Saturday, August 3, 2019

Hope When Hope is Lost

 Uncommon are blessings, seldom lasting forever.  Such is Baton Rouge's Holly Clegg. Beloved by many, the renowned chef faces death with the same spirit with which she faced life, determined not to let gastric cancer steal from her soul what it stole from her body. 






She showered local and national audiences with her "healthy cooking" recipes and sparkling personality.  Fortune favored her with best-selling books, a popular newspaper column, a popular tv series, and fame.  However, the same fortune chose to take it all away with little warning.  She announced last August on Facebook:

As I am sitting awaiting my appointment, I want to share some unfortunate news with ya'll. I was just diagnosed with stomach cancer. Zero risk and a rare cancer with only 10 days of symptoms. This is a detour in life that just happens! I plan to tackle this journey. I’m with the wonderful medical team at Md Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and staying with my sister. I am passionate about my work so don’t think you won’t hear from me as we will still continue to whip you into shape in the kitchen with my easy, delicious and healthy recipes. I love this quote a friend of mine shared with me…

“The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.” ~ author unknown

I thank each of you for always sticking with me and being my support through all these years! Let's kick #cancer.

 She fought hard but the much-prayed-for good fortune was not to be.  Her family posted this poignant message on  June 20:

First off, thank you eternally to #TeamHolly. The words thank you don't seem to suffice for the love, support and prayers Holly and her family have received from all of you over the last 10 months. Holly is the strongest, most inspiring person we will ever know. Unfortunately, it is with a heavy heart we inform you that her battle has taken a turn she can no longer come back from following a series of tests this week. The cancer has continued to spread and has begun to cause complications elsewhere in her body. For this reason, her team of doctors have advised against treatment as no treatment could stop the inevitable. As a result, the goal has shifted to ensuring she is as comfortable as possible and focus on managing her pain, which the hospice care team is best positioned to help. While the last couple of months have continued to spiral downward, Holly never lost hope on a hail mary and Holly’s determination to fight has never stopped and it still hasn't. Holly and her family received this news yesterday and as you can imagine, it was an emotionally taxing day for everyone. But, in typical Holly fashion, she was laughing and continued to have her beautiful smile. Her husband and children were all by her side. They cried, they laughed and cried some more. Holly and the family is still trying to process at this time, but their aspiration is to get her back to Dallas. She remains in the hospital at MD Anderson in Houston while they sort through the next best steps. We are sure you all feel as helpless as we do and are wondering how you can help Holly and or her family during this incredibly challenging time. When Holly was first diagnosed, she sat in Dr. Badgwell's office and said "I can do this. I have a platform where I can raise awareness and hopefully help save lives." To help Holly deliver on this aspiration, the family created a Holly Clegg's Gastric Cancer Research Fund at MD Anderson. Initially, the family and Holly believed she would lead this charge but now this will become her legacy. For those who wish to help her achieve her goal of raising awareness, you can donate below. If you want to donate what you planned to spend for lunch or the most gourmet of dinners...any amount helps! Again, thank you #TeamHolly and keep cooking Trim & Terrific!
She managed to attend an event held in her honor Thursday night that raised over $150,000 for gastric cancer research.   Her team continues to posts recipes and updates on her Facebook page.  It's a testament to her will to live even in these last days.  The eyes still show a window into her spirit even as  her body fades under cancer's assault. 

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's terrible that all the money put toward cancer research hasn't found a cure yet.
This women life cut short at a young age.
Now 2 mass shooting in 24 hrs. WOW! The devil is really running to & fro speading all his evil around. Yes, Cancer is evil. It causes a lot of pain & suffering!
GOD BLESS THIS WOMEN! May she be comforted that there is a GOD who will welcome her into heaven where there is no gashing of teeth or pain & suffering.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful example to us all. Indomitable spirit at life's end and giving to and beyond the end of this journey. God be with her, her family, and all those who continue this research.

Anonymous said...

Many years ago, I met Holly when she was selling her first cookbook at a small table set up at Saks Fifth Avenue in New Orleans. She was such a kind and wonderful person. She autographed the cookbook for my wife and we have purchased her other cookbooks.

Very sad news when we found out about her cancer. She is a special lady. God bless her and her family.


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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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