Preorder Move Slow & Make Things, and enjoy a collection of thoughtful bonus content created just for you!

not exactly what I had I planned…

This post has nothing to do with home decorating or DIY or any of the things I usually write about.  It’s just about me.

Soooo…  Yesterday I was all excited about the new projects I was going to work over the next couple weeks and I was really ready to get back in my space at Lucketts and all of that fun stuff.  Well…  things are not going according to that plan.

Last night, I started to get a pain in my back, between my shoulder blades.  It woke me up and was pretty intense, but I figured it was muscle fatigue from stress or sleeping on it wrong or just tweaking it somehow.  I put the heating pad on it and tried to go back to sleep.  I then woke up to my back hurting even worse and a new, sharp pain in my upper abdomen, just under my rib cage.  It sort of felt like heartburn, but not quite and much, much worse.  I finally began to realize that something was really wrong, so at about 1:00 am, I drove myself to the ER.

Once I got there, I was certain it was really bad heartburn and I would be laughed out of the place.  They gave me some medicine to numb my esophagus and calm my stomach acid  I started feeling better (and felt a little foolish as well.)  I started to think I could’ve popped a few Tums instead of going to the ER and making all of that fuss.  After the chest x-rays and abdominal series and blood work and everything else, things looked normal, but I started feeling worse.  Much worse.  It was a pain that exceeded childbirth and was so acute it took my breath away.  Heartburn?  Really?  So, they loaded me up with some major pain meds and we waited for the ultrasound technician to arrive.

It turns out I have gallstones and now have to have surgery on Tuesday to have my gall bladder removed.  Oh, what joy is mine.  Organ removal is not exactly what I had on my calendar for March.

Well, the good news is that the surgery is not that big of a deal and most people recover from it in 2-3 days.  I’m hoping I’m the typical person and I’m back to work later next week.  It’s also good timing.  I finished writing the book and turned in all of the pictures, so I can afford to rest for a few days.

I was awake all night in the ER, so I’m really tired and sore today, but I’m doing much better.  My husband is taking excellent care of me, so I’m in good hands.

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

you may also like

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Now Available for Preorder

Move Slow & Make Things

A book about creativity, intention, and making things with care. Sign up to receive updates, preorder details, and exclusive bonus content.

From the Studio

Artful pieces for your home and everyday life.

From original paintings and art prints to Pup Club releases and curated goods, each piece is created or chosen to bring warmth, creativity, and character into your home.

From the Studio and Home

Shop the Feed

A handpicked collection of items styled and shared throughout posts, projects, and social feeds. Every product is thoughtfully chosen to reflect a timeless, collected aesthetic.

Recent Video

Spring Posts

Explore the Shop

Explore the Blog

Categories

Looking for more encouragement?

Live Painting at Lucketts

This post has been sitting in my drafts for weeks!  I know some of you must have been losing sleep because I left you hanging about the Lucketts Spring Market.  I will not torture you any longer.  Here’s how the afternoon of painting went back in May… After my triumphant

Read More

four things | seventy seven

This week started with the loss of power from a storm.  It wasn’t really the storm that knocked out the power, but the wall of wind that came right before the rain.  It took out trees, limbs, power poles, and made a general mess of our yard and pool.  Jeff

Read More
error: Content is protected.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This