Leroy: I hope you're a candidate... and that you can receive more radiation and spare the spinal cord...crossing fingers.

Sent by Krupali Tejura MD | 7:50 AM ET | 06-20-2007

p.s. we have the trilogy system here, but still look into proton therapy..

Sent by Krupali Tejura MD | 7:51 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Very good news!!!! Hope they conclude that you are a candidate for this type of radiation. If by some remote chance, they deem you not to be a candidate, get another opinion! Remember that there is very little consensus in the medical community in what can be done or should be done. Often the patient must seek doctors who are willing to deviate from the conventional thinking about treatments. This how progress is made and new norms are established.

Wishing you the very best of news for the Novalis treatment.

Blessings and prayers as always.

Sent by Al Cato | 7:53 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Dear Leroy,
Good morning, Wow! An option, a possible plan, that's great! A bit of good news gives me an uplifted feeling. So great that you have some options and that you don't have the kind of patience to just stop and wait for something bad to happen.

Your ability to persevere and keep going to the next thing is amazing and wonderful. You give me hope, thank you. Your spirit reaches out through this blog, encouraging my spirit and body to also do the next thing. The next practical thing.

Throughout it all you have been modelling for me on how to deal with the waiting. A reality that too often leaves me angry, frustrated; thinking "don't they know this is my LIFE, and I am angry and scared when it feels like I'm waiting forever for a phone call to be returned, a result to get in...."; conversely, I'm also scared to get the phone call at times, does that happen to you? My mind colludes with my body to say, if you don't think about it right now, maybe it will go away. (Just hasn't happened that way.)

I'm going to work on remembering to breathe through the waiting and do the next thing, which right now is to call Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center to see if they have someone who is knowledgeable about uterine leiomyosarcoma, and get a second opinion.

Thank you. I'm still sending you prayers, and a heartlight, and a big high five!

What a day!

Sincerely,
Kim Blankenship

Sent by Kim Blankenship | 8:14 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy - I remember when I saw the Living with Cancer special, you described a time when you were encouraged to say your "goodbyes".....I so admired and appreciated your candor about "how do you do that?"......anyway, look how far you've come from that time.....and you're still exploring options.
It may not seem right now that they are all great options - but nevertheless it appears there are options and choices....the point of my ramble is that I have faith in you, your determination, your strength and your judgement.....
Hang on until the path becomes clear, and then know that there are many of us walking along the path with you cheering you on!
My last radiation treatment is this coming Friday - I'm so excited and yet nervous that now "I'm done" and I go on and learn to live a "new normal" life - one of greater appreciation for everything, and one of hope that I never have to face the beast again!!
You show many of us every day with your words how to live a "new normal" life.....but live it every moment! Thank you for sharing your heart -
ALL SHALL BE WELL...........

Sent by Ruth Chermok | 8:27 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy,
I still just have a good feeling that you will come through again. You just have to be here for all of us!! YOU ARE QUITE A MAN TO DO THIS BLOG!!!
You are my therapy every morning. Again, my warmest thanks. YOU ARE SO SPECIAL!!!!

Betty Lewis

Sent by Betty K. Lewis | 8:32 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Options are good! :-)

I am not very "passive" either... I learned long ago, when I am faced with yet another difficult issue in my life.. I evaluate all the options, good and bad... make a choice.. again good or bad lol... and TAKE ACTION.. yep you guessed it.. good or bad! LOL

By simply taking some form of action makes me feel sooooooo much better. Doing something about the situation whether right or wrong makes all the difference to me

Having some sort of "plan"... and of course having a "fall back position" or contingencies helps too!

It seems you have turned a bit of a corner and again have some forward momentum.. I am glad you are looking forward in stead of stuck at a standstill.. even though it often requires some waiting for answers.

You are an inspiration to many Leroy

Sent by Ronald K. Bye | 8:35 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Dear Leroy,

Excellent news! Of course, waiting is never easy. There is a different tone in you message today, optimism. That tone made me smile.

After the first medical oncologist refused to treat my sister because she didn't have insurance, we had to wait until a referral was sent to another. Of course, I didn't know that and immediately contact the next doctor's office for an appointment, and got voice mail. I am stubborn, and by the end of the first day, I must have left 4 messages for an appointment. No one bothered to say, you can get an appointment AFTER we received the records. So, waiting isn't my forte, and I have never liked spinning my wheels.

I have learned a tad more patience with all this being a care giver role. I take a book, hand held games, I have even carried my laptop and books to work on campus stuff. Anything to make waiting easier while remaining optimistic.

Thanks Leroy, for your renewed optimism.

Sent by Susan Chap | 8:45 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Hi Leroy and all,

Leroy, I???m very glad that you???ve found a possible treatment that gives you hope. In reading the past few blog and comments I have been hit hardest by those where folks, including you appear to have come to the end of hope. On the other side I have been impressed by the things that both give hope and reflect the grace and good fortune that we have already had in life. For me, these memories are almost as important as what we have to look forward to ??? whether it is a hopeful regime of treatment. A trip to Prague or exploring Alaska. For example, I believe the many travels I undertook, some with my wife, one with m mother (still doing almost all she ever did in her high 80???s) before I found out about the cancer were providential. Especially marvelous was attending my cousin???s 100th birthday with her in Switzerland ??? a memorable 3 party with lots of friends and relatives ???many of whom I???d never met. I could go to places that are important to me with no sword of Damocles hanging over my head or cutting at my energy and enthusiasm. .

I???ve thought a lot about travel over the last few months ??? and just got back from a short trip being with the Grandkids and my wife???s friends and relations. It was a great trip because there was some puirpose to it. Given my energy levels, I think I may be about through with travel that has no purpose other than seeing new stuff. Going to places that that have meaning for me and my wife, or where there is a purpose to the trip is a different story.

And that leads back around to mystery, treatment and suspense. For me, one of the painful aspects of having a deadly diagnosis is not knowing what???s next or when. I don???t know how long I am going to be able to keep up these letters and my other writing ???minutes or years? I also have no idea how it???s (whatever ???It??? is) is going to happen ???suddenly or gradually? I do have clocks running, but ones where the numbers start blurring and vanishing halfway around the face. I???m still healthy and others??? relative longevity give me hope. On the other hand, treatments are few beyond the first phase (which is coming to and end), the letters to this blog that I read suggest hope and support but in the midst of some pretty rough experiences, and the next MRI or test is always out there with unknown results.

At the same time there is hop in what we can do in the time that we have ??? no matter how defined or undefined. That???s true of everyone, but we who are exploring the outer edges of life experience it more powerfully. We do with the time and other assets we have becomes more significant and I at least w am both fortunate and challenged by this knowledge. Is emptying the dishwasher or taking out the garbage as important a use of time and energy as going to visit mothers and grandchildren or visiting a sister church in Cuba? Actually probably so. Both contribute and both affirm hope and possibility.

Perhaps we spend too much time worrying about when we are going to die in this form. We don???t know what if anything is next. But we do know some of what we have been able to do here and who we have been able to touch ??? and also know that some of this we will never know. . That???s pretty good.

Thanks for reading,

John Shippee
Atlanta, Georgia

Sent by John Shippee | 8:50 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Dear Leroy, So glad to hear you have some options. Am still waiting to hear results of my testing and probably won't get answers until end of next week. Will have to practice doing fun things in the meantime to take my mind off it and hope that the answers will be worth waiting for. You are an inspiration to us all. Thank you. P.S. Speaking of fun, last night we took our little schnauzer to get ice cream - she loved it!

Sent by Vicki (FL) | 8:57 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy,

Your posts of today and yesterday have been so positive. Your outlook continues to inspire us to keep on looking for and demanding the most effective treatments available.

This week has started on such a difficult note - your choices, Stephanie's prognosis, the husband of my mother's high school best friend going into hospice as he is too frail for any additional treatment for his advanced multiple myeloma.

Today I go for my quarterly CT. I won't know the results till next Tuesday.

I'm thinking positive thoughts for your eligibility for Novalis and/or Trilogy.

Sent by Sheara | 8:59 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy - that is good news. Keep fighting the good fight. Things are possible now that were not so in the past.

Regarding your Mount Everest comment yesterday - that is not on my list either. But I learned today that a young man who is a double cancer surivor, Sean Swarner, has made it to the top of Denali in Alaska yesterday. This means that he has now climbed each of the "Seven Summits" - the highest point on each of the seven continents - since surviving cancer. He summitted Everest in 2002, and is believed to be the first survivor of cancer to do so. He does this in part to inspire people suffering from cancer that they can recover and go on to do difficult things.

You have a lot of folks pulling for you, Leroy!

Sent by Art Ritter | 9:03 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy, my mother gets monthly infusions of Zometa, a bone strengthener, as part of her treatment for a lesion on her spine - a reappearance of breast cancer. At first it was in combination with another chemo, but now that her lesion is destroyed, the Zometa treatments are continuing. It's a different situation, but I wonder if a bone strengthener will be a part of your treatment.
I think that one of the biggest shocks that we get when we first deal with cancer is how much of the decision making falls on us. We assumed that you just found good doctors, put yourself in their hands, and did as you were told. I'll never forget the weight of responsibility when we first were told to weigh the options and choose our own path.
I pray each day for you to have strength and guidance.

Sent by Laura | 9:05 AM ET | 06-20-2007

so happy that you have hope given to you thru this possible procedure....it's the best news of the week so far....yes, i find it so true that we cancer patients learn that the wait isn't nearly as bad ass it used to be when we were first diagnosed!

Sent by marianne dalton | 9:07 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Isn't all this easier to deal with when you have a plan? I surely find it so. When I'm in the 'limbo' times, I worry, fret, grieve. But when I have a game plan, I dig in and go for it.
We all wish you the very best of luck with this precise radiation, Leroy.

Dr. Tejura: Thank you for answering my question about proton therapy.

Stephanie: So glad you talked with Nancy Clark....the breathing and pain control advice sounds right on! At this point, I think you should probably be taking your pain meds around the clock, even if you aren't hurting. Why not be proactive with pain control. Even one minute of pain is one minute too much!

Today, I'm having coffee with a new friend from my breast cancer mets support group. New friendships blossom and grow deep much faster for me now. That is one of the good things that has happened in all this.

Sent by Sandra Shuler | 9:08 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy-
My Mother is having chemo today. Like you, she has had to do a lot of waiting lately. I don't know how you all do it.

We're all thinking of you...

Sent by Elizabeth from Brooklyn | 9:13 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy,
As we are off to hospital this am for another procedure I couldn't just gp without reading your blog this morning. You are like a morning fix. I am glad there are more options for you out there and that you are just not sitting back waiting for something bad to happen. I also agree with Al Cato, who seems like a wise individual. Thanks to both of you and all the others out there that are dealing with this crazy disease. Good Luck. Be thinking of you. Gotta run...

Dorothy

Sent by dorothy | 9:31 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Congratulations, Leroy! I am personally in awe of people like you who continue having hope. I have been "clean" for over 2 years now, but every ache I have makes me wonder if something is back in a new place, and if it is - would I want to know and would I do anything about it? I really don't know, even though I'm only 46 - I just don't want to go through that again. I'm sure my family would want me to, but quality of life is more important to me than just being here. You are truly an inspiration. You are what we all (even those without cancer) can strive to be - a caring person. Thank you again.

Sent by Tammy | 9:46 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Thank you for sharing your experience and your thoughts, brave man. You're an inspiration and am bringing a very important conversation out into the open.
Wishing you complete success, Leroy.

Sent by Susan | 9:56 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Thank God for you. I am going through the same thing you are. I have spots on my spine and have had radiation twice. I also have several small spots on my lung. Please keep us posted. I look forward to your emails daily.

Sent by Brenda Williams | 10:02 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy,
I'm so glad to read that you have something to hope for again. So good to have that sense of relief, even if it is temporary.
I've been thinking about something in the last few days. I tell myself it is so important to be positive and to affirm that the lung cancer that is now in my hip will be killed with the radiation and that I can still be cured. They don't see it anywhere else, so why can't I be one of the few people who get cured? I can.
On the other hand, I tell myself that I need to be realistic and remember the statistics that say it will come back and it will kill me. But I'm not a statistic. I am a strong woman. I have overcome so much already in my life, that I can overcome this too.
Or, am I just playing a game with myself?
Last night I went out to dinner with two friends. We ate amazing foor and laughed all night. It was really wonderful. It was what living is supposed to be. Living is not waiting around in fear for the beast to return. It is laughing and loving and enjoying the beauty in life.
Ok, so I answered my own question. Thanks for listening.

Sent by Laurel M. Jones | 10:04 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Glad to hear that the treatment options are sorting themselves out.

Regarding a different sort of option- I'm wondering if you've started working to interest a publisher in a collection of these wonderful blogs. I would encourage you to publish your work, so that the blogs can continue to provide hope, humor, and insight for cancer patients and their families for many many years. Also, there are large groups of people who do not read blogs, but they might be book readers. Your words have the power to help so many-

Your faithful reader- Barbara in NJ

Sent by Barbara Goun | 10:05 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Good luck Leroy with the Novalis. You are definitely one helluva strong person!

Sent by Ruth White | 10:08 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy,

The possibility of a reprieve is just wonderful news. I am so glad for you to have a day when you can put it aside and think of other things. Some people aren't as good at compartmentalizing as you are. It's a blessing if you have cancer. My late husband could do that. I'm not sure if I have the gift.

Thank you again for being faithful to all of us who have come to look to you as a mentor and guide and inspiration.

Sent by Diana Kitch | 10:21 AM ET | 06-20-2007

It's interesting to me that you use the word "patience" to describe doing nothing, just waiting for something bad to happen. I've always thought that would be called despair or giving up. Patience implies the expectation or hope that something GOOD may come, doesn't it? More semantics, I guess...

Anyway, I'm so glad you and your doctors are putting together a plan of attack. You have my heartfelt best wishesfor their success without damage to your spine. I like visualizing cancer "getting what it deserves" as you "slap back" -- with all of us cheering you on, just outside the ring.

Sent by Doris | 10:33 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Dear Leroy,

I am glad they are giving you some options. I hope they are good ones and that you will qualify for the program.

My daughter (stage 4 uterine cancer) had her first PET/CT scan since her first series of treatments ended. Good news! No visible cancer. She still has to have Brachytherapy and more chemo but she gets a vacation break first.

I had an endoscopy, ileoscopy and capsule endoscopy yesterday. The results of the first two tests are good. I won't hear about the capsule results until August because my doctor is going on vacation...I'm not too worried since the other tests came out okay.

I really enjoyed your list of important things yesterday. It shows what a good heart you have! I hope you are around for a long, long time to keep making people smile!

Sent by Charlotte Kewish | 10:43 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy -
I read your blog everyday and I admire your courage through all this. Being able to keep so positive is marvelous and your determination for self-preservation is admirable. I do hope you are able to undergo the new procedure. Being able to access new treatments gives hope to so many others. Best of luck

Sent by Linda | 10:44 AM ET | 06-20-2007

:o)

Sent by Teri Thomas | 10:53 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy, I was told by a few doctors how radiation would be very debillitating when my liver needed radiation to kill the remaining positive margin. They said it was not a good area of the body to radiate. I then met a wonderful Dr Flores in Scottsdale who prescribed me with novalis every day for seven weeks. Seems to have worked so far. I am almost nine months out and received a clean scan the day you went in for yours. I worked and felt fine through my novalis treatments even after a few doom and gloomers told me I would not be able to get out of bed. I wish you well Leroy everyone in Phoenix and Tucson are prayng for you, I'll keep my fingers crossed, you won't believe how effortless the novalis treatments are.
Take Care,

Tom

Sent by Tom, Tucson AZ | 11:02 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy, I know Iv asked this before, but is cyber knife an option for you? If my cancer was to return where yours is I would surly op for it. Good luck, Sue

http://www.google.com/search?q=cyber+knife&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=1&startPage=1

Sent by Sue | 11:29 AM ET | 06-20-2007

Your love of life is palpable.

I worry that you feel an obligation to always be positive and optimistic... that you feel that your readers count on you for that to get them through their own fear. I hope you don't feel that burden.

Carol

Sent by Carol Snider | 11:38 AM ET | 06-20-2007

General Leroy,
It sounds like you are getting a great battle plan drawn up,and ready to attack the MONSTER. Remember to get your supply lines set up, and have plenty of reserves. You are still recovering from your last battle. Your body needs to be at full strength. You should be using your mind to hold the enemy in check. Make sure your troops excercise daily and eat their MRE's. Clean your barracks of any doubts.
The battle is on again.
I know you will be our hero.

Sent by Sam Means | 12:11 PM ET | 06-20-2007

I hope you are a candidate for this new procedure and that it is successful. Best of luck.

Sent by marilyn | 12:20 PM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy, See, there is some hope. I will hold a good thought for your acceptance to this program. The surgeries are what I would be most concerned about. I have had three back surgeries, and let me tell you, it is something you never forget. My cancer has not caused me pain yet, the surgeries did for sure. Are you strong enough for this phalanx of procedures?

I will think about you until you anounce you have been accepted. A plan, that's good. With you, Stan

Sent by Stan Wozniak | 12:36 PM ET | 06-20-2007

Dear Leroy,

So glad there seems to be a break in the clouds. I continue to pray for you and everyone here. You made my day!!!! God Bless.

Sent by Connie E. | 1:28 PM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy,
I just found your sight a couple of weeks ago. I love reading your blogs you are so right on. I am happy for your good news of maybe a new option for your spine.
I am 43yrs old and stage 4 colon cancer survivor ned for 23 months. I am just starting to feel comfortable writing that. Im starting to slowly believe it.I know I should be jumping for Joy but I have a unexplained pain that no one can figure out. On your rib lesion does it hurt would you know its there, what about your spine are you comfortable or do you have to be on pain meds? I take pain meds for my right side rib/that wraps to my back I have been scanned every which way. the only thing is maybe rfa on my liver tumors hurt some nerves.
thanks for you post .I will pray you are a canadiate and it works..

Anita

Sent by anita | 1:56 PM ET | 06-20-2007

Hi Leroy,

Options are always welcome.
I am so glad to hear that you have a few. Just take it one tumor at a time, starting with the worst. I hope you get to have the Novalis, and that it works for you.

Thinking of you.

Sent by Lilly T. | 1:56 PM ET | 06-20-2007

My good thoughts and prayers are being sent out into the universe for some good luck for you!

Sent by claudia | 2:12 PM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy what are normal things right now? I found out this week that the tumor on my pancreas that has been hiding behind scar tissue is now visable. That explains the spots on my lungs. So now I continue my chemo and they said to go on and do my normal everyday things. The worry that's normal. The tiredness that's normal. So what do they consider normal things? I go for walks and get tired. I try to work in the garden I get tired. So I guess for now the normal things are to do what you can and relax when you can. We asked about the Gama knife for my Pancreas and of course the answer was no. Should I get a second opinion? Is that a normal thing? Oh how I would love to get answers right now as to whether I am on the right track. Is this normal? Anyone have any answers?

Sent by Cathy | 2:34 PM ET | 06-20-2007

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road your trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and its turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When they might have won, had they stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victors cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when your hardest hit,
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit!

Sent by Karen | 3:01 PM ET | 06-20-2007

Hi Leroy - So glad to hear about this additional option and am keeping my fingers crossed for you. All the best!

Sent by Lisa Lindstrom | 3:06 PM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy - my family and I are hoping that you are a candidate for the treatment. Your posting today is a reminder that even in the thick of the battle there are new turns, twists and options for the fight. When scans bring bad news, I think everyone deserves a little time to cry and just look for comfort from friends. But then you have to take a deep breath, roll up your sleeves and get back to the work of fighting the cancer. We are all so glad to hear there may be some new weapons.

Stephanie - as always, you are in our thoughts and prayers - we are so glad that the focus on deep breathing is bringing you relief. And yes, take those pain meds. There is no reason to be in pain.

Sent by A. V. Terry | 3:12 PM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy,

You are truly my hero. I hope that you are a candidate for the radiation. Keep up the fight, stay strong

Sent by Ira Lunsk | 4:26 PM ET | 06-20-2007

Pain meds - those who are using them - what do you use? So many of them make me so nauseous I can't take them. I use alot of Motrin.

Sent by Vicky (NY) | 4:55 PM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy, I hope you are a candidate for the treatment.

The waiting is nerve racking! My mother was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in February and the waiting to be retested to see if the chemo is doing anything to stop the beast...is draining. But you are right, there is nothing we can do right now about the cancer until we hear. We know it's there, it has done damage, we go on.

Sent by Maria | 5:00 PM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy - You have a plan and all you can do is wait. Try to have a few days of normal.

I got a call today that I am eligible for a stem cell transplant trial. My brother is a match. I know I need this, but now I am terrified. I will be pondering my option....it is good to have an option.

Jill

Sent by Jill | 5:40 PM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy,
Sorry to hear of your recent change in atatus. I would like to suggest, like Sue earlier today, that you look into CyberKnife sugery. It seems to provide the most precise radiation application of any of the methods. Uses a robot working in three dimensions. I had very succesful treatment on three colon cancer mets to the liver 2 years ago. I will definitely consider this treatment in the future. Check out the information at the support group at the following link. http://www.cksociety.org/ I wish you good luck with whatever you decide to do. And thanks a lot for these blogs... look forward to them everyday. Mike

Sent by mike | 6:34 PM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy,
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the Novalis- or something like it- for you. I had the opportunity to look that up. Thanks for including another great piece of info. to my ever expanding library of "Cancer weapons." We all learn sooo much from each other.

Sent by Deb Sherman | 6:54 PM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy, I've been following your journey since viewing your friend Ted Koppel's wonderful documentary. The way you share how your life changed since "that day" with courage, humor, and wisdom is so close to my heart and inspiring. That show should be seen in every home with all that you, Elizabeth, and Lance conveyed. I was diagnosed with melanoma in August 2004 and have been a patient at Atlanta's Emory Winship since then. I'm stage 3C after two recurrences, several surgeries, nearly a year of Interferon, nearly a year of a clinical trial, and radiation. 2006 was a challenging year with over 50 procedures, from labs to scans to surgeries: all events we know much too well. Today was my three month interval medical onc. appt., and this is a day to be grateful for good exam, lab and scan results as well as my doctor, nurse, social work supervisor and other wonderful personnel at Emory. I am an English teacher and therefore have naturally journalled my experience from the outset to augment my perspective and personal growth throughout this rollercoaster journey(and as a meaningful outlet and addition to live support from husband, family, friends, and fellow cancer survivors I've had the privilege of knowing over the past few years). Reading of your recent news after your reprieve deeply saddens me. If the Novalis works, it no doubt will be a marathon where you have to pace yourself, but I can see that stopping and waiting is not an option and hope that sooner than later, your cancer will get what it deserves! You are in my caring thoughts, and I hope to read of your continuing pursuit of the important things in life: loving connections, laughter, and joy (even if you never climb Mt. Everest :)It sounds like you have always lived your life meaningfully and continue regardless of what you are faced with in this life. Thank you for touching my life through your words as you are doing for so many! Karen Quinn

Sent by Karen Quinn | 7:45 PM ET | 06-20-2007

Options are good. Glad to know you have some time to decide what you want while others review your case.

I also worry that it is hard for you to come here to the blog from time to time...do you feel pretty optimistic or feel that you have to do that for this community?

Your candor has given my husband and I the courage to be candid in our son's treatment blog - thanks for that.

I will say though - I do not like seeing the photo of you in the patient role from the Living with Cancer Special. If you have those there - can you post some of your trip to HI? Or typing your blog? I just do not like seeing you in the patient role only...

You are more of a warrior to me than a patient.

Keep up the fight.

Praying for you today.

Sent by Melissa T | 9:08 PM ET | 06-20-2007

Leroy,
I read your blog and comment from time to time. You know so well we are only tourists and our time is limited. You have taken a very large bite out of the sandwich. Thank you for your words of your experience. They don't let you send your Cancer Club membership card back. I guess they just want to keep you on their mailing list for bad news. Hang in there...

Sent by Alec Lambie | 10:08 PM ET | 06-20-2007

It seems that you have super medical care. I hope that you have lots of loving, personal care as well. You need people rubbing your feet and bringing you casseroles and reading "John Brown's Body" or "To Kill a Mockingbird" aloud to you. I hope that you're letting the people who know you and love you, love you and care for you. Your on-line friends would love to help, but casseroles don't travel well.

Sent by Victoria Ferreira | 11:34 PM ET | 06-20-2007

As always, I'm sending along a slew of wishes for a successful outcome to this latest health challenge. These wishes come from the other side of the Atlantic (Belgium) where I follow your blog with hope and a great respect for how you are handling your challenges.

Sent by Maris | 12:57 AM ET | 06-21-2007

Hello Leroy,
I have just discovered your blog. I must say that it cheers me and frightens me at the same time. I was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer 6 years ago. I know that for me the most difficult part was waiting to know what path I would be taking . Once treatment started and while I was undergoing treatment, my mind was at ease. Even though the process can be difficult at least it was a positive after hearing one of the worst negatives of my life.

I must say that you have attitude !! And it helps with this battle. So many good people face this challenge. They and their families are put through hell and they don't even know what the outcome will be.

WHERE IS THE CURE ??

HAVEN'T WE ALL WAITED LONG ENOUGH ?

Life is precious, let's live it..

All my best
Your partner in this fight

Susan

Sent by susan | 1:00 AM ET | 06-21-2007

Wow! What a difference a day can make. It is nice when the decision you have to make is a "no brainer". I am a firm believer in optimism. A little faith helps too.

We all need to take a lesson from you on the waiting. We have lives to live. Agonizing over the waiting only keeps us from doing what we are supposed to be doing with our lives. When I worry, I give my worries to the Lord. It works wonders for me.

Sent by Betty in Germany | 4:04 AM ET | 06-21-2007

Jill, the stem cell transplants are a wonderful gift. I have a friend who had one over 8 years ago. If you have a match you are already having good luck. Sounds like a plan.

Sent by Lou Mayers | 7:30 AM ET | 06-21-2007

Dear Leroy,
Good luck to you with this new option.

Karen, I loved your poem!

- Margo Gerber

Sent by Margo Gerber | 10:23 AM ET | 06-21-2007

Leroy, All-

There has been some discussion in your blog regarding options as of late. How about those of us living with cancer that truly don't have "options" because they don't have insurance or at least, good insurance?

Insurance that covers the options is a blessing that all too many of us don't have the luxury to have. After two brain surgeries, continuing chemo and two different kinds of radiation therapy would have been out of reach had it no been for the group plan offered by my employer...What about those that aren't covered by insurance? I'm looking forward to the day we all have options. As you eluded to the other day, cancer has no prejudice...To "live" with cancer" is difficult enough for those of us with insurance and copays...

Sent by john | 10:49 PM ET | 07-01-2007