Jana Remy
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Jana Remy

  • Writing
    • Disability
    • Making History
    • Digital Humanities
      • dayofDH
    • Canoeing
    • Creative Nonfiction & Essays
    • Feminism
    • Bibliographies
      • Pacific Worlds Bibliography
    • Social Media
      • Mentions/Links
  • Scholarship
    • Awards/Fellowships
    • Conferences & Invited Talks
    • Collaboration
    • Workshops
    • Conference Planning
    • Technical Skills
  • Teaching
    • Blogposts About Teaching
friends

a quarter of a century

written by Jana May 23, 2009

On this day, 25 years ago, I was sitting in a hospital bed surrounded by family members as my doctors told me that my leg would have to be amputated due to the large cancerous tumor in my knee. I tell you…my life seemed over at that moment. Over.

I was 12 years old and had just had my first chemo treatment. I’d been vomiting repeatedly and knew that my hair would soon fall out. Two days before I’d had a biopsy of my knee to confirm the diagnosis of osteosarcoma. But even after I learned that it was cancer and learned that I would have months and months of high-dose chemotherapy, it had never occurred to me that I would lose my leg.

I’m usually been rather blue on the anniversary of my cancer diagnosis. It’s a hard time with many painful memories that resurface. But this year is totally different.

In case you hadn’t heard the news already via FaceBook, I wanted all of you to know that I, or shall I say WE, met and exceeded the goal of raising $1000 for HandReach and for Huang Meihua’s prosthetic legs. I’m crying right now as I type this. Big hot tears of joy. Sure, I’ve “lost” a few things over the years…but in the meantime I’ve gained the most amazing friends. Saying thank you is just not enough, but I’ll say it anyways: Thank You! You are the best. You really are. Now go and have a wonderful weekend knowing that we just accomplished something absolutely amazing together.

:)

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4 comments

[kɹeɪ̯ɡ̊] May 23, 2009 - 10:11 pm

Happy Birthday Jana. You’re awesome

Reply
Anonymous May 24, 2009 - 4:01 am

Happy Birthday Jana!
Your post brings back memories of that time. You taught me so much!
I remember the first time I saw you after the surgery. I remember your wig. I remember getting your leg. I remember getting the new foot with the toenails painted. I remember going to physical therapy. I remember skiing and milkshakes. I remember sitting in Mrs. Van’s office and going to your locker for snacks. Great memories of a great friendship that was fostered out of tragedy. Now look at you! Wow! You truly are an inspiration!
Many blessings,
Dee Dee

Reply
jana May 24, 2009 - 7:12 am

Dee Dee:
Isn’t it amazing that it hardly seems as though that happened 25 years ago and yet…it also feels like another life on another planet! I can hardly believe now that that happened to me! And back then, I could never have imagined just how wonderful my life is now. :)

Reply
Alli Easley May 25, 2009 - 11:15 pm

you seriously don’t know how many ways you inspire me. Happy Birthday, pretty girl!

Reply

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About Me

About Me

Hi there friend, and welcome to my blog. I started writing on the internet two decades ago. Since then I've started and finished a PhD program, left the Mormon church and became a Quaker, got divorced, remarried, found full-time work in academia, took up rock climbing and outrigger canoeing, and traveled across the globe (China! Belgium! Italy! Chicago! Montana! Portland! Gettysburg! and oh-so-many points in-between). This blog is eclectic and random--it has poetry and cooking and books. And cats. And flowers. And the ocean (my ocean). But in that sense it's a good reflection of me and my wide-ranging, far-reaching, magpie curiosity.

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