Thin Wire: Heroin Addiction

I'm pleased to host author Christine Lewry as she shares from her book that deals with her daughter's struggle with heroin. Abridged extract from Thin Wire: A mother’s journey through her daughter’s heroin addiction.Amber’s story: Heroin WithdrawalLiving with Dave, I’ve always had an easy supply of heroin. The thought of what a long, enforced withdrawal might be like flits across my mind. I dismiss it – I’ll be okay and we’ll soon be home. ‘Sleep...

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Concierge Medicine

Personally, I didn't have a lot of strong feelings about concierge medicine until my personal physician decided to convert his practice to it.I do have VERY strong feelings about Obama Care speaking as a pediatric ER nurse. I tend not to get political here but, regardless of how you feel about the law, healthcare is changing in the US and physicians moving to concierge medicine is just one of them. In the current state, physicians are worried about...

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Researching a Doctor's Training

Sometimes the challenge of writing a medical scene is knowing how young or old to make your physician based on their medical training. Some specialties require many years of training and others not so much (as far as specialized fellowships, etc.)In my current novel, I needed to figure out what type of training my physician needed to go through. He's a pediatric transplant surgeon.Here were the basics.College: Four yearsMedical School: Four YearsSurgical...

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Up and Coming

Hello Redwood's Fans!How has your week been?Mine? Crazy busy. I'm in the third round of editing the last book in the Bloodline Trilogy, Peril. Pretty soon my baby will be ready for the world-- October 1st. It's always a nerve racking time as other authors are reviewing the novel for possible endorsement and you always want to impress them.I'm also doing a huge Facebook Party launching my new Facebook Author page. Hope you'll stop by and check it...

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Author Question: Exsanguination

Heather S. asks:I came across your website while browsing for some information for a project. I am currently a nursing student and am doing a project on arterial bleeding. I am trying to find specific exsanguination times for the major artieries in the body. I have had no luck after searching online and multiple medical books. I just need a simple answer, i.e carotid artery 2-20 minutes. I have a few times, however, I feel that they are inaccurate....

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Injured Characters: Start From "The End"

I just returned from teaching at Colorado Christian Writers Conference up in Estes Park, CO. Not only is it a beautiful spot-- being up in the mountains is stunning!-- but it's also a conference close to my heart. It was this conference in 2006 where I became firm in my decision to seek publication and so much has happened in the last seven years. If you haven't considered this conference-- do so! You get FOUR appointments. It's the only conference...

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Author Question: Ankle Injury

Elaine Asks: I have a medical question on my WIP that I was wondering if you can help me with. I have a 72-year-old woman who falls and hurts her ankle. It swells and throbs and her family brings her to the ER. From my research I gather that she can have a sprain as opposed to a break. I need her to be somewhat mobile because she needs to rush to a caving site where her son is trapped. Is it feasible to think that she can use crutches, can drive,...

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Winner!

Hello Redwood's Fans!How has everyone's week gone?Mine . . . amazing.I got to spend the week up in Estes Park and it was GORGEOUS except for one brief sleet storm. You know it is Colorado and for some reason this year the state does not want to give up winter.I was part of the faculty for the Colorado Christian Writers Conference. If you want a smaller, amazing conference this is one to book for next year. I got to take a suspense class from Bill...

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Author Question: I Need a Medical Condition!

I often get questions from authors who just need a medical condition for their characters. Here are a couple of options for Cheryl's scenario. Can you think of any more options?Problem: 18y/o with congenital heart defect whose condition has been controlled by medication. Develops sudden need for surgery. What kind of surgery? How long? Recovery Process?Cheryl: I think there are a couple of ways you could approach this scenario.Option One: EndocarditisIs...

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Past, Present and Future with Lynette Eason

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Author Question: Panic Attacks

Becky asks:My MC's ex-boyfriend to come back with not-so-good-but-not-outright-bad intentions to try to force her to take him back. He's been leading a high-stress life-style (Dental School, top of his class, used to be an cyclist but stopped exercising, angry about no perfect job post school, turned-mean, etc.) and then she leaves him because he's so awful and after almost 9 years of waiting to get married and live happily ever after, he tell her...

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Up and Coming

Happy Mother's Day to my mom and ALL the great moms I know. Hope you enjoy your day. WOW! What a great couple of weeks it's been here at Redwood's. Jocelyn Green's post were AMAZING and I thank her from the bottom of my heart for all her great posts, great guest hosting and hard work.The WINNER of Jocelyn's book Widow of Gettysburg is Marissa!! I'll be e-mailing you to let you know how to claim your prize.Congratulations.And-- we have another great...

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Phantom Limb Pain: 2/2

Today, author and Christy Award nominee (two nominations!) Jocelyn Green concludes her two-part series on phantom limb pain. You can find Part I here.  As an added bonus, Jocelyn has graciously offered to give away a personalized copy of her latest novel, Widow of Gettysburg, to one commentor. To enter, leave a comment on any of her posts WITH your e-mail address. Must live in the USA. Winner drawn midnight, Saturday, May 11th, 2013 and announced...

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