Good morning Leroy..... I would encourage you to NOT feel obligated each day to come up with "something new and fresh" for us to comment on. Take some time for yourself... When the spirit(not being glib here) moves you and you have something to express, do your blog as you normally do.

I have participated in a melanoma site for years and I visit it daily. Sometimes I post when it seems I have something to offer. Most times I just read.

As an observation, you might consider making this site, your blog, a place for us to come anytime and to post or just read others' posts for information, and support. Often times the people who come to post have questions, a point of view, or just perhaps need some support or a willing ear to listen to their cares. This would spur others to post. This would give you a break from blogging each day but would also keep this wonderful site "alive and well". Just a thought...

Blessings and prayers as always.

Sent by Al Cato | 8:19 AM ET | 05-24-2007

I like "cancer sucks" too - mainly because it does.

My favorite, though, is "CCKMA" - Cancer Can Kiss My Ass. A recently diagnosed friend of mine got the shirt as a gift from another group of her friends and she adores it.

Sent by Ryan | 8:40 AM ET | 05-24-2007

Mr. Sievers, I am so glad I found you.
Since seeing your special on TV I now read your posts everyday. So many times when you were speaking on the special I found myself shaking my head in agreement to the articulate way you have of being honest and being able to express your feelings and confusion, fears, the things so many people, me included, with cancer feel but can't express, I thank you for that although it would have been nice to meet you thru other circumstances. You have been blessed and have a gift. Cancer has been in my life for years, all the books, boards, newsletters, nothing has hit home until your special and you.
My daughter, her husband and I are all cancer survivors, going thru various treatments and I had recently bought all of us a Cancer Sucks t-shirt and wrist band and we love them.
It does suck plain and simple.
My prayers are with you and all who are going thru cancer. You are so right, where is the google link for "We've found a cure". Hopefully soon that will come to be.
Thank you Mr. Sievers for being you!

Sent by Pam | 8:48 AM ET | 05-24-2007

Leroy,
Your Cancer sucks comments struck a nerve today. I am busy having a pity party about my life with cancer. The day I was told it had returned, my husband's job contract ended. So we got to deal with cancer and the loss of a job. The good thing I carry the insurance, the bad news the security of the second salary is gone. How do people without insurance survive? So yes, today as I plant flowers and plan to watch them grow through the summer, I truly think that cancer sucks. It steals security.

Sent by Rita | 9:09 AM ET | 05-24-2007

God willing there will be a site in time that says 'Found a Cure' in time for my mom. She has lung cancer as well. The worst experience of my life. She is so young, 57. I have 2 young children myself and all I want is for her to see them grow up. That is what she told me when they told her she had 6 months to live, "I have so much left to do, I want to see my grandbabies grow up". 6 months later and she is done with her 5 rounds of chemo and is now on maintenance. Her tumors have shrunk but haven't gone away. Some have dwindled down to a shadow but the others are still there. Never smoked a day in her life. Seems kinda cruel.

Sent by Gina B. | 9:10 AM ET | 05-24-2007

I agree that "cancer sucks". The expression that I've found myself using among others dealing with it is "NONE of this is fun!"

Sent by Nancy K. Clark | 9:24 AM ET | 05-24-2007

Not really on topic, but check out gotcancer.org for great stuff- my personal fav is "my oncologist is my homeboy." Just reading through that site after I was dx helped calm my nerves by making me laugh out loud at cancer. It didn't seem quite as scary when I was laughing.

Sent by Chris | 9:39 AM ET | 05-24-2007

Thank-God for Google! (: Thank-you for writing even when you did not feel inspired. You have become my friend whom I have coffee with every day.
Today I get the results of my Brain MRI. I am the writer who said she was the one who always handled the tough stuff in my family. Today I do not feel so tough. I am going alone. I am expecting good news of coure but with a history of breast cancer you need to be cautious. I do wish there was someone who I could lean on or who would hold my hand while I wait to be called.
That being said, I will take you and all the bloggers with whom I share my feelings.
Thanks for coming.
I am sure I will update you with good news later today.

Sent by joyce | 9:50 AM ET | 05-24-2007

Leroy,
The first time I saw the cancer sucks t shirt was when I decided to look for breast cancer awareness mdse. Cafepress.com carries alot of shirts, mugs etc on any given topic. I laughed out loud when I saw the cancer sucks shirt because it was so .....real. There is another one that I loved that shows a cartoon figure with a scarf on her head that reads " Couf by chemo".
Keep on laughing everyone, we will get thru this!!!
love you Leroy!

Sent by Liz Zimmerman | 10:02 AM ET | 05-24-2007

Dear Leroy-
Another good day at the blog. I read you every morning with my coffee, and you really help me with my life as a mom of 2 young kids/wife/MPH,PhD in epidemiology/cancer researcher/frequent flyer support person to my beloved relative with cancer, now in inpatient hospice. I'm also one of those people in the basement, except I'm at a computer in a cube on the first floor.
As a suggestion for for a future column, while some folks do not want to know about their survival statistics, others might very much want to be able to see the actual SEER survival data that their oncologists are looking at. If you're interested, I could e-mail you info re websites and brief background on how the data is collected, or you could contact me and I could show you how to do this via phone. A person would need to know cancer type/site, stage and grade in order to generate meaningful survival statistics.
While some people would not want this information, I believe other people would feel better for seeing the actual data their doctors are seeing. Barbara in NJ

Sent by Barbara Goun | 10:11 AM ET | 05-24-2007

I bought a t-shirt at the hospital last week - its pink and in very lovely cursive writing across the front it says Breast Cancer Sucks. I've been delighted with the response I've gotten while wearing it.

Sent by Lesa | 10:24 AM ET | 05-24-2007

Hi Leroy:
Is there any chance the Discovery Channel documentary will be made available on DVD or (gasp!) VHS? The Canadian version of the Discovery Channel aired the promos for the show but the show itself was shown only in the U.S. or so I gather from their website. I have long admired you and Ted Koppel, so I'd hate to miss this program entirely. Any ideas?

Your Canuck friend,
Nancy

Sent by Nancy | 10:42 AM ET | 05-24-2007

hi leroy and everyone, had to comment on this one today too. the internet with its wealth of info can be a very scary place for a newly diagnosed cancer patient as we all know. my husband threatened to take my laptop with him to work so i couldn't look at it as i would end up needing to breathe into a paper bag after reading alot about it.....on the "cancer sucks" it sure does ---maybe the treatment sucks more. i was going to make one of those "cancer sucks" shirts---my frineds and i have a t-shirt business besides me being a nurse and we make really cool rhinestone designs on them---but i decided to go another way ...so i've made alot with the pink ribbon along with cute sayings about breast cancer support etc. it makes me feel better to wear something that makes me feel strong. my favorite one is "i fight like a girl" with the pink ribbon.i also like the "they're fake but fabulous!!!" also, i wish i could share a picture with you all that i love. its on my caring bridge website if anyone wants to see it. its of myself and my 3 survivor girlfriends ( we were all diagnosed very young--i'm the "old lady " in the group diagnosed right at 36. anyway, its our "screw cancer..we beat you " look . it should be on a billboard somewhere. myself and my dear friend who sat in chemo with me were still bald so we had our "warriors in pink" scarf on our heads...i wish we could put it up on a billboard somewhere to remind young women of early detection. anyway, the website is www.caringbridge.org/visit/kellyreichart. and if you go to the "see photos" and scroll down, its the last one on there. i just changed the pictures out as they were before filled with pics. of me and my kids bald---even one where i let them draw on my head---it helped to make the baldness less scary ...but that time is over so i replaced with new pics. that are the "new me" ....anyway, just thought i'd share. i really love what you are doing leroy...it helps me to read your thoughts and the other posts help me to keep my own troubles in perspective and gives me a release which i feel we all really need ...God bless all of you today , Kelly

Sent by Kelly Reichart | 10:46 AM ET | 05-24-2007

I, for one, would like to see the data Barbara in NJ mentions. Though if you go into that I think it's important to discuss the samplke the data comes from and potential problems with generalizing to one's own case (I'm a Ph.D. with a lot of grad courses in statistics as well as a double-cancer fighter).

But the best comment I've read is the one about the t-shirt with CCKMA--LOVE that! I have never looked up cancer merchandise on the web--been too busy looking up information and trying to keep on top of the newest research. I have been jealous of your cancer sucks T and, interestingly, it never occured to me I could find it on the web! I'll have to do some surfing.

Sent by N.R. | 11:02 AM ET | 05-24-2007

Good morning again, Leroy and bloggers!

It strikes me again how many of us get up with coffee and this blog site every morning. We are from all over the US, sitting at our computers doing the same thing at pretty much the same time. I find that comforting....the universal nature of our feelings as we go through this cancer experience.

I do have a suggestion for a future topic: "Tips and suggestions for negotiation the financial maze of paying for cancer treatment". Personally, I find it almost overwhelming! Each month, between my care providers' bills and my insurance company's statements, we get a THICK stack of paperwork to try to read and decifer. Understanding it is very difficult; confirming the accuracy of the charges is impossible. There are treatments with nebulous titles and doctors' names that I have never heard of before on my bills. Matching up what they say I owe with the insurance statements that they say have been paid is so tedious!

Here's a corker: Last night we got a call from a collection agency. I had been "turned over" by my provider for failure to make payment. WHAT?!?!?!

Now I am very, very blessed to have the health coverage that I do (at least as long as I am able to keep working). After meeting a deductible and an out-of-pocket maximum, I am covered at 100% in or out of network. It's easy to meet my share of the responsibility: I do it every year in January. The rest of the year, my insurance statements all read, "Patient responsibility: 0"

So somebody has made a mistake here. I will deal with it, and eventually clear it up. I guess. But the energy that this all takes is enormous, and comes at a time when all my energy needs to be reserved for really important stuff....

Do any of the rest of you have similar problems with the finances of having cancer? How do you cope?

I fully agree with Al, by the way, Leroy. It must be hard some days to make an entry when you don't really want to 'talk' about cancer at all anyway. So be our guest: take an occasional break. Just not every day, we need you! :o) Sandra

Sent by Sandra Shuler | 11:10 AM ET | 05-24-2007

Leroy,
Thanks so much for finding something to write about. I agree, however, that you do not have to be the one responsible each day. Sometimes a give and take among the comment list can also be a help.

In that regard, Joyce, where do you live? I know in my neck of the woods there are volunteers available to go with patients to docs, etc. I live up the Hudson River in NYS, if that is anywhere near you, I volunteer. Good luck.

Sent by Natalie | 11:30 AM ET | 05-24-2007

Nothing wrong with ???Nothing??? Leroy. After all, Jerry Seinfeld did a whole entire sitcom about nothing.
The fact that you have a day where you can???t really find anything to talk about makes one realize that even a person with cancer can have a day filled with ???. nothing. The day doesn???t always have to be filled with cancer.
My son???s friend Matt, who died at 16 two years ago from Leukemia, used to sit on my front porch with me when he was having a good day and we???d talk about nothing and everything. His only concern was that people would remember him. He wrote it in his last high school yearbook. ???Please remember me. Your friend Matt???. My fondest memories of Matt are our front porch talks about nothing.

Sent by Sue | 11:35 AM ET | 05-24-2007

Hi Leroy,
Your blog sparked a thought I have had many times since my husband was diagnosed with cancer. Before cancer, I rarely thought about it. Sure, relatives and friends' parents may have had cancer, but it was too far removed. I am 31, my husband 34, so cancer was the last thing we thought about. Since the diagnosis, however, I seem to meet more and more people either living with cancer or survivors; I walk the Race for the Cure; we are involved in a local cancer foundation...cancer seems to be a central part of our lives. I don't think we will ever know a day again where we don't think about it, run into it, or face it head on. I guess it is all about how we face it, and not if we are going to.

Sent by Melanie McClanahan | 11:48 AM ET | 05-24-2007

Dear Leroy, I totally agree with Al Cato, even just a "Good Morning" from you will give us all the comfort and support we need. We are a family.

Sent by sasha | 11:50 AM ET | 05-24-2007

Joyce- I sure wished I could go with you today. Nobody should have to bear this alone. You don't live in Wyoming, do you?? I will be waiting to hear your news, good or bad. Hang tough!

Sent by DiAnn | 11:51 AM ET | 05-24-2007

Joyce, I am with you in spirit, can you feel my energy?
Leroy, I sure hope in my lifetime we will read "found the cancer cure".

Tricia
http://pgorman.spaces.live.com

Sent by Tricia | 11:51 AM ET | 05-24-2007

I want to be able to laugh and be determined to live my life on my terms, but I am not there yet. All I have heard since they said, "You have cancer," is a loop playing over and over in my head, "cancer, cancer, cancer, cancer".
I am so unhappy and afraid that I haven't even allowed myself to think of what I am unhappy about or scared of. Am I sad at the thought of losing hair that grew to my shoulders for the first time in my 54 years? Or am I afraid of dying and leaving the love of my life who I only just found a few years ago?
I am not sure, but I have a girlfriend who said that her reaction was anger. I would be happy for anger. Right now it is bleak that I feel

Sent by P Allen | 12:14 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Yesterday I learned that my cancer has recurred again. With that news comes the reality that there is no possible cure for me. In a sense this is a big and hard-to-swallow change. In another sense it is the same old truth: that death is in my and everyone's future. It's a little like when your doctor said to Ted Koppel that the cancer will kill you and you are sitting in the background on Nightline. There's an ugly forcefulness to hearing it, but I really knew it all the time.

Sent by Allen | 12:31 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Leroy,

Maybe not a cure, but just a chronic disease with better treatments with fewer side effects? I could live with that.

Life eventually does come closer to normal. There was a time just after diagnosis and during treatment that my three kids became saints. No, really, saints. And then just the other day they all fell from sainthood. My three teenagers and I argued. We even raised our voices. And you know what? It felt really good. It felt normal.

To paraphrase, Put your faith in whatever you believe in, and keep your powder dry.

Mo

Sent by Mo Spikes | 12:36 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Good Morning Leroy-
The other day I was gardening in my front yard when a neighbor of mine drove by and stopped and asked how I was doing. I told her just fine and then she asked "how do you feel about not having a breast"? I replied "it sucks" but what I really wanted to say was its great you shoud try it.
Thank you for this blog I dont know what I would do without it. Its my morning addiction.
Jolyn

Sent by Jolyn Asher-Heykes | 12:36 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Leroy I used Google with another word we use MONSTER. I got 82,800,000 hits. I can find a MONSTER job,cables,or trucks. But the best was towards the end. The lyrics to The MONSTER MASH:

I was working in the lab late one night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For my monster from his slab began to rise
And suddenly to my surprise

He did the mash
He did the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
He did the mash
It caught on in a flash
He did the mash
He did the monster mash

From my laboratory in the castle east
To the master bedroom where the vampires feast
The ghouls all came from their humble abodes
To get a jolt from my electrodes

This is just part of the song, Google for the rest of song, it hit me hard.

On another note Memorial Day is coming up. If you know a Viet. Vet with cancer make sure they are signed up with the VA. I do not have to ask WHY ME Agent Orange was my MONSTER. Many others have had the MONSTER shoved on their backs by the enviorment they grew up in or worked in. Use all your resolve and resources to fight the MONSTER

Sent by Sam Means | 12:52 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Leroy

Even "desperate and uninspired" you manage to write good stuff! :-)

Cancer does indeed SUCK! And not only does cancer suck.... the treatments SUCK as well.. and in some cases the treatments such WORSE!!

The truth is they do have "cures" for so many cancers... and of course early detection and prevention is a part of that..

No not every single cancer and case is curable... but so many are!

The reality is that if we simply applied what we ALREADY KNOW about cancer today.... a full 30% of those who DIE each year would NOT DIE!! That would save upwards of 200,000 people EVERY year!

It is also reality that many die from the treatments either directly or indirectly! So many treatments are so harsh with a broad range of adverse health effects including potentially causing secondary cancers!

So we not only need to find that magic pill cure... we need to learn how to make that pill tollerable and with no long term effects!

Thanks Leroy.. you have also given me more fodder to consider when I am uninspired myself in my own blog! :-)

~Ron

Sent by Ronald K. Bye | 1:10 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Leroy,

I'm with Al today. Don't beat yourself up if you don't have something brilliant/moving to say. Is that not the nature of the beast itself? Sometimes you just plod from one day to the next with nothing in particular going on.

The opportunity for patients, survivors and caregivers to get together is a wonderful gift in itself. So, when your muse is doing something else, just provide the rest of us to talk.

Sent by Diana Kitch | 1:18 PM ET | 05-24-2007

The first time EVER I read the phrase "Cancer Sucks" was in a lady's blog about her ordeal with lung cancer. I was home from the hospital after having a huge cancerous tumor removed from abdomen. I was told that I may have to go through chemo. While I sat home healing, I decided to read blogs. Since I had been healthy my entire life, am 33, avid gym goer, not overweight, no past medical history, I never really understood what it was like to be sick. And if I were to read blogs, it certainly wouldn't have been on topics about illness. So I found myself in a new place in my life. When I stumbled upon those two words "Cancer Sucks" in this very detailed, well-done blog this girl had created, it really hit home, and I thought, "You know, that is the best way to describe it. I couldn't find better words to express my thoughts on cancer." So I wrote back and explained my story, and stated "Cancer sucks" right back. Before my brush with the beast I would never have understood the meaning of those two words, as I'm sure you wouldn't have either.

Sent by Lisa | 1:24 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Barbara:

As another person "in the basement," was telling a friend last night that I felt like I'd failed, since we fought so hard and lost anyway. "I'm supposed to be able to fix this," I said, to which she replied "When did you become a god?"

Nothing like a good dose of reality to bring us back around.

Sent by Bruce | 1:49 PM ET | 05-24-2007

i often wonder how patients years ago coped without a 24/7 internet to help them get through the entire process of cancer. google searches helped me immensly during the "waiting for test results" ,etc,etc on those sleepless nights. without the internet to keep me abreast of the latest and greatest news about my cancer i would have felt isolated and helpless. with google, i not only was able to become a walking textbook of info about my cancer ; it gave me the "control" back that i needed to feel concerning my treatment options!

Sent by marianne dalton | 2:06 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Leroy,
Yeah, cancer sucks. But isn't it great how much information is available now? The internet. The headlines. The magazine articles. The Discovery Channel, "Living with Cancer". It's great how open people are about it now. Tony Snow, Elizabeth Edwards, Lance Armstrong and you, all talking and sharing. Cancer has come out of the closet.
Maybe I just wasn't paying attention before I found out I had cancer, a few months ago, but it seems cancer is in vogue. It's hot. The stories are everywhere. It seems that cancer, or talking about it, is fashionable. And that's a good thing. Good for research and good for those of us with cancer. We can talk about it. People are willing to listen. And that makes it bearable. Thanks.

Sent by Gary Flakus | 2:12 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Leroy; It must be the line-up of the moon and stars, because I too am having a bad day. I agree "cancer sucks". There are so many nice and wellmeaning people out there, but guess what? we are the ones going through it. No one can do it for us. I guess that's true with a lot of things like pass your driver's test, have a baby, go for a job interview, but this is different, this is life and death we're talking here. I'm so glad you talk to us and offer us the opportunity to vent. It helps to know all of you are out there. Thanks!
P.S. Leroy, I think your writing block is from that after vacation let down. Give it a few days.

Sent by Joyce L | 2:20 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Yup cancer does suck no doubt there.IT stinks that there are so many cancers and so many subsets of one disease. What a job to figure it out..Then have to apply it to each person who is different from the next.
So finding a cure...is really a tough deal. Will I ever hear it don't know kinda to late when you know your disease is not curable only treatable. So I guess I am thankful in it can be treated.
Anyways its hard..so much out there and so little answers.

Sent by Kerry | 2:21 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Hi Leroy, since you mentioned that you could not think of anything new to write, perhaps you can consider my question. I recall reading once you saying that you were at peace with cancer. As one who has been dealing with cancer for two years, I am still struggling about finding peace which I read about so often. How does one find this so-called 'peace'? What is the process? And how does one know that one is truly at peace? To me, accepting the situation and preparing for the end of possibilities does not bring peace of mind. Is there something more?

Sent by Christine | 2:23 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Hi Leroy -
I've got a "Cancer Sucks" t-shirt myself (and a lavender wristband!). It just made me feel better somehow. I wear it a lot, I guess it makes me feel defiant. And as we all know, cancer does indeed suck!

Be well, everyone. (And I'll be thinking of you, Joyce - all the best to you today when you get your MRI results.)

Sent by Lisa Lindstrom | 2:41 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Hello Leroy,Yes I guess the most of us have Googled a cancer site for one reason or another...I have too many times about chemo dx.
My husband and I are both 2x cancer surviviors.I have been the most resent, May,15th 2003.I was 4th stage ovarian cancer...and the buzz is you have a 50/50 chance to make it 5 years. Well I just had my 4 year anniversary a week ago yesterday...and that was the 9 year anniversay for my husband...yep,May,15th 1998 for his second time.The first time for us we were only 18 months between...and just so you know..my doctor called the second time around a different
"tribe".
I never thought, I would ever be a blogger...after seeing Living with cancer.I do look forward to you in my day.I could not resist posting today.I was in the yard.Just living life right out of life today.And the sun started to get to me ( I love to sweat...I call it "glissening" because I think of it as getting rid of the chemical.I started chemo the 9th of this month and you know sun is an enemy,so I came in for a little rest and to read the emails everyone reminds me they have been sending.
I would love for you and each one of you to do something for yourself and for those you know who have lost the fight...to find your Relay For Lfe.And go and light a luminaria. You can light them "in honor of" and "in memory of".
I noticed ther was someone who mentioed Relay at the town hall meeting.The history of Relay is so awsome...and I will encourage you to Google that...mainly because I read some where on Leroys site....you better be able to keep ones attention....I have so much to share over the past, soon to be 23 years in October. That I could go on and on...but each and everyone of you have a story and you "DO" need to share it, with all who need encouragement, on a day to day basis.One other thing about Relay there is a survivor dinner..you (survivor) start the Relay by doing the first lap...but were emotions are high is at the Luminaria cermonies.I think I would love to be at each and every one that I can...because this is a celebration of life that is like none other...Every state, every county and some counties have more then one Relay.
I have my own and then can go to one in another county very close to me.
We are the "lava lava ladies" (Avon Reps)There is even a story behind our name).
Leroy, don't ever apoligize for any words you might share. We all have a purpose and a plan in our life. And today it is for you to encourage.
Sandy in Ohio

Sent by Sandra Gentry | 3:03 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Hi Leroy,

I had my 4 mo. date with my oncogyn yesterday. As much I really like this guy (his incisions are beautiful), I was hoping, praying, that I could graduate to the next level of care, 6 mo. appointments. No such luck. I was disappointed. It will be three years this week since my dx/surgery and I really thought I'd be, I don't know, further along? It sounds petty of me, I know. I mean what's a couple of months? But to me it's like being an inch too short to ride the rollercoaster. That milestone just stands there, mocking me, nah-nah-na-nah-nah :o)

The good news is I woke up this morning and I can finish putting dirt back along the sidewalk the concrete guys took out when they laid our "new" sidewalk last year. Perhaps I'll take out some of my frustration with a shovel

Sent by Teri Thomas | 4:13 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Joyce,

I have breast cancer. I will hold your hand.

Sent by Karen D. | 4:29 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Hi Leroy-- I don't subscribe to cable TV, so I wasn't able to watch "Living With Cancer." I thought I would be able to purchase the DVD. I was wrong. The person I spoke with at Discovery said that they have had many requests for the DVD, but due to issues with permissions, they would not be offering the DVD for sale.
To make matters worse, it is not scheduled to be on the air during the current schedule which runs through June. She said there was a chance that "Living With Cancer" might air in the next scheduling season. She suggested I record it the next time it airs, though there is no guarantee when that might be.
I would VERY much like to find a way to watch the show in the relatively near future. Cancer has touched my life. I also work in a major teaching hospital providing care for folks whose lives have also been touched by cancer.
I am continually search for resources to help me and to help my patients. Your show would do both.
Please--- do you have any suggestions how I might view the show? Any chance you might know where there is a spare copy?
Thanks so much providing an articulate voice that makes it easier for me to talk about cancer.
Jean

Sent by Jean | 5:15 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Joyce, PLEASE let us know! You are correct - you took all of us with you today, if not in person, then in heart.

Sent by Diana Kitch | 5:49 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Yes Leroy, cancer sucks. It's OK to have a day when you think you can't write as you have already given so much to so many by voicing our feelings. The thing is you can write and your blog has been the only place that I have found comfort. None of the other thousands of websites offered the insight that you have. Thank you again for being there for all of us.

Sent by Vicki (FL) | 5:59 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Dear Mr.Sievers,

How right you are! The patient, the pilot, the warrior: all are dealing with the issues before them on a vry active level. It is far easier to be active and informed than to be the one waiting for your return or to be the caregiver waiting for "news" of the most dreadful sort.

Your daily writings are a boon to me.

Sent by Peggy | 6:04 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Dear Leroy, today was my husbands oncology consultation and I took your advice about approaching the doctor concerning the Radio Frequency Ablation. But unfortunately, I did not listen to your advice about NOT being afraid to ask lots of questions. I received some good news and some not so good news. The good news is that the radiologist who treated my husband initially for the esophageal cancer does this procedure. The not so good news is that the oncologist feels that we should try a non-invasive procedure first. He said there are a few other options, but did not explain what they were. I was a bit disappointed. He told me he would like to give my husband two more chemotherapy treatments (three weeks apart) then another scan. I don't know where we will go from there, but I just wanted to inform you as to what transpired today. Again, thank you for your help. I just wish that I would have asked a few more questions about the other options that he had in mind, especially since this is a topic that we just got finished discussing on the blog.

In closing, thank you again Leroy, I am so happy to be a part of this family.

Sent by sasha | 6:31 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Joyce: It's late in the day on the East coast and mid afternoon in California. Your scan is probably done by now. We await the results with a prayer and a hug.

Allen: I am so sorry for you. What else can anyone say.

Sent by Patti | 6:38 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Dear Joyce, I read your blog. My thoughts are with you. So sorry that you had to be alone........wish I could have been there with you. I have had lots of practice as a caretaker. I pray that all turns out well.

Sent by sasha | 6:49 PM ET | 05-24-2007

tthis is Joyce. I received a good report today! I am in awe of all the encouragment and caring from your blogs. I did take you with me, I felt your good wishes positive energy. I was clutching my own hands but thankyou karen for holdig it too. Thank you all a million times

Sent by joyce | 8:11 PM ET | 05-24-2007

Joyce: It is after 10 p.m. in the east coast. We haven't heard from you yet. Please know that we are thinking about you and pulling for you. hugs and peace, Sandra

Sent by Sandra Shuler | 10:25 PM ET | 05-24-2007

I tried posting earlier without success. This is Joyce. I received a good report on my Brain MRI!
Thank-you Leroy and all "bloggers" for your kindness and support. You did keep me strong today.

Sent by Joyce | 11:22 PM ET | 05-24-2007

FYI-
CANCER SUCKS is a registered trademark owned by Cancer Sucks Incorporated, a non profit organization raising money for cancer research. We sell many different Cancer Sucks items on our website and we are staffed totally by volunteers. Nobody is making a living from our merchandise and all overhead expenses are covered by our corporate sponsorhips. A lot of people on line are making a living from the sales of cancer merchandise. We are focused on raising money for cancer research. Please visit our site at your convenience.
CANCERSUCKS.com
Charity with ATTITUDE!

Sent by Rick Horton | 1:10 AM ET | 05-25-2007

Leroy'

Don't worry about not being able to think of anything to write about. It's called "Post Tropical Depression". It happens every time I come back from Hawaii.

Sent by Gary Flakus | 1:38 AM ET | 05-25-2007

Cancer does suck, whether you are in the middle of beating it or worrying it will come back.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Lance Armstrong Foundation (among others) are places where you can sign up to be an advocate and they help you lobby Congress online for better funding for cancer research and other things. I've been doing it for years. It would be great for you to write about that and help others sign up to be advocates too.
I think you're doing a great job reaching out every morning!

Sent by Janet | 7:06 AM ET | 05-25-2007

Had to comment on "wonder if we'll ever see it?". Before I was diagnosed, I had a saying to illustrate my "bad timing" in life...."someday, I'll get cancer and it will kill me. And the day they are putting my body in the ground, the morning paper headline will be "CURE FOR CANCER"." My oncologists got a kick out of that.

Sent by Harry Jones | 10:27 AM ET | 05-25-2007

Leroy-

I love that! I???ve been hovering around your blog since I was diagnosed, or maybe after I was diagnosed. I can???t really remember, it???s been so long since I started this battle. Almost two years now. I???ve only in the last two weeks really started reading the comments and finally subscribed. I???m glad I did. So many of the conversations I???ve wanted to have with someone, you all have already had. I???ve gone back into the archives to replay and join in. I???m so happy so many folks are able to be candid.

In February, I lost a friend to pancreatic cancer which started as a melanoma. Her husband is a heart surgeon and many of their friends are in the medical field. She had been fighting for nearly seven years. When I first met her for lunch, she looked at me and said, ???This makes all the difference, finally talking with someone who gets it.??? I thought that was strange and I felt oddly in awe of her presence, almost intimidated but calmed by her spirit. She was such a fighter. Very determined. How could she think I was someone who had something to offer her? But I had said those, what now seem like magic words to me, ???Cancer sucks.???

I was first diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, which really pissed me off. Then, one year later I was diagnosed with head and neck cancer. That???s when I saw a 10 year old boy wearing the t-shirt, ???Cancer Sucks.??? His Dad had cancer. In the waiting room, I burst out laughing. That was perfect! It was exactly what I wanted to say when people asked me how I was. I had been saying it with some reluctance, but seeing it on a t-shirt gave me the validation I had been looking for. I am 43 now, but one of my jobs in high school was to put names and phrases on t-shirts at a sports shop with those hot press letters. Apparently, I was deeply impacted by the validity of those words once they came off the hot press.

I am so glad to hear there are web sites that sell these words on apparel. I am going to buy something today. Maybe I???ll even get something for my 3 and 8 year olds. They would love to wear that vs. the standard pink ribbon stuff for breast cancer.

Thanks, Leroy. Hang in there, and if you haven???t tried reiki yet, find a highly recommended reiki master to work with you. It???s the best thing I???ve done so far. If nothing else, mine has helped my body be stronger and keep the side effects at a minimum.

I hope you all smile at least once today.

Kathy Bero

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Sent by Kathy Bero | 7:01 PM ET | 05-25-2007

Leroy,

It's Ken Francis, You only hear from me once every blue moon. I've heard as much about cancer as I really care to, so I don't pursue conversations about it on a regular basis. You and I took radiation at about the same time at Johns Hopkins. You probably spoke with my wife more than me. I always try to stay upbeat because I'm an upbeat person and I think that it's good for each of us to do that as much as possible for our long term prospects. Every morning when you came down that hall the same way doing the same walk with that same expression on your face, you inspired all of us who knew what you were going through. I have mentioned this before, and it's easy to write this stuff off, but I consider myself privileged to have shared similar experiences with you at the same time.

Well, you seemed a little down in the blog. I saw your special with Ted Koppel. It was very good. To tell you the truth I never really thought that much about Ted until after seeing the show and it was nice to see you were still the same Leroy that we all remember. There isn't much use for phoneys in the world, (I have no use for them,) and you are truly the real deal.

It must be interesting to be able to speak with so many people going through so many related experiences. As a child I used to love to rummage through my grandparents storage areas and see all of those old things that were enchanting to a small kid. You felt as if you were learning how and why things worked, and what it must have been like for someone in older times to make significant things happen. You could picture crews working with equipment and see great operations underway. Then I'd go and talk to someone who was around when these operations were going on, and try to fill in the blanks. You could learn so much. It was very exciting. Of course this was a kid learning kid stuff in a very elementary way, but I used to love to do that. On some huge level over my experience I keep thinking your job and that TV special must be somewhat similar and exciting as hell. Well, you were impressive and the show was impressive. By the way, for what it's worth I agreed with your partner. If it's too emotional to talk about in public don't talk about it, that's nobody else's business.

By now I have probably bored the heck out of you but the things that you must see and learn seem phenomenal and it looks as though you can still do that. To the rest of us great unwashed this must be a fantastic view of the rest of the world around you. I hope it's as exciting as it seems, and I hope that it is fun for you. You really seem as though you like it.

Well, hopefully you are still awake, I have to go now before I start putting the masses to sleep. That's probably not good.

Ken Francis

Sent by Ken Francis | 7:22 PM ET | 05-25-2007

Leroy, I notice that your Canuck friend Nancy says she couldn't see your doco either. I have a feeling if it was only shown in the U.S. it may have something to do with Ted Koppel's production company and distribution rights. Can't you ask your old mate Ted to free it up for distribution in places like Canada and Australia? We have a lot of cancer sufferers and survivors here, and while we don't all know you (much to our regret), we do know Lance Armstrong. I've emailed the Discovery Channel here and have received no reply (which surprised me, I must admit). Anyway, I'm glad you're doing better, and I prefer Cancer Can Kick My Ass to Cancer Sucks. But both are appealing! Cheers, Tom

Sent by Tom K in Sydney | 7:36 PM ET | 05-25-2007

Good Morning Leroy, Good morining All.

Dear Al Cato, Joyce, Bruce, Terri, Diana Kitch,Stephanie, Dr. Tejura and all of those pepople that I am not able to remember their names at this early hour. (Sleep is not a friend to me anymore) I would like to express my thanks and gratitude for your eloquent comments, your kindness and your sharing. Eespcially to those who have responded to my posts.

I would also like to tip my hat to Mr. Al Cato for the wonderful things he writes about his spouse/caretaker. I know my husband loves me and he appreciates what I do for him, but he will never open up to me and there are times when I don't feel appreciated, almost feel taken for granted. This usually happens right after a chemotherapy session, he goes into what I refer to as "His nasty mode" This is when I log onto the blog and re-read old posts and see that this is just part of the disease. I only wish that I could get him to read the daily posts so he can learn what I have learned. Although he is a very strong minded man, and always tells me whatever will be will be, we cant change things..........I sometimes think this is a cop out for him.

Thank you all for listening. BE well all.

Sent by sasha | 4:03 AM ET | 05-26-2007

Aftre a few days of reflecting on your CANCER SUCKS blog, I have a new take.
Cancer can suck away your health, your wealth, your long term plans and your dreams. It can suck the life out of your body, figuratively and literally.
Cancer can create that vacuum, that void. But for me cancer also sucked out my anger and indifference, my neglect of others.
Filling that void now is enlightenment, tolerence, patience, and peace. Also rushing in are new friends and new found compassion in old friends and loved ones.
I understand my perspective would be different if I had a terminal diagnosis. Yeah, cancer sucks, but it has also improved my life. And for that I'm grateful.

Sent by Gary Flakus | 7:26 PM ET | 05-26-2007

I also saw a nurse wearing a button that said, "Every laugh kills a cancer cell." Whether you believe it or not, at least it might may you smile.

Sent by Anne Hart | 11:45 PM ET | 05-26-2007

I am the parent of a kid with cancer. We found many "cancer sucks" items at www.choosehope.com but the best items are the buttons, my daughter's favorite says "I paid my oncologist a lot of money for this hairstyle"

Sent by Nicole | 8:50 PM ET | 05-27-2007

My best friend (and one of my most treasured pillars of support since my diagnosis) made a t-shirt for me. It simply said, "Radiation is Rad". It always makes me laugh, and I especially love wearing into my cancer clinic....

Sent by Bobby Silberman from CT | 5:57 PM ET | 05-28-2007

I've posted before about my dad who has pancreatic cancer. It seems I'm on the computer constantly, whether at work or at home, I'm looking for something, and I think that "something" is an answer to a question no one can give.

I Google, surf the Johns Hopkins chat room, all in the hopes I'll see an entry that reads: "This is God, and your dad will die at 98 from something entirely unrelated to his cancer. Oh yeah, and all the treatments and everything else he has to endure won't be that deblitating in the long run."

I'm also looking for answers about how to get back to living like we did before this cancer cloud hung over us. It seems not a day goes by that I don't think about it and long for days gone by.

I read somewhere that success in life is not so much about working hard, etc. It's about being flexible and adapting to change. Some days, that's easier said than done. But humor definitely helps, even in those really low moments. And maybe that's why they say laughter really is the best medicine.

Sent by Rebecca | 11:30 PM ET | 05-30-2007