After a return to the hospital and transfer to a larger and more comprehensive facility, consultation with oncologists made it clear that this cancer is untreatable. Heavy chemotherapy would possibly extend her life a few months, but she would be in constant pain and nausea, unable to meaningfully enjoy the extra life. And there is a very significant risk that it could kill her even more rapidly. So she has decided to forgo any cancer treatments, and is getting effective palliative care. She is at peace with this decision and is her stoic self. She had been told many years ago that because of a cardiac condition, she’d be unlikely to live to 40, so all those years after are, to her, a bonus. She’ll be coming home soon and receive home hospice care as long as that’s possible.
This is a horrible time for all of us in her real and virtual family, but we want to celebrate the time we’ve had with her. She’s given me the best 15 years of my life and filled the worlds of everyone around her with light and joy. Those who have known her understand exactly what I’m saying.
I’ll always treasure being married to her as the greatest gift the universe could ever bestow on me.
I am so sorry to hear this.
I wish I had the words. I’m sorry.
🙁
FUCK CANCER!! I’m so, so sorry.
I have no words,
/Heart is broken and God bless you all,
I’m sorry.
?
I am very sorry for you and your family to go through this. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you SP for helping make this haven for us wandering souls and may God bless you.
Threading fail, damnit me.
Fuck.
This.
My heart goes out to SP, Webdoom and OM. We will be a lesser site. We may not have had this glorious place were it not for SP’s efforts.
Thank you, SP, you have made our life more fun, more entertaining and brought us to a great place of exchanging ideas and opinions
We will persevere because that is what she would want us to do.
Fuck yes.
Well said
^ what Fourscore said ^
I don’t believe I could possibly say it better, so I won’t even try.
I’m so sorry.
SP, you made a place where all us misfits can come and feel welcome. I pray you spend your time with OMWC and WebDom in peace and happiness. We will all honor you by continuing to support the incredible virtual world you built.
I couldn’t compose a better response that this and Fourscore’s.
Massively sad to hear this. I enjoyed our single visit with her and OMWC and found them both to be delightful people. She is leaving the world a better place, if nothing more than this site.
Thank you for the update. Our best to you, WebDom, and SP.
I’m so sorry. Fuck cancer.
SP is one in a billion.
All my love to you and the fam.
Merde!
I wondered. So very sorry to hear it.
I am greatly saddened. I wish for OMWC and WebDom and SP that it were otherwise.
I wish you the best time you can possibly have with what remains to you, and that you keep only the best and fondest memories.
SP, I’m sorry I haven’t met you in person, but having spoken with you on the Zooms, you live up to your reputation of brightening the space and I wish you the brightest days with family and friends ahead.
I’m sorry.
Truly heartbreaking news.
For her role in this site alone, SP has made the world a better place for dozens and dozens of people. I have no doubt her influence exceeds far beyond here.
I hope for the best possible time together for OMWC, WebDom and SP in the time that remains.
slumbrew says it better than I can.
So sorry to hear this news.
I am sorry to hear this news. My best to SP, OMWC, and Webdom. Many mahalos for all that you have done for us.
Love to all of you.
So very sad to read this news. My heart is with you, SP, Old Man, and WebDom. Hold each other close.
There’s an old Hasidic saying: ‘Take joy in the world as it is, in life as it is, in each hour of life in the world, as that hour is.’
SP, I hope that you and OM and WebDom have many good hours to take joy in each other. We’ll take joy in knowing you.
So sorry to hear this. SP, OMWC, and WebDom, you will all be in my prayers.
I feared I would see this message soon. So sorry… 🙁
They should be proud of helping to create this site and for keeping it going all these years.
This is sad news. Good thoughts to you all.
Sorry 🙁
Much love to SP and to all of you.
Treasure your memories.
I’m so sorry to hear this. Others here have said more eloquently than what I could possibly add. Know that you and your family continue to be in my prayers.
This really sucks. Much love to you all.
Words fail.
Love, much respect, and kindest regards.
I’m so sorry to hear this. You’re good people.
What Hobbit and RJ said.
She has certainly made my world a better place.
I like not this news. 🙁
Thank you SP for helping to create this community, especially for a misanthropic jerk like myself. Glibs and and below say it better but my sentiment is the same. Love you.
(And since I’m a jerk, I’m just going to express my outrage at discovering that SP is over 40. After all these years, it’s like discovering there’s no Santa Claus. I was lied to.)
I just assumed OMWC was having a senior moment and meant to type “months” instead of “years”.
I don’t know exactly what to say, but this saddens me immeasurably. I will always be grateful for her contribution to this place and to the rest of ya’ll, as well. I wish I could have done something to help.
So sorry to learn of your news. My deepest sympathies to all of you.
Words fail me. I am so sorry to hear this. Thank you for creating this little refuge for a few miscreants.
Everyone has said it much better than I can. Much love and prayers, and thanks for everything!
I am so, so sorry to hear this. All my love and thoughts to the two of you and your families.
This is heart-breaking. Thank you for being with us here in the cyber-world.
I’m sorry for you SP. You made the world a better place launching this site. You a ragtag group of misanthrope a place to hang, share, and trash talk. I wish you well in your final days.
WebDom and OMWC you have been through much and still have more to do. I don’t have any great wisdom to comfort you. I just hope you get all you can from your final time with SP.
We would have none of this without SP. She is a singular woman who I admire more and more.
I had been hoping for some word…but obviously not for news of this nature. Thank you, though, for sharing this with us. And heartfelt thanks to SP, OMWC, and all the rest who helped create this place that has come to mean so much to so many of us because of the PEOPLE here who have come to mean so much to so many of us.
I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to meet you, SP, for the few hours we were able to spend together. I wish I could turn that blessing back onto you and your family a hundredfold.
We feel blessed to have friends like “you people.”
I wish everyone could see how she is managing- she keeps denying it, but she’s the strongest woman I’ve ever known, as well as the smartest. Her attitude is inspirational.
“Enjoy every sandwich.”
Warren Zevon
❤️
Damn that sucks. May her remaining days be peaceful and joyous.
My condolences. Sorry to hear this news.
Thanks to SP for all she’s done for us.
?
Prayers for SP, Old Man, WebDom, various pets, and all others who love them.
Thanks for everything.
My deepest condolences.
As with many of the other folks here, words fail me.
She was so kind to me and Judi, even coaching her about business practices. I’ll miss her snark and soft heart but I’ll always treasure the replacement password that she set me up with when my computer crashed. It was perfect! I’m a little bereft. So sorry about all of this bullshit, WebDom and OMWC. I want to wish the pain away.
Horrible to hear this. This place would be nothing like it is, if it would even exist at all, without SP.
She was always wonderful in my dealings with her. I’m deeply sorry for OMWC, WebDom and those who were lucky enough to live in close proximity.
Not the news I wanted to hear. My condolences to SP, OMC, and WebDom. That is all the eloquence I have.
Oh yeah. Fuck Cancer. I’m going to say that a few more times to make the point. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer. Fuck Cancer.
I’m very sorry SP, OMWC, and Webdom.
Thank you for all that you have done for us.
Shit.
I’m so very sorry. Others above have already put it better than I could. My thoughts are with you, my hopes are for you.
I’m so very sorry. SP has created an incredible virtual home here for many of us.
Uffda.
I don’t know what to say.
I’m sorry. You all mean so much to me. SP, you have no idea the impact you have on us.
Breaking character for a moment:
I sincerely like your family as much as I can for someone who’s physical manifestation is text on a screen for me. And while I can’t do what needs to be done, I’d like to do what I can. I don’t know if she just wants to stay in her nest, or if she’s the kind of person who takes joy from meeting people. I would be happy to make the pilgrimage, or stay on my butt, whichever is better.
I would be happy to make the pilgrimage, or stay on my butt, whichever is better.
I have some commitments in PA this weekend and work during the week, but if it is at all possible next weekend, I could make a pilgrimage if that is helpful.
Words are inadequate, and others have said it much better than I ever could, but I am so sorry to hear this. This is just devastating news.
Wasn’t planning on commenting again any time soon, just stopped in to lurk when I saw this. Deeply saddened to hear the news. SP, thank you for everything you’ve done for our little band of miscreants. May the days you have left be filled with comfort and love. Bless you.
TH: Very well said. This fellow lurker from KC echoes every word.
OMWC: Now I really regret that your better half wasn’t with you when we met in KC a few years ago. I had hoped to wine and dine with you and SP the next time that our paths crossed. Come to think of it, I still hope so… And I hear that the wine is even better on the other side.
To all: Enjoy today, because now we have one fewer to enjoy than we did yesterday.
So sorry to hear this. Words fail me.
So sorry to hear this news. Prayers and kind thoughts for you all.
Well Crud.
I am so sorry.
Sorry to hear this.
As has been stated, fuck
World isn’t quite as bright with this. It hurts. It sucks. It’s not fair, in the worst possible way.
Yet SP will always be in many people’s hearts. Thank you, SP, for making the world a better place.
My deepest condolences on the news and I pray for both of you even though I’m thoroughly agnostic.
I will also raise a glass of wine in your honor.
Very sorry to hear it. Your family will be in my prayers this weekend.
??????????
I’m frankly choked up. So sorry to hear this.
Many have said it better, but I am so sorry. I’m thinking about you and SP often these days.
Oh man. I’m so sorry to hear this. My deepest sympathies to your family.
I cant. Nope. Prayers to your family
Oh, no. Old Man, our hearts go out to you and your family. If there’s anything – anything at all – we can do to help, Mrs. Animal and I stand ready.
I will keep you both in my prayers.
My hard, cynical heart is breaking for you and your family. Peace and Love.
I’m so sorry to read this.
Heartfelt condolences from our family. I walked by the Art Institute this morning and was filled with memories of you/SP.
Damn, we had great fun on that visit!
Very sorry to hear the update – as others have said, not much else for me to say at this time bit you and your family are in my prayers.
We’re coming home Monday. Warty is generously coming up to help us with the physical task of getting her into the house. Once she’s settled in, I’ll see how she feels about visitors.
Y’all are a great comfort.
I hate that I can’t do more.
You can… Give her and OMWC a hug for the rest of us.
This shit ain’t right and it ain’t fair.
Whatever you and she need, just ask.
My condolences to all. Please enjoy the remaining time you have with one another.
God thats awful. Im so so sorry.
Words fail and are inadequate.
May your remaining times together be as happy and rewarding as all those that have come before clearly have been.
I’m sorry. 🙁
My sincere condolences. You’re lucky to have found her, and from what you said, she’s lucky for the time she’s had (we all are). You’re both wiser than I am, so I won’t give you any advice. I hope the best for you and yours.
Thanks to SP for the contribution you’ve made here. I am sure you have much greater accomplishments, but I am grateful for the community you’ve built here.
I am so sorry. It puts in perspective whatever silly personal issues I’ve been thinking about lately.
I’m so sorry to hear this. I know anything I could possibly say would ring hollow. Just know that we’re all here for both of you.
I am so sorry, and ineloquent too.
? ?
I’m sad to hear this.
You made wonderful use of your time together and I hope this is some comfort to you.
Best wishes.
May God bless you all with strength and comfort in your trial.
Fuck. I am so sorry to hear this.
Words seem so feeble at times like this. No doubt she touched not only you and your children’s lives, but many others. Take some solace in the positive impact she had on them. Channel that pain of loss into the positive love and memory of her life. The world was clearly improved by having her in it. She will no doubt live on in you and your family.
My deepest condolences.
Even those of us who don’t come to this site so frequently know how wonderful SP is. I hope she gets to see this whole thread.
Even those of us who don’t come to this site so frequently know how wonderful SP is. I hope she gets to see this whole thread.
Yes, I’m happy to second my sentiments.
I think we see that from the number of rarely-seen user names.
Was thinking the same. Tulpas and lurkers coming out of the woodwork. Nice to see.
Highly Saddened by this news.
Even though I’ve cut back, this place is unique and I hope it continues to bring all the people above and more together.
I’m so very sorry.
Just a lurker since the beginning. As usual you degenerates say it better than I ever could. My balls, they have been kicked.
WE LOVE YOU SP!!!!!
She and you have my love, respect and gratitude. Thank you.
Damn, I was hoping this would not be the case. I’m so very sorry for you guys. Thank you for bringing this place about. If all these miscreants, most of whom don’t know you personally, feel this way about your SP, I can only imagine what your family and friends feel about you.
If anyone else would like some sad music to be sad to, here you go
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mJkQTY2yzPBATIunfVCuiI3UkMNcU0ifU&feature=share
OMWC, SP, WebDom,
I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine that should attempt to beguile you from this tragedy, but I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks, love, and well-wishes of the Community that you planted, nurtured, and cultivated with your sweat equity and devotion.
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage any pain or suffering, and leave you only the cherished memories of the loved whom will remain behind, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have created such a light upon a hill – a beacon for Freedom in thought, word, and deed.
We will keep the fire burning for as long as we can; and look forward to seeing you on the other side.
Ozymandias
The other side is gonna be fun.
I have first dibs
Well said, Ozy. I’ll say a prayer for you OMWC, SP and WebDom.
Beautiful.
Seconded.
I am so sorry. I am also grateful to have experienced some small part of her personality through this site. The world will be worse for her leaving, but better from her arival.
She’s been justifiably proud and happy about creating a place where a real community could develop. The key to our amazingly happy marriage has been deeply shared basic values, and those values happen to line up with increasingly rare concepts of liberty, self-reliance, and voluntary community.
From a selfish point of view, those who have known me a long time (looking at YOU, Spud) saw how she transformed me into a far better person than I was. Not a good person, mind you, but a better one.
Sorry to get maudlin.
Sometimes we just get lucky, OM.
“She’s been justifiably proud and happy about creating a place where a real community could develop”
And she did a great job, there is no place else like this.
My deepest and sincerest condolences. I am very sorry for you both.
OMG, OMC, I am so sorry to hear this, you both are in my prayers. I hope she somehow recovers, it would not be the first time the doctors were wrong…, I hope they are wrong.
Unfortunately, we’ve seen the CTs taken regularly and watched the progression. I wish the docs were being fooled, but this one is pretty clear. It’s a fucked up situation, but she’s been a rock.
I’m still going to hope they are wrong. I’m sure you have already gotten 2nd and 3rd opinions and researched options, I just with the best for you.
Thank you for giving me a place to lurk and occasionally say something stupid.
May your days be filled with love and your pain be small.
I feel I should say something, but words fail me here. I’m so sorry to hear this.
SP, thank you for helping set up a site where hooligans like me can feel like we’re not going insane. This website has done so much for me and others, and I can never hope to repay you. If there’s anything you or your family needs, I will do my best.
FUCK CANCER.
That is all.
SP is always very kind and helpful. Please give her my infinite thanks for being a huge part in making this site the refuge that it is. My thoughts and love to SP, you, your family and friends.
This place is a giant refuge from the craziness of life and I’m forever thankful that SP provided that for is. I’m beyond words right now.
I don’t have the words. Wife has been dealing with all 3 skin cancers. I live in terror of the day when it comes. Anything we can do just pm.
Don
Here’s best wishes during this worst of times from the cheap seats.
Everyone has celebrated the classy couple for their contributions, their friendship, the snip of an email we all got to help with this or that, the minute or two zooming; I can’t add anything meaningful and defer to the thoughts of your close friends and family who must be reeling from your news but can be a comfort in the way that my ones and zeros from a thousand miles away can never match.
This ain’t easy; this ain’t funny. No one gets out of this easy; no flaming chariot is coming. Obviously an engineer is a bit thin on the poetry, but I’m long on respect and cutting to the chase, and because of that maybe my unvarnished note rings all the more true: but that there were anything we could do or say that would fix anything or at least ease a day.
At our house, we too have always celebrated every day………..and tried to live by principle, to model decency and consistency, and to support each other slavishly; your news serves if nothing else as reminder to rededicate myself to those I love, particularly the one with whom I am living my September Song.
Forgive this ramble; we all need to try to reach out.
Peace to your whole family, SP. Thank you for all of this.
Thanks for the update, Old Man. You’re all in my thoughts.
Thank you for all you have done to create a space for misfits like me. Wishing you peace and comfort.
This is really sad news. SP will be sorely missed. Best wishes to you all during this very difficult time.