Good morning Leroy,

Great to "hear" your voice again. You know sometimes in surgery we do use things similar to waterpicks. Why? because they do exactly what you needed to have done, remove the infection, and wash the area clean.

Consider plan A for food, as Laurie, Maeve or other visitors to bring in your favorites, can't hurt to ask.

Continue to mend, and try to get rest.

Sent by Sue Chap | 7:55 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Dearest Leroy,
You are one tough cowboy, an inspiration to us all. Hope your healing proceeds positively and your pain wanes.
All of my positive vibes are with you,
Mary Sullivan

Sent by Mary Sullivan | 7:57 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Hi Leroy. We've missed you. By the way, did you feel something on cheek just now? I blew you a Get Well Kiss!! Stay positive my friend. ~Karen

Sent by Karen | 7:59 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Awesome to hear from you this morning. Been thinking about you and Laurie quite a lot. Now, on to healing and getting back on your feet. Hoping that with all the positive energy being sent your way, it will help make your journey easier. You know you are not alone. Stay strong. You're on your way!

Sent by Sany Lathe | 8:06 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Glad to hear from you!! I know it is hard to be in the hospital (let me count the issues- sleep, food,vital signs every 30 minutes, etc) but sometime it is the best place for the moment. We are all here awaiting your return to your home and its comforts. In the meantime, feel the positive energy being sent your way from this community of bloggers.

Prayers as always for you and Laurie.

PS- For Stephanie: there is a website called pancan.org for pancreatic cancer patients. Perhaps you already know about it but I saw the link this morning and thought about you. Prayers as always to you and yours.

Sent by Al Cato | 8:06 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Wow, Leroy. You've sure been through it, haven't you? My prayers are for a fast and thorough recovery for you, and that this latest surgery IS your last. Wouldn't that be marvelous? All my best to you and to Laurie,

Sent by jordis | 8:14 AM ET | 10-24-2007

You gotta get out of there or that food WILL kill ya! Ech!

One day at a time soldier.

Hugs,

Lori

Sent by Lori Levin | 8:15 AM ET | 10-24-2007

A very good morning Leroy! How wonderful to hear from you and know that you have progressed back into your regular hospital bed. Giant Steps!!
Your postive attitude is one of the best traits you have going for you. It is contagious and you spread optimism constantly. Thank you.
Sounds like you have the "cleanest Spine around". Hope it does'nt hurt as much as before.
And, you know what? We FINALLY are getting a decent rain here in VA. GOOD things are happening Leroy!.

Sent by J C R | 8:25 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Keep thinking about going home and good food. Positive thoughts and prayers your way. Keep the strength.
Anne

Sent by anne lumberger | 8:27 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Yes,it is true, we can only live one day at a time. Despite all its challenges I hope that you can find something precious in this day: the sunshine, a smile, a piece of chocolate. My best wishes go with you.

Sent by townie | 8:31 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy, it's so good to hear from you! Heal quickly friend....hi to Laurie too...

Sent by Faun | 8:32 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy .. look forward to that Hawaiian shirt and umbrella drink!
Give Laurie a hug ( when you have the strength: give her a MONSTER BEAR HUG!) she was just as much as a warrior !
good to "have you back"
take care
Francesca from Z??rich, Swizerland

Sent by Francesca Gessmann | 8:39 AM ET | 10-24-2007

So, Leroy, what hospital is it you are in? Shall we send pizza?

Take care.

Sent by Ruth from Virginia | 8:41 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Dear Leroy,

Seeing your words on the website this morning made me smile. Glad you are up to blogging. Sorry you are stuck with the yucky hospital food. (I've had it too -- blech, is the best I can say for it.)

Continue healing, and maybe someone can bring you something better (a cheesesteak?? perhaps?) to eat.

Cheerio,

Kim

Sent by Kim B. | 8:44 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Heal baby heal....You are in my prayers every day.

God's peace,

Lisa Majors

Sent by Lisa Majors | 8:45 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Glad to hear you are awake and able to put sentences together eloquently as usual. Take care.

Sent by Dona | 8:48 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Good to hear from you directly, Leroy and know you are in good spirits. Maybe I'm overidentifying, but I can empathize with the weakness -my seizure recently knocked me back a lot. Ican also identify with the degree to which any crisis (= danger and opportunity) can, to borrow from Samuel Johnson "focus the mind wonderfully." While I was closer to the seizure, I almost forgot about the underlying cancer. It's still somewhat in the background.
Well Leroy, Get well quick. We're all pulling for you and evryone else who's suffering.

Vaya con Dios

John Shippee
Atlanta, GA

Sent by John Shippee | 8:49 AM ET | 10-24-2007

So nice to hear your hale and hearty voice. COmplaining about hospital food is good. Glad to hear you are on your way to recovery and are trying to be a patient patient. God Bless.

Sent by Vicki (FL) | 8:57 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy,
You continue to amaze me. I can't believe that you're writing your blog already, and that you're out of ICU and in a regular room. Obviously cancer is not the only concern. All the other complications that come with being sick take a toll too, i.e. infections. Hospitals are no place for sick people!!

Sent by Donna | 8:59 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Soon this will all be a memory and you will be back on your feet! One day at a time ..

Sent by christine | 9:05 AM ET | 10-24-2007

You sound better this time around! Good going, Leroy. Praying for you. And thank you again, Laurie for keeping us in the loop. Get some rest.

Sent by Becky | 9:06 AM ET | 10-24-2007

It is beyond wonderful to see your blog entry this morning. You are an amazing person. Still sending healing energy your way.

Sent by Nichole | 9:07 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy,

Regressive analysis and gradualization. Beautiful tools in the appreciation of things.

Gradualization is often used to keep us from balking at higher prices; shoot the price up 10 cents and bring it down five. We're so grateful for the price decrease that we forget it's actually an increase.

Regressive analysis and gradualization do have their benefits, though. If I imagine that things can be worse, I am grateful that they're not. If I can imagine something even worse, theoretically, I'm more grateful, until, at the place where I can imagine no worse, I'm most grateful for the life I have. It may not be the life I would have chosen, but, as it has been said, it's not what happens that matters as much as what I think about what happens.

I'm reminded of Louis Armstrong singing, "What A Wonderful World" with lyrics such as "I see trees of green/Red roses, too/I see them bloom/For me and you/And I think to myself/'What a wonderful world.' That song has a special meaning for me as an African American, because I can imagine the racism, bigotry and hate Satchmo suffered, since I've experienced a lot of it myself, including being spat upon; yet, he called the world wonderful. It's an attitude I seek to emulate every day. And so, I think, do you.

Sent by Leonard | 9:13 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Dear Leroy,

So glad that you made it through this latest round and are now on the mend. My prayers for healing and comfort are with you and Laurie, and everyone here. God Bless.

Sent by Connie E. | 9:15 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy and Laurie,
I think about you and check on you every morning. Glad to hear you are in a new room and are thinking about things like food. My thoughts are with you as I go through my day. Ann

Sent by Ann Vodacek | 9:15 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Good to wake up to your words again, Leroy. You have another long road ahead of you.

I just had a vision of thousands of us right with you on that bumpy road. Each of us trips and stumbles along the way, but we get back up the best we can and keep on marching together.

I hope you don't get tired of the cheering from the crowd that surrounds you on this trek.

Sent by Laurel M. Jones | 9:26 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy,
How wonderful to read your words again - we've all been praying for you and Laurie (who was also so good to hear from!) Rest up, dear friend, and take it one minute at a time - enjoy some nice music, some funny TV, some good books if you can, and know that our thoughts are with you.

Sent by Amy | 9:33 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy,
What a surprise to see your words this morning. So glad. It is a nice way to start the day for all of us. I am so glad you felt up to it, though I know you probably had to pull out some extra energy. We are all still in there pulling for you. Laurie try to get some rest also.

Please know our prayers and thoughts will continue with you for a speedy recovery.

Dorothy, in Portland,Ore.

Sent by dorothy | 9:37 AM ET | 10-24-2007

So glad to hear that you are recovering from this latest round of surgery. You sound upbeat and positive as always. Please know that many of us are praying for you daily, and thinking only good thoughts!!

Sent by Kate | 9:43 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Hooray! Here's to a very long road ahead of you...with only short detours along the way. May not be scenic at the moment but things are looking up!

Sent by Marcia | 9:46 AM ET | 10-24-2007

I second the recommendations to see if you are allowed some non-hospital chow.

When I was in the hospital for surgery, it amazed me how the biggest source of noise pollution was velcro. The ripping noise it makes is very jarring. It's like the hospitals keep finding new ways to use velcro in their gear, too. All of this is great if you happen to invest in velcro...but not so great if its racket wakes you up when you are supposed to be resting.

I hope you can finally stay in a place of healing. You have the right idea to take one day at a time and only focus on stopping the infection. Isn't ironic to consider bacteria to be a more immediate threat than cancer? It's amazing how we are forced to look at things in different ways.

Wishing you a good day of healing progress.

Sent by Celeste | 9:49 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Wonderful that you felt up to writing to us today - thank you, Leroy. Yes, you have a tough recovery ahead of you but having a bit of time when you aren't thinking about the tumors is a blessing. My husband received news of his MM remission while in ICU fighting off a second c-diff infection, so who knows how this could play out.

Drink lots of fluids and eat as much as you can of that lovely hospital food.

One day at a time.

Sent by Dianne in Nevada | 10:00 AM ET | 10-24-2007

So glad to hear you are on the road to recovery. It has been quite a battle for you. You are in my prayers.

Jackie

Sent by Jackie | 10:01 AM ET | 10-24-2007

You are amazing. May God speed your recovery!

Sent by Carole from Houston | 10:42 AM ET | 10-24-2007

What wonderful surprises to see a post from you this morning! Surprise 1 - that you felt well enough to post; Surprise 2 - that you felt well enough to write out 5 paragraphs. It's fantastic that you came out of ICU so quickly. Your recovery speed and your back-in-business writing tone tell me that your have barely begun to tap the reservoirs of strength that you have in store to confront the beast. Three cheers for Leroy and Laurie!

Sent by Sheara | 10:57 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy,

Healing thoughts to you and good wishes to Laurie. I want you to know that there is power in your name. I read with real concern your need for additional surgery. I must admit that it was with trepidation that I checked to see the latest enty, wondering what news Maeve or Laurie might bring. And then I saw your name attached to the post. And that brought joy to my morning. I do very much appreciate Maeve, Laurie or others filling us in, but it indeed was very reassuring to see the post signed by you today. The power of your name, Leroy, is just a reflection of the power of your person. More power to you.

Peace,
Jon

Sent by Jon Manchester | 11:00 AM ET | 10-24-2007

So good to hear from you, Leroy.
So good.
Sending much love for continued strength and healing.
Susan

Sent by Susan | 11:02 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Hi Leroy,

So glad that surgery is behind you! Here's to steady improvement, starting now!

I just finished a long course of antibiotics and a friend recommended taking a probiotic (acidophilus) to help counter some of the unpleasant side effects of the antibiotic. It really helped, so I thought I'd mention it to you. (It seems that doctors rarely think to mention this).

all the best,
Daphne

Sent by Daphne | 11:02 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Wish I was closer to where you are.......I'd bring a cheesesteak to you room within the hour......ha ha

Great, great to hear your voice!! As always, it sounds strong, sure and full of hope........take it easy, and rest in the love that is wrapped around you and Laurie tightly right now from all of us........

Sent by Ruth Chermok | 11:04 AM ET | 10-24-2007

sending happy thoughts!!! wishing you a speedy recovery and some decent food and sleep soon...for both you and Laurie.

Sent by Karen | 11:16 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Suggestions for coping with hospital food:

!-Only order deli sandwiches; they can't mess those up.

2-Get Laurie to sneak down to the cafeteria for extra salt, pepper, ketchup, mayo, little bottles of tobasco, etc. Hide them in the tray table.

3. Have somebody bring in a cup of Starbucks with the morning paper. You'll feel halfway human again...

4. Don't watch TV. Avoid gourmet cooking shows and restaurant commercials.

I'm glad to hear you're on the mend, however tough the recovery.

Sent by Vicki | 11:20 AM ET | 10-24-2007

So glad to see your post today Leroy! I just rounded a corner myself, the chemo is knocking me out and I am the sickest I've been since my diagnosis 20 month ago. Last night I wondered how much longer will I be hear, this morning I awoke feeling better and stronger than yesterday! I guess the answer is I will take each day one day at a time, I will cherish the morning that greets me and I will fight with all of my might. I'm only 41, stage 4 cancer better take that into consideration!!! I'm not giving up that easy! Love and Peace to you and Laurie and all of this wonderful community. Martie

Sent by Martie | 11:26 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy,
You can't get better eating hospital food! Get a phone book and call for delivery. I had the word passed when I spent time in the hospital everytime someone came to visit to bring or send goodies - forget cards send cookies!

Sent by Carolyn | 11:26 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Hang in there Leroy. This will be just a memory soon. Maybe your friends can smuggle in some good food. I was in a Seventh Day Adventist hospital last year...now that was bad food!! No caffeine and no meat unless you requested it.
Your job is to get well!
Charlotte in Temecula, CA (where the sky is black with somoke this morning)

Sent by Charlotte Kewish | 11:40 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Good morning, Slugger!

You get an A+ for resilience. Good for you. You have your usual written touch back, I see. I'm glad this latest hurdle is behind you. My brother nearly died from a hospital infection a couple of years ago. Nasty stuff. Get out of there as fast as you can! Blessings.

Sent by Diana Kitch | 11:50 AM ET | 10-24-2007

I also recommend the alternative food source. My mother smuggled in some fresh fruit for me since the hospital food was not inspiring me to eat. That helped me feel better very quickly. My other motivation was being able to take a long hot shower. I kept my mind focused on that and was able to get out a day or two early.

Hang in there, Leroy. This is tough stuff, but you're tougher and you have a large cheering section.

Sent by Karole Ives, Duluth MN | 11:55 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Dear Leroy, Here's hoping you go home quickly!!! Take Care

Sent by Roxi | 12:17 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy

Every day, one of the first things I do when I get into my office is check your blog. This morning, I had meetings at work and couldn't get to my computer until now. I worried about you until I could check the blog. Thankfully today was a bit of good news...you are once again on the mend. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Know that so many of us are with you in spirit.

Sent by Kathy W. | 12:22 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy,
Very good to hear from you today. Also glad to hear about your docs; happy docs are a very good sign.

Sent by Gene Koeneman | 12:25 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy: Glady you're outta the ICU...get your strength back...do a bit of walking, if allowed, and just think.. home is only a few days away....

Sending thoughts as always--Krupali

Sent by Krupali Tejura MD | 12:33 PM ET | 10-24-2007

When in the hospital last week, I was confronted with really bad food for the first time. Yet, I felt I needed the nutrition to get well. You might have smiled if you saw me dunking each piece of dried-up chicken in my chocolate pudding before eating it. If you get desperate, try it. A person has to do what a person has to do. I'm hoping you'll be back home and eating tasty comfort food in just a few days.

Sent by Joan F | 12:34 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Good Afternoon Leroy, Laurie and All,

Leroy, It's really great that you are doing so well after all you have been through. Now for those antibiotics to do their thing and clean up the last of that staph. It's really past time for those bacteria to take a hike!!

Laurie, I hope you can nap when Leroy does. I know you need some time to unwind after all that you both have been through. Sending both of you lots of gentle Cyber-Hugs and prayers!!

To All, Leroy's experience certainly serves as a great example of perseverance and determination to get through the difficult times that Cancer so often hands to all of us, rather it is from the disease itself or the complications of treatment. And we know that we are stronger together, than alone, as we continue on our journey through Cancer World. I know we all hope that someday, such jounreys will no longer be necessary. But for now they are and we are here for each other!! God Bless!!

Eileen Pruyne
Charlotte, NC.

Sent by Eileen Pruyne | 12:51 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Wow, it was good to hear your "voice" again on the blog! I was struck by what you said today about priorities changing in the blink of an eye. What seems overwhelmingly important one minute can fade into the background the next. I'm going to focus on that today as I keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Sent by Kana Grant | 1:12 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Wonderful to see that you are back to blogging. It will take time, but you will regain your strength.

Glad to have you back blogging.

Sent by Scott S. | 1:17 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Dear friend:
How beautiful to be reading your "voice" again. Welcome back into the arms of all those who love you dearly.

Sent by Harriet | 1:18 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Great to have you out of the O.R. and back online. The cheesesteaks are on me!

Sent by Steve | 1:28 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Dear Leroy,

I am so thankful that you are doing so much better. You sound great. Keep complaining about the food. Maybe it will improve. The last time I was in the hospital the food was inedible until the night before I was released and on the day of my release. Those 2 meals were actually "good". Go figure.

Keep fighting. We all need you so much.

Sent by Carol M | 1:35 PM ET | 10-24-2007

So GLAD to see you are back, Leroy. Wishing you an "uneventful" recovery.

Sent by grace | 1:44 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy, So glad you are feeling a little better. It is great to have you back online. The recovery will be long, but you will be home in a few days. The comfort is waiting, just for you. Stay Tough, Stan

Sent by Stan Wozniak | 2:02 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Laurie - please take time to take care of yourself. It's so easy to get wrapped up in what everyone else needs and forget yourself. I'm just home from a doctor's visit where I was told to slow down and get more rest. Somehow we have to get over the guilt and take care of ourselves too. We can't take care of our loved ones if we don't take care of ourselves too. We are human too.

Leroy - fantastic news! You are on the mend again. Make sure that Laurie takes care of herself too. If you can pull it off, surprise with dinner from the outside when she is in visiting you.

Both of you are in my prayers.

Sent by Marie | 2:03 PM ET | 10-24-2007

I can only echo all the comments and congratulations and prayers being sent your way, Mr. Sievers. Please know that mine are among them. It is good to have you back in the saddle again. I keep remembering the picture you posted of yourself on that long-suffering horse (or mule or what have you). I don't know which of you looked the more tired!

By the way, has anyone heard from Dr. Tejura since she started her new job? i really miss her blog and the pictures of exotic, faraway places. I so enjoyed her trip to the Galapagos Islands with her family. And to think she has been there twice!

Sent by Brenda Y. Lynch | 2:06 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy: Best thoughts for today.

Bruce: Haven't heard from you in a while and was wondering if you still stopped by the site. Burge's 3rd month gone is coming up and I think it is harder than last month. I know you miss Terry, too.

Sasha: Think of you and your husband, too. Sorry about the latest CT scan. Just keep living each day. There is time for everything else later.

Nikki

Sent by Nikki | 2:14 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy,
Here's a cyber healing candle to light your heart , spirit, & strength....
As cornballish as this sounds, you light up our lives :D
***
| |
|_|

Sent by lisa | 3:07 PM ET | 10-24-2007

I was so happy to see your post today. You are such an inspiration. I know the days ahead will be tough but you have all of us cheering you on as you have done the same for us.
Jolyn

Sent by Jolyn | 3:12 PM ET | 10-24-2007

It's good to hear from you, Leroy. Here's to a fast and uneventful recovery.

Sent by Elona | 3:31 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Hello Leroy, this is my first comment to you. I've been reading your post for a few months now, ever since I watched the cancer series on the Discovery channel with your buddy Ted Koppel. You are a brave man - I'm intrigued by the fight you have in you.
My dad is a cancer survivor, and two of my dearest friends are fighting cancer right now. You give me hope.
You are in my prayers, take care and hope that you are feeling much better very soon. God Bless you, Shannon (Joshua Tree, Calif.)

Sent by Shannon Wilson | 3:45 PM ET | 10-24-2007

As the first commenter said, Leroy, it's good to hear your voice again here, and also great to have Maeve, Laurie, et al. make updates so faithfully when you're otherwise engaged :-)

May you be home and healing soon.

Sent by M Wms | 4:15 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Dear Leroy,
More water under the bridge!! Whew !!! It was good to see your blog today----we all hold our breath for you.Now on to wellness and strength. Take care. xo dee

Sent by dee | 4:23 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Hey, hey, I was worried yesterday. But it is great to hear from you today. The Very Bestest of Wishes, positive vibes and prayers coming your way from Seattle.

Sent by Chandana | 4:27 PM ET | 10-24-2007

It's great to read "Leroy updates" from your family and friends but it's wonderful to read them from YOU! I'm glad you're back.
Best wishes for a healthy recovery.

Sent by Amy | 4:35 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Dear Leroy,

I am so happy to hear that your surgery is over. I wish a speedy recovery for you with no further complications. This wonderful blog community is our life support whether emotional or physical and you must know we were all pulling for you.

I know there are alot of intuitive people here - and we all tap into a higher consciousness and energy to receive messages and guidance from each other.

I want to thank you all for reading my post yesterday and sending out your prayers and thoughts for me, my husband and my children. It is greatly appreciated.

As always, you and Laurie are in my prayers. God Bless our wonderful blog community.

Sent by sasha | 4:45 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way. Wonderful to see your blog written by you. Get you rest, though. You'll be home in no time!

Sent by Marcy in NJ | 4:46 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Hey Leroy,
You have really been missed a lot. It's great to have you back. Take care of yourself and don't get stressed about anything. Laurie can help you with anything you need (she is really great). Rest my friend and soon I am hoping you will be out and about again. Best Wishes to you and Laurie

Sent by Teresa in WV | 4:47 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Good to see you writing. Been worried and praying for you! Your strength is really getting a workout, huh!?

http://iamobsessedwithlife.blogspot.com/

Sent by Rachel | 5:47 PM ET | 10-24-2007

leroy, great to have you back. thinking of you often, keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. gary

Sent by gary | 6:13 PM ET | 10-24-2007

It's good to hear your voice. And I agree, it is amazing how fast we loose it. Always thinking of you Leroy.

Sent by Lisa | 7:12 PM ET | 10-24-2007

The only thing worse than the food in the hospital was the food in the dorms in college. Hard to really make the distinction. What's worse - brussel sprouts or lima beans? Puhleeze.

We're all pulling for you. Maybe in a few weeks you'll be eating a slice with pepperoni and extra cheese. It's the little things.

Sent by Dave U. | 7:16 PM ET | 10-24-2007

HOME SWEET HOME...it's waiting for you...get better soon!

STAY STRONG.

Let me tell you Leroy, you are special. I mean how many people get out of ICU and on the computer the very next day writing or "working" on their pc? Not many, BUT YOU, you are special. This is why you give each and every one of us the strentgh and faith that at times we tend to lose or forget.

Keep hanging in there and make the best of the food!

Love,
Cristina

Sent by Cristina Gonzalez Tampa, FL | 7:18 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Hey Nikki!

I'm still here, just not posting as often--but I do still read every day. It was 8 months on the 17th since I lost Terry, and it's still very tough. It's better, sure, but tough.

I've been having some health issues (ironically I feel better now than I have in over a year) and am seeing several specialists. I dropped 30 pounds since Feb, but am making a conscious effort to gain it back. It was mostly depression, I think.

I understand how tough hitting the 3 month point is, too. At just 9 weeks out from Terry's death, I was on stage in New Orleans conducting the first of several memorials all over the country. I don't know what power got me through it.

We're tougher than we thought, I guess.

Hugs to you and anyone else who can use one...there's enough to go around ;-)

Sent by Bruce | 7:30 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Good to see you posting today, Leroy. Feel better! You're in my prayers!

Sent by Lisa Lindstrom | 8:13 PM ET | 10-24-2007

leroy - thoughts and prayers are with you. you are so very incredible - informing us of everything that is going on and we know that your life is difficult. wish that we could do something more than drop notes and pray - but until you say something else - that is what i shall do.

Sent by janice goldberg white | 8:18 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy, You sound amazingly OK for someone who is going through HELL. Hang in there! Hopefully, this setback will be something in your rear view mirror soon. Best Wishes.

Sent by Marilyn | 8:50 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Dear Nikki and Bruce,
Thanks so much for keeping up with this blog. I too am a caretaker to my spouse and things are not going well for him. It gives me strength to see that others who have been down this long, lonely road are still able to reach out to others and participate in life's journey. Keep up the good work. You don't realize how helpful it is for me to see your posts.

Sent by Elaine | 9:03 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy- Great to hear you again I'm so glad they took care of the latest problem. I wish I could mail you some homebaked cookies.

Sent by linda h. | 9:21 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy. First of all, it's great to see you back to blogging. Just concentrate on getting through this recovery before you start worrying about everything else. Cancer can be so HUGE sometimes that it becomes difficult to focus on the here and now.

I have found your story very moving and I thank you for the courage you have shown and the wonderful contribution you make to us all by doing so. I have included a link to your blog on a new site that I am launching - "http://talkingaboutcancer.com" - which focuses exclusively on the emotional impact of cancer on those of us who are diagnosed and on our loved ones who are also greatly impacted.

I wish you all the very best.

Sent by Doug (Cancer Survivor) | 10:21 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Leroy,
You will be home in time to eat halloween candy. Sometimes thinking about home is such a powerful motivation to hang on through the worst; your own bed, your own routine, privacy, a favorite spot on the couch, a familiar view from a window. You're almost there.

Sent by Beth S. | 11:34 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Dear Leroy,
It was so nice to hear from you today.
I'm sending healing thoughts to you and good wishes to Laurie.
Glad you are back.
Neide from Brazil

Sent by Neide Tichy | 1:04 AM ET | 10-25-2007

Exercise, exercise, exercise...
Don't miss a single day.. the longer you are flat on your back the longer before you can do ANYTHING that you want to do.
LEGS will need lots of work to get you back on your feet.. so don't waste any time getting them back to working...
I MADE A BIG MISTAKE IN SEPTEMBER BY WAITING TOO LONG TO GET INTO THE EXERCISE PROGRAM...

Sent by John Zizelmann | 1:14 AM ET | 10-25-2007

Hello Leroy,
It's so good to hear your "voice" again. Take it one day at a time. We're all pulling for you.
Sincerely,
Judith

Sent by Judith Newkirk | 1:21 AM ET | 10-25-2007

thank god leroy it is good to hear from you.

Sent by yohannes | 6:15 AM ET | 10-25-2007

Hi Leroy. First, I am glad you are back on the mend-again. I have been reading your blog everyday for sometime now. I am a 35-year-old breast cancer -well, patient, I guess. I am almost done with my treatments and have another surgery, but no one that looks at me now (my hair is back and I put on almost 40 lbs, gotta love those steroids) would know. I hate to say patient, that's why I hesitated. I want to say survivor, if only for the fact that I made it though so much already.

I worry about you. Now, it's ok. I am a silent worrier. About everything. I look forward to hearing how you are doing, and I pray for you in my own way and I tell my family of this man Leroy who is sharing his experience with his cancer.

I do apologize for the length of my post here; I have wanted to post for a long time and I never seem to have much time. Working full time through all the treatments pretty much puts me to bed when I get home. However, I did get off those few weeks for my surgeries, so that was a nice break. Joking, I'm joking.

You amaze me. Every single day that you forge through the maze of hell known as cancer- and its ancillary issues, you amaze me that you can share with everyone. But, as we both know, even though we didn't choose this maze, we have to do it, and you, much like myself I assume, don't see it as so amazing-it just needs to be done.

Well the good thing for me is all my docs call me "Kiddo" and that's cool. And this "Kiddo" thinks you are a strong, generous and funny man who I look up to, (not that you're old or anything... :)....) Thanks Leroy. Thanks for being a vocal fighter. Fight like hell, and I believe you are, as am I. I think I am at the angry stage, and would rather have that proverbial bus hit me than give in to cancer, but that???s just me at this moment. No worries though, I don't walk near any bus stops.

One last note, I work at a hospital, did I mention? - And they just implemented a new program for inpatients called Room Service. The patients get a fancy leather looking menu, and they can call and order what they like, when they like and the jokes on them, because they are still served that same old hospital food. It's really quite funny.

Rachelle Borg
Self Proclaimed Survivor
Illinois

Sent by Rachelle Borg | 7:13 AM ET | 10-25-2007

With cancer, do you have time to follow all the rules? What are they going to do about it anyway, make you wear something with your butt hanging out? Don't wear that thing. If you can, get something like a jogging suit or shorts to wear during the day more suitable for walking.

With my husband's cancer, he decided early on, he would not eat that hospital food, so I took him his food to him everyday. We still had to pay for the meals but hospital staff didn't mind eating his. Cancer has suffering enough without eating like a lizard.

When he was hospitalized, when it was medically possible, I picked him up every evening after work and took him to our flat, it was only about ten minutes away. He would have dinner, watch tv, surf the web, read the mail, etc. in his home. Then around 8:30 I would take him back. I think this helped make it bearable for him. We never had to fill out any forms or anything. He would just tell them hold my calls, I will be back. The nurses would look the other way, sometimes get nervous, but mostly look the other way.

I sometimes picked him up from the hospital to go to lunch or dinner or to a store and afterwards took him right back. A lot of hospitalization is used laying around and waiting.

Do you really need to tolerate all this? I encourage you to break some rules, set a precedent for the next guy.

Best to you.

Sent by Irene | 11:28 AM ET | 10-25-2007

Hi Elaine

Thanks for the kind words. This place is a help to those living with illness as well as those of us trying to pick up the fragments and move on, because everyone here gets it and we don't have to explain. A lot of the time, our real-life friends try to be sympathetic and helpful but if they haven't been there, it's hard for them to comprehend.

I stick around because I'm helped by others' stories and experiences. We all also have our own stories and experiences that can benefit our fellow travelers. I know I've benefited from a lot of what I've read here, and I'm sure others have as well. We have more in common than anybody would have guessed, whether we're at the start of the journey or at the end, looking back at what used to be our lives and trying to rebuild as best we can.

Coming at it from the position of "looking back," all of my days are a mixed bag. There's the sadness, the anxiety of being alone and having to do everything myself that used to be shared, the second guessing as far as "did I do the right thing?" but there's also moments of accomplishment that make me proud of myself and memories that rush back out of nowhere and make me laugh. I know I'll never again be the same person I was. Maybe I can be a better person for having been through the fire.

Sent by Bruce | 11:42 AM ET | 10-25-2007

Dear Leroy and Laurie,
I am very glad to hear that you are getting over this new, unexpected hurdle. Continued loving thoughts and prayers to you, and as Bruce said, to anyone else who needs them.

And to Rachelle Borg,
I laughed so hard when I read about your hospital's new plan, Room Service. I read it to my boyfriend, who gruffly said, "It's cruel." But at least you can pick.... When I've been hospitalized, I was spontaneously spewing too much to make any kind of food do-able.

Positive wishes for all.

Sent by Lilly T. | 8:33 PM ET | 10-25-2007