From Dee and Jay – mother daughter post :]

 

First off we hope this finds everyone well, smiling, knowing they are loved and appreciated!

Dee here:) This has all been an incredible, heartwrenchingly open experience- like two hands coming in and opening me up, opening my heart to people in ways I didn’t know were possible. It’s been painful and scary at times but it’s also been a beautiful, indescribable gift. I’ve witnessed the power of being open while you’re standing in the fire. I don’t think many people get the level of support that I do and the absolute goodness of people has been just blowing my mind. I’m grateful and in awe.

I wish I had a crystal ball, folks.

Anybody who felt like they couldn’t reach out, or didn’t or weren’t able to- please don’t be afraid, the possibility is always there it’s never too late.

Love,

Dee

Jay here,

I’m having trouble finding words here. This picture pretty much sums up the energy I’m trying to channel with my mom. I’m so thankful I have Dee as a mom. I’ms so thankful I’m so close with my mom’s best friends. Thank you, I’m lucky to have you all.

Best,

Jay

*******We’ll be posting soon about a celebratory party with Dee!!!***********

From the Mealtrain post, 11/16/17-

On July 1st Dee was diagnosed with a metastatic recurrence of her breast cancer. She was in and out of UCSF and Dominican quite a few times since then and undergoing chemotherapy all the while. Her health for a time seemed to be improving, and then wasn’t. Last week Dee was back in the hospital with more fluid building up around her lung and her heart rate spiking. New scans revealed significant growth of the tumors in her lung and showed that one lobe of her left lung collapsed.

Such difficult news.

Having consulted with all her doctors—those from her Santa Cruz team as well as her oncologist at UCSF, (and ultimately with the support of her husband Kevin and her daughter Jay), she made the difficult, but imminently reasonable decision to stop chemo, go home, and to enter hospice – so that she could enjoy her remaining time on this earth to the best of her ability, no longer being ‘poked and prodded’ (a gentle way of saying what this brave soul has undergone attempting to fight this cancer). Jay has now moved down from San Francisco so that she can be full-time with her mom and help with her care.

Dee is resolved, and is at peace with her decision. Those of us who have spent time with her at all recently know how hard she’s tried, and how much she’s suffering, and respect this decision, despite how hard it is for us to let her go.

Today is all any of us have really, but for Dee, there is the possibility that she will only have weeks or months left on this earth.

Because those who love her want her remaining time to be filled with the laughter, joy, memories, connection, fun and companionship that she has always generated, and loves to have around her, we’re keeping the  Mealtrain going to support friends and family having time to visit, and share time with her – as well as to give her main caregivers (Kev and Jay) some time to take care of themselves.

To those of you who know and love Dee, your love, prayers, and offers of support mean the world to them. They welcome your prayers for the best possible health, the least suffering, and the most meaningful time remaining for Dee, (and Kev also says pray for a miracle!)

Blessings and deep and sincere gratitude to each and every one of you, from Dee, Kev, me (Jessica Wolf), and daughter Jay