So upset, I've eaten two chocolate bars

Those of you around the Cat Blogosphere and who read the daily news and updates, will know that one of the long-timer bloggers has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

We knew it was pancreatic cancer a few weeks ago, and of course the immediate thought, at least for me, was, "Uh-oh." But I think this news has killed any hope I was harbouring that it was caught in time. Because life expectancy in stage 4 is "grim," according to the Livestrong web site. And I have been told she has chosen to forgo any treatments (presumably nasty) that would extend her life by 6 months or a year and is opting for hospice care.

I'm just beside myself and I don't even know her, except via her blog and a few emails. But she's always seemed like a wonderful lady with a heart of gold, one who has had a difficult life, at least in terms of financial challenges.

So I can only imagine how her family and friends feel.

I know I feel useless and ineffectual.

It's so weird, having these "pseudo" connections to people you really don't know, yet who impact your life. And then, what do you say to someone who is choosing end-of-life palliative care?

It's absolutely heart-breaking.

If any of you who post as part of the CB haven't yet seen the news, you can get the update here:


I'm sending everyone concerned "prayers" and universal Light.

Peace and Blessings.


Comments

wildcatwoods said…
I knew this was coming when they said it was pancreatic cancer. My father died of this when I was 24. It is often misdiagnosed in the early stages and by the time it is found, the end time is close. He chose chemo but the Drs told me it would make him sicker and not buy more time - I am sure this is why Judi has chosen hospice. My father went the hospice route after we talked to him and he was just a few years younger than Judi. Cancer took him in 3 short weeks. Having been thru this with more than a few loved ones, I know we can only tell them we care and will be thinking of them. Perhaps sharing the memories of times gone by - in this case posts and times we shared on the blog. And then there is concern for her beloved cats. A very sad situation.
March 27, 2012 at 12:45 PM
Katnip Lounge said…
My thoughts echo Cheri's...I too think hospice is the far better of two bad options. I am torn up thinking about Judi, I had Scott photograph some ladybugs in the garden last week as they reminded me of her--I will have to post them.
March 27, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Random Felines said…
My heart broke when I read the update this morning. Judi is a special lady......
March 27, 2012 at 1:29 PM
Katie Isabella said…
I was in denial about the stage as I just couldn't face that happening to her. And now that I read that this morning I can deny it no longer and it makes me feel heartbroken.
March 27, 2012 at 2:00 PM
MTVA said…
Devastating news. I don't have a blog of my own, but just from visiting around, I also feel connected somehow to all you good people, and immensely saddened to see one of our own struck by something so bad. Purrs and prayers for dear Miss Judi.
March 27, 2012 at 3:44 PM
Old Kitty said…
Oh no!!!!! Oh goodness. Oh my gosh. I'm gonna go over to taylor.cats.
x
March 27, 2012 at 3:59 PM
Old Kitty said…
I loved that she loved her Sammy and Andy and Sierra and Shelly and was so proud of her beautiful grand daughter getting to college. And I totally loved how she expressed her artistic and creative side with her blogheader banners and pictures and her mini films. She wrote of a lovely time in her life while in Ireland. She loved her family and they meant the world to her and she was so innately creative. I totally totally hate cancer. I hate it so much. Hate it. I'd dance on its grave and spit at it if I saw it dying on the pavement. Seriously. I hate hate hate cancer.

Take care
x
March 27, 2012 at 4:13 PM
ANGEL ABBYGRACE said…
I suspected the worst when they finally detected it was a mass in the pancreas. My brother has been going through being evaluated for a liver transplant and in doing research I've read a lot about the pancreas. Stage 4 cancer is nearly always a zero sum end. I haven't read the news yet, but I'm going over there now. I was just checking yesterday about Judi. I am really sorry to hear this. REally sorry.

xoxoxox
March 27, 2012 at 6:31 PM
Anonymous said…
I'm so sorry about your blog friend. Cancer is so nasty. Sending good thoughts into the blogasphere.
xo Catherine
March 27, 2012 at 11:08 PM
JC said…
I didn't know. I've been busy this week. I'll go over now and read about it.
March 27, 2012 at 11:57 PM
Janet NZ said…
I'm so sorry about your friend.
There isn't anything I can say to make this better, but my thoughts and prayers are with you and her too.
XXXOOO
March 28, 2012 at 12:02 AM
E. Smith said…
I believe that one of the blessings of blogs is the ability to witness someone's life. It doesn't matter whether any of us ever meet in person, what counts is the caring shared through these sites.

So sorry to hear about your friend's cancer.
March 28, 2012 at 12:29 AM
Laila and Angel Minchie said…
I just cannot get Judi off my mind since the mass was first discovered. She is such a sweetheart. We are just heartbroken. It's really amazing how close you can become with friends you meet on the CB and internet. They become like your extended family.

Peggy, Laila and Minchie
March 28, 2012 at 8:07 AM
Josie said…
I'm very behind on stuff. I'm sorry to read this-I don't know her...but I've had two people in my family die from this cancer.

Even if it doesn't seem much, kind words and good thoughts still count for something.

((big hugs))
March 29, 2012 at 10:13 AM
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