Once more unto the breach, dear friends

Some of my readers may remember that I disappeared from the blogosphere for 4 months back in May 2011, following a hospital stay for some abdominal surgery.  That hospitalisation was meant to last no more than two weeks but quickly descended into a living nightmare as everything started to go wrong, leaving me bedridden until I was finally discharged in August essentially worse off than when I had gone in as the planned surgery had to be "undone" leaving me just as I had been beforehand but also weakened from the ordeal of it all.  I won't go into any greater (gory) detail here on a public blog but my Inbox is always open to anyone who wants to chat about such matters, as I know there are a few vintage bloggers who struggle with their health sometimes.

Here he comes again...

The reason for this sudden, frank reminder (or, to newer arrivals, revelation) of a dark chapter in my (and my blog's) recent history is because I have to tell you that the time has come for me - or rather my consultant - to have another crack at the operation that was first attempted in May 2011.  I'm back to as close to full strength as I'll ever be and although what was behind the debacle two years ago has never been satisfactorily determined various tests since then appear to show no barrier to trying again and the doc is quietly confident - so come Tuesday in I go once more.

"I'm ready for your dictation."

Of course I have no intention of being out of commission for four months this time - I continue to hope for the best outcome and the hospital will be on the alert from the start now - but the fact remains that for a few weeks at least I shan't be around to keep this blog going.  I thought it only fair to advise you all of the fact rather than have you all scratching your heads wondering where I've gone as happened last time.  However I've actually organised things enough this time that I've planned ahead and created a few scheduled posts (including this one, although I don't go in 'til Tuesday morning) that should appear automatically over the next three weeks.  I have to thank Jessica over at Chronically Vintage for her recent post about blogging schedules which inspired me to put a few posts by for when I'll be too ill to write any on the spot.  Although the majority of posts on Eclectic Ephemera are of the as-it-happens (or as-it-happened-and-has-just-been-rediscovered/celebrated/championed) variety I do like to vary things with the odd blog about personal vintage discoveries & enjoyments and it will be ones of this sort that you will have to put up with for a while, I'm afraid!

I feel a bit rotten about having written a couple of other post in January before this one - I had hoped to have one or two more articles come my way in between times but it looks like time is running out for that (watch them all flood in now I've committed that down!).  Either way rest assured that during my enforced absence I will still be following my many regular bloggers in spirit if nothing else.  I've altered this blog's settings so that comments will be published immediately so do please keep 'em coming!  It was quite a comfort to me last time to read all my favourite blogs, not to mention the comments and e-mails wishing me well - those were particularly affecting and I must thank again everyone who left them.

All that remains is for me to wish you all - visitors, readers, followers old and new - all the best for the remainder of January.  Looking forward to catching up with all your wonderful blogs will be one of things keeping me buoyant and focussed on getting over the surgery successfully this time.  Once again, I will see you all anon.