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Numerous readers have asked about my health, and the answer is “not good.” I’m not in any pain, but I suffer a lot of fatigue and brain fog, a product of two rounds of radiation, one of my brain and the other of my back. I also had a “brain incident” in August that caused me to lose the ability to read and write for a few days.
All this has made it taxing to run HumbleDollar and to correspond with readers. That complicated tax question? No, you shouldn’t expect an answer. And, no, sending it along twice doesn’t help.
What about all the recent nonsense over upvotes and downvotes? For goodness sake, children, let’s move on. If you keep belaboring the same point, expect to be berated by your fellow readers, and a few downvotes are in order. End of story.
How will things play out from here? I’m hoping my energy level will return. But I could also see things spiraling down, and perhaps I’ll just slip away, hardly a terrible fate. If that happens, readers will be the first to know. Elaine will make sure of that.
It’s always enlightening to see your thoughts and comments even though they are becoming fewer now. All HD readers have wished prayer upon prayer for some intervening miracle. While searching for something entirely different on Ted.com, I came upon this 14 minute talk from David Fajgenbaum about his own non-curable disease. It is an amazing short talk I found to be inspiring. Wishing you all the good days to remain among us.
https://www.ted.com/talks/david_fajgenbaum_how_nearly_dying_helped_me_discover_my_own_cure_and_many_more
I imaging that if we asked your wife Elaine she would tell us that you are not perfect. I am also convinced that she and so many others would say you are a good person. That is special I especially appreciate your last comment because it is another example of what you do well, that is be the “adult in the room” when we as a communiity lose perspective. My prayer for you is that the remainder of your days are peaceful, that you let go of worries, and bath in the warmth of the love of your family and we your community.. Hold on tight. It has been and will be a hell of a ride.
Jonathan, As we all face up to our mortality and transition or passing you are a prime example of how to do it with grace and thoughtfulness. I have alway thought that each one of us will die just as we live, personality revisions and conversions are rare. As most of comments suggest when you depart from our presence you will leave behind a large host of people who will remember you with gratitude for having known you.
Jonathan, it is hard to imagine what you (and your family) are going through so first — prayers are in order. I wish for you as little physical pain as possible in this moment. Your gift to the world is clear: to have served as our guide in this crazy world of personal financial literacy. I have avidly read your HumbleDollar blog since becoming a “semi-retired” subscriber and seen your touching story in AARP Magazine and a variety of other places over these past few months. It is a constant drum beat of kindness to remind all of us to live life to the fullest as our time on this earth is certainly not forever. Peace be with you.
Thank you for so much Jonathan. All good wishes –
Take great care of yourself, Jonathan. Keep you in our thoughts!
You are included in my morning prayer walk sir. Please keep fighting. You are loved and appreciated by so many. Thanks for the update brother. Your Humble members are pulling hard for you!
More important than the economic lessons has been the living-life lessons. Thanks so much, and I look forward to whatever your health allows in the future.
Some people impact others by either their work, their personal story, or the strength and kindness embodied in their character. But it is a rare, good, and very gifted individual who makes an impression on and changes the lives of others through all of these means.
Jonathan, you are someone who has done that for many years. And, perhaps even more importantly, when faced with what could certainly be described as a discouraging and impossible “no-win” medical condition, the depth and steadfastness of your life’s light has shown brighter and with even greater intensity as you have continued to counsel and encourage others after your life altering and likely life ending cancer diagnosis.
Like so many other members of the Humble Dollar community you established, I’m saddened by your situation, and I will grieve your loss if the treatments, medications, or divine intervention do not reverse your precipitious health decline.
Please know that there are many folks who are thinking of you now and who will be praying for you in the coming days.
We deeply appreciate and are so grateful for the tremendous testimony of your life.
And we are amazed at and will always remember how you unselfishly continued to teach us throughout your personal medical adversity.
Thank you for what you have done and for what you are still doing.
We miss you, and especially your thoughtful comments on investing. I hope your family is doing well as this form of cancer is both awful to have and awful to watch. Best regards, and thanks.
Thank you for the update. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Wishing you continued peace during your journey.
Wishing peace and serenity to you while you navigate your health issue.
Jonathan, just know, we are all here for you. We really appreciate your update, and for sure very happy you are not in Pain. From my experience, you are ODAAT, one day at a time. And in addition, enjoy what you can do. You have to take it easy and one step a time, so my suggestion is listening to soft music, reviewing past vacations from all the pictures, if possible watch videos of scenic landscapes, and each day that energy level will improve. Prayers for you and your family. Thanks again for all you do, even now.
I love that this post still sounds like you. Praying for you and thanking you for this tidbit.
I admire your courage I join others in praying for the continued journey that meets your needs. I honor you by promising childlike humility modeled after your own.
Jonathan, you continue to be very instructive in so many ways. Please pass on our appreciation to Elaine for all that she does.
Jonathan, Thank you for the update. Always looking forward to my weekly dose of Humble Dollar. Wishing you all the best.
Jonathan, thank you for the candid update. I am very glad that you are not in pain and hope things go the best they can for you and your family.
My family and I have benefited and learned from you. Thank you so much! I admire and appreciate your style.
Thank you for thinking of Humble Dollar and updating us. I wish that all will be most well for you and your family. Thank you for all the wise nuggets of advice sprinkled throughout your columns.
thank you for sharing and best wishes. thanks for all your advice over the years
All the best. I hope everything goes as well as it can. One commenter noted that you must have helped thousands of people improve their lives. You have helped improve mine, not just financially, but with your grace and humor.
Thank you for the update and for everything you do and have done Jonathan. It’s a privilege to have written for HumbleDollar.
Bill
Jonathan, you are remarkable! I am a recently retired 72 y/o Cardiologist, following humble dollar for several years. This my first post. Your resilience, grace, humor, in spite of your struggles is inspirational. I loved your admonishment of the children regarding the arrow controversy.
I wish you minimal suffering and peace. I so admire you and wish the world had more people like you. Individuals that give of themselves, rather than take what they can get away with. We would all live in a better universe.
Grateful as always for your wisdom. In the few short years that I’ve been reading and commenting, you and the other HD contributors have sustained me beyond measure. Recently I began keeping a daily gratitude journal that was suggested here. It’s become a reliable self-help tool. Thank you for the update.
Thank you Jonathan for your health update. There are many people who love you and are concerned. Kind of “funny” that you’ve helped so many over the years with your financial advice and you’re still doing the same now by simply keeping us updated. I’m thankful for your minimal pain, healthcare, loving family and Elaine. Maybe one small consolation of this difficult journey is your satisfaction of a life well lived by helping thousands of people improve theirs.
I am amazed at your strength in keeping your vision clear. I admire the courage you show as you progress in your journey.
Thank you for helping this community.
Wishing you all the best, Jonathan. You have touched so money lives with your writing in all these years. I am lucky I am one of them.
Thanks for taking a few minutes to update us Jonathan. All the best to you and yours.
Prayers for you and your family!
Sending lots of positive vibes your way. And thanks for the upvote/downvote commentary – hopefully the children will move on.
Thank you for the update, Jonathan, difficult though it may be to read. Wishing you nothing but comfort and peace.
Wishing you the best possible.
Jonathan,
Best wishes in your illness journey. Hoping and praying for the best for you and Elaine.
Thanks for the update, Jonathan. My words are failing me. Wishing you and your family peace🕊️
You haven’t lost the ability to write clearly and its good to hear from you. Thank you.
Sending you our thoughts and prayers. You’ve taught us how precious life is, and to take each day as a gift.
We as HD readers are standing by your side with Elaine and your kids. We pray you feel our prayers. There’s just no way to tell you how much we continue to honor you.
wishing you comfortable and pain free days spending it with those that love you.
All the best Jonathan, hopefully the good days will be more plentiful and enjoyable!
Oh how much more precious life feels each day upon reading this! You’ve still got the great sense of humor which i guess nothing will take away. Peace to you and your family. Jonathan.
Mike.
Peace be with you and your family.
God bless you!
Jonathan, thank you for the update, I am sorry it is hard. My prayers continue to be with you, Elaine, Hannah, Henry and the rest of your family. I continue to be grateful for HD. I didn’t “know” you before then. Chris
Thank you for your candid and open message. It takes immense courage to share such a personal struggle, I truly appreciate your transparency.
Your writing and insights have been a source of immense value for so many, and the dedication you’ve shown in continuing to share your thoughts despite your health challenges is a testament to your character. I know that the community you’ve built here is deeply grateful. My wife Suzie and I send our very best wishes and hopes for your strength to return.
Jonathan, thanks for your honest and open update. All thoughts with you, and wishing you all the very best.