“Hey, how have you been?” A friend texts me, out of the blue.
I stare at the empty chat bubble, trying to figure out what to say. Dropping big news on someone always feels awkward, uncomfortable, uncertain.
“Well, it’s been a bit of a wild ride…” I type out. Deep breath. Just gonna drop it in the chat.
“I had spine surgery last week, and now I’m in recovery at home.”
Wait, what happened?
What a wild ride 2024 has already been. After months of leg and hip pain, I woke up unable to walk on February 4th, 2024. Six more weeks of diagnostics, physical therapy, severe pain, and every pain management tool under the sun, multiple specialists confirmed: it’s a problem with your spine.
Just over a week ago, in late March, I had spine surgery: a micro-discectomy. I'll be in recovery for the next six to twelve weeks with progressive rehab, nerve healing, and strengthening. I’m leaning on a whole lot of help to do everyday tasks. No bending, lifting, or twisting allowed — no driving, no reaching to the floor (so basically everything a parent needs to do).
As we tell our kids, “Mom is in a lot of pain, but she’s not in any danger.”
For a little while, I'm taking several unexpected months of leave from my business to heal, all the while hiring as much help as I can get with my two young kids.
This continues to remind me just how vital it is to have social infrastructure and support beyond just "having" or "not having" a job. I’m very fortunate that my business is mature enough to be able to support this curveball, but it’s not without loss. Nobody’s life should depend on having a job. This is yet another example of how critical it is to have community, social, and civic infrastructure that adequately takes care of people — that is not bound to employment.
In a later post, I'll share how beautifully the women in the Wise Women's Council are holding space while I'm on unexpected leave. I'll probably write about how sudden emergencies can upend your business, no matter how organized you are. And I'll tell you about how many people I need *just* to do basic things again. Plus, I hope to post some selfies when I'm back in the pool swimming laps (no flip-turns yet).
For now, I want to tell you about the gifts we’re giving to all of the subscribers here on Substack, how you can help (if you want to), and what we’re doing over the next couple of months so I can rest (with children) and recover.
Gifts for subscribers ❤️
Now for the better news: for all paying subscribers, your subscription has been extended for a BONUS YEAR FOR FREE — as a thank-you for still being here while I’ve been away on medical leave.
And for everyone else who is a free subscriber, you've been gifted a complimentary upgrade subscription for three months so you can check out the talks, the book club, the threads, and more—as a chance to see more behind-the-scenes and consider maybe just maybeeeeee upgrading and becoming a paid backer here.
How to help ✅
Why is it SO HARD to ask for help?
I avoided putting this in until my friend Margo said “SARAH. If you tell people about this they will WANT TO HELP. SO.
The best way to support is by — you know it — becoming a backer of this publication.
Seriously! It’s like sending me coffee or a home-cooked meal, just in a different format. Oh—and I dropped the annual price to $40/year.
If you’re feeling abundant and want to give more, you can become a founding member and write-in what you want your subscription level to be (the recommended donation is $128, but you can do more or less to your preferred amount).
Psst — everyone can join our new chat room 👯
We’re kicking off Friday threads for our paid subscribers.
Come join us and meet other parents, founders, exhausted dads, beleaguered moms, and tell us a bit about you!
Also—loads of people here aren’t parents or entrepreneurs and y’all are ALL welcome in my chatroom.
Two threads you can pop into: one to introduce yourself and tell us about the work you do, and another to share book recommendations if you’re reading something good right now!
And a takeover is on the way… 💪
Over the next few weeks, I’m inviting several authors to join me here and do a Substack takeover so I can rest, recover, do my PT, and try to sort myself out. You’ll get to hear from some of my favorite writers!
In a later post, I'll share how beautifully my community is holding space while I'm on this unexpected leave. I'll probably write about how sudden emergencies can upend your business, no matter how organized you are. And I'll tell you about how many people I need just to do basic things again. Plus, I hope to post some selfies when I'm back in the pool swimming laps (no flip-turns yet).
You all know I talk a lot about how important paid family and medical leave is, and this is no exception. It takes a village, and then some.
I'll write more about this all later. For now, I'm in recovery, and I'm going to rest.
xo
— Sarah K Peck (aka SKP)
Founder & CEO
Startup Parent
💛💛💛💛
I am paid for the year, how can I donate to support you? Otherwise, I can come up and offer massage too! Oh my goodness, sending you so much love and healing and care!