My friend Jay Lake is struggling with the devastation of cancer in his late 40s. And he’s been on my mind a lot even as I celebrate great successes. I just sent him a note of encouragement and it occurred to me maybe others would like to but need a push. So comments are open, let’s make a big giant cancer card for Jay to encourage him, hug him, embrace him, and let him know he’s not alone.
Here’s mine, I look forward to yours:
Jay:
You’ve been on my mind and in my heart a lot the past week.
I know you’re going through the roughest of times and discouragement. I can’t relate to the cancer thing as much but having my whole life taken, turned upside down and stripped from me I can, and maybe that’s a bit what it feels like. I just wanted you to know you’re beloved. Every time I do an article or interview with you in the title, it’s so popular and continues generating traffic. And your body of work is stunning for someone your age and who didn’t make his first sale all that long ago.
You have touched people’s lives, changed them, and connected with them, many even strangers whom you’ve never met. You’ve touched me, your daughter, your parents, your friends…in a way that leaves a legacy which has forever transformed us.
No matter what happens, that will never be taken away and it will never lose its value for us.
I wish there was a way to help beyond prayer and good thoughts. This is one of those situations wherein my gift for words is overly challenged. But I just wanted you to know I was thinking of you, hurting with you, cheering for you, and constantly hoping for you.
Hang in there, my dear friend!
Bryan
Any words of encouragement and support are welcome below. I’ll do my best to moderate quickly.
Bryan Thomas Schmidt is the editor of Blue Shift Magazine and an author and editor of adult and children’s speculative fiction. His debut novel, The Worker Prince (2011) received Honorable Mention on Barnes & Noble Book Club’s Year’s Best Science Fiction Releases for 2011. A sequel The Returning followed in 2012 and The Exoduswill appear in 2013, completing the space opera Saga Of Davi Rhii. His first children’s books, 102 More Hilarious Dinosaur Jokes For Kids (ebook only) and Abraham Lincoln: Dinosaur Hunter- Land Of Legends from Delabarre Publishing. His short stories have appeared in magazines, anthologies and online. He edited the anthology Space Battles: Full Throttle Space Tales #6 (2012) and is working on Beyond The Sun for Fairwood Press (July 2013), headlined by Robert Silverberg, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Mike Resnick and Nancy Kress, and Raygun Chronicles: Space Opera For a New Age for Every Day Publishing (November 2013). He hosts #sffwrtcht (Science Fiction & Fantasy Writer’s Chat) Wednesdays at 9 pm ET on Twitter and is an affiliate member of the SFWA.
I admire your body of work – not only the sf, which is awesome (I still say Golden Pepper is classic!) but what you’ve been doing on your blog – the extreme honesty is priceless! – and most of all, that you’re a great and beloved and HONEST dad. You’ve done great work, and you’ll do more – I hope we have you with us for many years to come, Jay.
Jay, hang in there. The world is a better place with you here. We don’t say it often enough, but stay around. We want to here more from you.
Sometimes it is the words of a stranger, the smile of a waitress, the gentle pat on the shoulder from an elderly man or woman seeking help that sparks the joy, thrills, and reality of life in all of us. My point…hope, cheer, love, kindness, joy, inspiration, and gratitude are often felt the strongest through the simplest of expressions. As I read what Bryan wrote I can see the impact you’v had on people you know and those you do not. Lean on that support, it is there for you. Smile in knowing there is a large host that cares for you.
Jay,
For those of us who follow you, whether fans of your writing or fans of your honesty, always remember that you are in our thoughts. I’m a fan of both. My youngest sister was diagnosed with cancer when she was 20. Yes, she’s fine now, but we were all terrified. There was so much we didn’t know and understand. I wish we could have found something like your blogs back then.
All of us are praying that you can beat this for good and remain with us for a long time.
Never give up.
Never give up.
Never give up.
We’re all pulling for you, Jay.
Dear Jay,
Your quiet dignity, and your honesty, and your ability to sometimes find the silly in things, inspire me.
And when you lose it, you’re still wonderful.
Gillian
Jay,
We don’t know each other, but I wanted to tell you the following. I don’t know the details of your situation (i.e. stage, etc.), but keep up your hope. My mom was diagnosed as stage four cancer, in her chest, lymph, and bones. She was advised she had six months to live. That was over two years ago. Her cancer has been disappearing more with every subsequent doctor visit. Not saying it will be the same. Every is different. But keep your spirits up. Life is one day at a time for all of us.
-Scot
Jay,
You probably don’t remember me. I maned a booth at FenCon one year you were one of the guests. You stopped at my booth and took time to talk about Star Trek Enterprise and other things you’ve worked on. Your honesty and willingness to mingle with a no-name writer like me inspired me. As they say, you get what you give. May you successfully battle this disease and win. And thanks for your inspiration.
Thanks all for coming. Jay me how much he appreciates the support. So keep ’em coming.