Oh, indeed you are, Ronni. Make no mistake about that.

It was a surprise, a very good one, to see a new post this morning. There's no need to respond to our writings - they're for us to be a part of this journey with you and for you to know we're here, right by your side.

Feel free to rave, rant, grieve, release tension, and travel through any myriad of thoughts and emotions here. We are a strong group, and many will have experiences to draw from, or suggestions for you during this journey.

Music can be helpful, to calm or enthuse or go into another realm of yourself. And humor - remember Norman (? last name) who constantly watched humorous movies, like "the 3 Stooges" to heal himself. Books, as you know, can work wonders and I'd likely read about the tools used by Ruth B. Ginsburg during her medical crises and how she coped. Consider a new venture, like knitting or watercolors, or photography (something portable).

I'm betting you'll give this your usual supreme effort and turn these mountains into molehills.

Healing thoughts and prayers for you!!

I've thought over and over again about you since reading about your diagnosis. I wish I could write something profound and comforting, but having gone through this with my sister three years ago, I really want to wish you ease and comfort as you go through the treatment and life changes.

I'm so sad about your diagnosis! To have this happen to such a wonderful person who helps us all so much with your column is truly heart-breaking. I wish you all the best with your treatment.

Prayers are ongoing for you. May I make you a prayer/comfort shawl if you don't already have one? Let me know if you have a favorite color too.
Peaceful blessings

Wow! You are some great gal. May I add my prayers to those of many others?
When I was fighting the big C several years ago as I went into surgery, I thought of the many people who were praying for me (including the entire Korean church of a co-worker who'd added my name to their prayer list)!
God bless you!

Thanks for the update Ronni. And as we say out here on the Edge, long may your big jib sail.

You wield a mighty fine pen too.

XO
WWW

Hello Ronnie:
I was saddened by your news and have been thinking of you since. Isn't it amazing the power of writing, and that although we've never met, how close I feel to you and am rooting for you every day. This is no doubt due to the personal nature, sharing and transparency, humor, insight and darn good writing of your posts...not simply because I agree with your opinions and view points. So, I want to add to the comments of so many sending you my wishes for your love, support, endurance, self-compassion, and good faith in all that endures no matter what we go through. Susan P

Thinking of you, wishing you didn't have this challenge, and somehow still believing that all walks are worthy. I like to light a prayer candle in the morning for friends, and often myself, who are walking through rough, unchartered terrain. Unless I hear no from you, I'll include you beginning tomorrow. Love to you.

Thinking of you and know that all your many followers are too.

My many years in home health care and some as a hospice counselor have proven to me that mental attitude is the single most important determinant of the course of treatment for serious health challenges. So you are right on, identifying that component as salient now. And yes, there have been many advances since your father's probably rapid decline. May I suggest that you spend some time reviewing your personal priorities, deciding what and how much of your so far usual routines you want to continue to spend energy on, and what you are ready to set aside at least temporarily. Know what will help you sustain a positive attitude through those times when the medical treatments are difficult, and be sure you retain access to those activities.
Best wishes.

Oh shit!

I must have been blocked out in the first 100 comments, but want to say now how much I've learned from reading your excellent blog over the years. Often I quote you to my aging friends, and your research/information has given me things to think about I'd never considered. I'm 65, so you're like an older auntie to me!

At any rate, I'm sending good wishes, ((((hugs))) for recovery. My late husband had acute leukemia, and by the time we learned about it, he only had one chemo and died. However, that was due to his weakened heart (he'd had a heart attack the previous year). It was a battle we were gearing up for, just didn't go through.

I know you will share what you are able to, and for that (in advance) let me thank you. Your blog is a great contribution to aging seniors everywhere, and please don't ever forget that! And yes, you ARE indeed brave, as well as intelligent and a wonderful writer.

Ronnie,
I can only add my voice to all the other beautifully written comments. On Saturday as I read your post I felt as though a member of my own family was sharing their diagnosis with me. I thought about you all weekend and you will be in my thoughts and prayers for the foreseeable future.

We will all be with you in your journey!

My cancer journey has me now on the 4th round of a six round cycle of chemo. The chemo has saved my life. I was too sick to go on and had almost given up, but after the second cycle I started rebounding and my energy returned.
My lung cancer was diagnosed too late for surgery. It's stage 4 and metastasized to vital organs and bones. But the chemo, at least for now, is holding it at bay.
I have had some of the best days of my life after diagnosis, when the simplest things fill me with joy. I am overwhelmed by the care and concern of the people around me. Blogger friends, some I have met in person and some not have also helped my morale so much.
My mindset, mostly, is thankful and grateful.
Ronnie, I would like to e-mail you but am having trouble figuring out your system. I'll work on that today. Best to you!

I am sure that the first thing that your thoughts turn to when you first wake up is your terrrible diagnosis. It's like going through grief, one stage at a time.

I also know that you are a very strong woman and will overcome this just like Ruth Bader Ginsburg did. I also know there will be down times that you have to deal with because this is a diagnosis that you surely didn't want.

I am firmly convinced that mental attitude is vital for dealing with the bad aspects of this.
I have a friend whose daughter had throat cancer and when she got the diagnosis she told her mother "Don't freak out" as she was okay. She maintained a healthy attitude through chemo, radiation and several surgeries and carried on going shopping and having lunch with her mom.

Yes, she got tired and had to rest often, but she did not experience nausea or other bad side effects of chemo or radiation other than hair loss. I attribute that to her good attitude. In addition they are much better at preventing the nausea associated with chemo now.

Her mother told me that those going through chemo are a very supportive group and you will meet good friends there.

Those hats you bought will come in handy now.

You are in my thoughts all the time, Ronni, and I so wish I lived closer so I could help with meals or laundry when you tire. I do hope your Oregon friends will do that for you.

Stay strong because you have such a large loving support group that are pulling for a successful recovery.

Ronni, I was very sad when I read about your pancreatic cancer diagnosis. I immediately thought of Randy Pausch who had battled this same disease, and provided inspiration and uplifting advice to others as part of his Last Lecture even while making all the details of his disease known. Basically he determined that the disease would not rule his life, and he also was determined to squeeze every last minute out of his life as possible.
I found him a captivating person, and did follow his progress through to the inevitable (but oft-delayed) conclusion via his blog posts. Links to his lecture, bio, and his personal blog can be found here:
https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/
You might find some comfort or perhaps some ideas to take away from his story. And I do hope that medicine has advanced beyond what they were able to do for him just 9 years ago.
Good luck in the days to come.

I learned about your blog just a few months ago and have thoroughly enjoyed it since! Wish I had known about it sooner. Just to say that, even though I don't know you that well, your message about your recent diagnosis hit me as if you were an old friend. I will add you to my daily prayers and pray for strength and patience as you journey through this experience. Take care. Rebecca Magalhães

Take care of yourself-so many friends around the world are wishing you well.

I don't know if you are a brave person. But from what I have read in your blog, I think you are a can-do, no-nonsense person. My hope is you will let that attitude guide you...one foot in front of the other, one step at a time, doing the next directed thing with all of us walking beside you.

And so, you will continue to help us learn to age, gracefully and with dignity. You might remember, I met you and your blog through our mutual admiration of the Globe columnist, Donald Murray. Thank you for taking the time to write.

Sending warm thoughts from Florida...you are thought of fondly. I wish you well on this life adventure. Like others, I feel as though you are a friend. I don't comment often, but read every post.

I agree with Colleen. You "continue to help us learn to age, gracefully and with dignity."

Now about that ice cream. I was so hoping it could make a comeback as a regularly enjoyed treat...you'll need the calories!! Yayyyy.

Thanks for posting. Thinking of you everyday sending hugs and warm thoughts.

What Simone said! We can do a Portland ice cream tasting. This is what REAL friends will do!

Soo, YES to blogging this journey ... the good, the bad, the ugly and the remission!!!!

Believe it or not, I still have some rusty shorthand if you'd rather dictate and let me type ...

Ronni,
Often, speaking with friends about personal challenges make them easier to face. You are in the company of friends and survivors - some from cancer and other health-related conditions, some from economic ills, relationship debacles and losses; the list is endless. Thanks for giving voice to your infinitely fascinating nuggets of life. Continue disrupting the status quo with your wry perspective, no doubt you'll find something most relevant to kvetch about and I can't tell you how many times reading your blog I've nodded in agreement.

I value and appreciate your voice. It has helped immensely during my transition from worker to retired, from aging to legally old (65) and beyond. Your courage to blog about your health is a gift. I'm not certain I could have written about caring for my mom with her dementia, it was a emotional, ever changing challenge. As a reader I support your writing when you feel like writing and responding to emails only when you feel like responding. We will understand. Sending one big virtual hug. Even though we've not met in person, I do consider you my friend and will keep you in my thoughts & prayers.

Ronni-I've enjoyed your thoughtful wise and witty blog for several years now and am saddened by your recent diagnosis. Sending you positive energy and strength via the Internet to gracefully beat the big f***ing C.- Jody Brown

Dearest Ronni, I am deeply saddened by your health news and send warmest hugs and much love from Tel Aviv. The support from your global village is a well of caring and tenderness that I hope you can tap into when you thirst for the abundant flow. — xoxo

I did not know you were going through this battle. I have not been reading all the blogs, but skimming. You are a warrior and generous and brave to share this journey. We are all rooting for you, so you can relax a little.

I was so very sorry to learn of your illness in your Saturday post, Ronni. You have been in my thoughts daily ever since; and I wanted to add my voice to the swelling chorus of your blog readers and followers who are sending you kind thoughts and well wishes. Thank you thank you for all the many thoughtful and thought provoking posts over the years; as well as all the wonderful links. Sending you healing wishes, hugs and love...

If loving thoughts from your many far-flung and faithful readers can make you well, then well you shall be! Please consider us family you can lean on and never feel alone.

You have given us much over the years, and as your treatment progresses I hope you will allow us to help make you more comfortable, perhaps by providing funds for a cleaning service or meal service through your donation button. There are a lot of us, and a little from those who are able to help could make sure you are able to relax and heal.

Hugs from Canada,
Deb

Ronnie dear one, You are in my prayers for radiant health.
Needing to make use of the USA health system (designed to profit insurance companies
not make you well) can be done and you have to be smart and strategic.
1. It is standard practice to send patients home too early. Insurance companies like this.
Most of us on the receiving end of medical care do not. Make sure you have adequate support when you get home. That means friends, family, neighbors, home care workers from the state if you qualify through your insurance. While in the hospital insist on good thorough care and let them know if you are going home to a living situation where you are alone and without a helper.
2. Most hospitals have someone who advocates for patients. Fine one who does their job
as a representative for the ordinary non-medical patient. It will take some work to find out who does this job. Just ask around -nurses, CNA, staff who are ethical and genuinely want to help you will be a good way to locate such a person. In my community these people are under the hospital department like "Patient Relations" or Problem solvers.
I have found reliable, fast help from patient advocates who do their job.
3. Check out the state sponsored Ombudsman. Our state has volunteers who check up on the institution to see if they are providing good care. Sometimes they are excellent and do
unannounced evaluations that find out accurately what is happening. Some get bought off easily. Occasionally you can find help navigating the medical/insurance system from
these folks.
4. Our community here in Oregon has an independent Elders in Action group. Not associated with anybody but more active, concerned citizens. A gold mine and can give you accurate information on what does and doesn't work.
5. Make sure you have contact with YOUR doctor. They may connect you with a "Hospitalist" that 's a doctor who manages your care while you are in the hospital. They work for the hospital though sometimes they can be helpful. But your doctor is your best resource on how to navigate the system so it works for you.
Prayers for you to use what of they medical system will help you and leave the insurance garbage and bureaucracy behind.
I was in a car accident in 1991 and have had to use the medical system. These are guidelines that I wish I had when I was in hospital for two months.
Best wishes,
Ellen Greenlaw

Of course you are brave. You have been telling truths for a lifetime. Oh dear Ronni, I wish you all strength for your journey, the strength we all need. You are surrounded in our concern and love.

You have me thinking of my October Years.com blog, where I am currently posting about my own cancer diagnosis and my efforts to move beyond the impact of it. Had no idea how powerful the psychological impact could be.

Am hoping the best for you, Ronni