Good Morning Leroy. It is good to hear the old fight back in you. Sounds like you have reached a "toe to toe" standoff with this thing.
Hopefully IT will turn tail and recede back into the darkness from whence it came. Wonder where it DID come from anyway? I wonder this all the time but do you think that the Researchers have given up on trying to figure out where IT came from? I have fear about that.
Meanwhile, enjoy the break, keep on with your good life and we shall hope and pray that IT has put it's tail between it's legs and left Town!

Sent by J C R | 7:35 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Leroy,

Maybe it's time to mosey on up to the bar for a mai tai in a dirty glass?

:o)

Sent by Teri Thomas | 8:13 AM ET | 09-24-2007

I agree... nothing should be fair in this fight! Any and all means should be employed (assuming the patient is willing to try to tolerate the side effects) to kill the cancer.

I guess my frustration in reading about the "watch and wait" strategy your docs are using is how big must the tumors get and how much growth is detected from scan to scan before some action is taken? Logic would seem to say "attack the tumors before they are too large and before substantive growth is seen" and "attack before there is further evidence of tumors elsewhere" and "attack while the cancer is seemingly at its weakest". Maybe there is a plausible rationale for "watching and waiting" while the tumors are growing but it escapes me!

In the movies, the "good guy" always prevails! I continue to pray that you, Leroy, our "good guy", will win this shootout!

Blessings and prayers.

Sent by Al Cato | 8:20 AM ET | 09-24-2007

We have to find a way to beat this beast before it gets us all. Some days I'm more confident in that possibility.

Today is scan day for me. I will have the results tommorrow. I was hoping for stable, but all I have ever had is progression since my mets showed up. I want to see some signs of death on this scan.

Sent by Jill | 8:26 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Great commentary, Leroy. I enjoyed the way that you wrote this up.

It is not a fair fight. Cancer started it with a very sneaky attack. And it continues to be a sneaky, unfair fighter. It uses guerilla tactics, and you have to counter with overwhelming force when need be and targeted force when that is appropriate. You are not only in a fight for your life, but the intent of your cancer is to enact a murder - suicide plot. So you need to keep fighting and do what it takes to knock it out for good before it can finish its diabolical plans.

Your great-great uncle must have been a colorful guy!

Enjoy the day!

Sent by Art Ritter | 8:44 AM ET | 09-24-2007

My question, based on years of research and observation is that cancer loves a bad diet consisting of but limited to pop, diet pop, artificial flavorings, coloring, bad fats, feied food, hormone infested meats, pesticide laden fruits and vegetables, have you tried an organic diet and high dosgages of phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals?

Sent by Toby Grotz | 8:58 AM ET | 09-24-2007

"I'm fighting for my life here."

Well, Leroy, ain't that the truth.

I just finished "The China Study," and it's worth your time -- all of you. The results of this study should be rocking our worlds, but the overwhelming influence (and money) of the food industries and drug companies... Excuse me while I step down from my soap box.

The book, though, gave me a whole new way to look at fighting for my life.

Going to see the oncologist today to look at last week's scans. We're all nervous as it was a year ago that we were in this same situation. I'd finished my six weeks of radiation and chemo, and I was looking at the scans one month out. And the tumor had returned, and twice as big.

Then I started the new protocol, the chemo and the biologic agent, and I did that for nearly a year. And a month ago I was NED. Now we're looking again. Send up a prayer for me, would y'all? Thanks.

Sent by jordis | 9:12 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Dear Leroy, I feel your pain and pray for some relief for you. Although mine is not as bad now, I can understand the frustration and anxiety. I too want to keep fighting by doing what the doctors are recommending. I am worried because I feel that I backslided while getting radiation as some pain has come back in my chest area so am actually looking forward to resuming chemo (NEVER thought I would say that). I also never thought about considering this a fight but a lot of my thinking has changed. I am fortunate to have a lot of support and am enjoying my daughter this week. I wish I could be more support to you (the nurse in me) but the most I can say is that my prayers are with you. Thank you for sharing your deepest feelings.

Sent by Vicki (FL) | 9:20 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Dear Leroy and others,

It's 8:40 AM CST and I actually finished my appointments ahead of schedule this morning. I had a chest X-ray and CT w/contrast scan at 7:00 AM and they were on time. We must celebrate the little victories. I would be headed home right now, but a new growth appeared out of nowhere on Friday afternoon. So, I'm waiting to see my chemo doctor, an unscheduled visit. Hopefully he'll be able to fit me in before too long.

You said it very well this morning Leroy. It is a fight for our lives and we're prepared to use every dirty trick in the book to beat this stuff.

Stay strong,
Ed Steger
www.hncancer.blogspot.com

Sent by Ed Steger | 9:49 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Yup, there is nothing fair about this fight. Cancer does not fight fair. Why should we?

Tomorrow I'll either find out what new weapons we will use, or if we will wait and see. I'm not sure which the most difficult. I am sure that this gun fight is sapping a lot of my energy. Maybe I'll try trading my in guns for meditation, yoga and nutrition and see if that helps.

Sent by Laurel M. Jones | 9:50 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Dear Leroy,

Today I have no comments to make about my situation except that it is a "Bittersweet" day for me.............It is my 41st wedding anniversary and I don't need to say what is running through my head as I write this post. I am too young to be a widow at 60 and my husband is too young to be this ill at 61. But, I guess I am being a bit selfish.............we did share what seems like a lifetime together and I know for that I should be grateful, and I am. I am just not ready to give it up and neither is my husband.

But, I have to agree with you..............right on target again today! Life is so damn difficult, always problems, always fighting a battle. So far, your survival strategies have worked for you and you have been successful in every procedure. Along with your oncology staff, your courage and your strength has kept you alive; a bit bruised but still breathing. You are a great inspiration. Please never lose your sense of humor and positive attitude. I admire and envy your courage.

As always, prayers to you and Laurie

Sent by sasha | 10:01 AM ET | 09-24-2007

One of my doctors said no way was he going to "wait and see" for me! And I bless him for it. After my last scan, one doc said "treat the patient, not the scan." In other words wait and see. I just don't get that thought process. My tumor had spread! What did he think I was going to do? I am so glad my local doctor said, "With all due respect, I think we're gonna ramp this treatment up a bit, k?" He consulted with two other docs at two other big oncology centers (again, bless him) and they were in complete agreement with him. Leroy, there are probably very good reasons for them to wait and see for you, and it sounds like if the tumors make one move, THEY'RE DEAD!! Yeehaw. I love that quick draw attitude. Go get 'em cowboy....I pray for you every night.

Sent by Becky | 10:03 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Same situation here, Leroy. Beat it for years, now were toe to toe. Maybe it will at least retreat again?

Sent by Cathy W. in beautiful Columbus Ohio | 10:07 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Dear Leroy,

Everything's fair in love and war.

All my best,
Mo Spikes

Sent by Mo Spikes | 10:18 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Dear Leroy,
For those of us with little patience it is so hard to watch and wait. If only the cancer fight were as easy as those street fights where the guy in the white hat won!
I am wishing you good things to occupy your time and your mind. Reading any good books?
Charlotte in Temecula

Sent by Charlotte Kewish | 10:23 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Leroy - Our thoughts and prayers are with you. My wife was diagnosed just one month ago with a high-grade sarcoma in her leg. This past month has been the worst month of our lives. I've written about it in our blog, and invite anyone who'd like to read our journey to visit The Unreal OC Blog. Just plug that into Google. I didn't want to leave a URL in this comment. Keep up the good fight Leroy. My wife and I listen to your podcast and are encouraged by your approach to life and how you're learning much about yourself during this ordeal. All the best - Tom

Sent by Tom Jordan | 10:41 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Hi Leroy
Please try to say in the now. It's a lovely day. Live your life. We're all dying, we just don't have the date set. You do, and that's awfully distracting, to say the least. I am not in your shoes, which is a very loud statement. But I have contemplated it and feared recurrence, thought that possibly, even as I type, mets are sneaking into my bones and organs. Then I think "nothing has changed. I'm here now, and now is all I have." I am so much more concerned for your emotional well-being than your physical. Sending hugs, hoping you can put it out of your mind and have a good day...

Sent by Alycia Keating | 10:49 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Leroy,

I'm just entering the watch and wait period. My end-of-trial scan is next week. It will be very strange to have a followup vist without getting prepped for an infusion. Your postings on this phase have a way of calming us to carry on with our lives.

I hope that our responses give you some support in going through this ordeal. I do hope that there is some way to find respite from your pain. I wish there was some way to stare down the gunslingers we face and make them realize that resistance to our treatments is futile (oops, wrong genre).

Jill - Hoping for some lack of progression on your scan today.

Jordis - Hoping that your biologic agent has kicked cancer butt! I also read "The China Study" about a year ago. It's motivated me to make some diet adjustments. Also, to be more cautious about pronoumcements from various government agencies that are led staffed by folks from the industries they regulate.

Sent by Sheara | 10:59 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Leroy, I think now might be the time to take chemo. I know your against it, but it seems like you are at a bit of a standstill, so perhaps this will help tip the scales in your favor. I think that is what I would do now, if I were in your shoes.

As an aside. I heard the most moving cancer song. "Casimir Pulaski Day" by Sufjan Stevens. You will most likely tear up. It is sad and moving, but a great song none the less. I allows us all 3-4 minutes of wallowing pity, then we need to move along.

Sent by Brit | 11:01 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Hi Leroy: I'm back home... and will start my job next week... I hope you keep on fighting.. the dirtier the better...and hope that your pain is under control...and that if the cancer does grow, that you have therapeutic options to kick the damn thing back to the curb....--Krupali

Sent by Krupali Tejura MD | 11:12 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Hi Leroy,

Have you checked the rooftops??? Anyone set to ambush you??? Watch their hands they twitch before they draw. :)

Your draw is fast, hand steady, loaded, ready to shoot!

Sent by Sue Chap | 11:23 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Dear Leroy, Do your dreams give you any relief? I wonder what your dream world is and if you have any recuring dreams. When I was very sick I would rather be asleep in my dream world than awake in the real world. I wonder if that is common for all of us. My heart and prayers are with you. Shoot him dead. Elizabeth

Sent by elizabeth sebastian | 11:36 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Dear Leroy,
Best wishes to you and thanks for sharing your experience as it broadens the understanding of others, that which cancer patients among us face.
During this stand-off, can you seek and try wholistic compliments to your medical treatment? I understand that cancer cannot grow in a system unless it is acidic, suggesting that we balance our pH with a more alkaline diet & supplements, for starters. Begin by testing the ph of your saliva with litmus paper from the drug store. Check it out...lots of info available on this and balancing your pH cannot hurt anything, only help, and it does not interfere with medical treatments.
Many blessings to you, Leroy.
Best wishes,
Kathy

Sent by Kathy G | 11:45 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Fight Dirty.... Live Long.

Sent by Steve | 11:54 AM ET | 09-24-2007

It's interesting how cancer can be personalized as though it's seperate from us, or as if it thinks, has a mind, or a will. I wonder if people who have other diseases think of their illnesses that way. "This diabetes is relentless and it's trying to kill me." or "That emphysema is a mean SOB...it is working to do me in, and take my lunch, too."
That way of looking at cancer helps some to get into "fight" mode, I suppose. It doesn't work for me, but then, since my siblings and I got over the knock-down-drag-out battles that we used to have over what TV program to watch, I'm not much of a fighter.

Sent by Nancy K. Clark | 11:57 AM ET | 09-24-2007

Leroy,
Love the cowboy visual. We will use it tomorrow as we head into Boston to meet with new docs to look over what new fight we'll make against what is turning out to be a "very black hatted villian" lung cancer that will not retreat.
After two surgeries last winter, and followed by awful Chemo all winter and spring, the Pet scan shows a lymph node glowing and growing. Who'da thunk it???
We're heading into town for a new posse of fighters to Roundem' up!!

Sent by Deb | 12:03 PM ET | 09-24-2007

Leroy, Like you, my last scan showed little growth. I am still on Chemo though, because Kidney Cancer is truly the guy in the black outfit. My Doctor forwarded the idea of 6 month scans instead of the 3 month schedule we had been on. Now, I have thought about his proposal for a month, and I don't think I'm going to go with the idea. I'm like Al Cato, I don't understand waiting and watching. Do they really expect it to just disappear? I pray that it does, but with Cancer the deck is stacked. I don't like the change from 3 to 6 months on scans, they are telling you to wait for the next symptom! Why? Go get it, never give it a break, the risk is too great. I hope it gets out of town by sunset, I hear you are better than your old uncle was with a gun, and more brave too. Stan

Sent by Stan Wozniak | 12:18 PM ET | 09-24-2007

Yee haw, Leroy! I love the gunfight analogy, and I agree with Krupali - keep fighting dirty, whatever that may mean - cancer doesn't deserve a fair fight.

Sasha - happy anniversary wishes to you and your husband, even if it's bittersweet. 41 years is quite impressive - you all must love each other so very much. I will keep hoping that there are many more for you.

Sent by Gretchen Hoag | 12:21 PM ET | 09-24-2007

Leroy, your doctor's must have a good reason to give your body and mind a "rest period" in which the other organs can re-coup & strengthen from the poison of Chemo, radiation, and gluing.
Cancer treatments affect your other vital organs, heart, liver, kidneys, etc, so they must be given time to strengthen again and keep functioning right.
I don't believe that you can treat one part at a time. You are the entire man!
Keep that imagination of yours working. This morning you have already outlined a scenerio for a new animated movie about "Gunfight at OK Corral" Instead of "High Noon" let's call it "HIGH TIME"

Sent by J C R | 1:28 PM ET | 09-24-2007

Hello,

I had been listening to you on NPR for awhile but heard you in a different way after my mom's diagnosis of lukemia in April. She lost her fight on September 1st but you are still in the ring. Give that cancer a one-two punch from my Mom! I wish you the very best. Holly

Sent by Holly Gaenzle | 1:56 PM ET | 09-24-2007

Thank you so much for your blog. I've been following you since you were on the TV - on "Living With Cancer". You're the only one I've been able to relate to.
My fight has been with breast cancer and it started when yours did. Surgery, etc., OK, now that's over - no biggie.
Then it came back as a whole different game about the same time yours did. Even into and out of remission about the same times.
Your attitude and humor have helped me immensely because so few people have the dark humor about the cancer and can laugh with me. I love the ones about the Possee from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", and about having only to deal with one thing - either the problems of life or the cancer. I get to chuckle everytime I think about it or share it.
I start my 1st of 5 Cyberknife radiation treatments on my sternum and Manubrium today.
Exciting and new.
Then they'll start fixing all of the rest of the "broken" parts.
Thank you so much for your support!
Blessings, Val

Sent by Val Anderson......... Packwood, WA | 2:12 PM ET | 09-24-2007

Leroy,

Well, the news could have been better and could have been worse. Hard to know what to do with what's in the middle. You didn't mention being in pain. Has that lessened? Thinking of you. Blessings.

Sent by Diana Kitch | 2:24 PM ET | 09-24-2007

Kick some butt, Leroy!

Sent by Connie E. | 3:50 PM ET | 09-24-2007

You've carved a place in the heart of so many people you do not even know!
You make me laugh and I'm facing metastatic cancer and not many people can do that; I'm usually the one with the humor.
As one doesn't usually have friends that are also facing this, it's been a lonely road in that respect. Having your blog to look forward to reading everyday- just means so much. Thank you for your being you- you're quite a special person- really clever, very funny and honest!
Unfortunately you are suffering while you're also giving hope to others that anything is possbile. Please know I wish and hope the best for you, always!
Janet

Sent by Janet Nafissi | 4:56 PM ET | 09-24-2007

hey leroy,
fight by what ever means it takes to win. Cancer isn't fair, isn't just, so why fight it fair? Unfortunately, as you are fighting it, you happen to also be the battlefield. But you can always landscape after you win. May I suggest arborvitae? :)
Hang in there, my friend, we'll all get you through this.
stay safe, stay strong,
lance

Sent by Lance Carlson | 5:00 PM ET | 09-24-2007

Shoot out at the OK Corral using Chemotherapy and radiation instead of guns. It would be a perfect world if it worked all of the time. Today I had my 6th, and hopefully last chemotherapy for round 2. I am saying hopefully because if the scan shows it still there, I want to be somewhat prepared for more shooting. Think of you and your fight.

Sent by Rita | 5:34 PM ET | 09-24-2007

Leroy

I think you're the best, and this blog has been incredibly helpful, but there is one problem. You and Tony Snow and Robin Roberts (people fighting cancer in the spot light) perpetuate this notion that all people with cancer want to discuss their struggle. For some of us cancer is intimate and private and even secret. We don't want to talk about it with a friend and certainly not an aquaintence or a stranger. I think we forget about famous cancer survivors who wanted none of that. My wife and I have been inundated with a torrent of insensitive questions and comments. Can all of you with an audience stop telling people to share their stories and instead preface that advice with the precaution "I choose to share my story, but for many people that is not appropriate!". Maybe then people will wise up and stop putting their foot in their mouth.

PS If you asked people for their top ten worst comments I bet everyone might start understanding

Sent by John | 8:58 PM ET | 09-24-2007

Hi Leroy,
I just took my best friend to her oncology appointment this morning. She finished 12 rounds of chemo 4 weeks ago for Colon Cancer. They done blood work on her and gave her a brief check up. Her blood work was good and she is going for a baseline CT Scan on Friday. She will then start seeing her Oncologist every 3 months for 2 years providing her CT Scan is OK. Does that all sound about right to you who have been through this? My Dad went thru it with bladder cancer but his Tx was totally different. Any input from anyone would be appreciated. Also, I love the "OLD WEST" approach. I'm all for that down and dirty attitude. Hang in there and shoot "Old C" in the back if you can. God Bless.

Sent by Teresa in WV | 9:53 PM ET | 09-24-2007

You go partner........and a whole lot of us "have your back" and if we could attack your enemy all together......we would!!! to hell with "fighting fair" - nothing about this fight is fair! Maybe in effect we are, with our common prayers, thoughts and good wishes for each other........hang in there!

Sent by Ruth Chermok | 10:59 PM ET | 09-24-2007

Hi Leroy -
This is my first time writing. I watched you on TV on the special, Living with Cancer. That is what I am doing, living, although I agree, I am in the fight of my life and chemo seems to be winning right now. I have lung cancer, never smoked, doesn't matter, it came to stay and I want it evicted!! We watched a special on gun battles Sunday on the history channel. I can relate to all that you are saying. Shoot to kill, that is my motto. You go home at the end of your shift. All the best to you, I have thought of you often since the TV special, I could really relate.

Sent by Peggy Driscoll | 11:46 PM ET | 09-24-2007

Hey Leroy, I haven't heard a lot of your segments, but the last one "Waiting for the showdown" really hit home for me. I'm 25 and almost about 9 months out from my last radiation treatment. My last couple scans have shown increased activity, but a biopsy to get to these new spots would involve cracking open my ribs and all that business. So, to avoid a complicated surgery with a painful recovery, i have opted for the psychological pain of waiting a couple more months to see if the activity continues its very slow increase. So, like you, i am playing the waiting game. I am in a position where i cannot mentally prepare myself for the next step either because no on knows what that will be. Good Luck to you. Keep fighting the good fight.

Sent by Tyler Schwirtz | 11:31 PM ET | 09-25-2007

DEAR LEROY:
GOOD LUCK ON YR OPERATION MONDAY !! SINCERE-LY,
MARK "PEACE-WALKER" CREEK-WATER

Sent by MARK "PEACE-WALKER" CREEK-WATER | 5:00 PM ET | 09-29-2007

Dear Leroy,
Best wishes for a fantastic outcome today! I feel you will be coming out of it OK. You've helped so many with your ability to articulate your feelings. The laughter as well as the sadness and frustration. Blessings, Val Anderson Packwood, WA

Sent by Val Anderson | 1:06 PM ET | 10-01-2007

Hi Leroy,
I have been trying to think of what to write to you and then I remembered a writing by an eleven year old African boy who died from Aids a few years ago.He wrote: Do all you can with the time you have with what you have in the place you are. I have been in awe of his wisdom. This is what you are doing.

Sent by Mary Schroeder | 10:52 PM ET | 10-11-2007