[DanaC]

The professor who taught my major 'special interest' module in my final year of undergrad and supervised my dissertation, was also going to be my supervisor for my Masters, but had to go on an extended leave due to throat cancer. Earlier in the year she appeared to be doing better, but had announced that she was going to retire. There was supposed to be a little party at the faculty a couple of weeks ago for her retirement. Got an email the week before to say Katrina wouldn't be able to come after all as her health had deteriorated significantly.

I just checked my emails and there's one from the head of school to say that she has now moved to a hospice, and that her partner, children and siblings are with her. She is too weak for visitors.

I'm really struggling not to cry. It's so fucking unfair. This woman is so fiercely intelligent, warm, caring, lovely and brilliant. I'm feeling a little guilty that I didn't maintain contact with her after she went on leave. I was just so wrapped up in my work, and (minor) health problems of my own, y'know how these things go. That and the context of our contact had gone largely.

It's not a major feeling of guilt. Just a niggle. Mostly I'm just really saddened.

Fuck cancer.



@ Syc: that's terribly sad. It's such a shock when someone who seems so together commits suicide.