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Jed, I heard about your illness only recently. My most fervent hopes and good wishes are for your recovery. Your example of courage and good humor (and intelligence, too) is more helpful to others than perhaps you know. Becky and I lend our voices and thoughts to the many who are rooting for you, and for your wife, and for Formosa and Ginger.
Jim
Hey Jed,
A Chestertown friend checking in....this time last week we were sitting on the dock of the bay.....eating crabs and reminiscing with Wibs, Josh, et. al. What an amazing family. I'm guessing that when you were little you might have scripted being a kid, son, brother, friend, student, husband, father, educator....
Super Action Hero ? not so much....maybe still archived in the 4th grade Deppman playbook? Please know that there are legions of people here in IL... that are on TEAM JED. We're excited to read posts from Taiwan and wish a safe journey for you, H.C. Formosa and Ginger. Your friends, jane and tom thompson
Hey Jed,
I took your Ars Moriendi seminar in 2004. I just wanted to let you know I really look forward to reading the blog whenever you post--I've never had to deal with cancer in my family, but I find your stories really inspiring. Emily Hosmer-Dillard was the one who pointed the blog out to me, and I'm glad she did!
All my good thoughts and wishes,
Alex
Hi, Jed:
I am Ellen Sayles' cousin and a fellow cancer warrior (diagnosed with ovarian stage iiia in 12/07.) She forwarded me the link to your site. I am astounded by your writings and so stunned by your lovely children.
I am wishing you well and sending good, healing thoughts your way.
FYI my on-line cancer world can be found here:
http://myplanet.planetcancer.org/profile/EmilyBeck
Soldier on,
Emily
Jed, you do not know me, but my friend Elizabeth Stone, Marye Dahlman's mother, emailed me your messages and I have known few times in life when I have enjoyed such erudition, especially of the ilk you employ to discuss with others (and yourself?) your cancer and how you are dealing with its realities and its probablities.
Plato is, I am sure, proud to know that persons who understand and appreciate him are able to lead others to an understanding of his thinking and how his ideas are applicable to the complexiities of this world. A few months ago, my Bread of Angels class at Christ Episcopal church in Bowling Green, KY spent several weeks delighting in Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar!Perhaps you know the authors of this masterpiece? I have personally found great solace in so many of Plato's writings and I take some refuge from the world in his thinking that it is the soul that is the seat of rationality and immortality....
Did not Longfellow and Milton, among others, talk of the importance of waiting patiently? Hard to do, most of us have learned. However, it sounds to me that you have acquired that art, and that you are using your time not in lanquor, but in "up and doing."
Remember that Emily D. denied that a word is dead when it is said; in effect, it only begins to live that day. The word chemotherapy has indeed given life, not a death sentence, to so many, and I trust the same will be true for you. My brother-in-law who lives in Morrow, Ohio was diagnosed with totally incurable cancer about seven years ago, and after a round of chemo, he has been cancer free for over five years. Just goes to show, wouldn't you think?
We in the south have an idiom that is cure-all for everything, plus it is a simple prayer. That saw is "Bless his/her/our soul(s)." That is my thought for you. Of course, the word "God" is understood in this simple saying that conveys so much hope.
Maybe when you are fully recovered, you can come to Bowling Green, KY, a truly beautiful spot on God's green earth.
If it is okay, I will check your messages regularly, and will tell my more educated friends to read and appreciate all that you write.
Sue Wilson
So, here, at the collection spot for all your old ghosts, I am. I'm still missing your wit and your speed and your honesty, even if you were only making things up out of whole cloth. I could use some pointers on Irish Studies and postcolonial lit, and if you don't have any pointers, I could suffer some abuse from you.
Joe
Dear Jed,
I'd love to visit some day this summer, and I promise to be as unobtrusive as I possibly can be, demanding only to hold forth a bit on Hamlet (have I ever told you I find your approach to that play awfully, well, old-fashioned, especially for a Theory-Head such as yourself?), to recite for many hours any passage you desire from any of the 36 plays (my memory for such things is, alas, my only gift), and to have a tour of campus. I'd be delighted to bring along some of my Persian cooking by way of recompense. We're in Chicago all next week, then Utah the second half of July; otherwise, my summer is free.
We think and speak of you often, of course. My best to HC and the girls.
With much love,
Kevin
Hi Jed,
You don't know me but I was a good friend of Hsiu-Chuang's back when we're still in college.
Over the years I knew Hsiu-Chuang has been teaching in Oberlin College and enjoy a great great family (she's the smartest and most talented girl in class, so I am not surprised that she's the most successful among us), but I didn't learn that you fell sick last August.
Just want to send in my strongest support and the very best wishes. We moved from NY to North Carolina in 1999 and have rooted here since. Don't hesitate to let us know if you need anything.
Bruce, Jennifer, Lesley & Judy Chao
Hi Jed,
I loved the photos!
Just thinking about you, hoping the present nasty phase is over before you know it. I'm streaming love and strength your direction.
Marianne
Jed. I was thinking of you today and wanted to send along good energy (albeit through these cables and wires). I hope that you are hanging in there, and are starting to enjoy warm and sunny weather.
I wish you well on the remainder of your treatment! You will be done with it sooner than you know!
Eliza
