Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Two announcements about longtime cohouser Joani Blank

[Diane (dianeclaire]

OH NO!!!! DAMN!!!!


Sorry I won't be at your party; it's too far away.  I'll be 83 on 9/11;
would prefer July 4th as a birthday.  I always knew you were a daughter of
the republic.  I will donate, probably to coho US, in your honor.

All my love, and tears,
Diane

On Fri, Jun 24, 2016 at 11:48 AM, Joani Blank <jeblank [at] swansway.com> wrote:

>
> ANNOUNCEMENT One
>
> I have very recently received a diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic cancer.
> It is a very aggressive form of cancer with a poor prognosis, and it is
> likely that I do not have a lot of time left.For that reason, I intend to
> treat only my symptoms, not the disease itself, because I want to enjoy
> myself and not feel sick during whatever time remains.
>
> People often don’t know how to respond to a cancer announcement, so let me
> tell you what will work and not work for me.
>
> Please don’t say something like, “Let me tell you abouta book you should
> read/some herbs you should take/a meditation practice that will help you.”
> In other words I prefer not to hear advice or suggestions at this
> time.Instead, try something like, "That really sucks" or "I’m sad/sorry
> you’re sick” and/or if you are close by, you might offer me a hug.There’s
> no need to offer your help; I know that I will have it should I ask for it,
> and I will ask if I need or want it.
>
> Watch for details of a Celebration of My Life (which I plan to attend)
> probably in September.
>
>
> ANNOUNCEMENT Two
>
> Believe it or not, I’m turning 79 on the 4th of July!
>
> This year, I will be celebrating my birthday on Monday, the Fourth at 7:00
> at Annapurna, the new Indo-Nepali restaurant at the corner of Clay and 10th
> Streets in Old Oakland.  Dinner will cost $19.50 per person, including tax
> and tip. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
>
> If you live in the SF Bay area and are going to be here over the 4th of
> July weekend and would like to  come to my birthday party please let me
> know by email to jeblank [at] swansway.com.
>
> In lieu of birthday gifts, I am inviting you to make a donation to one (or
> more) of five of my favorite nonprofits. (Coho/US  will be one of them of
> course!) I will provide you with information about them when you RSVP so
> you can check them out before you come.
>
> Even if you can't come to my birthday party because you live much too far
> away or for any other reason, but you'd like to consider making a donation,
> please let me know and I'll send you the list with the organizations' web
> addresses, so you can take a look at them.
>
> Love,
>
> Joani
>
> p.s. Local cohousing folk--The restaurant has limited seating, so the
> final guest list will be _first come first served,_ and I will let you know
> if you are on it no later than July 1. Apologies for the late notice.
> Needless to say, my life has been just a wee bit chaotic since June 3 when
> I had the first inkling of my diagnosis.
>
>
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>


-- 
Diane Margolis
175 Richdale Av.
Cambridge, MA 02140
617 354 1349