Even when quite young, our children can sometimes be our greatest support systems. Maybe it's because a child's love is "pure", not yet 'adulterated' by things adults sometimes get caught up in...healthcare bills, affairs, depression, job security, etc. It was surely the case for me!

I've also found hearing all of your thoughts and stories (and those of your readers) to be very supportive. I would say, "misery loves company", but there are so many tales of success and happiness here! It's only uplifting. Thank you all for baring your souls and being part of my support system.

Sent by Dr. Lynn | 8:25 AM ET | 08-31-2007

There is nothing so cheering, enobling and necessary as kindness and love, especially in difficult times.

Sent by Nancy K. Clark | 8:48 AM ET | 08-31-2007

When I was in the hospital in January, I had just had major surgery in order to confirm that the mass in my lungs was indeed a progression of my melanoma to stage IV. My surgeon had come out of the operation to talk to family and all my teens remember hearing was: " Now, all we can do is to try to buy her time."
Well, I woke up seeing many concerned faces in my room. I had many visitors who were folks who had not been supportive when I was divorced. This made my teens rather mad because they felt these folks were quite insincere in their claim of being my close friends and family. Some would write notes on the white board in the room. I looked up one day and read:" Everyone else sucks cause we love you more!" That message from my teens meant more to me than all the flowers, cards and well wishes in the world!

Sent by Nancy | 8:48 AM ET | 08-31-2007

How wonderful that you never fail to see the beauty around you, even in the parking lot of a hospital. That is a real blessing.

Sent by Nichole in FL | 9:37 AM ET | 08-31-2007

Everyone needs support at some time in their lives. And even more so when facing significant health issues.

Have a great weekend all.

Sent by Sue Chap | 9:40 AM ET | 08-31-2007

Good Morning Leroy/All,

Today's topic really hit home! I have three children who are very close with their dad. I don't care how old your child is, he or she still depend on their parents for love and emotional support. After my husband was diagnosed we were "A family in crisis" My children were emotionally out of control. I lost both my parents to cancer at a very young age so I can relate to what my children must be going through.

There is nothing more I can add to todays topic.............it's just so very very sad to lose a parent, and in our "cancer world" it magnifies it X10, having to watch your mom or dad go through the nasty side effects of chemotherapy and most likely endure suffering before the end finally comes.

So today Leroy, your blog was bittersweet; went right to the core.
Prayers to you and Laurie.

Sent by sasha | 9:42 AM ET | 08-31-2007

I can't even imagine going through this battle without the loving support and encouragement of my family. Just knowing how much they care makes me fight harder.

Sent by Laurel M. Jones | 10:00 AM ET | 08-31-2007

Perfect sentiment; perfectly put. Whomever professed their love on that automobile for whatever reason touched not only the "mom" but also that "unknown guy" in the hospital parking lot. I doubt that the "car-writer" expected that. Cool... There could be others that witnessed it and smiled as well. We never truly know how far-reaching kindness and love can be, nor how profoundly our words can affect others. (Right now, for some crazy reason, I've got a huge hankering for a gooey jelly donut. :-)

Sent by Karen Laven | 10:11 AM ET | 08-31-2007

Supportive smiles are what we all find here each day. Thank you for that, among other things!

Here's wishing us all a healthful loooooong weekend! *raises a glass of pomegranate and blueberry juice in a pre-Labor Day toast*

dp

Sent by dp | 10:15 AM ET | 08-31-2007

Nancy:

I am stage III melanoma with two lung nodules of concern. You are now in my prayers.

Bob A.

Sent by Bob A. | 10:34 AM ET | 08-31-2007

How does that phrase go - "Commit random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty?" It seems to ring true for all of the readers and contributors in this community.

Sent by Sheara | 10:34 AM ET | 08-31-2007

Kindness always brings a smile to my heart and spirit. Thank you for sharing this story, Leroy.

Did you ever see the movie, read the book: "Pay It Forward"? I love the idea. Doing something kind for someone, who then does something kind for the next someone, and so on, passing acts of kindness forward to the next person.

Great idea.

Here's hoping that our planet, and all living beings on her, have a kindness filled weekend.

peace,

Kim

Sent by Kim Blankenship | 10:35 AM ET | 08-31-2007

Leroy,

I love random acts of kindness. It made me smile, too.

Sent by Diana Kitch | 10:44 AM ET | 08-31-2007

even in the darkest of times, the innocence of children will always leave me with a smile on face.....it's God's way

Sent by marianne dalton | 10:55 AM ET | 08-31-2007

Dear Leroy,

I remember leaving notes for my mother when I was young. It was so much easier to write the words I wanted her to hear than to actually speak them. Don't know exactly why. But I see that same trait in my children. My daughter had just turned 16 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My sons, 12 and 10. They all were relatively quiet during my treatment and recovery. Their biggest outward support was not fighting with each other and keeping the house calm. My youngest was at my beck and call when I was too weak to get out of bed and needed something. My daughter is now in university and I was cleaning out her room after a summer home. I found a note she had written but had never given me. In part, "Mom, I love you so much. I don't know what I would do without you." The note made me understand just how much she loved me, but was unable to tell me, and just how scared she had been during the whole process.

This summer, my now 16-year-old, in a fit of anger, punched a lamp and succeeded in splitting his hand open, nicking a knuckle and cutting a tendon and a ligament. We spent the summer in hand therapy. One day, the therapist said, I know this must really hurt. And out of the blue he replied, "It's nothing to what my mom's been through." Just like that. Boom. And I realized how much he loved me and had been thinking about me.

I am determined to stick around for as long as I can for these wonderful children. I am truly blessed.

Mo Spikes

Sent by Mo Spikes | 11:37 AM ET | 08-31-2007

Out of the mouth of babes.....Their words tugs at our heartstrings and makes us feel all warm and fuzzy. Everyone have a wonderful weekend and do a "RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS" for someone.....you will feel great. Love and hugs to all.

Sent by Teresa in WV | 11:47 AM ET | 08-31-2007

I still have I LOVE YOU MOM written on a paper towel from my daughter on her first day of nursing school. I tucked it away in one of my journals. This is what keeps me going every day~~Lots of love.

Sent by Robin T | 12:18 PM ET | 08-31-2007

yes, there are messages all around us if we pay attention. sometimes reading a license plate or message taped to a window can help change your mood, make you stop and pause. I had a message today as i was walking to my radiation treatment.
Have great weekend all, i get to have three days off from treatment, yahoo!

Sent by Jenn | 12:46 PM ET | 08-31-2007

We love you, Leroy.

Sent by Sandi Li | 12:57 PM ET | 08-31-2007

My sweet stepdaughter would send me cell-phone pictures of her son on the day I was getting chemo. The one where he discovered Cheetos was especially cute. It always made me smile!

Sent by Pamela | 1:59 PM ET | 08-31-2007

Dear Nikki,
What an approproate topic today, I received your message and will be in contact with you very soon. I wanted to say thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for taking the time to, again, show your compassion. With all you have had to deal with recently, my heart breaks for you, and for you to reach out means more to me than I can say. Burge would be so proud of you for continuing to contribute in so many ways to this group. I look forward to your posts every day and gain a lot of strength from your courage and your ability to perservere, and admire your willingness to read between the lines and hear those things that sometimes we are not able to express in words. You are such a special person, and I feel honored you took the time to respond.
You have a rare insight and we are richer for your continued contributions.

Love, Briana

Sent by briana | 2:09 PM ET | 08-31-2007

Good Afternoon Leroy and All,

Leroy, your ability to see beauty and then to tell us about it is a true gift. It is sharing and support in a world so full of pain that gives us all a thread to hold on to. When we can take a moment to see beauty, hold it in our hearts and then pass it on to others, that is a moment to treasure!

To all, I wish a very happy Labor Day holiday filled with HOPE, JOY and with a little Mischief added to make it FUN
God Bless!

Eileen Pruyne
Charlotte

Sent by Eileen Pruyne | 2:41 PM ET | 08-31-2007

Leroy, you are right. You don't need an explanation or story to appreciate the beauty and wonder behind those words. As a recipient to one of those precious notes, I guess I should think more of how i can be a giver. thanks leroy, for this gift today.

Sent by Claire | 2:46 PM ET | 08-31-2007

We love you Leroy. Today I went for my second radition treatment after having chemo in am. Yesterday I went to first radiation treatment alone and when I got home had an anxiety attack. I was talking to the woman ahead of me waiting for radiation treatmenttoday and shared that with her and she asked me if I wanted her to stay with me today. I thanked her and told her my husband was with me today but this is the kind of caring that touches deep inside and I am very grateful to her for that moment.

Sent by Vicki (FL) | 3:11 PM ET | 08-31-2007

A message to you Leroy, Laurie and to all of the bloggers here: May the healing power of God touch each heart, touch each soul and touch each broken body and spirit to heal and restore it according to His plan. Amen.

For Bob A.: hope you got my response to your question. If not, email me at alcato@aol.com

Sent by Al Cato | 3:33 PM ET | 08-31-2007

I hit my two girls with breast cancer diagnosis - one in her first year of law school far away and the other in her 2nd year of college also far away....they were both with me in spirit all the way - made it home for surgeries, were with me on the first trip to chemo (day after Xmas) and after that first treatment I think it was harder on them, than me to return to school/their lives and trying to get on with "normal"......
Fortunately, things have gone well for us and all treatment is behind me after 8 months - but their constant phone calls and repetitive calls during and on treatment days meant the world to me and reminded me why I had to be ok and get thru whatever treatment necessary.......
So glad you spotted this message, Leroy, and could feel the love that it conveyed......
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend...

Sent by Ruth Chermok | 7:26 PM ET | 08-31-2007

Kim Blankenship : Have you found a copy of the documentary? If not, please get in touch with me, I may be able to help: sandy@fisherpcb.com

Sent by Sandy Fisher | 8:42 PM ET | 08-31-2007

You are all true heroes, thanks for teaching me daily how to live life with courage, dignity and perspective.

Sent by Amy | 11:12 PM ET | 08-31-2007

Whatever it takes, we Love You, Leroy. Have a great week-end. Stan

Sent by Stan Wozniak | 12:46 AM ET | 09-01-2007

I have found that there are too many folks that seem almost embarressed by sentiment or the verbal expression of it. I think that is the reason for the high divorce rate and the inability of people being able to understand each other and "put themselves in the other person's shoes" What a shame for them.
It is such an art and so few have it.

Sent by J C Rakowski | 8:15 AM ET | 09-01-2007

Briana:

Thank you for the kind words. Actually, I'm not a hero or anything, I'm really being very selfish. Talking to all of you still keeps Burge "just away", not gone and if I can lighten anyone else's load, I'm thankful. I would like to set up a MySpace for Burge, but keep putting it off...denial again.

I think that is why I didn't take more pictures of him at the end...well, though this entire thing. If I kept telling myself there was time later, then there would be. Yesterday, my oldest told me the only picture he had in his mind was his Dad at the very last, so I got out pictures sent from last year's family picnic by a relative. We sat and looked at them for a long long time hoping to replace the bad images with these. He looked so happy then even though he was pretty sick.

I wonder what I'll do when reality set in. Everyday it gets a little worse as I realize this is forever. In the meantime, I'm avoiding all my own yard work and helping a friend set up her new flower shop which will be in an old house. It is so much more fun to pretend this is not happening and that I'm helping her decorate. I do hope that I help your loneliness if only for the few minutes it takes to read my posts. I would sincerely like to make your day just a little bit happier as I know where you are right now and would change it if I could. Burge loved me so much, surely there's just a little I can share with someone else.

Nikki

Sent by Nikki | 9:38 AM ET | 09-01-2007

Beautifully written. Thank you for the smile.

Sent by Kay | 10:46 AM ET | 09-01-2007

My 20 year old daughter has been with me every moment thru this darn ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, she became too close this week when she got the results of her genetic testing. She, like me, has the BRCA2 inherited mutation. Her strength is unbelievable.
Patsy
Charlotte, NC

Sent by Patsy | 4:51 PM ET | 09-01-2007

There was a group photograph in Oprah's magazine a couple of years ago. A group of women. In the first picture they were clothed, and, in the second, they were nude.

Like any woman, I've always been afraid of Cancer. Of losing a breast, or breasts. How could anyone live with such a scar? With such a loss?

That black and white photograph showed me. Those women were the same, with or without their breasts. With or without their scars, they were the same people.

And I knew, then, that to their daughters, and husbands, and mothers, it didn't really matter if there were breasts or not. Their families and friends were just wanted to have them and to love them.

This past year, my husband lost half of his right foot when a clot cut off its blood supply for several days. I wish he had his foot still...but, I am so glad to have Him.

I don't know Cancer, yet. But, thank you, Mr. Sievers for allowing me to get to know and learn from you.

Sent by Gay McDonald | 8:46 PM ET | 09-01-2007

yes, our kids can surprise us in good ways. My 18 year old decided to delay starting college by six months to relocate and take care of me following my stem cell transplant. She comes to the hospital everyday and brings me anything I request. I would do the same for her, but you don"t expect it from a teenager.

Jill

Sent by Jill | 6:01 PM ET | 09-02-2007

Hmmm... After a 15 hour surgery and four days of induced unconsciousness, I awoke (more or less) to a bunch of walls covered with construction paper artwork, sayings from everybody, from Vince Lombardi to Albert Einstein to Mahatma Ghandi.

It was the work of a loving child, no doubt. But she was 27 years old with a degree in psychology. As well as the daughter of a former coach.

I will not forget.

Sent by Joe Alvey | 12:15 AM ET | 09-03-2007

They just switched my treatment and I will lose my hair we figure in about 2-3 weeks. I told my 3 daughters and asked what their preference was when I was with them in public or school: "wig" was the unanimous answer. OK, that's fine. I told them I'd also be wearing scarves and they were fine with that too. Lately, the topic has come up more often, almost as if they are more comfortable with this new idea of a bald mom. My 15 year old even made a joke about tatooing my head! the five of us acutally spent five minutes laughing about the different ideas we could do! My fifteen year old said, "You could say, Mom, I know I had a point to this. And then you could point to a dot on your head and say, 'Oh, there it is!'" We really laughed. It was funny.

Then, on Saturday we were taking a hike and my six almost seven year old was back with my husband and me. She said, "Mommy, I think you should get a green wig." "Really? Why would I do that?" "Then I could bring you in for show and tell! I wouldn't tell them it was a wig. I would just say that my Mom has green hair." She thought that was pretty funny and cool. My husband and I just smiled at each other. Treatment seen through the eyes of a child. It's worth looking at it that way once in a while. Despite the fear and sadness they are feeling, they can also show us how to laugh at it.It almost makes the anger and sadness go away even for a few moments.

Sent by Becky | 8:13 AM ET | 09-03-2007