I finally received confirmation from my radiology nurse that radiotherapy can go ahead as planned tomorrow, as does chemotherapy. This was unclear for a while because the American healthcare system is broken and my insurance was taking needlessly long evaluating my doctors’ request.
I went and looked up the origin of the word bleak: old English, meaning "windswept" and "barren." I know it's current use here is meant to convey a lack of hope, but there's something, too, about the idea of being swept along, the journey of it. There's uncertainty, yes, but also the possibility at arriving somewhere less-bleak. I know these journeys are usually lonely ones, but I hope you have some fellowship to help you along. I wish words could manage it. Mine are just to say I hope the journey is less-fraught and takes you to beautiful places where you can rest and renew. Strength and love to you.
Your thoughts come from the depth of your experiences, and you are on edge, so the truth is in front of you. Philosophy can keep a person in consciousness and save her from despair and fear, and logic is a reliable instrument of it. Thank you for not giving up
Sending wishes for fortitude as you embrace being filled with marvel, amazement, and fear when faced with the overwhelming grandeur and power of one’s physical environment. <3
I feel this in my bones. Life is too short to not write what we want to write, what we need to write. This method has not served me well in securing a permanent job. But, academic life is even shorter than life. So, I may as well write my weird scifi and metaethics and have a blast whilst I wait for the academy to boot me out.
Lucid and timely thoughts, and certainly we need more philosophy written with urgency and survival, with horror and wonder at the world… So aptly said.
Wishing you all the best for a successful treatment and recovery, and may this sense of purpose help carry you through the hard times.
I went and looked up the origin of the word bleak: old English, meaning "windswept" and "barren." I know it's current use here is meant to convey a lack of hope, but there's something, too, about the idea of being swept along, the journey of it. There's uncertainty, yes, but also the possibility at arriving somewhere less-bleak. I know these journeys are usually lonely ones, but I hope you have some fellowship to help you along. I wish words could manage it. Mine are just to say I hope the journey is less-fraught and takes you to beautiful places where you can rest and renew. Strength and love to you.
Thanks, Helen, for such a thoughtful essay. I’ll be rooting for you as your treatment begins. 💛
Your thoughts come from the depth of your experiences, and you are on edge, so the truth is in front of you. Philosophy can keep a person in consciousness and save her from despair and fear, and logic is a reliable instrument of it. Thank you for not giving up
Sending wishes for fortitude as you embrace being filled with marvel, amazement, and fear when faced with the overwhelming grandeur and power of one’s physical environment. <3
I feel this in my bones. Life is too short to not write what we want to write, what we need to write. This method has not served me well in securing a permanent job. But, academic life is even shorter than life. So, I may as well write my weird scifi and metaethics and have a blast whilst I wait for the academy to boot me out.
Wishing the best of all possible outcomes, the strength to face the challenges, and the peace of mind to live with them. 🌞
Lucid and timely thoughts, and certainly we need more philosophy written with urgency and survival, with horror and wonder at the world… So aptly said.
Wishing you all the best for a successful treatment and recovery, and may this sense of purpose help carry you through the hard times.
You are so right about our discipline 💕 All the best wishes for successful treatment.
All I can say is that the world needs more souls like yours in it, and I hope the universe sees fit to let you stay a while.
Thank you for sharing these thoughts; I always enjoy reading your work. I'm wishing you all the best as you enter treatment.
It's so hard isn't it, Helen? It is hard enough dealing with the condition and the medicine but the bureaucracy too? It's just too much.
I hope everything goes well for you over the coming months.