Dear all.
So this is a bit different, as posts go.
Three different parts, in embryo: I'll expand on them and maybe split to different threads as I go.
First:
I probably mentioned I thought I was dealing with some GI stuff earlier this fall.
Apparently, I was, but in a different way.
I'm currently in the hospital, and the GI/tummy involvement is of a different type.
I'll know more, probably tomorrow, but I seem to have acquired a hitch-hiker and some of his buddies on my ovaries over the past year or so. No signs--no pain, no obvious distension except what I mistook for GI gas, etc.....oops.
So, an update in a few days with more definition, but I'm guessing 6 months or less is the prognosis.
No pity party, please, but suggestions and ideas for managing situations welcome.
B. Abandoned/orphaned research agendas, especially for females:
Based on the now-likeley-to-be truncated research agenda I'd just started to nurture into deeper life (getting requests and openings for things I've developed and. loved into being for decades), and which I've both started mourning, already, and thinking about practically, I'm getting an idea for something that may be useful to others, too.
I'll probably make a new thread,, but wondering what you think of it.
I know I'm not alone among academic females in finding it hard to see things into publication--even the fictional Stephanie in Byatts' work dies as she's thinking of a new poem.
I'm thinking of a site in which independant women scholars facing end-of- life choices about their work could write it up, indicate the directions they'd hoped to take it in, and leave it for responsible curation and use by others--younger or other female scholars in related fields, say.
Subtitle might be, "Her unfinished words," or something."
Obviously, I have pieces of my own in that category: I'd use those as a template: and start out with them....others may have others?--etc.
C, One thing follows the other, so swiftly. I'll have both, more info and clarity tomorrow, but more to get sorted quickly--a few months ', I'd say; will post more tomorrow.
I've had a fun, great, rich, joyous life, (and yes every story I have ever related is true, to someone who asked).
M.
Mamselle, you will be missed. Thank you for all you've brought to the fora. I hope that the next several months brings little to no physical pain, as well as opportunities for you to witness your friends and loved ones celebrating you. And opportunities for you to tie up whatever you feel needs tying up, and to celebrate yourself as well.
Mamselle, I have always enjoyed your contributions on the fora and admired your intellectual and creative breadth.
I think the question of what happens to our work (academic and otherwise) after we leave is profound. I believe that some of our students will carry forward bits of our enthusiasm and knowledge; some of our conversations will have been meaningful even if no one remembers exactly who we were. If there are research collaborators or colleagues, they might take forward threads of our work. If you decide that you want to create this sort of website to facilitate the "quilters," I think it would be useful to reach out to people you've met at conferences, etc. so that they know it's there and can direct others towards it.
You are in my prayers, mamselle, every day. Your kindness and insightfulness have not gone unnoticed.
I always hate it when people are overly optimistic, but my mother-in-law survived ovarian cancer in good style because of a very good surgeon. I'm going to be hoping and praying that this is what happens with you. I would take on finishing some humanities research...but I think I will stand on hope for the moment that you will finish it yourself in health.
Keep us informed.
Ever supportive, constantly even-tempered, often amusing. Your presence will be missed, and The Fora the less for its loss.
Sorry to hear about the diagnosis. Sending you good thoughts for healing.
I've sent you a PM. I will say here that it's been wonderful having you here from the old to the new Fora.
Well, **bleep.** I'm sorry to hear this. Thank you for your kindness and wisdom shared on the fora, and you will be in my prayers as you navigate these next several months.
I'm so very sorry to hear this, and hope that the news ends up being less bad than you fear!
Thinking of you, Dear Mamselle, the kind heart and soul of The Fora going back to The Chronicle years.
You are in my prayers.
Yes, you will be missed. Thanks for all that you have given.
Thank you for sharing with us your personal news. You are in the "fora family" so this is tough to learn. I wish you healing and no pain, and the great belief I have in hope for your health to improve so you can continue shining light into the world.
Thank you ao much for your thoughtful, well-reasoned posts. It has been nice having another musician/musicologist here/
+1 to many of the previous replies. I'll be praying for you too, Mamselle. You've been so kind and helpful to so many of us fora denizens, including me. Thank you for all you have done for us. I have long appreciated your wise and thoughtful posts.
Larimar
I forgot to mention this earlier: the clubhouse! For keeping it well supplied and maintained.
And same for the Quiet Room for those who needed down time.
You have offered so much....
Mamselle, I'm so terribly saddened to hear your news, and I join the other members of the Fora community in hoping and praying that your prognosis will end up better than you suspect. You truly have been a light to many in this academic and intellectual pond, and your idea of a legacy site for unfinished research is very much what I would expect you to come up with. As we stand on the shoulders of the giants who mentored us and fostered our curiosity, it's a wonderful idea to leave stepping-stones for future scholars whom we don't know but who surely exist and will exist.
I'm sorry to hear this. As (mostly) a lurker, I was always glad to see Mamselle's quiet and encouraging take on things.
Je suis désolé. Courage, mamselle!
So sorry, Mamselle. I've always enjoyed reading your posts as a fellow medievalist.
No pity here as requested, but I teared up reading this. I lurk mostly on this forum but I, too, have greatly enjoyed your posts, mamselle. They just have such a gentle tone and I like how you often start off talking about one thing but meander into other thoughts about your life experiences, your students, your research. Evidence of a life well-lived and richly felt. You will be missed and I'm sure I speak for many other lurkers. And I love the idea you came up with and will be happy to help with financial/organizational aspects.
Mamselle, I've thought for the longest time that you're super cool, with such a broad base of experience and knowledge to share. Even now you're thinking of how to help others. Your news makes me wish that I had engaged in online conversations with you instead of just lurking for years here and on the old CHE fora. I hope that you'll receive more positive news than you believe possible and that you'll be able to overcome the difficulties immediately ahead (no doubt with much grace, as always).
I am sorry to hear this, mamselle. I shall pray for your strength and, hopefully, recovery.
Mamselle, I am so very sorry to read your news. Like so many others, I will miss your insightful contributions to the fora. I will keep you in my prayers.
Continuing prayer for you. And thanks for everything you have done at The Fora, and may still do in the months to come.
So sorry to hear, but thank you for sharing this news with us.
I'm so, so sorry, and deeply saddened. In addition to the research piece, if it makes sense please let us know how we can best be useful to you right now. At nearly 8400 posts and counting you've been one of the columns holding these fora together. Plus one to super cool.
Mamselle, I just saw this. I'd like to echo what others have said: You've added immeasurably to this space and this community, and I really hope your next news is nowhere as negative as you feel it may be.
With admiration and great respect for you, as well as continuing prayers on your behalf . . . .
I am sorry to hear the news. Thank you for always being a calming presence in this fora. I wish you strength and peace in the upcoming year.
Mamselle, I am very sorry to hear your news. I have admired your enthusiasm for your work and the ways you have found to share it with others (those cemetery tours you have mentioned sound great). You have also been one of the most important contributors to these fora, encouraging others and helping to keep the dialogue on a friendly note. I hope your prognosis will be better than anticipated. Best of luck.
I continue to be impressed by what a gracious example you are for bringing richness and thoughtfulness to your communities. Your news saddens me as well, and I find your approach to sharing this news and thinking about your plans to be in keeping with your style - thanks for being you.
I can only echo the thoughts that have been expressed here already, I have greatly appreciated your kindness and contributions.
Adding my respect and all good thoughts, Mamselle.
I'd like to say "thank you" to you, Mamselle for your insights. Please keep posting for as long as you are able to or care to.
I don't have many suggestions for what you can do about orphaned research, though aside from putting it out there in various ways on the internet, I think probably contacting the scholars who might care and who know you would probably at least be putting it in the hands who most care.
Everything everyone has said here is true. I've been lucky enough to "meet" mamselle (virtually, at least) in real life, one of the few forumites I've ever connected to their screen name, and she is as generous in real life as she is here.
I've been thinking about the idea of a website for orphaned research. I think the idea has real merit, but beyond storing orphaned research, I've been trying to think of how best to put such a site to use. If others are interested in collaborating on a project like this, send me a message. I think if others were willing to think through the project with me, I'd be glad to do it. I've seen mamselle's research, and its value to me is clear.
Oh mamselle ....
I am sooo sorry to hear about this.
I join the others in good wishes for a good prognosis and a smooth sojourn. I am also one of those who have greatly appreciated your many talents, gentle tone, and wise words on this forum.
I hope you have a loving circle of friends and family in real life, holding you up now.
Wishing you much love and all the best.
I'm very sorry to hear this. Thank you for all your contributions to this community. You're very much in our thoughts.
I earnestly hope that this news is not as bad as it seems! Wishing you courage, strength, and the best possible medical care.
Greetings friends:
Is there any update on Mamselle?
I've just sent her an email, and I'll let you know when I hear back.
No charger at the hospital (everyone, donate), took a week to organize!
Update, probably tomorrow.
Possibly a tiny bit better prognosis....will know more tomorrow.
Thanks for all kind thoughts!
M.
I am so sorry to hear this, Mamselle.
As others have already mentioned, I have been inspired by your breadth of interests and expertise, tidbits of which, left in posts here, have made me quite curious to know more about your research.
Thinking of you.
Ah, [many expletives.]
I love the idea of an orphaned research site. I had a scare a couple of years ago shortly after a senior colleague & mentor passed and passed along a project. I can't bring myself to pick it up, but their passing and the thoughts of mortality and what to do with my own half-finished works makes me particularly love the idea of some kind of online exchange where women can defiantly push back on the structures of solitary research — a communal way to send the boxes of material to someone who can pick it up, or to parse the archive or lab components into sections to be distributed sounds like a beautiful thing. I'd love that - and it would a wonderful middle finger to disease and subversion of the worst parts of the academy.
Quote from: mamselle on December 19, 2022, 06:32:00 PM
No charger at the hospital (everyone, donate), took a week to organize!
Update, probably tomorrow.
Possibly a tiny bit better prognosis....will know more tomorrow.
Thanks for all kind thoughts!
M.
Any bit better is great news. I hope that today brings an even more positive prognosis.
I have been thinking of you, Mamselle, and I'm sending my best wishes your way.
What a dreadful thing to see when I duck back in here. I have all the good wishes and kind thoughts in the world for you and I sincerely hope that possibly a tiny bit better prognosis does turn out to be better than you first thought.
De-lurking to echo the best wishes and appreciation for your presence on the fora, mamselle.
You have long been a source of good advice, wisdom, kindness, and humor. I hope the fora can be a source of support for you in turn.
Ugh.
I know you appreciate prayers, so I'm praying for you.
I also hope the new news is not as bleak. I don't know how many of you are on twitter, but the ailing female academic posts seem to get a lot of attention and support there.
mamselle, hope you are spending Christmas with people who care about you, whether family, friends, acquaintances, medical professionals, and/or caregivers.
Quote from: Langue_doc on December 24, 2022, 08:18:34 AM
mamselle, hope you are spending Christmas with people who care about you, whether family, friends, acquaintances, medical professionals, and/or caregivers.
+1 to this. Wishing you the best, Mamselle.
Quote from: Langue_doc on December 24, 2022, 08:18:34 AM
mamselle, hope you are spending Christmas with people who care about you, whether family, friends, acquaintances, medical professionals, and/or caregivers.
Thanks, yes.
Well-attended.
M.
I am glad that you had people around you Mamselle,
I wish you the merriest Christmas possible under the circumstances.
All the best to you and yours.