Tj Klune updated his status: “As of today, we’ve been in this ICU for 24 days.

Every day Eric’s getting just a little bit better.

This morning, he looked more like himself than at any other time I’ve seen him since this started, smiling and waggling his eyebrows at me and the nurses.

I am filled with a great hope.”

Tj Klune updated his status: “Rough couple of days with Eric . He (understandably) gets agitated at times with the machines and not being able to move and this whole fucking mess.

I am tired, exhausted really, but am pushing on and on.

And it was all worth it. It was all worth it because today, for an hour straight, Eric was breathing on his own, making his own breaths, without the aid of the ventilator. It was a test and he passed with flying colors.

So yes: we will have our rough days, but when those high points come roaring back like they did today, I find that they are really all that matters.

Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go.”

So, it kind of looks like a flashback, doesn’t it? Seeing Sinner’s Gin up here again?

Well, there’s a reason for this. In about two to three weeks, Sinner’s Gin will be available as an Audiobook on Dreamspinner and Audible. A little bit later, it’ll be available on Amazon and iTunes.

I’m kind of blown away by this. I was given a few narrators to choose from and found one I liked. They were all good—each had their own take on the boys but I liked who I choose. His voice seemed to lend itself to the boys and well, he could do Irish really well.

I’ll share links when it’s up. Whiskey and Wry is also being finished up so that’ll be on its heels.

So woooooot! And it’s a good way to start off 2014!

TJ Writes:

Eric is doing good, having had a couple of restful days in a row, something his body sorely needs in order to begin to heal itself. I am continually surprised by his resilience to everything thrown at him. Not only is his breathing good, he responded to tests designed to detect sensation in his appendages. They are called pain tests, and the object is to have the foot or hand pull away from pressing lightly against a nerve in the finger or toes. Both hands and both feet pulled away. I get a little more hopeful each day. He’s strong, that one is.

I got to speak to him on the phone this morning. The nurse called me, saying he wanted to hear my voice. I spoke and he listened because he can’t really vocalize around the trach as of yet. I can’t wait to hear his voice again, clear of tubes and pain.

2013 did not end the way I wanted it too. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. But rather than focus on just that, I have to remember that while it ended terribly, the first 11 1/2 months were the best of my life. Even though the last few weeks have been dark, I have found that not only is Eric the strongest man I know, I have the best of friends who have our backs no matter what. And it turns out that while I may crack, I will not be broken.

2014 is going to be tough, but you know what? Fuck it. Bring it on. I can take it.

Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go.