Hi Leroy:

Today you said you were home recuperating from yesterday's procedure.

I was reminded of that when I got a call, this morning, that a friend had just passed away. In a way he was also recuperating at home. His last of many surgeries, radiation, and chemo, was not successful, so he came home to Hospice care a few days ago. He was surrounded by family and friends for those few days, days not spent in a hospital.

He was the second of my friends who came home within the last two months to Hospice care. Did they recuperate? In a manner of speaking, a manner that I believe all Cancer patients can understand.

Sent by Don Winslow | 12:58 PM ET | 02-22-2007

Thanks, Leroy, for blogging your heart out, I'm a new member of your community. I too have memories of pillows & quilts on the couch, soda crackers and ginger ale — and a little guilt around was I really sick, or just in need of moms tlc? Now, living with cancer knowingly for nearly seven years, the innocent trust of those early years serves me well. I feel the tlc, the grace that carries me through, trusting in the spirit that has given me another day.

Sent by Joan S. | 1:01 PM ET | 02-22-2007

Two down and one to go — more than halfway there with the ablation procedures, so the glass is more than half-full! At least in 2007 there are DVDs to watch, so that you can skip all the daytime drivel, or books on tape. "Succes" [good luck in Dutch] convalescing.

Sent by Maris | 1:03 PM ET | 02-22-2007

I was with my 21-year-old daughter last week for her wisdom teeth surgery. She doesn't need me much anymore, but I was pleased to be with her then. I think when we don't feel good, we want our moms. My mom died when I was 13 and I still want her. Good job blasting those tumors. Better than chemo — you'll feel better sooner. Best wishes for clean scans. Hang in there.

Sent by Ann | 1:06 PM ET | 02-22-2007

Recoup in peace!

Heres a few suggestions:

1) Got Tivo? Record some great night programs and play them during the day!

2) Netflix / Blockbuster

3) Play some chess on your laptop

4) Sit back, relax and bask in the knowledge and elation that you have had a victory (no matter how big or small). You are hopefully putting a major dent in the enemy's camp. That's huge! This fight, as you well know, is a rollercoaster ride, (but not as much fun). So don't worry about tomorrow, it will be here soon enough. Think of today and revel in the success. And go to bed with a smile on your face. I wish you warm fuzzies!

ENJOY THE MOMENT.

Sent by Michael Caregiver Survivor | 1:08 PM ET | 02-22-2007

And then there are those days when you have no reason to stay in bed, no pain, no nausea, but no energy. Not disease fatigue, just can't get motivated to get out of bed. I find those really difficult to deal with. It's back to that entry you posted about a week ago when we talked about sheer force of will. I wish I had at least some of your energy. You may feel you don't have much physical energy, but you have more physic energy than most people I know.

Sent by Stephanie Dornbrook | 1:14 PM ET | 02-22-2007

How about the old Hollywood Squares?? Now that was funny! As for your stay at home "sick days" now, rent some funny mindless movies to pass the time and make you laugh. Those endorphins will do you a world of good! Some of my favorites are City Slickers, Weekend at Bernie's, Princess Bride and, always, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Laugh it up, and have some hot chocolate for good measure.

Sent by Karen | 1:27 PM ET | 02-22-2007

Leroy,

I only realized today how rough that procedure must have been. Thanks for sharing your feelings/reactions. I think you are right. Whether they were good or bad moms, whether they are still alive or not, Mom is what we need when were in trouble... at least the idea of her. The translation of that is we need nurturing. Hope you're getting plenty. If there is such a thing as long distance nurturing, then you have a raft of people who read your blog who would bring you chicken soup if they could.

Sent by Diana Kitch | 1:29 PM ET | 02-22-2007

Yaaaa... still smiling. Even after all these years of playing hookie.

Sent by Marianne Dalton | 1:30 PM ET | 02-22-2007

One of my friends sent me an e-mail the day she took a "sickie." She called it a "mental Health day" and I quite liked that. It isn't just our bodies that are poorly or need a break, sometimes it's our minds as well.

I had my 5th operation in 5 years just a few weeks ago and even though it wasn't the most arduous surgery I felt the need for some extra time off. My Dr questioned me about it asking me whether I liked my job. But he totally missed the point. This should have been my last operation now, finally the roundabout is slowing down and I can take a breath and see where I've got to. It's an ending of sorts and I wanted a bit of time to acknowledge that in myself.

Believe me, Leroy, daytime TV in the UK is just terrible, you don't have a monopoly on that!

I hope you can keep as painfree as possible.

Sent by JJ | 1:33 PM ET | 02-22-2007

I just love to read your blog. I don't have cancer, but as a nurse I have cared for plenty of folks you have. Your honesty and openness is no doubt a sip of sweet nectar to others sipping the bitter drink of cancer treatment. I think the only good thing about being sick is that is forces us to allow others to care for us in ways we never allowed before. We are forced to admit that we need help, we need love, we need others to be present when life looks like a tsunami coming and we don't have the strength to run. Just being present and saying, "Yes, I see that you are sick. I will be here with you, you can relax and know that." That's the memory of being a child. The covers tucked in around us, the smell of toast, the bubbles making their way up the frosted glass of ginger ale. Being sick can actually create connections with others that being well doest allow. Maybe it's something to ponder, how to try to create those same connections without the illness. On good days, allowing others to care for us, spoil us, lollygag around and waste the day with us. I'm going to ponder it.

Sent by Therese Dawe | 6:37 PM ET | 02-25-2007

Random thoughts about those sick days. I too think back to the warm blankets and tlc given me by my mother and father. Mom would do all the nursing things and organize the fun things for Dad — when he came home from work hed actually play paper dolls with me and bring me M&Ms. How sad my folks would be to see me in the awful predicament I'm in now. I say little prayers to each of them as my husband thinks I'm watching TV with him at night. I imagine my mother's loving hands pulling the blankets up when I go to bed. I think of my Dad patting my head and calling me fuzzy nut. Trying to stay positive is so hard. Now I have my husband to try to keep me in good spirits. He wins any award possible for that. My colleagues have donated 30 personal days so I don't have to drag in to school on those days I just need to be in bed. I hope your hours of pain from your procedure pass quickly and you have many days of feeling pretty good — you know what I mean.

Sent by Cheryl M. | 6:41 PM ET | 02-25-2007