Jane Hamsher of firedoglake diagnosed with Breast Cancer for the 3rd time.

[trumad]

I wish her the best....

There just didn't seem to be any other way to explain why I'm not going to be present for the first two weeks of the Libby trial so I decided to resort to the truth.

As someone who has devoted years to building this blog around coverage of the CIA leak investigation, it's going to be really rough to sit on the sidelines for the first two weeks while Marcy, Christy, Pach and others cover the trial in person. I've been working for months now to obtain a press pass and set up the "Plame House" in Washington DC as a central place for bloggers to stay and share information amongst ourselves as we cover the trial. When I received (with the help of Arianna Huffington and Rachel Sklar of the Huffington Post) the only press pass awarded to a blogger to be in the actual courtroom, I was blown away. And as you might well imagine, it would have to be something pretty serious to keep me away for even a moment.

In mid-December I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the third time. It's a bit more serious this time and treatment is going to have to be more extensive. I owe a huge debt of thanks to all the folks on the blog who have stepped in and allowed me time to investigate treatment options with many physicians and make an informed decision on that front. In addition to regulars like Christy, Pach and TRex who have taken over many of my duties, I also need to express my thanks to commenters like Scarecrow, Looseheadprop, Peterr, Hugh and Oilfieldguy who have done incredible work posting so that I could take this time off. Guest posters like Taylor Marsh, Swopa, Steve Gilliard, Watertiger, Howie Klein and others have also pitched in, and no amount of words can thank the incredible RGB, our site administrator, who has taken it upon himself to coordinate all these disparate elements on the fly. It's been a daunting task and he has managed it spectacularly.

On Thursday I go in for surgery at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica. My surgeons are Dr. Armando Giuliano, with whom I've been down this road before, and Dr. Jay Orringer, who comes highly recommended by both friends and his own superb work. Thanks to the time that all of those who contribute to this blog have afforded me to investigate all my options, I feel really confident in my choice of treatments. Right now I'm writing from John Amato's house, the Crooks & Liars bat cave, where I'll be recouping. The emotional support that bloggers like John, Digby, Arianna, and of course Pach, TRex and the amazing Christy have given to me during this time — well, there just are no words to express.
http://www.firedoglake.com/category/firedoglake/

[kentuck]

1. I'm sorry to hear that....

I read Jane whenever I can and also firedoglake..

[salin]

2. Best of luck to you, Jane Hamsher

your work is much appreciated - but your health is tantamount. You have so many who support you, and your work that you do not know. get healthy. Let the team you have put together do the work for a little while, while you do the work of healing. Many, many thanks for your work - and for the work you will do in the future.

[porphyrian]

3. That really sucks. Good luck, Jane. - n/t

[Cha]

4. I hope you come through this

Again, with a clean report, Jane Hamsher! Thank you, for all you do for us!

[madrchsod]

5. she`s great

i hope she will be ok and can recover soon

[EFerrari]

6. Hang in, Jane.

:hug:

[Robbien]

7. Oh no

Dear Jane, sending very best wishes your way.

[KoKo]

8. ((vibes)) prayers for Jane.....

They've done great stuff over at Firedoglake and getting a pass into Libby Trial to give "The People" a chance to hear what's going on filtered by our own supportive voices rather than MS Corporate media deserves a huge :toast: and many, many thanks.

[bear425]

9. Best wishes, Jane, for a full recovery.

Stay strong.

[Patsy Stone]

10. Godspeed, Jane Hamsher.

So many people are out here wishing you only the best.

[roguevalley]

11. damn. take care, friend. you are needed more than you can know.

recoup with friends and love. it will bring you back to us.

[symbolman]

12. We LOVE you Jane!

We'll be thinking of you and wishing the best the whole time, Takebackthemedia.com and all associated with it is at your service should you need us, and we wish we could be there to bring you ice chips, water, ice cream, whatever you need during this tough time.

All of our love and warm, healing vibes for you :)

[NastyRiffraff]

13. My prayers are with her...

even though I'm not much of a pray-er. FDL is one of my daily "must reads." Jane is wonderful.

[enigmatic]

14. I love Jane's work

All the good vibes I can send are on their way to you, Jane.:)

[trumad]

15. kick

[trumad]

19. kick

[Berry Cool]

16. Damn. You've got my prayers, Jane

as does anyone going through this, but especially someone like you.

[DoYouEverWonder]

17. That's just sucks

She sounds like she's handling the situation as well as can be expected.

I hope a clean bill of health is the final result.

[H2O Man]

18. Wishing her the best n/t

[applegrove]

20. I'm so sorry. Sending you vibes.

[riderinthestorm]

21. Third time. Damn. I'll miss her "voice" during these weeks.

Speedy recovery to her!

[Mabus]

22. I also wish her the very best and hope that she has a quick recovery

I'm an admirer of firedoglake. I had the opportunity to meet several of the bloggers in D.C. last year. Jane, unfortunately for me, was not one of them. She's a strong woman and remains on my list of people I'd like to sit down with and chat. I wish her all the best in battling and surviving this cancer. Hang in there Jane.