From: Jo Stepaniak(jo.vegsource.com) Subject: EM............... Date: May 2, 2008 at 4:06 am PST
In Reply to: Janet and Marilyn posted by EM on May 2, 2008 at 3:39 am:
I'm terribly, terribly sorry that anything any of us said cut into your wounds. I know that was not anybody's intention whatsoever. This is such a delicate issue, and it cuts many of us right to the heart. Perhaps all illnesses are "self-induced" in one way or another -- even if we just consider that we contribute (in whatever measure) to our culture's use of chemicals or mistreatment of the earth. For some people, certain things seem more self-inflicted than others, so they are quicker to judge, especially if they haven't engaged in the same activities that might have brought on an illness. I know with certainty that Janet and Marilyn were only thinking in terms of their fathers, and particularly about treatments of the very elderly. We might all disagree about that issue, but I sincerely believe they meant no harm, and I hope with some distance you'll be able to take their comments in the spirit with which they intended them.
I realize this is still such a raw, painful topic for you -- even with the passage of time -- and heaven knows that is totally understandable. Some wounds can never heal completely, and small tugs at them can cause them (and us) to weep all over again.
My heart goes out to you and to all of us who suffer -- and who among us doesn't?
Please come back to us, Mary -- now or as soon as you are ready.
