1- NJB & The Big C

Since you are reading this, I assume you know me, NJB – hi, friends! hi, fam! – and you know the news: I have The Big C. Some of you have heard most of the details; some of you just snippets. TBH, I might have left it like that – a mish-mash of info going to a mish-mash of people – except for the urging of my three girls. They wanted one spot for updates rather than a hodge-podge of messages.

I am not 100% convinced. Not only is it a very personal story but – let’s face it – a depressing one. Who needs depressing? Plus, I am not sure I really understand this whole Substack site thing-y that Daughter #2 set up for me.

The flipside? Only a short time in and I can already see: It’s good to have Peeps. The Big C is scary; to do it alone would be terrifying. I am so grateful for the calls, the texts, the cards, the e-mails, the snail mail, the offers of rides, the food, the prayers, the well wishes, the love. Oh! And the pashmina! It does help knowing so many have my back… although, er, it’s my stomach, Peeps, my STOMACH.

Plus, there is the matter of my Annual-ish Christmas letter.  Not to be braggy but this may be my one unique talent. For example, there was the year I included (in a tactful! tasteful! way) KY surgical jelly. True, the time I referenced a direct-from-IKEA wood-legged Henriksdal dining room chair with Grasbo cushion not once but TWICE was a tad much. But the use of – in 2016! – mucilaginous? Kind of inspired!

The point is: Why waste valuable Christmas letter real estate on The Big C when there are so many more interesting topics - looking at you, okra - to cover?

Here’s the deal: I’m going to try this Substack thing-y. Feel free to go totally hogwire and subscribe to the site. It’s free. Or just check in occasionally by going to thebigc.substack.com. Know that I will probably not reply to most comments (witness my almost inactive FB page,) but I will relish them.

As for those other forms of contact…texts, e-mails, calls, jokes, big dishes of lasagna? Still welcomed!

So – friends! family! random folk who stumbled here by mistake! – this is the start of my blog - NJB & The Big C – and my journey. It may be a bumpy ride; I am glad to have you with me.