I met my first "other blogger" this evening, none other than the eloquent Virginia Postrel. Actually, it was more like Brian and Heather Noggle fawning over Virigina Postrel, who was speaking at the Junior League here in the St. Louis area with her newest book, The Substance of Style, as the featured topic. I'll be reviewing the book over the weekend, likely, and I'll include a review of the presentation as well. I have about 60 pages remaining to finish reading.

Well, the whole thing went more like, y'know, the hobbyist musician who tells Billy Joel, "Hi, I play piano, too." I mentioned that I had a weblog, and Viriginia says, "oh, what's it called?"

"Angelweave."

"Oh, I've seen that."

*beam*

But back to this picture thing. This isn't an especially representative picture of either of us. My hair doesn't usually look like it's been featured in a nuclear war, and Virginia carries a lot more presence in her photographs, which I'm certain usually feature stronger backgrounds than the still-life waiter, but you take what you can. (A couple of rules here - any mention of my shoulders had better include the word "awe" in them in regard to their 41 1/2 inch breadth, and there will be no caption contests. Ms. Postrel, I'm certain, agrees).



hln

Posted by: hln at 10:28 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 225 words, total size 2 kb.

And this is it - the end.

Part One is located here.
Part Two is located here.
Part Three is located here.
Part Four is located here

more...

Posted by: hln at 12:03 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
Post contains 1371 words, total size 8 kb.

1 Thank you for writing that. It sounds very wrong to say "I enjoyed reading this" but that's the only way I can describe it. On one hand, it was eye-opening. On the other, it put into perspective some experiences of mine that I still struggle with. I really enjoy reading your words. I intend to become a long-standing visitor. I think that's the best compliment I can give.

Posted by: Jennifer at November 02, 2003 09:54 AM (kjOoJ)

2 Maybe it's on my end, but I can't get the link to Part Three to connect. I've read the other parts and this is a wonderful post. Well organized, detailed, heartwarming, and, above all, honest. You put a lot of yourself into words, doing the difficult, very well.

Posted by: Interested-Participant at November 02, 2003 11:02 AM (0SrUW)

3 Very brave of you. Sometimes one just needs to get it out there. Hopefully, other people who've had cancers can read this, and know that they're not going insane, that this stuff happens. And people who do dangerous stuff like smoke might read this and be more inclined to quit. Thank you for sharing.

Posted by: Courtney at November 02, 2003 11:36 AM (mdf00)

4 Well done. As for your friends who didn't write, call or visit; it's very tough call. On one hand, cancer (or other serious illneses) scares the bejeezus out of people; reminds them of their own mortality. The toughest phone call I ever had to make was to a relative who had pancreatic cancer. We both knew it was game over for him at that time; I'd visited him when he was undergoing radical and aggressive chemo. Thankfully, he and I were able to concentrate on the good times and remembrances and to keep the grief to a minimum. OTOH, you'll know those did write and call and visit will always be there for you--no matter what. It's often said--usually with a lot of accompanying bluster and chest-thumping--what doesn't kill you will make you stronger. It's sad, if that's the lesson learned. What doesn't kill you should make you more compassionate; embrace the pain, fear, uncertainty, isolation, discomfort, etc. and understand others--experiencing similar upheavals--may not enjoy the support, care, coping mechanisms, economic security you had.

Posted by: JadeGold at November 02, 2003 12:34 PM (OjRBj)

5 I guess I left off the most important part of the post. I'm a better person because of this. I was an adult at 19 years of age - no question. Last week, I found a forum - an ACTIVE forum for people who've had similar experiences. I've been looking for something like this for years now, and it landed in my lap when I did a simple search for "parotid" on Google. And there it was. I've been posting on it like mad, and from the stories I've read, my experience lies somewhere in the middle. There are people who've lost their facial nerves. There are people who've had five and six surgeries because of recurrences. Questions about whether or not to undergo radiation when the initial doctor recommends it. Worries and fears about scarring. One of the proudest days was in Columbia, MO at a Relay for Life. Cancer survivors are given special colored t-shirts, and the event is "kicked off" by the survivors taking a lap around a high school track. I ran my ass off - passed most of the rest of them. Grinning the whole way. hln

Posted by: hln at November 02, 2003 01:33 PM (g+waq)

6 Hi Heather, I posted a reply through the forum the other day, just saying I thought your page was really well done. I hadn't read all of the articles on it but now have, and I felt exactly the same when you said you watched people smoking and destroying their bodies. I kept feeling like going over and kicking them, because it made me so resentful that I who didn't smoke, had this stinking cancer, and here they were, with barbequed lungs, walking around nonchalantly. Mind you, probably most of them have something yuk going on inside that has yet to appear on their horizons. Also, while going through radiation, I would look out my window and see neighbours etc.going about their hum drum boring lives, and would think, if I could have a boring hum drum life without cancer I would be so pleased. But it is not to be, I would see people at the hospital with no nose, chunks out of their faces etc., and think "Life isn't bloody well fair"! On that happy note, all the best, and you have done such a neat job, Pat from New Zealand

Posted by: Patricia at November 03, 2003 06:09 AM (LHUpW)

7 Thanks for sharing.

Posted by: Ted at November 03, 2003 06:49 AM (Qj620)

8 Hi Heather, Well done, you expressed the emotions of this trip perfectly. At times it was like reading my own life story of the last 2 years. Best wishes Chris G

Posted by: Chris G at November 03, 2003 08:09 AM (bAKUo)

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