HAPPY 20th Leroy!!

Happy happy joy joy! What a special day. Glad you are past the 20 month marker.

I say you wear the bracelet on the other hand and count out 20 more months!

Gosh I wish I could hug you today!

What a blessing you are!

Hope you celebrate this very special day.

Sent by Melissa Thompson | 7:42 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy, Buy a new braclet and I hope to keep reading your blog for many months!Michaela

Sent by Michaela Kinne | 8:05 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Time does take on a different meaning once a person has heard the six month diagnosis. I remember shortly after hearing the prognosis reading about an Avastin study, which was a drug I was starting, saying that some folks had survived as long as 18 months using the drug. I felt immediate awe and jealousy. It never entered my mind that I could live that long. I am now entering my 25th month since my diagnosis. I feel greedy but I still want more! I don't spend too much time looking back. I feel after my liver resection when I thought I might be cured I spent too much time reflecting only to have new tumors three months later. After my recent lung surgery I am in the watch and wait game until we scan in a few months to see what new surprises show up.

I still know I've had more time than I thought and I am happy with every extra moment I can carve out.

Sent by Dona | 8:24 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Why not re-string it into a necklace, with far more than 20 beads total?

Sent by Karen Vanderloo, DVM | 8:27 AM ET | 07-31-2007

I vote that you keep wearing the bracelet. On those bad days, you can look at it and remember how far you've come. On the good days, you can look at it and look forward to another 20 months. Or maybe you can buy a second bracelet with 20 beads and keep adding bracelets as the months go by. I'm hoping you'll end up with a whole arm full.

Sent by K. Ives | 8:27 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy
Love the way you look at life..."twenty months from when???". Who started the clock ticking and where is it so I can adjust the time? Just like you, I had colon cancer and with every tweak or twitch I wonder is it back. Congratulations on the milestone, let's both hope for many more. Keep rubbing those beads.

Sent by Patricia A | 8:32 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy,
I don't want to think of the world without you. Your words of comfort and courage have lighten the load so many of us bear.
It has been a real battle for me to remain focused since my diagnosis. Live in the now; the moment. I read somewhere, when it seemed to matter, that people generally live in the future of 18 to 36 hours ahead and how that prospective contributed to increased anxiety. When I taught CCD to first graders, I used to say that squirrels had it easy- they'd dart out across the road in search of a nut not ever thinking about the potential of becoming road pizza (little tough, guess you had to be there). But, humans have a brain that is able to imagine the unimaginable and that's why we learn to take precautions.
So, when you get a diagnosis of cancer and the clock is ticking (louder because isn't it always ticking?) how does one respond? It has taken everything I have to remain focused; on my treatment, my recovery, my health, my elusive equanimity, my loved ones, my future?
Nah, that last one doesn't work for me anymore. I thank God everyday for waking up.
Go get yourself a new bracelet Leroy. Make it a big one.
Peace

Sent by jessie | 8:37 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy, I'm all for jewelry. Wear the bracelet.

Sent by Nancy K. Clark | 8:55 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Laws of fashion Leroy? Are you not the one who had to wear a suit especially for the Discovery show ;)??

Your beads are a part of you...and I pray you beat the odds once again.

Sending many good thoughts to everyone from Kathmandu, Nepal...where it's gorgeous...cool...and monsoon season. Taking a mountain flight early tomorrow morning to see Mount Everest...

It might be the tallest mountain that the earth has to offer us...but you (and the others) have beaten even a larger mountain.

Keep on trekking. --Krupali

Sent by Krupali Tejura MD | 8:57 AM ET | 07-31-2007

You ARE winning!!!! Buy another bracelet
w/even more beads.

HOORAY for you.

Sent by Joan P | 9:09 AM ET | 07-31-2007

We'll pray that you continue to count the months and years! I'd wear the bracelet as a reminder of where you started and how far you've come.

As for statistics and as you point out, they are averages for large groups. For an individual, they serve to give a perspective but are not a statement of one's fate nor prognosis, good or bad.

I've often heard about the 5 year mark of being cancer free as a significant milestone. While I wish that everyone would attain this milestone, it is just a measure of elapsed time without cancer, which is significant unto itself, but it brings with it no guarantees. I continue to reset my 5 year clock after each recurrence so I am now out to 2011. Not quite sure where I would fit into the statistics after 5 recurrences of melanoma plus renal cell carcinoma. Probably don't have a category for me!

Your bracelet serves an important purpose for those who may be newly diagnosed or for those who are "in the fight". It serves to give Hope to those who have viewed/heard the grim statistics and are overwhelmed by the numbers. The statistics are not going to change but they do not reflect us as individuals. Sometimes the numbers do lie!!!!

Blessings and prayers.

Sent by Al Cato | 9:13 AM ET | 07-31-2007

6 months was my mom's diagnosis average...It has been longer...we first found out there was 'something' there in October of 06, then got the ugly name of it in December. Well here we are in Aug almost and she is still kicking. Wouldn't ask her though, she would say that she isn't kicking anymore, at least not as hard. She has a different normal now, although it may not be the life she had 7 months ago, it is still a good life most of the time. I know she has a hell of a time most days, but she has beaten the average for lung cancer. We want to go laugh in that doctor's face that said you will be gone in 6 months, don't blame me!! Well thank goodness for 2nd opinions and most of all, hope. Hope is a wonderful thing. I know the world of cancer (just looking on the outside) is a dark and hard thing to beat/live with. One day will come when enough is enough, but for now I will treasure everyday I have with her. We instant message every morning. Can you believe technology??? She would have NEVER done this years ago...I talked her into it and now it is something we can't live without! I have learned so much about her and her feelings because of this technology and the time we share every morning. What will happen in 20 months? I'll still be talking to her every morning.

Sent by Gina B | 9:13 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Dear Leroy,

Congratulations! You did it!

People who soar are those
who refuse to sit back, sigh
and wish things would change.
They neither complain of their
lot nor passively dream of
some distant ship coming in.
Rather, they visualize in their
minds that they are not
quitters; they will not allow
life's circumstances to push
them down and hold them
under.
--Charles Swindoll Author

Always in my prayers. Sasha

Sent by sasha | 9:18 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy, starting counting the beads counter clockwise.

Sent by Lisa | 9:22 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Great post! I am right behind you on the 20 month thing. I was diagnosed Jan 24/06 stage iv cc. I will be marking the day on my calendar!

Sent by Wendy | 9:29 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Ah, Leroy. Another great post. I love your writing and your humor. As for the bracelet, why not "reset" it for another 20 days, weeks or months? Seems like a great thing to have with you as a reminder of your days beating the odds.

By the way, we're still looking for participants for a cancer project called "What Helped Get Me Through." Cancer survivors and caregivers are welcome to participate. The project website is: www.whathelpedgetmethrough.org

Sending you warm thoughts,

Anna

Sent by anna | 9:30 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Keep the bracelet. Wear it every day as a reminder that if you've gotten this far and beaten the odds, time is irrelevant from here on out. I was told that I can"t be considered "cured" from prostate cancer until I've had ten years of .02 PSA counts every six months. I
think I'm going to have to get a necklace. I can feel your sense of humor
coming through in your blog today. It really brightens my spirits. It's a much played statement, but "Keep on truckin."

Sent by Tim | 9:32 AM ET | 07-31-2007

LeRoy, I just finished chemo. It was 12 grueling 46 hour sessions spread out over 24 weeks. I've been kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop, i.e. the fear that it would come back. I just started reading your daily blog and it is helping me to handle that fear. I have also had unipolar depression my whole life and spent many years in therapy. Thus, I really don't want to waste time in denying the fear as that accomplishes only bad things emotionally. I am also an artist and while I was in chemo, I did art work of how I felt inside and outside going through it. You can view the art work in a movie I put together and uploaded to YouTube. The url is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvPyY05NGCg

I had the still versions of the art made into a book and presented one apiece to my oncologist and his head RN at the end.

Please go ahead and publish my name but please do not publish my email address as I do not want to pick up any spam as a result of posting here. carol

Sent by carol irvin | 9:43 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy, I continue to be amazed at your generosity in sharing with us your experiences. You have no idea how many of us you have helped. I draw much hope from both your writing, and the the comments of those who respond to it.

Perhaps you can begin another bracelet, and this time add a bead for every month you get past July.....and I hope that you end up with a necklace! A very LONG necklace!

Sent by Lesa | 9:44 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Awesome! Happy 20th! I think there's lots more time ahead for you. I am coming up on 12 months after being diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer (nonsmoker) on August 15, 2006 and feeling quite well physically. Unfortunately, I lost my beloved husband of almost 36 years on April 28th suddenly and am missing him very much! But keeping a positive outlook is what keeps me as well as all of you going!

Sent by Sandy Lathe | 9:46 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Or.. we could start sending you beads... like the fans of Jericho did when they sent nuts to CBS. We could send beads, thousands of beads... and then you could.. count them, or make bead curtains... or flapper dresses... I've got nothing.

Congrats on making it... Keep up the good work.

Sent by Brit | 9:49 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy, What was the original purpose for wearing the bracelet? Was it due to the 20 month prognosis or just because? I'm curious. HURRAY FOR YOU, bracelet or no bracelet!

Sent by Ruth White | 9:54 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Absolutely wear that bracelet for the next 20 months.

When I was diagnosed with stage IV renal cell cancer--a cancer that is resistant to chemotherapy and radiation--I asked how long do I have? The doctor ignored my question and kept talking. That time, I didn't push it. Soon after, though, following a successful surgery removing the tumor, kidney and surrounding bad lymph nodes, a tumor was found in my neck. I went through immunotherapy, High Dose Interleukin 2 (HDIL2) to be exact, and may or may not have had a response. I switched from NIH to Johns Hopkins at that point, since I was no longer on a trial. I asked my new oncologist how long I have. He ignored me. He told my husband (who was standing next to me) to tell me not to ask. But I wanted to know, so I asked again. At the end of our appointment, another 30 minutes later, he pulled me aside and said, "18 to 24 months from diagnosis." Diagnosis was November 7, 2005. I wished I had never asked.

Meanwhile, the tumor stayed stable, and was removed 9 months later. I have had no evidence of disease in two scans, 3 months apart, since. My next scan is in October; I've graduated to four month scans.

Yet, I still get scared. That's when I remind myself I could go sooner if I happen to make a bad choice in front of say, a big Mack truck. So, I remind myself that in some ways, we all have 18 to 24 months.

Wendy

Sent by Wendy Murphey | 9:55 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy, you wear the bracelet, and you work on 20 more...one '20' at a time!
I was diagnosed on April 30, 2004. So my '20 + 1day' was December 21, 2005--Solstice Day. By Solstice Day, I'd already had one 16 round regimen of FOLFOX + Avastin, another intracerebral hemorrhage, a surgery to put in a liver pump, 13 rounds of a different type of chemo, and I'd just found out--when I was at the point that I thought I couldn't do one more trip to NYC, one more treatment--that I was eligible for liver resection. So I came off chemo in January 2006. I had liver resection on March 1 2006, and started a new calendar. And tomorrow, I hit another milestone in my own version of '20' -- I am 17 months NED. The 'average' time to recurrence after liver surgery is 18 months. So me...I want to make it to Labor Day...Sept. 3...as NED. I want to cook in the NYS Fair, and get pulled for sectional competition on Labor Day, and celebrate 18 months and 2 days doing one of the things I love to do.
I know how hard this time is for you...every word you write is as if it's come from my heart and my gut.

How about this...I'll race you to our next milestone. And getting there will be the winning. Here's to making another 20, and rewriting the statistics for this disease one bead at a time.

Sent by Pat | 9:59 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy, keep that bracelet and add twenty more beads or maybe even forty! Congratulations on this milestone! Keep those spirits up and know that many, many people are thinking of you daily....

Sent by Carole Mills | 10:09 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy, Keep the bracelet and start all over again. I have not been given a 6 month or other prognosis so I don't have a number goal. I think it's kind of nice to have a number goal to beat so I am keeping a goal in my mind for now. Great news today, thanks for sharing as always your words are important and meaningful to us all.

Sent by Vicki (FL) | 10:09 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Hey, Leroy, Hobby Lobby has beads half off this week! Buy that big bag of 1000! And buy one for the doctor who irresponsibly plants those numbers in his patients' heads. I'm a 13 year survivor with another cancer diagnosis 5 years ago, and I have a long list of friends with Stage IV cancers who are here years after those hexes were put on them by oncologists. I just talked to one who is 5 years (that's 3 bracelets, I believe!) out from his Stage IV colon cancer diagnosis. He's going on an African safari in September! Yes, he's still on treatment but his doctor refuses to slam him with an expiration date, thank goodness!

Sent by Pat McRee | 10:30 AM ET | 07-31-2007

I think that a second bead bracelet is definitely called for! Here's the fashion rule for jewelry/accessories: put on as much as you think looks good, then remove one piece. And then there's always the "more is more" philosophy. Clearly, as you've told us that you are not a small person, you can carry off many more 20 bead bracelets ;-)

Now, I get into a little math lesson. Usually, when I've read cancer time-to-disease-progression or survival data the most quoted value is the median, not the average. The median occurs when the first 50% of individuals reaches the condition being measured, and can often be different from the average (where one adds up all the data values, and divides by the number of data points). It may well be that the values for the remaining 50% are way out on the curve, and in favor of much longer survival times. This is what I hope for us all.

For myself, depending on which study I've read, the median time to progression for stage 4 ovarian cancer getting surgery+chemo is 14-18 months. I'm on an additional avastin clinical trial, and I've just about past that point, being NED for two scans and many CA-125 counts since March. My medical oncologist recently told me that the trial participants have yet to approach a median time to progression. So I'm in "Happy, happy, joy, joy" mode.

Sent by Sheara | 10:31 AM ET | 07-31-2007

I agree with everyone else...WEAR THE BRACELET! It serves all the purposes stated by others.

I have to remark on the line about "nobody wants to die of irony". That was LOL funny. I'd like to die laughing but absolutely not of irony.

Big hugs,

Lori

Sent by Lori Levin | 10:36 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy, congratulations. Keep up the good work.
I say the heck with the jewelry and get a tatoo where the cancer is getting treated next that says "kiss it cancer!"

Have a good day.

Judy

Sent by Judy Voller | 10:36 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy,
Way to GO!! Get online and order yourself 5 more braclets!!! The Power of Positive thinking is an unexplored scientific area. The Mind-Body Connection is just beginning to be researched by the Medical Community!
I say keep on thinking positive....in your mind visualize your body's Immune System at war with those cancer cells and the tumors shrinking ....it certainly can't hurt!
As I tell my husband (stage IV Renal Cell Cancer - 2 Metastatic sites)
keep on thinking positive...in the days that can buy ...a new drug, treatment or a cure could be found!
Keep positive and fighting.
You are in my daily Prayers! klm

Sent by Kathy MacD | 10:37 AM ET | 07-31-2007

You are so great.........and add to that fashion guru......keep wearing the bracelet....rubbing the beads, and reminding yourself of how far you've come and how far you are going to go!!!

Sent by Ruth Chermok | 10:41 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Dear Leroy,

I'd add an infinity clasp to the bracelet. That way you don't have to worry about counting the beads. They will never end.

All my best, as always,
Mo Spikes

Sent by Mo Spikes | 10:44 AM ET | 07-31-2007

If I've learned anything it's that cancer is unpredictable.

Like everyone else before a close encounter with cancer, I figured I'd wake up from surgery and hear that my odds of living five years were 80 percent. Or maybe 70 percent. Sure, ovarian cancer is called the silent killer, but there's been progress, right? All those happy people on TV skipping to chemotherapy must have a reason to celebrate, right?

Those happy people must have a different kind of cancer. The lethality of ovarian cancer has hardly budged in half a century. My odds of surviving five years were 30 percent. My doctor said, "But I don't want you focusing on that."

I'd like to meet the person who could hear that and not focus on it!

Later I found myself looking back wistfully on the good old days of 30 percent. Seven months after diagnosis I stumbled upon the information that my aggressive, chemo-resistant cell type cut my 30 percent survival odds in half.

My oncologist disagreed. She said, "Every person is unique, with a unique response to her cancer and her chemo." Yeah, right, I thought.

Then I met a woman who had the same aggressive cell type I had, but she was earlier stage. What I wouldn't give to trade my stage 3 for her stage 2!

That woman lived just two years. On September 12 I will be six years out.

So those of you who are reeling from your awful statistics, take heart! None of us know. Even people without cancer don't know. On this day in 2001 I was as healthy and carefree as they are. I may be only as good as my last exam and blood test, but others are--like I was--just one ER visit away from their world falling apart.

Sent by Donna Trussell | 10:54 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Reset that bracelet for 20 more Leroy. Hope is a magnificent medicine and often cures us when we take it. God Bless you and all those out there who are in a fight and those who are the wonderful caregivers. Keep up the faith.

Sent by Teresa in WV | 11:00 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy,

So glad you passed the 20 month period. My oncologist tells me that every person if different. Will not find any person that fits my situation exactly. There is always hope!!

To Al Cato,

My email address is lewisking9136@msn.com. I would love to know what medication you are taking for renal cell. I have renal cell with mets to lungs. I have also had a squamous cell recently removed.

Love,
Betty Lewis

Sent by Betty Lewis | 11:02 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Since my cancer diagnosis I've been wearing a necklace I bought on a trip to Mexico last year. It is a symbol of a woman dancing. I bought her as a symbol of my soul. I wear her now to remind me that (as the John Mayer song says) "I'm bigger than my body."
Your bracelet story reminded me of a progam our children's hospital has for the kids who have cancer. For each procedure they go through, or for each milestone they cross, they receive a bead. There are beads to symbolize different procedures, etc. One day, I asked one of the kids about his necklace - why he wasn't wearing it. He told me that it had gotten too big, so he wasn't able to. Another mother told me that her child had begun to put beads into a jar because there were too many. At that time, I was moved by the pain and suffering the kids were going through to have so many beads. I didn't have a true frame of reference then though - I was diagnosed with cancer about 6 months later. Now I understand much better why the kids take such pride in their beads. After reading your blog this morning, I'm thinking I might start my own necklace.
I like a lot of the ideas you've received for your bracelet - change arms, count counterclockwise... My idea is that you should add a new bead for each month after the 20 to symbolize your triumph. (I hope you have to start a jar for your beads!)
Scarlett

Sent by Scarlett Harris | 11:08 AM ET | 07-31-2007

I say keep it, its part of you now. What the heck you have beaten the odds this far.So wear it as a reminder that *life goes on even with cancer in it*
I guess the point is..to live every day to the fullest.
The other thing is your an individual as are the rest of us. So the stats well they are numbers. The reflect an over all group. You are you and Numbers well they are just that at times.
They told me the last trial I was in I would get 12 to 18 months if I got that.That was in 2001..But then they told me in 97 the raw stats of that struck hard. If you make it till Christmas it will be a miracle that was in October of 97.
I remember thinking how can they say that..those are numbers and I am not a number!! I was mad and angry. But most of all it pushed me to fight harder.I was not going to die at that point.
Anyways my Hubby was out and about. He found this clunky funky bracelet. I thought man that thing is ugly..I kinda teased him about it. He was like look at the one long bead on there. I did..and it reads *I can do all things through he who strengthens me!*
Do you know since that day I have wore that bracelet. It gives me comfort when I need it and it surely is something that has become very precious to both of us.
Beating the odds little by little is an empowering thing. For me at least it has been.
Thanks so much for what you do write and talk about here Leroy. Its amazing how many of the same thoughts go through all patients head.
None of us knows how much time we have. Your right about that. Thats the lesson I guess..Take it one day at time enjoy the hell outta of it. Thanks for making me smile this morning.
Thoughts and Prayers Kerry

Sent by Kerry | 11:09 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Dear Leroy,

If we know where to send the bracelets, you would probably receive enough bracelets for another 60 years!!! Your blog is the first thing I read every morning. Keep trekking. My thoughts are with you.

p.s. haven't sean Stephanie (the lady in the Discovery show who had pancreatic cancer) wrote for awhile. Do you know if she is ok?

Sent by grace | 11:33 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy,

I love the idea of your fan club sending beads. Is there a place where we could send them. I have a real beauty I'd like to give you.

Sent by Diana Kitch | 11:43 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Hi Leroy,
I'm with Brit. Let's send you beads to make a new bracelet to wear with the old one. However, we need to know what colors to send so as not to go against the laws of fashion. In the meantime, of course keep wearing the bracelet. Just enjoy it!
We love you!

Sent by Lyn Banghart | 11:50 AM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy:

Newsflash: your prose is its own form of treatment/radiation. It helps eradicate lonliness and fear; and often serves to jump-start our senses of humor, too. I laughed out loud at your potential to spot the "what if" irony in your prognoses scenario. You have the capacity to hone in on the human condition in all its quirkiness and glory. Thank heavens you have the werewithall to share it with us.

Sent by Karen Laven | 11:52 AM ET | 07-31-2007

If we went by "the date of diagnosis" as the beginning of the end, then we should just avoid diagnosis altogether, or at least postpone it as long as we can stand. Just kidding.

I too like all the bracelet ideas. I think it is totally appropriate now to just CHEAT and make up any rule you want for that bracelet. Each bead is now worth 5 months or add some ankle bracelets to your total fashion look. Move beyond the rules of the game, Leroy, and just make up your own as you go along. You have shown you are a strong competitor, so you deserve to be in charge of the bracelet and all that it means. This is one incident when I go along with WC Fields: ???Anything worth having is worth cheating for.???
Susan P

Sent by Susan P | 12:00 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy, What a wonderful gift, 20 months, when you think you only have a few. You give that gift each day with your Blog, believe it!! Congrats, Stan

Sent by Stan Wozniak | 12:05 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy,
I say keep wearing the bracelet. I don't really believe in good luck charms, but I had a port-a-cath put in in 1998. I kept it in because it was my good luck charm. I finally had to have it removed in 2005 because it had bacteria in it. After I had it removed I was diagnosed with my third primary cancer. Now, I don't really believe it was because I had the port removed.....
Keep wearing the bracelet and get a jar for beads!
Keeping you in my prayers.
Thank you for your wonderful words!
Charlotte in Temecula

Sent by Charlotte Kewish | 12:25 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Hi, Leroy.

I vote with the people who said to keep wearing that bracelet - and keep recounting those 20 beads!

My magic numbers were 20-to-24 - the number of months before the "average" patient with stage 4 papillary serous cell uterine cancer will have a recurrence. The months ticked off like mile-markers in my head, although I never expected to see 24. I saw 26 on July 10. I count my "from when" from the date of my surgery. I don't see those mile markers as clearly now - oh, I know they're still there, and I don't expect to see too many more of them, but the surprise and satisfaction of seeing 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 click by were beyond description.

Regards.

Sent by Marcia Thomas | 12:27 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Just like in school, please don't forget the guys who made it possible for you to be in the upper percentile.

Sent by slk | 12:46 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Go out and buy a dozen more of those bracelets, Leroy. The good vibes from all those bracelets might do the trick and anyway, layering is quite fashionable these days! Whatever works! You are in our thoughts and hearts each day.

Sent by Martha Anderson | 1:02 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy,
How do we love you...let me count the ways ...it is way past 20. I will thank you for one way today and that is your lovely sense of humor. _Jan

Sent by Jan DeBerry | 1:05 PM ET | 07-31-2007

I vote for keeping the bracelet as a reminder of how you've beaten the odds and can continue to defy any prognosis!

Maybe you can add another accessory that you can begin to add beads to each month but make it something really really long! I'd love to send you a bead to add to the new one!

Sent by Ellie Boylan | 1:06 PM ET | 07-31-2007

And may you have AT LEAST 20 more years Leroy!!!!

Sent by lisa | 1:13 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy,

Speaking as one who is living with NSCLC long past my "expiration date", I say rejoice! Obviously, the bracelet is a good omen, so keep it and start counting (if you must) once more.

Setting small goals, then achieving them has helped me immensely, marking along the way, many significant points in family life. I'm grateful for the time to create and enjoy memories and close moments with my children, wife and friends. Knowing that there -is- a prognosis has allowed us all to treasure each moment, to guard it, protect it and carry it forever.

For Sandra Shuler, I suggest you re-read my post. I said nothing against those fine people who serve, inspired to offer the best of themselves. Indeed, just the opposite. But, for openers, I suggest that you check the profits for drug companies, particularly those in the cancer field. You know the names.

For Joan McDade, you may contact me at puffbus at comcast.net. (Replace "at" with @)

I don't know when coffee companies began providing written wisdom on every cup, but found this as I left a popular chain:

The Way I See It #251

Our greatest prejudice is against death. It spans age, gender and race. We spend immeasurable amounts of energy fighting an event that will eventually triumph. Though it is noble not to give in easily, the most alive people I've ever met are those who embrace their death. They love, laugh and live more fully.

Andy Webster
Hospice Chaplain
Plymouth, Michigan

Thanks, Leroy, Sandra, Joan & Andy

Michael Lewis

Sent by Michael Lewis | 1:15 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy-

Keep wearing the bracelet. If possible, add another bead for each month that passes by.

Thanks for your blog. You help all of us, and we appreciate it.

Sent by Elizabeth from Brooklyn | 1:20 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Our daughter has pancreatic cancer. She was diagnoised in December, 2005. Shortly after her surgery a friend gave me a purple braclet to wear for her. I have lost it, it was returned, it broke and my friend fixed it. I wear it every day - hoping that it will do some good. It doesn't, but it keeps reminding me that somewhere there is HOPE. She is the strongest person I know - every step along the way she takes with the HOPE that all cancer patients do. HOPE to you and all that read your blog every day as I do. Thank you for it.

Sent by Carol | 1:25 PM ET | 07-31-2007

I mark my anniversaries from the time of my surgery. This week marks three years since I had most of my colon removed. Like you I have stage IV colon cancer. I used to play a game with the obituaries. I would check the person's age of death. HMM I'm older than him, older than her. I don't play the game any more, I can not possibly take solace in someone else's passing. I will continue to count and mark anniversaries until the arbitrary five year mark. By then I hope I can let go of the need to remember.

Sent by Dave Jenkins | 2:01 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Dear Leroy

But of course! Because you're anything but "average." Today I read all the comments from all your readers. I usually read some, but with Robin Roberts' announcement that she has breast cancer today, it has somehow caused me to slow down and focus more. It helps so much to know we are not alone in our little walk down this road.

I really hope your mailbox doesn't wind up full of beads... ;-)

Sent by Alycia Keating | 2:28 PM ET | 07-31-2007

I've also achieved a milestone of sorts--made it past the "optimal time of recurrance" (18-24 monthes)for ovarian cancer. My dear friend who was told ,"You'll be lucky if you survive 2 years" is in her 38th month and feels good.(she's on chemo, I'm in first remission) I say throw out the bracelet and make some plans. I'm praying all goes well with your next round of treatments---and you will be having adventures soon. That's my plan.
Carol

Sent by Carol Erlingheuser | 2:30 PM ET | 07-31-2007

There may only be 20 beads, but it's an endless circle....no beginning/no end....just keep counting!

Sent by Diana L Santamaria | 2:38 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Hi Leroy:

I am so glad you passed your milestone. I too have stage iv cc. Mets to the lungs.It was on Dec 7, 2003. I went to emergency for severe cramps. That was the day my life changed forever. I have seen people in the last year with less and more of a diagnosis die. On my first chemo round I ask the what does stage iv mean. The Dr. said it meant, I had 3 yeas with no chemo and five with chemo. I was so shocked I didn't know what to say. It has been 4.5 years. I can't get the 5 year mark out of my mind. I try to live each day one day at a time. However, some days it is very hard. I just had chemo again for the 5th time. This time I coughed until I though my lungs would burst. I deceided not to have Irinotican again.
As individuals we have our times.
A time to dance and time to sing,time to laugh,a time to cry. And so goes a time to die. And no Dr. Knows for sure when our time is done, Only God knows. There is a saying statistics like to lie and liars like statistics.
You and I are not statistics. We are living, beathing human beings. So keep on breathing and count those beads until you can count no more......

Peace, Love and Prayers,

Beth Morrison

Sent by Beth Morrison | 3:29 PM ET | 07-31-2007

I simply love Brit's idea (and post...you DO have something!)...let's create a bead fest! In your free time you can create new bracelets/fashion statements and can make a few bucks!! Gotta love that idea! What a journey you are taking us on, Leroy...thank you!

Sent by Karen | 3:38 PM ET | 07-31-2007

See Leroy ~ it is like I have been saying all along. 24 yrs ago, at age 53. I was given 6 mos to live judging by the size of my breast tumor.
Here I am at 77 only worring about whether or not I will have another & possibly more disabling stroke.
Keep looking forward. You are still young, strong, and intelligent. You are doing so much for others and that will keep you around for a long time. Turn over a new page, put the bracelet away as a reminder of how wrong the medical profession can be, even though they also do so much right.
Looking forward to putting my 2 cents into lots more of your wonderful commentaries. Here's to the next 20!!

Sent by J C Rakowski | 4:12 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy - wear the bracelet...to remind you that you have beaten the odds three times and your personal timetable is not dependant or connected to statistics.

Make each bead represent one year ;-)

Go, fight, win.

Karen

Sent by Karen D. | 4:28 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Todays comments have really boosted my morale. Thanks Leroy and everyone who are beating the odds and proving the doctors and stats wrong.

Sent by Laurel M. Jones | 5:29 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy- How about adding another bead every month? Each month is another successful month of being here and enjoying most of it.

I feel its is important to recall that the statistical average survival told to you by your oncologist does not describe the whole survival curve. Some folks will survive longer than the average. I've put a link to the SEER 9 data in case you want to see the actual survival curves.

http://canques.seer.cancer.gov/cgi-bin/cq_submit?dir=surv2004&db=100&rpt=LINE&sel=1^0^4^2^0^1^0^^&x=Survival%20interval^0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10&y=Stage%20at%20diagnosis^1,2,4,5&dec=1&referrer=0&title=SEER+Relative+Survival+Rates+by+Stage+at+Diagnosis~For+Colon+and+Rectum+Cancer,+Males,+All+Ages,+All+Races~SEER+9+Registries+for+1988-2003&template=faststats

I'm wishing for you to be in the statistical tail-

Sent by Devoted reader in NJ | 5:44 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Wishing you well and get another braclet. My husband lasted 56 months.I hope you can break that record.!!!!!

Sent by Karen | 6:20 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Remember how we talked a while back about a "secret handshake" for club members and caregivers, something that would let others know "me, too?"

How about a 20-bead bracelet in some fairly distinctive but still office-wear-friendly color? And I love the sentiments about starting over at bead 1 with infinity in mind. That's perfect.

Sent by Bruce | 6:25 PM ET | 07-31-2007

What an inspiring post. Add some beads to that bracelet. I can identify with you somewhat because I have a rare form of lung cancer and my first prognosis was three to six months as I was in stage 4. I have just completed fourteen months since diagnosis. My doctor son says that it is incredible. He thought last Christmas would be my last and here we are looking forward to October when he comes for a visit.

Sent by Bettie Wolverton | 7:34 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy-this comment is re the post about MS-Mrs Romney-i have the misfortune of having MS and breast CA. yes i agree her comment was thoughtless. cancer, like MS is really a chronic disease. but as we all know-it can be a little more lethal than MS, generally, is.
having had the trauma of the diagnosis of both diseases i can say the cancer was much more traumatic-only because there is that aura that surrounds cancer. Both diseases i think are very misunderstood. But i do agree w you she should have thought about the people w cancer who would read her comments. most of us are not dying-we are living w cancer every day, just like people w MS live w it.
and congrats on getting to 20 months!

Sent by Lisa McM | 8:04 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy, I really appreciate this post. To me, it's about hope, which shouldn't have a time limit. One of my consultants coldly told me I had less than 2 years to live and should research trials while I still had the strength. It was very shocking although I was quite clear about the reality of my illness. I haven't reached her deadline yet--it haunts me--but my energy hasn't flagged and my life and work continue despite cancer. Who really can know the future with certainty? Leroy, your postings are filled with warmth, humor, poignancy, vitality and enrich my life. Your liveliness and perspective often capture that evanescent quality of hopefulness and optimism. Congratulations on this milestone And keep wearing the bracelet--just begin again on the next twenty!

Sent by Sally Jenkins | 8:21 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy:

Are congratulations in order? I would think they certainly should be! You are a living example of the fact that we are individuals and that many facets of us make up our entire being. For me, my faith, is one of the strongest, and though you haven't said it, you must have faith in someone to have made it through this far.

Receiving your diagnosis on the 7th of December, the anniversary of "the day of infamy" certainly made the date one you will never forget.

As for your bracelet, I wouldn't take it off now! I have been wearing a pink bracelet for "Breast Cancer" since April of 1975 - my aunt was diagnosed with stage IV metatastic breast cancer then --- and to date has beaten all of the odds....you each are cancer survivors - and your life and the way that you are living it, especially sharing it with all of us is an example for all of us. Many of us will be afflicted with some type of cancer in our lifetimes ---- and your openness, courage and determination will help us to face our monster when it comes.

Twenty months - I look at it that the doctors did not expect that you would do as well as you did previously --- and with that in mind, their math may be off too.... Each day is a gift, as you well know, you have had the opportunity to learn it before it was too late while some of the rest of us are still acting and living like tomorrow will never come and we will live forever!

God speed Leroy - you are having an impact on so many people -

P.S. - If we can, I certainly would like to send you some beads, not necessarily for another bracelet, but perhaps to create a wall hanging or some other type of art that would have an infinite end and yet show just how far beyond that 20 months you are achieving....... may we hope that you will tire of putting the days, weeks, months and years of beads into place.

Sent by Cindy Sivula | 8:31 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Dear L,
To be fashionlly correct---wear 3 ,5,or 7 bracelets. Never wear 2,4,,or 6. Odd numbers are "correct". I am in the jewelery industry and i know.Besides i am wishing you best of luck and many many more months ahead. xo dee

Sent by Dee Congress | 9:45 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Leroy -

I don't like wearing jewelry. My watch and wedding band are all I wear, but I began wearing a Livestrong band a few years back to support cancer research. As a bicyclist whose father passed away from lung cancer, I figured it was the least I could do.

Now two months beyond surgery for stage one RCC, I wear the simple yellow band to remind myself how blessed I am to be a survivor with great odds.

So keep wearing the bracelet - I have a feeling that each bead represents one YEAR, not one month. Thank you for the blog.

Andy

Sent by Andy K. | 10:39 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Hey Leroy,
I say wear it for another twenty....years at least. As silly as it sounds, all and any time is time not taken by cancer. Definitely keep wearing the bracelet.
stay safe, stay strong,
Lance

Sent by Lance Carlson | 11:49 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Congratulations, Leroy from your fan from Antwerp! There are plenty of beads over here too - I'd be happy to join the group sending one special bead your way from each of us. I've heard bead-stringing can be therapeutic ...
Seriously, I vote for hanging on to the bracelet and adding another one, not even counting the number of beads on it. It's just a wonderful reminder that there's hopefully lots more time to come!

Sent by Maris | 4:13 AM ET | 08-01-2007

Thanks for beating the odds. We enjoy your company. I haven't passed a "death sentence milestone" yet. When I found out that my cancer had spread I was told that by 8/07 it would have spread even further and I would probably be too sick to work. I was also told that I would most likely be dead by the end of the year. I think(worry) about that a lot. So far the cancer has grown but not spread to other organs. I still feel great and show no signs of decline. I'm planning on beating the odds also.

Sent by Jill | 7:03 AM ET | 08-01-2007

Hi Leroy,
I agree with all of the others - keep wearing that braclet. It is your version of "Live Strong". Congratulations!

Sent by Lilly T. | 11:28 AM ET | 08-01-2007

Keep it on and start a new 20 months! Postitive thinking!!

Sent by Pat Beach | 11:55 AM ET | 08-01-2007

Hearty congratulations to you Leroy!! Wear whatever bracelet gives you peace and hope!! Again, thank you for you. Just read the Rwanda post, there are no words to aptly characterize it; awesome like a work of art, a work of heart.
Bruce, I can relate to your feelings about moving out of that part of your life, and esp. the flirting incident. Peace be with you! Love to all from Sherri in Texas

Sent by Sherri Eggleston | 4:47 PM ET | 08-01-2007

Leroy/All --

There are reasons that circles are revered. Remember those 20 beads go around infinitely.

Start counting forward.

Chase the Elephant.

(Re)Read "Paladin of the Lost Hour." http://harlanellison.com/iwrite/paladin.htm

Feel, be, see, experience, go on.

Namaste,

Elaine

Sent by Elaine Barnes | 9:29 PM ET | 08-04-2007

Leroy..20 months is awesome. my mother had colon ca, with metastisis to lungs and liver. she lived another 36 months after her diagnosis. It gave us time to be together to make even more memories and appreciate every minute with her and my father. She had a "good death". Many are surprised when I say that, but she was home in her bed, not in pain and surrounded by her 6 children, her husband of 60 plus years and many of her grandchildren. My wish for you is that you have many years beyond this, but if you don't, I hope that your family is taking this time to be together no matter how far they have to travel to be with you and with each other. It is more memories to be made,no matter how many tears they bring to our eyes, they are still the memories of life and of death. Right after my mother was diagnosed Bill Moyers had a special on dying on PBS. It was often that I thought of the things on that program as I made this journey with my mother and my family. It is a journey we must all take at some time. I hope your journey however long will bring you and your family comfort as you develop new memories and travel through the days. Please know that my thoughts are with you and my wish for you as that you are here 10 years from now to read this and remember how your life has changed because of your experience with the Big C.

Sent by pamela toovey higby | 6:49 PM ET | 08-05-2007