Commentary Detail

Windows Media
WMP (56 kbps)
MP3
MP3 (56 kbps)

Thank you.

I’ve been saying this a lot lately and I need to say it more.

On April 10, I had surgery for a stroke. Hundreds of St. Louisans have sent me emails, cards, chocolate and get well wishes. Others organized prayer chains. I’m home now, and working my way through 400 emails and a giant shopping bag full of cards.

I’d been about to leave for a ten-city tour when the stroke hit, but the tour was canceled.

Instead, mystery writers all over the country held a Virtual Tour, where they sold my books at the stores when I couldn’t appear. There isn't room to list all your names, but thanks for putting my career ahead of yours.

The doctors say I am making a quick recovery, though it seems slow to me. I’m able to speak and write and walk with a walker.

Will I write another book?

Yes. I turned in the seventh book in my Dead-End Job series, and I’m reading the copyedited manuscript for the mystery shopper book that will be published in November. Part of my therapy includes reading novels and watching television. It’s tough, but I’m following the doctors’ orders.

There’s still more thing you can do: Read up on the signs of a stroke. The side effects can be lessened if you get to the hospital early.

I don’t want to lose any friends, readers or listeners.

(The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of St. Louis Public Radio.)

Back to Commentaries