Advice for Surgery and Recovery

After recently undergoing my 11th surgery, I realized there are things I have learned that may help others. Here is info I shared with others to help them regarding surgery:

SURGERY PRE/HOSPITAL BAG: antibacterial wash for day before or morning of surgery to kill bacteria and taking feminine pad (if having a hysterectomy) and loose fitting clothes to wear home. Also, take a small pillow to hold on your stomach in case you sneeze or cough and the pillow will also cushion between you and seat belt on the way home (pillow is recommended for ANY torso surgery).

Hibiclens Skin Cleanser (for showering prior to surgery to kill bacteria)


If you can't shower and have to SPONGE BATH:

Assurance Premium Pre-Moistened Disposable Washcloths, Extra Large, 48ct (these are nice, large, and not very expensive)


For your hair:
No Rinse Shampoo Cap (5-Pack)


MEDICINE: They will send you home with a script
If possible have them call it into your pharmacy so it is waiting for you to grab quickly on the way home or see if spouse (or someone) can have it to pick up the day before if you think you won't be up to stopping.
Eat with pain meds to avoid nausea.

SWELLING/PAIN: Dollar General has clay hot/cold packs for $4 a piece. Get four so you can use two at a time and rotate them out. If you don't have a Dollar General in your area, you can buy them at Walgreens, but they are usually over $10 a piece. I had a hard time finding them online at Dollar General. If you don't see them in the store, ask the cashier. For some reason, our local Dollar General had them under the counter at the register.

GAS: drink a couple sips of soda, I always try and get soda as quickly as they will let me post-op to help relieve some of the gas pressure, and I take a couple sips or so after meals because I seem to have more of a problem with that post-op.

BIG POTTY: cantaloupe makes me go, so whatever triggered you pre-op, try it. BE CAREFUL! When they finally let me have solids (like 3 or 4 days post op...I had extensive surgery) I had 3 servings of fruit in one day because they were asking if I had gone yet, and I hadn't. That backfired! I went four or five times, which kept me up until just after midnight.

If you won't be able to reach to wipe yourself, you might try:

RMS Long Reach Comfort Wipe


OR EVEN:
EasyComforts Portable Hygiene Refresher


Also, getting up and down from the toilet could be strenuous, so this raises the toilet seat so that you do not have to strain to get up and down:
HealthSmart Deluxe Plastic Toilet Seat Riser


BLOATING: I'm only 8 days post-op, but I can tell my binder is looser. I've made sure to empty my drain a lot, more than they did at the hospital and I had more fluid come out in a day than they did when I was in the hospital! Not sure if this accounts for why it has gone down some. I still have my drain in, and wearing my binder, so I can't say how my old jeans fit. I had bought stretchy waist jeans prior to surgery when my girth felt like it was either expanding or just uncomfortable to wear regular jeans. So the stretchy ones fit fine over the binder. I may need a size smaller in a month. Watch how foods effect you and don't overdo it. I usually drink just a couple sips of soda after eating.

I hope this helps you. There are numerous wonderful inventions to help people. My husband had surgery on his leg/foot, and he found something like:

Seal Tight ORIGINAL Cast and Bandage Protector


So don't be afraid to look for whatever can make recovery more convenient!

The Books Machine promoting Something About Sam

The Books Machine will be promoting my book, Something About Sam next week which will be on sale for $.99. Be sure to check them out, along with other books they will be offering at: http://www.thebooksmachine.com 

Some Thoughts Behind Kindle Unlimited

It seems like every year, Amazon comes up with something different, or they do something different, that affects authors. Unfortunately, this is something indie authors have to live with. We have to learn to evolve and grow with their changes, ready to adapt in order to overcome and succeed. If you don’t change quickly, you’ll constantly be playing catch-up because it seems every year brings something new. Amazon has tweaked algorithms and adapted things to their favor to keep ahead of authors who are getting wise to their ever-changing business models.

Amazon’s newest brain-child is Kindle Unlimited. Here is one of the questions I kept asking myself, and realized other authors were asking the ‘same’ question:

Why is Amazon having to keep adding money to the KDP Select Global Fund?

I have some thoughts on this matter, and they are just that, my thoughts. I don’t have inside contacts, just years of having been self-employed and having to think about bottom lines and how to improve upon them, which is what I think Amazon is trying to do themselves. I think they want to make sure how things are going with subscribers of Kindle Unlimited so they don't start the 'pot' out too high and authors make too much money for Amazon's liking. Amazon wants to get their numbers down and figure out about what it takes for each borrow to come in at 'a price point' that Amazon is willing to live with. For example, with Amazon Prime, Amazon tried to aim for payouts of $2 per borrow on average. Amazon isn't happy with that price point now because they are not limiting how many borrows a subscriber can make like they did with Amazon Prime (which was one a month). So they have readers getting 10 books at a time, some may read them the 10 a month or more, and others may not. Think of it this way.

Cost to Kindle Unlimited Subscriber $9.99

10 borrows x $1.39 (KOLL payout last month) $13.90

If a person borrows and reads 10 books a month, Amazon would be losing $3.91 a month for each subscriber who reads that many books. I’ve talked to some reviewers who have read hundreds of books a year. Amazon would actually lose even more on those reviewers as subscribers!

Not every person is going to read 10 or more books, and that is what Amazon is banking on. But when they roll out a new program, Amazon usually offers a trial period. A lot of people take advantage of this trial period, so it takes time for that trial period to run out so that the bean counters at Amazon can get a better idea of what to expect and how it will affect their bottom line. We saw Amazon continue to add money to the KDP Select Global Fund for months after they rolled out the promotion for Amazon Prime. Once the trial periods were over, Amazon was able to establish their base line because they knew on average how many Amazon Prime subscribers they retained on average, and each of them could only borrow 1 book a month. With Kindle Unlimited, Amazon is still trying to establish their baseline and it is a bit trickier because not only are they having to factor that into the equation, they have to determine average of borrows per subscriber and this is a wider variable.

Amazon knew they aimed to pay out $2 on average per borrow for Amazon Prime. I am sure they had a set number in mind of what they hoped for that to change to with Kindle Unlimited. They didn’t want to add too much money to the KDP Select Global Fund, lest they accidentally pay out more money for borrows than they really needed or wanted to. They also had to see where the price-point would come in before authors would show resistance. I think they saw enough squeaking from authors at $1.33 per borrow, that they realize that going lower than this will really upset authors and they will pull books priced over $2.99 out of KDP Select, so I am assuming this will most likely be our new baseline price that Amazon targets for borrows. But Amazon still has to wait and see, over a three month window as authors books are eligible to come out of KDP Select, to see what price of books are left in the program.

What do I think? I think Kindle Unlimited may very well end up becoming the new 99¢ book club and will be flooded with short stories to novella, mixed with a few books that authors are willing to let go for 99¢. However, if Amazon drops the payout for borrows to less than a dollar per borrow, they will find it hard to keep even these authors in KDP Select because authors can make as much as $.59 publishing a 99¢ book at other vendors through places like Draft2Digital. If authors don’t have more to gain for staying exclusive, they will opt for a wider market to reach more readers.

Please leave your thoughts on the subject by commenting. Also, please check out my books at: www.susettewilliams.com or my author page on Amazon: Amazon Author Page

Time for the Holidays ~ Pumpkin Roll Recipe

Pumpkin rolls are part of our Thanksgiving and Christmas tradition. If you love homemade cream cheese icing, that is kind of what the filling taste like. My family looks forward to having this for the holidays! I'm happy to share the recipe with you.

PUMPKIN ROLL RECIPE

3 eggs

1 c. sugar

2/3 c pumpkin ( from a can)

1 tsp lemon juice (I use the bottled stuff) 

3/4 c flour

1 tsp B powder

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger powder

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 c finely chopped walnuts

beat eggs on high for 5 mins, gradually add sugar and beat til combined

STIR in pumpkin and lemon juice

sift flour, B powder,and spices into bowl and fold into pumpkin mixture

grease and flour a cookie sheet

spread pumpkin mixture onto sheet

sprinkle with nuts

bake at 375* for 15 mins or spongy

sprinkle top with powder sugar place a towel over top and using a cooling rack turn cake out.

sprinkle "bottom" with powdered sugar and roll

let cool

FILLING

1 c powdered sugar

4 tbl butter

6 oz cr cheese

1/2 tsp vanilla

Beat all ingredients together until smooth and creamy.  (I double the filling because it taste better. So double the ingredients for the filling if you want extra, too.)

Carefully unroll cool cake spread in filling re-roll, chill in frig for filling to set up and enjoy.

Please be sure to come back and leave a comment and let me know how your family enjoyed your Pumpkin Roll!

A Chance to Win a Kindle Fire with a Collection of All Ten Books!

Ten best-selling Inspirational romance authors come together to bring you the Red Hot Squeaky Clean Romance collection! If you're anything like us, you enjoy reading various genres -- a cozy mystery, a thrilling suspense, an adventurous historical, a catchy contemporary -- we love them all as long as the romance is piping hot and the story is comfortably clean. For the first time ever, as you turn the pages of these complete stories, you will meet ten of the most recognized names in inspirational romance today and read their award winning, critically acclaimed stories all in the same collection. You're in for such a treat! 

Home Before Dark by Christy Barritt 
Daleigh McDermott finds a journal penned by her late father which sparks a dangerous investigation into his death with the assistance of Ryan Shields, the only man who believes her. 

Beyond the Waves; Pacific Shores Series, Book 1, by Lynnette Bonner 
Officer Kylen Sumner and Taysia Green have a history. He's broken her heart more than once. So when he returns home claiming he just might be in love with her, she wants nothing to do with him. If only her heart would get the message! 

Sapphire Ice; Jewel Series, Book 1, by Hallee Bridgeman 
The men in unbeliever Robin Bartlett's life have only ever been users. Believer Tony Viscolli's arrival and relentless interest in Robin both infuriates and intrigues her. 

A Love for Delicious; Woman of Courage series, Book 1, by Cynthia Hickey 
Widowed newlywed Delicious (Delly) finds herself stuck with 5 stepchildren all under age 13 on the opposite side of the country from Oregon and their uncle. She hits the trail, promising to do anything to gain the children their birthright and protect it from those out to take it. Can she guard her heart against the handsome trail guide, Zeke Williams? 

Waiting for Rachel; Those Karlsson Boys, Book 1, by Kimberly Rae Jordan 
Rachel Perkins is a loner who feels certain she's not the right woman for Damian Karlsson. Damien feels otherwise and is willing to do what it takes to change her mind and her heart. 

The Unveiling; Age of Faith series, Book 1, by Tamara Leigh 
Disguised as a squire, Lady Annyn Bretanne sets off on a quest to avenge her brother's murder by Baron Wulfrith. When her disguise is unveiled, they each face tests of faith and resolve. 

Saving Grace; Madison Falls, Book 1, by Lesley Ann McDaniel 
Grace is an opera singer forced by a stalker to go into hiding in a small town. There, in that most unexpected of places, Grace finds elusive love and claims her faith. 

Yesterday by Amanda Tru 
Hannah has the ability to time travel but there are consequences. After saving a family injured in a car accident, Hannah wakes the next morning to find her yesterday was five years ago! 

The Redemption; Legacy of the King's Pirates, Book 1, by MaryLu Tyndall 
Lady Charlisse Bristol sets off on a voyage in search of the father she never knew, only to find herself shipwrecked on a desert island. Near starvation, she is rescued -- by a band of pirates and their fiercely handsome leader, Edmund Merrick. 

Falling in Love; Seasons of the Heart novella series, Book 1, by Susette Williams 
Summary: Katie Morgan thinks she's doing her boss, Wade McAlester, a favor by setting him up on blind dates. After Katie plays matchmaker and sets Wade up with all kinds of zany ladies, Katie starts to realize that Wade might be suited for her.

You can buy all 10 books in Red Hot Squeaky Clean Romance collection for 99¢!

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or a Phil Porter Shadows CD

or a Phil Porter Shadows CD along with

 

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Kindle Fire KDX Giveaway

We are giving away 2 Kindles!! The first one is available via the rafflecopter below. The 2nd is available only to bloggers who post about this giveaway. You can find info on how to enter in the rafflecopter.

Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)

Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7".

All New Kindle Fire HDX 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)

  Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

  Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)

    Giveaway Sponsors: I Am A Reader Feed Your Reader Inspired Kathy Ripple Effect Romance Series Author M.A. George The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something year Old Girl Meredith & Jennifer's Musings Owl Always Be Reading Author Jennifer Laurens Bonnie Blythe's Pure Romance Bella Street's Weird Romance Author Jennifer Faye Good Choice Reading Reviews from a Bookworm Barbara Silkstone Rae Z. Ryans, Author The Stubby Pencil Author David Pandolfe Hallowed Ink Press Author Louise Caiola The Reporter and The Girl More Than a Review Kathryn Jones Once Upon a Twilight Author Jason Parent Author Amanda Tru Author Cidney Swanson Paige W. Pendleton Claudia Burgoa P.M. Richter - author RoAnna Sylver Tigris Eden The Bloggers Nest J.L. Weil The Cheap Ebook Luthando Coeur Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke Author Alecia Stone KellysLuckyYou Rebecca Talley Author Kimber Leigh Wheaton Simple Wyrdings Tressa's Wishful Endings Paranormal book Club (PBC) Author Stephanie Faris Author Inger Iversen Author Theresa DaLayne Where The Broken Lie by Derek Rempfer Bound 4 Escape Author Laura Diamond   Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Giveaway here: http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups   Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International). There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7". Ends 3/31/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway