you who won't play the games.
I can see things are going to get worse before they get better; this is such a painful story--but that just shows you're doing a fabulous job! Looking forward (well, you know what I mean) to more!
Author's reply
"this is such a painful story--but that just shows you're doing a fabulous job!"
Thank you, elanor! I (more than Golden) really needed to hear that. I'm having a real challenge writing this and know it's hard to read, so thank very much :-)
We're condensing the process, by from what I've been reading, it is a long and often frustrating business.
PIppinfan1988
· 12 July 2007
· Chapter 14: Pippin's Solution
Wow...poor lad. It's not easy for those around him, either. I know that this ia a "normal" reaction when taking new medicines for serious illnesses....but I do hope Pippin's misery doesn't last long. Poor little guy.
Keep up the good work, ladies. :-)
PF
Author's reply
Well . . .
We're doing our best :-) We're combining stuff but hopefully we aren't too off base.
Thank you so much, PF!
Larner
· 12 July 2007
· Chapter 14: Pippin's Solution
Poor, poor lad. And now he'll be taking basically a placebo. Interesting to see if he's managed through cutting down the amount of real herbs to actually do something productive.
Author's reply
Hi Larner :-)
He's playing with things best left alone, that's for certain.
Thank you for staying with us!
Garnet Took
· 12 July 2007
· Chapter 14: Pippin's Solution
"Pippin, are you crazy?!"
I just feel terrible for him, but what he is doing is one of the stupidest things he's ever done. Yes, he feels awful while he's on the medicine, but he's going to have a lot worse problems without it. Unless they catch on to what he's done, he likely to embarrassed horribly at the wedding.
The moment with Shadowfax was great. That horse is just too perceptive.
Once again great job.
Author's reply
Thank you, Garnet :-)
Trouble indeed lurks on the horizon, and you know what's coming I'm sure.
Yes, the poor lad is crazy, but doesn't know it yet.
shirebound
· 12 July 2007
· Chapter 14: Pippin's Solution
Oh Pearl, I'm afraid this is all too much for me. *sob* Poor Pippin.
Author's reply
I'm sorry, my dear shirebound :-(
If this means you're not able to read on, I can understand. I will say that chapters 15, 16 and 17 will be the worst of it and hopefully you'll be alright after those.
Golden and I wanted to deal with some of the tougher aspects of epilepsy and so we are bringing things together that might not normally happen together. Although I will say that my reading has shown me it is a condition with hundreds of variables and is therefore hard to pin down what is the *usual* or *normative* symptoms.
cathleen
· 11 July 2007
· Chapter 4: Forcing the Issue
Oh dear, the words we wish we could take back! This has to be the most regretful thing Merry has ever said to Pip and I bet his heart broke in half when he realized what he had done!
Oh my Pearl, I've already told you how much I'm enjoying this story and eagerly look forward to every new chapter. Kudos to Golden too!
Cathleen
Author's reply
I guess I wrote this well because it is a problem I have *embarrassed blushing*
We're so glad you are enjoying our story, Cathleen! Thank you so much for reading and responding :-)
cathleen
· 11 July 2007
· Chapter 3: Unspoken
Darkness indeed. How well put!
Cathleen
Author's reply
Yes, unfortunately it is never really that far from us.
Thank you, Cathleen :-)
cathleen
· 11 July 2007
· Chapter 2: Healing and Honors
How beautiful and touching seeing them Knighted! I'm sure it will lend strength to both of them for what lies ahead.
Cathleen
Author's reply
Hello Cathleen :-)
It does and doesn't. It also adds some pressures they wouldn't have had otherwise.
cathleen
· 11 July 2007
· Chapter 1: Challenges
Liked Aragorn's description of the slaying of the troll and what happened to Pip after that. This chapter just gives one the feeling that there is much ahead that is not going to be pleasant.
Cathleen
Author's reply
Thank you, Cathleen.
That's an accurate assessment I'm afraid to say.
cathleen
· 11 July 2007
· Chapter 0: The Blessing
I love the tense beginning of this tale. You really set it up well!
Cathleen
Author's reply
Hi Cathleen!
Thank you :-) Glad to have you along.
PIppinfan1988
· 11 July 2007
· Chapter 13: Better or Worse?
I *knew* I should have asked you about this update on Sunday! It appears I forgot to implement my new procedure...
Well...it looks like Pippin's Worse, the poor lad! He's moody, sick, off-kilter. Maybe he'll eventually meet up with a Gondorian who has the same malady; that might help the wee fellow adjust better. I do hope Pip gets to feeling better soon!
You ladies are doing fabulous, as usual! If your time-frame has been off, I haven't noticed. I understand that you and Golden are doing your best to present quality fiction born from your brilliant imagination and professional knowledge, and the drama is excellent!
Author's reply
Oh, thank you, PF :-)
We are trying our best. We're most likely having him have more stuff all together than might be usual, but all of it are things that either the condition itself or the medications for it can cause.
Yes, he's having a rough go of it. I don't know who he might meet - but that would be good. It was something I had planned for earlier but it ended up not fitting where I had thought to put it.
Thank you, m'dear!
Agape4Gondor
· 8 July 2007
· Chapter 13: Better or Worse?
No need for apologies. The story is too well-written and too tense to even give more than a glancing thought to the 'quick' side-effects. Plung on, dear heart, this reader is thoroughly encompassed in the tale.
And I really like this phrase... Companions of the Ring!
Bless you!
Author's reply
I'm sorry I'm so late replying to this, Agape. I thought I had.
Thank you so much for the encouragement :-)
That phrase is the Professor's (ROTK - *The Steward and the King* - "In those days the Companions of the Ring dwelt together in a fair house with Gandalf, and the went to and fro as they wished." [capitalization is Tolkien's])
Andrea
· 7 July 2007
· Chapter 13: Better or Worse?
Oh dear!
"Better or Worse", that's indeed a good question. The medicament helped with the blank spells and the fits, but the side effects?
On the other hand, Aragorn and Parsow are well-trained healers. They know what they do, don't they?
Next time I just might puke all over His Royal Striderness.
*Grins* Pippin feels bitter, but at least he has not entirely lost his sense of humour! There's still hope...
Author's reply
Hi Andrea :-)
There's always hope - at least in any story I write ;-)
They know what they are doing, and so does another . . .
This is leading to something specific so bear with us.
Thank you so much :-)
Lindelea
· 7 July 2007
· Chapter 13: Better or Worse?
O my. I'm all for moving quickly, if it means improvement.
Good for Merry!
Author's reply
Hi m'dear Lindelea!
We've one more really rough spot to go through, then things will be looking up with occasional, more minor, setbacks. I hope you can hang in there with us :-)
Thank you so much for staying with this!
Telpethoron
· 7 July 2007
· Chapter 13: Better or Worse?
Talk about going from the frying pan to the fire. Pippin has gotten rid of one set of problems, only to find himself with another. To top it off, his mood is becoming increasingly bitter. This doesn't bode well for him when they return to the Shire, unless things start to improve.
At least Aragorn and Parsow did the right thing in keeping Pippin informed about what would happen, even though he seems to be taking it the wrong way. Better that, I suppose, than for them to say nothing and Pippin to be left wondering why everything is going from bad to worse.
Good of Parsow to be keeping a diary on Pippin - it makes sense to keep track of what each medication is doing, so that they can adjust as necessary.
Great work, both of you. I look forward to seeing the next chapter!
elanor winterflowers
· 6 July 2007
· Chapter 13: Better or Worse?
Ah, poor Pippin! And I sense Merry is beginning to share his anger and fear that this might never come right. Finding the proper combination of medicines can be a long, discouraging road, very hard on one's spirit; but when it's found the sun will come out again and things will look much more hopeful.
I am very much caught up in Pippin's mood; you are doing a wonderful job of keeping us close to him and how he is reacting to all of this. Really nice work!
Dreamflower
· 6 July 2007
· Chapter 13: Better or Worse?
Oh dear! *sigh* What's worse than the physical side-effects is the effect this is having on our dear Pip's sunny personality! Poor dear!
But I'm glad that they did tell him, at least.
Author's reply
Hi Dreamflower!
I really thought they had best tell him this time. The poor lad is having a rough go of it, but it will get better eventually.
Thank you so much :-)
Hai Took
· 6 July 2007
· Chapter 13: Better or Worse?
Oh dear, well things aren't exactly what everyone was hoping for. I actually feel quite badly for Aragorn and Parsow. It would be terrible to have to always be the bearers of such news and difficulties. I was glad to see that Legolas and Gimli have been present off and on to observe Pippin, nice to hear a line or bit from them once in a while. Poor Pippin, I hope things improve for him which I'm fairly certain you two wouldn't leave him sour towards his lot in lie. Lookin forward to more and finding out how the Companions manage things now! Thank you for the great read!
Author's reply
Greetings Hai!
No, the light hasn't broken through quite yet. Thank you for the notice of a bit more of the Elf and Dwarf :-) I've a lot of characters in this and it's hard to remember to give everyone some time.
I promise a positive and up-looking ending - whenever it is we get there :-)
Thank you for reading, Hai :-)
Larner
· 6 July 2007
· Chapter 13: Better or Worse?
Different drugs and combinations will react differently, and often will have faster negative effects on some than on others. And with a Hobbit's unique metabolism compared to Men the reactions could be very different for each.
I feel for Pippin, both with the frustration of the effects of the condition and the further frustration regarding the effects of the meds! And I certainly appreciate the bitter toast he makes!
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Larner!
There is a real struggle going on. But our hobbits are strong :-)
Yes, the drug issues are an important part of what those with epilepsy face, so we wanted to deal with them.
Glad you're reading and enjoying.
Garnet Took
· 6 July 2007
· Chapter 13: Better or Worse?
I was thrilled to see an update to this so soon.
Poor Pippin. This is one of those cases where the cure, or the treatment, is as bad as the ailment. Is his irritability a side-effect of the medicne, or is it just his frustration about his condition?
Hope you can update as quickly as you did this time.
You all are doing a gret job.
Author's reply
Hi dear Garnet,
For now, at least, the writing is going well :-)
The irritability and aggression are side effects of the medication. I really don't know that the herbals would behave like the modern anti seizure medicines, but we are modeling our good results and the side effects both off of the modern drugs. Aggressive behaviour was listed for a few of the drugs and we thought it would make for an interesting study since hobbits in general and Pippin in particular are usually cheerful.
I'm working on a speedy update :-)
Thank you so much :-)
elanor winterflowers
· 4 July 2007
· Chapter 12: First Effort
My mother-in-law used to measure like that. I remember taking her 'handful' of this and 'two fingers' of that and translating those amounts with measuring cups and spoons, so that her recipes could be passed on.
I continue to ache for Pippin. There is nothing so discouraging as medication that does not work when you want so much for it to do so. It is exhausting after awhile, surmounting disappointment.
Your story is so touching. Difficult, but very well done! :)
Author's reply
Hi elanor!
Another personal "hand measuring" account. Cool! That really all was one of those happy happenstances that I never expected to get any response to - and I think everyone has commented on it :-)
It has been a difficult story to write as well. Easier times will come eventually, so hang in there!
Thank you so much, elanor :-)
Larner
· 4 July 2007
· Chapter 12: First Effort
Oh, I can see just such a fortnight of experimentation. And having the full seizures would have been so disheartening. Poor lad. And having to have things done for him would be awful.
Loved seeing the psychomotor seizure. One guest had one during a visit, and found roller shads I'd not even noticed were there on a couple windows behind the lace curtains. How she found them is beyond me, for she had very limited vision, and me, fully sighted with my glasses, hadn't seen them in two years of residence!
Now, more experimentations!
Author's reply
Wow! That is interesting, Larner. I wonder if her vision improved when she was having a seizure? I've read that people with mutiple personality disorder sometimes have the vision change with one personality needing glasses and the others not.
Yes, more medical trials :-)
Thanks so much!
PIppinfan1988
· 3 July 2007
· Chapter 12: First Effort
You mean I can't try this concoction at home?? Darn.
Ooooh! Now I'm sitting on the edge of my seat! Something *must* be coming up; I can feel it.
Poor Pippin - losing independence and privacy would be hard on anyone, but I can tell it's taking a toll on our dear lad. It's a wonder he was as cooperative as he was. I hope this next batch of medicine works...*but*... I'm waiting on pins and needles, dear friend! :-)
That part about Sam measuring with the palm of his hand and being ever so accurate -- that is *so* true! That's how my grandmother used to measure, and she was a pretty good cook. :-)
PF
Author's reply
Hi PF :-)
Trust your feelings ;-)
He really has been doing pretty well, all things considered. It's his innate cheerfulness :-)
That's cool about your grandma and that you remember it!
Thanks so much, m'dear!
Andrea
· 3 July 2007
· Chapter 12: First Effort
Sam, as was the case with most good cooks in the Shire, had long ago learned the art of measuring into his hand.
Now, that is an art I wished to learn myself, and an elegant way to solve the measuring problem.
Poor Pippin! I can understand his frustration! And his embarrassment when he found himself standing in front a that statue and when he heard that he had actually been babbling to it.
It would have been a wonder if the first medicine had worked. They have just begun!
But there is one thing Pippin should not forget: The other hobbits are as unconfortable with the situation as he is. Not out of annoyance but out of fear and love for him!
I'm looking forward to reading more!
Author's reply
Hi Andrea :-)
Yes, various things I've read mention closer attention and observation being needed for either someone who isn't on medication or there medication isn't set yet. I think it would have even been more so before reliable anti seizure medications. Not much fun for a tween or adult.
Again, from my reading, it would have been very unusual for the first try to work with this sort of situation, they have indeed just begun.
That is another thing Pippin will have to deal with is looking beyond himself to understand what all his friends and loved ones are going through.
Thanks so much, Andrea!
Telpethoron
· 3 July 2007
· Chapter 12: First Effort
I love the way you bring out small details in this story, such as the difference in measurements between hobbits and men. It's not something a lot of people would think of at first, but it makes sense that hobbits would think in much smaller terms than men would, because of their size.
Pippin's frustration is almost palpable. One of the biggest problems the hobbits have had to face in dealing with others is the perception that hobbits are like children - both in stature and in temperament. I was a bit surprised myself, when reading LOTR for the first time, to find out that Frodo was around 50 years old during the time of the Quest. And now Pippin finds himself being treated, in many ways, just like a child...both by men AND hobbits. No wonder he's in such a sour mood.
I can only wonder what's going to happen when they return to the Shire. Can't wait to see the next chapter!
Author's reply
Hi Telpethoron :-)
That is a problem all little people deal with I'm sure and Pip even more so as, being the youngest, the other hobbits would be more llikely to treat him as a child just as much as the others would. Add to that, I think it is easy to treat any ailing person in a more childlike manner.
I do plan to take this story into when they return home :-)
Thank you so much for reading and responding!