Your site is life support to me. Thank you so much.

Sent by Irene | 9:48 AM ET | 11-16-2006

Well Leroy,

I'm on my second year and second line of defense of chemo treatments. Just being thankful that I will see another New Years eve past by with family and friends. As a cancer patient I'm thankful for every extra day, week, month or year with the Chemo treatments I receive as long as it maintains my quality of life. A second piece of pie... now that's just plain good livin'.

Sent by Kris Worrall | 9:50 AM ET | 11-16-2006

Dear Leroy:

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. The same to all of us who follow and are enriched by your postings.

As for your reflections about who might not live to see another Thanksgiving or other holiday, sadly that applies to everyone at our holiday celebrations and everyone we know. We do not know what tomorrow will bring and how, in an instant, a life will be changed. Those of us who have had cancer or another life-threatening illness, however, are certainly always more acutely aware of the fact that one day our lives will end.

I will tell you that I have often said, since being treated for breast cancer three years ago, that I have become an even more cautious driver, because, Id be damned if I was going to die in a car accident after going through chemo and radiation to survive cancer!

Sent by Harriet Liss | 11:23 AM ET | 11-16-2006

Next Tuesday I go in for my three month check-up blood tests, scans, etc. And then face the holidays knowing what I will then know. I am currently living life in three month increments.

I both dread and anticipate these check-ups. I feel safest in treatment or in the hands of my oncologist. Three months is a long time to be alone with my body.

And alone is what I feel. My husband accompanies me to my appointments, bless his heart. He says he comes so that in the event of bad news I do not have to face it alone. I think he comes because he thinks he can ward off bad news. That the doctors wouldn't dare speak bad things in his presence. That he is luckier than I am and he is lending me his luck.

I appreciate this, I do. I know what it must cost him. But it requires of me an optimism I don't always feel. I have no forum to express my fears. I am scared.

Sent by Randy Mathey | 11:25 AM ET | 11-16-2006

Leroy,

Thanks for this, I don't know where to start but, I never took note of the exact date, but it was some 30 plus years ago I imagine when I woke up, had a shower, looked in the mirror and noticed a lump on my upper right hand shoulder.

After I read a part of your story, I went back, had a look in the same mirror, and found that very same lump staring back at me.

Question I asked myself this morning is the very same question I have asked myself 30 plus years ago. Is it cancerous, malignant or non malignant? Truth of the matter is I don't know nor do I care. I know that I am as healthy today at 68 as I was back then both physical and physiological. Because I take life one day at the time. I thank the sacred heart of Jesus for favors received whenever I think necessary, like now. If you want to know the text of my little prayer, just ask. In the meantime, enjoy Life, it's much to short. The most precious commodity that I have on this planet is time, and I intend to use it wisely.

Sent by Robert A Rickert | 11:33 AM ET | 11-16-2006

Wow, I love your thinking on that second piece of pie. I work in an office of Hematology/Oncologist specialists for a children's hospital. We see little guys go thru the worst of it all the time, and they all have one thing in common with you: they are ever hopeful. I think that is the one quality of life issue that is a lesson for most all of us who work here. There is always hope, even when it looks hopeless, because there is always time, and room, for something that can brighten our day, or someone else's and there is always time to love each other. Keep up the fight, and keep on hoping. It is a wonderful quality to go thru life with, no matter what challenges we all face.

Sent by Vita | 12:17 PM ET | 11-16-2006

Leroy,

I hope this is the best Thanksgiving you've ever had and I hope you really enjoy that pie.

All of us on the blog I'm sure offer our thanks to you for writing. You've taught me alot and I'm grateful.

I'll keep praying for you.

Sent by Geoff | 3:20 PM ET | 11-16-2006

Leroy,

I am thankful for many things. One of them is you! I read your blog every day and it never fails to inspire me. I know you feel bad when you are writing sometimes and I am sure that some days you don't feel like posting. But you do. You express yourself so eloquently and so often speak what all of us are thinking. I just wanted to let you know how much I look forward to hearing from you each day. Enjoy you break. Enjoy your pie. Have seconds!

Sent by Cathy | 4:47 PM ET | 11-16-2006

I agree with Cathy. I too look forward to your posting every day and then reading the comments. Have seconds on the pie and don't forget the whipped cream!

Sent by Margo | 1:18 PM ET | 11-17-2006

Bravo, Leroy! Thank you for this heart-inspired post.

You said the truth about having cancer, always wondering if well be here for the next holiday. I have been wondering that for the all the 5 years since being diagnosed. Although I have yet to be cancer free, I have to chuckle at my threads of doubt.

I hope we all get around to a big, fat beautiful second piece of pie this year! Happy T-giving!

Sent by G.G. | 1:24 PM ET | 11-17-2006

I went through chemo for breast cancer 10 years ago. My first thought when the doctor said "you have breast cancer" was to run, screaming from his office. My first thought was "How am I going to tell Jim" (my husband). My second thought was they?ve mixed me up with someone else. I don?t think I had a clear thought from that moment on until I finished chemo. I still have chemo brain once in a while a lot of us do. My worst moments were standing in my bathroom, throwing my hair in the basket. I had purchased a wig, which I hate, but I also had a 13 year old daughter who didn?t need to see her mom bald. I never said "Why me" because why not me? What makes me so special that I am not immune to it? I feel I am lucky that the cancer was detected; I did what I had to do with grace and determination, and have come out with a totally different perspective than I had before. I know I am one of the lucky ones, and I pray each day that I live to see my granddaughter grow up.

Sent by Deb Caldwell | 12:05 PM ET | 11-20-2006

Leroy,

I was touched by some of the comments I read in response to your posting today, as I'm sure you were also.

I have nothing original to add to what has been said, except to second some of the sentiments that were expressed by others: I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and enjoy seconds (perhaps even thirds or fourths!) of pie with your loved ones. I also appreciate so much your blogs each day.

I had to really chuckle when you said that putting up Christmas stuff before Halloween should be a felony! I have to agree with you there!

May God bless you with a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I truly hope you enjoy it!

Sent by Greg Sheryl | 6:13 PM ET | 11-20-2006

Leroy,

I admire you, for continuing to write. You are an inspriation to so many people. I continue to pray for you and hope that this will be a special Thanksgiving for you and your family. Do enjoy dinner and especially the pie.

Sent by Carol | 6:15 PM ET | 11-20-2006

Leroy,

After that big dinner, I reckon you can also have a palate cleansing ale at 8 p.m. as you settle down to watch the Broncos play the Chiefs. You deserve it. Happy Thanksgiving.

Sent by Tom | 6:19 PM ET | 11-20-2006

Last Thanksgiving morning was when I found the lump in my breast, just as family was arriving to celebrate. The whole holiday season was overshadowed by the unknown, first of the diagnosis, then the treatment, then the aftermath. Thankfully, this Thanksgiving I am here, feeling healthy after all the necessary but brutal treatments and appreciating life more and more each. I, too, am going to enjoy the pies! May God bless! ENJOY your week off!

Sent by Karen | 12:30 PM ET | 11-21-2006