Ok folks, this entry is a bit of a departure, actually it’s a total departure from my usual writing. For those of you who have been enjoying my blog and my recipes, you may have noticed that I’ve slowed down dramatically this year. If it’s any consolation, I have strong feelings of guilt and disappointment that this has happened 🙂
So I felt I owed you all an explanation. In January of this year, my husband/soulmate/love of my life was diagnosed with brain cancer. They operated on him about two weeks later and were able to remove about half of the tumor (they do the operation with him awake – yikes!). Since then he’s been taking chemo every month for the last 6 months, 6 more to go. Unfortunately brain cancer isn’t really curable (yet), fortunately he has the best kind of tumor, slow growing, good genetic markers, lots of research being done etc…
We are so grateful that we live near Boston and have the good folks at Dana Farber taking care of him. We’re hopeful that these same people will find a cure, or at least better treatments in time to keep him going. Paul is doing well and except for some reduced function in his left arm and some exhaustion from the chemo, he’s managing to keep his spirits up and is working and doing everything he used to do. We expect he’ll be pretty stable for the next 5-10 years, after that, well, we try not to focus too much on after that.
So that’s my way of saying I’ve been distracted this year, and had some of the creative energy drained out of me. But I haven’t given up. I love to cook and Paul loves to eat, so this cookbook is going to happen (even if it takes a while longer), and the blog will continue. I have already made a delicious Jamaican burger and the Japan burger was one of my favorites. Now I just have to find some quality time to write them down for you. And I will.
So please stick with me, keep trying all the burgers – I know there’s still a bunch you haven’t tried yet – and stay tuned.
Warm wishes to you all,
Linda
Linda(and Paul) we WILL stick with you. Now and forever
Thanks Stu!
Oh wow. Best of luck to you both, you’re in my prayers. Love the recipes you post.
Prayers are always appreciated, luck is good too 🙂
Thanks for both
I am a long time follower here and I wanted to reach out b/c I lost my mother to cancer and have, myself, been fighting very serious illness for the past few years. I’m a fellow blogger and know how hard it is to maintain a site in the face of these challenges. I’m sending *so much* good energy to you and your husband. Your recipes are magical…the book will happen…your loyal readers aren’t going anywhere. All the best to you both! <3
Hi Dana – thank you so much for writing in, I really appreciate all the support and kind words about my work. I am sorry you’ve had such a terrible time, I’m lucky enough to still have both parents with me, but I was with my husband when he lost his mom and his dad and my heart breaks for you. I checked out your website and love the photo approach to story telling – great option when typing is difficult/impossible. Paul uses speech recognition software too (since his left hand doesn’t work well), so I get how challenging and creativity stunting it can be. I’m sending you much good energy too, feel better, stay strong.
Best
L
Hang in there Linda! You guys are doing great! Having had a serious chronic illness for the past 12 years, I now understand there is often an ebb and flow to one’s energy and ability to go beyond just ‘getting through’….key is to ‘float’ when you have nothing extra and be patient with yourself that it will all come back! And it will! Looking forward to future blogs!
Thanks Chris – your support and advice has been a real comfort through this saga. I am doing my best to not beat myself up and ‘float’ when I need to. More so than ever, I am a work in progress 🙂
Thank you again, for the many times you’ve reached out, we are lucky to have such a large and loving “family”, I remind Paul regularly that although he may not win the Nobel prize, he has touched people and changed their lives in big and small ways – not a bad legacy. And the friendship and love he’s gotten in return is better than Nobel millions.
Best
L
Linda, you don’t know me – but I’ve been reading your blog for a long time and it’s just awesome. I was (sounds like one of many) who were sad and wondered what had happened with the blog – now we know.
What I’m trying to say is – keep fighting the fight, you and your husband. Go get ’em!
Thanks so much J – it’s been really nice hearing from readers around the world and all the warm wishes are much appreciated by both Paul and me. we’ll keep fighting and I’ll keep cooking (and blogging) 🙂
best
L
Been following your blog for ages now, and just wanted to say that you do an AWESOME job. Best wishes for you and your man!
Thanks Nicholas!
Hi Linda,
I am so sorry to hear about Paul and I can only imagine it is taking up much of your time and energy with all the worry and care. Please accept my warmest wishes and I hope that you can get the very best treatment there is available to help him through this.
You always have my support, albeit often in a silent way, I still love watching and reading your posts from all over the world. You do what you need to do first, family always comes before everything else and if you need anything just shout up.
Your friend,
Mary
Thank you for the warm thoughts Mary – Jordan is typed, just need to add photos, we should have it tonight! I’m trying to do some maintenance and upgrades to the site, I hope you keep reading. I will try to be a better member of the foodie community in 2014 🙂