Good evening, blog followers.
This is Joanne's daughter (Joanne Elizabeth, aka "Beth"), and I am writing to let you all know that, despite a year of almost unbelievable comebacks from numerous traumatic events, Joanne has finally been undone by a chest scan.
At a regular visit to her GP ten days ago, to which she actually walked from the car, she was urged to go to the ER for elevated blood pressure and low O2. Unfortunately, that led to a chest scan that revealed a large tumor around her esophagus that was not there just four months earlier - completely out of the blue.
She cannot fight this one, folks. It's one thing to soldier on through a broken leg or two, but quite another to subject oneself to chemotherapy and radiation at 83. And if there is one thing Joanne has always been very clear about, it is that she intends to make her own decisions about how she lives—and how she leaves.
She has led an amazing life, and I will have much more to say on her behalf later. For now, she is in hospice, and she has asked me to reach out to all of you.
Please leave any messages for her here, and I will read them to her and relay them. I know how much the friendships and connections she has made through this blog have meant to her, and I know she will be grateful to hear from you.
That's all from the front for now.
—Joanne's daughter, Beth
Oh, Joanne. I was afraid something had happened. Just know that your fighting attitude has been an inspiration to me, and I am sure, to many others. I hope you get to vote blue in the midterms. This bs is bound to turn around, and I mean to be a part of it. Thank you for your example.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debby. Joanne says she's counting on you to be dead center of the protests that will happen between now and midterms, because this has to end.
DeleteWhen there was a long absence I thought Joanne had left us. I wish her all the best on this last journey. I have enjoyed reading here blogs over the years.
ReplyDeleteBeth, thank you for sharing. I was hoping we'd hear from Joanne again, just not like this. I miss her words, and I think of her everytime I look at her red weaving on my dining table. I'm not a religious man but she's in my most earnest thoughts and wishes.
ReplyDeletePlease give her my very best wishes. She was always the spunkiest and courageous of women, with a well-defined wry sense of humour. I enjoyed her immensely. As she prepares for this final journey, I hope she will be pain free and find peace.
ReplyDeleteBugger Bugger Bugger……if it’s not one thing it’s another.
ReplyDeleteFight the good fight Joanne, for those who went before you and those coming after.
Love from Cathy……still clicking her knitting needles and listening to the Clancy Brothers in a cold wintery Melbourne down under.
Please give her my best, and my thoughts are with her and her family. She's been a fine blog friend for several years, although we haven't kept up in the past year or so. I still have the kitchen towels, blue and yellow, she made for me.
ReplyDeleteThank you Beth. She has given us much to admire over the years, without actually meeting her. I live in Northeast Ohio and knew many of the places she mentioned. I wish her peace and comfort.
ReplyDeleteJoanne, I've not been a commenter but I have been reading your blog for a long time and have enjoyed it a lot! Thank you! Wishing you peace on your journey forward.
ReplyDelete😢😢😢 I am so very very sorry to hear this, I enjoyed reading her blog for years and will always think of her every time I use one of her lovely teatowels. 💖💖
ReplyDeletePlease, please, please tell her how much Jennifer in South Carolina cares about her and is wishing her peace, comfort, and the quiet contentment of a life well lived as she embarks on her next journey. She is loved. <3
ReplyDeleteDear Beth, thank you so much for the message. Please tell Joanne she's so dear to all of us, particularly those who have exchanged fiber related items with her. I use the darning mushroom she gave me, and think of her every time. And I wear the vest I made from her woven fabric. She'll always be with me. I wish for peace for her.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Beth, for letting us know! Joanne has been an example to us all for feistiness. She was not a quitter! She and I are both "'43 Babies", she just three months older. I use her towels every day, and think of her without fail when I pick one up. She spent several nights here with my husband and me on her trip to Texas with Laura, so I have many memories. I am so sorry to hear about this latest development. Poor lady. I completely understand her insistence on being in charge of what happens. Hoping for ease and peace for her always! A special hug for you for being a good daughter to a special mom.
ReplyDeleteThank you Beth for keeping us updated although I am so sad to hear this news. Joanne has been such an inspiration and I was hoping she could return to blogland. I am glad she has taken charge and is moving forward with her wishes. And thank you for your support to her. Wishing her comfort and peace.
ReplyDeleteJoanne has carried on so admirably. We are all sorry that it has come to this as it must for us all in some way or other. Live life as best you can until the end, Joanne. Thank you for the blogs and comments along the way.
ReplyDeleteDear friend Joanne, you have always been an inspiration to me with your relentless energy, enthusiasm, intelligence, optimism and encouragement. Thank you for all of those things, for sharing your life with us here in the blogosphere, for your kindness and your dedication to telling it like it is, politically and otherwise. May your days be as pain-free as possible, may you take comfort from your memories and your family, may you feel our love surround you from so many corners of the world. With appreciation and love xx
ReplyDeleteJoanne, we will miss you and your writing terribly. This was a tough year for you, but you kept going. I think of you when I used the red dish towels that coordinate so nicely with my red pots.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is filled with gratitude for the years of blog posts which have entertained, inspired and educated me. Sending wishes for comfort and peace. Genie
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting all of us know about what’s transpired. I’m so sorry and please give her a ( gentle) hug from me, up here in Ontario. I only just wrote a post and was going to put a picture of my canning ( jars of pickled pepper rings) on one of the wonderful red towels she sent me, but they were both in the wash because they are still two of my favourites! Joanne, you are a force to be reckoned with. Again, I’m so sorry to hear this, but I sincerely hope you are surrounded by those who care about you, and kind, intelligent health care professionals. With love and respect, - Jenn
ReplyDeleteDear Beth, thank you for the update. Dear Joanne, sending you love and appreciation. I have been encouraged by your example, standing up when/as can. Fightin' and feisty. And I have learned from your weaving as I wandered into my own. One of your towels is a real workhorse in my kitchen. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteDear Joanne, I am so sorry to hear this news. But I am glad to hear you are in control and making your own decisions, that's the way it should be. You are a Warrior Woman, feisty and kicking butt like you always have. Thank you for all you have given this world. I am proud to know you. Farewell, my weaver friend.
ReplyDeleteGive her my love and a peaceful journey to the stars. We have followed each other for countless years, and I have learned so much from her wisdom and humour. A very special lady and a friend to all who knew and read her and bought her lovely towels.
ReplyDeleteRest easy, my friend Joanne.
XO
WWW
Beth, I don't know if Joanne will remember me, but I've followed her blog for years... also own blue, pumpkin, and aqua tea towels. She may remember me sending her a covid mask as well as 2 little cheeky chickens. But when this post poppped up, I thought, "oh good, Joanne's back"... not expecting this. Please tell her she's in my thoughts and prayers...
ReplyDeleteYou've always been an inspiration Joanne. Thanks for always fighting the good fight.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your witty and insightful words on your blog; your friendship and comments meant a lot to me over the years. I will treasure the three beautiful towels I bought from you. They are the finest quality, and I will think of you often. Much love from Margaret aka Stargazer
ReplyDeleteI 'll be thinking of you and missing your weaving... red towels adorn my stove door!!
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne. Will be thinking of you. Always my friend and loved by me. Fellow Aries, fighter and fearless. Lots of love. Rachelxx
ReplyDelete