This morning we here at DK got the terrible news that one of our own and his lovely wife are facing the worst time of their lives. Shortfinals has been a member here since 2012 although has not posted much since 2014. Otteray Scribe let us know this morning that shortfinal’s beloved wife is facing cancer and they are both heartbroken:
He wrote:
“My world just fell apart, today.
We drove to the local hospital, because Jan had been experiencing some [stomach] problems.
To our horror, she was diagnosed with [cancer that has metastasized to multiple organs].
She is going to be seen by specialists--two of whom I know--but the outlook is truly grim.
She is taking this remarkably well, whereas I am not. I have spent nearly 22 years with her.
She's already talking about future plans for me - and says at some point she wants me to 'go home'*.
I said we'll cross that bridge when we/if come to it.
I do not know what else to say.....now I must pack a small suitcase for her and take her laptop into the hospital. She says she has things to do.”
* She means that he should go home to England
and again:
“At the moment I am still reeling....I had to dash back from the hospital (the one where I used to work) to gather some toiletries, underwear and nightgowns for Jan. We spent a lot of time talking, and she seems, already, to have reached an accommodation. She said that - eventually - she wants me 'to go home'.
“That is where your project is,” she said.
I cannot get to that point yet.......I built a whole life/world around this gem of a lady, and we had hoped to spend the rest of our days, together. I remember seeing the Fall color as the Virgin Atlantic 747 swept in over Boston Harbor, that day in 1999 - and we have been together ever since, through all the trials and tribulations of life.
I cannot think of life without this strong, brave, honourable Italian/Irish lass - my tears are truly falling like rain.”
Otteray Scribe wrote this diary today to let us all know the terrible news and to begin raising funds to help pay the hospital costs and to pay for shortfinals trip home to England that is his wife, Jan’s, dearest wish for him. Please go show them some love and leave a comment for them. And help with a little bit if you can.
Ross ( shortfinal’s real name...given with his permission) doesn’t want Sara and Ann to stop doing their vital work of making masks for everyone who needs them, so nixed the idea of them making and sending them a community quilt.
But we can do one!!
I made a quilt just a month ago and am very happy to donate it to Ross and Jan. That’s the pic of it up top of the diary. But we need messages for the quilt. And that’s where all of you come in. I have the means to write all your messages of love, blessings and healing on the quilt before we send it off to Ross and Jan. I just need you all to write in a comment what message you have for them. Please don’t make it too long. A single sentence or two should be about perfect in size. The white oblongs that I will use to write your message are only 2 1/2” wide X 5” long ( see image at top of diary).