I've fallen into a routine.
Blood tests. Vital signs. Nap. Wake up for more tests. Meals. Bleh. More tests. Panic when I realize I haven't written the blog yet.
Today I added something new. I tried to stand again. I could barely go 10 feet.
Where does humility fit into in my new routine?
7:15 AM ET | 10-19-2007 | permalink
Baby steps are ok, its still progress. I know i have impatience with little steps but at least you are going forward, and soon you'll be running, but not too soon...
:)
thanks for blogging leroy
jenn from maine
Leroy,
For those of us who have had our legs knocked out from under us, we go from wheelchair to walker, to Physical Therapy and finally 30 endurance minutes on a bicycle exercise machine and BINGO we are walking again... but it always starts with 10 feet at a time.
Hi Leroy,
Baby steps. Patience and before u know it you will be home and lucky enough to endure those wonderful physical therapy sessions!When I was so sick from chemo I couldn't believe that I actually couldn't wait to go back to the gym. I used to complain about going and now I'm thrilled to be well enough to work out. Sending more healing thoughts out to you, you are an incredible man,
Lianne
Hospitals are terrible places to be when one is ill, aren't they?
Be patient as you heal. Very soon you will be up and moving again, taking names and kicking a$$.
Peggy
Glad to see that you are up! 10 feet may not be much but it is a beginning. Tomorrow shoot for 15 or perhaps 20 feet. You are on the right track now so I hope that you can soon exit the hospital for home.
Prayers and blessings as always.
Leroy, You stand tall everyday regardless of what your feet are touching. Hang in there.
Dear Leroy,
As unwelcome and distressing as this news is, I trust that all will turn out as it should. I believe that all of us on this blog have the love and healing energy for you to help support you and Laurie through this difficult time. I know things must be so frustrating, but hang in there big guy!
As always, prayers for you and Laurie
You have been pushed to the limit of your body right now. The infection, rehospitalization, minimal to no rest, lousy food. You need real food. Ask Laurie to bring you something you like from outside, unless you are on a special diet.
Tell your care staff you need rest, and to try to limit their interventions or lump them so you get more rest. Sometimes we care givers forget the simple things.
You remain in my prayers.....
It seems the body achieves humility before the mind does; sometimes, long before. You are humble, Leroy; sometimes willingly, sometimes unwillingly. You are a gift to us, your words inspire us, and your life humbles us.
Leroy
When times are tough for me I try to think of what others with more to bear than I am facing and that gives me strength. You made it 10 feet, many people will never even have the opportunity to walk.
Leroy dear,
Where does humility fit in? It has to fit in everywhere when you're in the hospital.
But look at it this way. The indignity of having to use a bedpan will get you up out of bed and walking to the bathroom faster than any physical therapy regimen...
I hated being connected to machines all the time, and so not allowed any mobility -- I'm sure everyone hates that.
So give them heck, Leroy. I think nurses secretly love their patients who fight to get out of there. You nurses out there will have to chime in on that one.
And while you're in there, Leroy, disgusted by yet another lukewarm bowl of vegetable soup, read my husband's new book, Living Your Unlived Life. He wrote it in the midst of our fight with brain cancer, and it has a lot to say to those of us to whom life has thrown a major curve.
All best to you and Lori,
Leroy, humility is part of the thing called humanity. Thinking of you.
you tried to stand. key word= tried. you are not giving up and thats what counts.
Keep your spirits up, Leroy! Your body has a quite a fight on it's hands... all those tests are stresses on you. It's going to take small steps, so rejoice over your seemingly small victories! :)
Keep it up!
Ten feet is farther than you went yesterday!
Well, the good thing about the new routine is that it's just temporary. I don't know if humility is a requirement, but I know the feeling of being unable to walk very far, and it's scary. After my first surgery, I had occupational therapy. One day, we walked down some corridors in the hospital, and I was carrying some bags, meant to replicate grocery bags. I couldn't do it. Exhaustion hit me like a brick, and I had to give the bags back and sit and recover before we could go back to the therapy room.
I know that you've been through the wringer, and more than once, but I also know that you'll make your way back. It's a matter of one foot in front of the other, and I know that you know how to do that....even with a pack on your back.
Ten feet is more than you did yesterday, so hang in there and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Take your time. You'll get there! Pulling for you. The best to both of you.
Hi Leroy - I'm sorry that your routine isn't more fun, but it's good to hear that there aren't any emergencies at the present time. I'm glad that you are able to get a few words down for us to read, so we know you are moving along in your healing.
The humility thing? Forget about it for now......it will come....you will be strong again soon.
Hoping and praying for continued improvements. All the best to you Leroy.
Dear Leroy,
I love it that in spite of all you're going through, it was not having written the blog that made you panic. Perserverance and dedication like that is what makes you our hero. Keep up the good work.
We are still here for you, Leroy! If you need some homemade pizza, just let me know. I will try to have a good day when you need it!
There are a bunch of blogs I read, and this morning I thought I had better check on Leroy first. Leroy, Yoda said "There is no Try. There is Do or Not Do." You did!
Darlin', your body has been assulted! You can only make it do so much...
I don't comment much, but you are always in my thoughts. Cancer sucks, and the treatments suck even more...
Leroy, I'm humbled in your presence...no panic over the blog, please...promise?
Somebody get that man a cheesesteak! Leroy, I bet you'd be able to walk 15 for that. As everyone said, baby steps. More good things await.
and don't forget to breathe....in with the good, out with the bad....it's not the destination, but the journey. Find a moment in each day to smell the roses, whatever those may symbolize for you now. Sending positive thoughts and many many blessings.
What a struggle. It makes me tired just reading about it. 20, 30, 50 more steps and soon you will be home.
Thanks for continuing to blog through all of this. I hope it helps you as much as it helps us.
Good job Leroy, today is 10 but at least it is 10!!! Keep on trying guy. Thanks for the blog today, I know it took extra energy.
Leroy - 10 feet is good.........please don't panic over blog - we all so love to hear from you, but if anything needs to not cause you any angst, it's your entries....let the rest of us support you right now.......you work on Leroy and rest, healing and restoring yourself...
love and prayers
Leroy, the fact that you are up and moving around (even if not far) speaks volumes to your strength and willpower. Now what you need are some good movies with a nice meal from the "outside".
Thanks for remembering us but don't be so hard on yourself. Your body needs a chance to heal - your mind is ahead in that race.
Little by little wins the race. Or as my students in Kenya reminded me when I got out of the hospital there, "Haraka, haraka haina baraka" (hurry, hurry brings no blessing).
Laurie - hope you are taking care of yourself too. We know that this is very rough on you too.
Best wishes for a thorough recovery,
We're with you every step of the way!
You're my hero, Leroy. Hang in there big guy. You can do it!!
Lisa Majors
Fountain Inn, SC
Leroy,
Don't worry about the blog, you just get better!
Carpe' Diem! Shirl Dolitz
In the midst of chemo I had to stop halfway up the small stairs to my bedroom to catch my breath. A year after finishing treatment I went to Ireland to walk with an old, dear friend of mine to celebrate. We walked 15 miles a day. I'm grateful for each day of strength and health. You're in my thoughts everyday and I send my best wishes for healing.
Wait! You said you tried to "stand," but what you did was walk 10 feet!!!!
Congratulations, and you're permanently getting my positive vibes and in my thoughts and prayers.
Wendy
What do you look to for strength during a time like this? Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us.
What cancer steals from our bodies, it builds on our souls. It's an incredibly tough way to grow.
Like countless others, I check daily for good news from Leroy and pray daily for your recovery. Your spirit and endurance are amazing. But please don't panic to get this blog written. We love hearing news, but can wait til you're stronger. Just take care of you right now.
I appreciate the comments today a lot, as we endeavor to support Leroy. Respectfully, I suggest that some of the comments recently have made it seem that all people need to do is stay strong and fight back-- and staph infections, or even cancer, can be defeated. In one sense I believe this IS true: Leroy's spirit, and the spirit of so many with serious illness, cannot ever be defeated. And many times, the illness CAN be defeated. More and more as time goes on, and new cures and strategies are found, I hope. This is so important!
But I believe also that it is dangerous to suggest that the right will, and spirit, and "fight" can always overcome these terrible biological processes. How does that make a person feel who is losing his or her fight with cancer or any other disease?
To me, it comes uncomfortably close to what I hear sometimes on radio or TV after a natural disaster. A tornado rips through a community and a person's house is spared. That person says "We prayed and we stayed strong and we came through." What about the person on the other side of the street who did not survive? That person was a VICTIM of trauma, not of a failure of will or strength. Trying hard is, very sadly, not always enough.
Please don't misunderstand. I'm not saying anyone should EVER give up, and many many people will definitely beat staph, or cancer. But sometimes even with the best effort, and strongest will, it just cannot be accomplished. Our comments, I think, need to recognize that reality and not suggest that each person has all the power to change outcomes. It is not an outlook of giving in, and I hope that is clear. I take great inspiration from the people and the comments posted daily. As someone else wrote to Leroy, "you are not giving up and that's what counts"--wise words for us all and may it result in as much good, pain-free health and emotional serenity!
Your progress may seem slow to you today; but, I bet that in another day or two, the "pace" picks up for you. (Ugh, bad pun). It's a good thing it's Friday, and you'll have two days of respite from blogging. Take whatever time you need, and just keep on keepin' on.
Beest to you and Laurie for a restful weekend.
Just wanted to say that I've been thinking of you and sending positive thoughts out for you. I'm sorry you are having to go through this yuckiness!
Thanks for taking the energy and time to write to us.
Scarlett
Humility?
Leroy, you write--damn near every day. You stood up, you moved 10 feet. Not what you could do a month ago...but more than yesterday.
Skip humility; it's way overrated. Survivors eat humility for breakfast...and then they try to find someone to bring them black and white cookies from Greenbergs so they have a bright spot in the hospital meals. ;-)
Hang in there, Leroy!
Leroy,
I focused on the part of today's entry that said you feel panic when you haven't written in your blog. It is true that one of the things many of us look forward to each day is your blog. But the reason it is so powerful is that you tell the truth and let us in on your cancer experience and on your life. And sometimes your life is in a rough spot and you can't write at all or you can't write much, and that is okay. It's a part of the experience, and many of us understand that more than we'd like to. It is okay to miss some blog entries altogether or to have "guest writers." You are carrying plenty without worrying about us.
On another note, I was of course so happy to hear that you are making progress in fighting this staph infection. My best to you and Laurie as you hopefully continue to progress.
Leslie Tsui
The recovery to health is so slow at times, with baby steps. I was at that same point years ago, lying in that hospital bed, feeling so sick, unable to walk 26.2 feet. Now I am doing marathons, 26.2 miles. So keep thinking and visualizing about being back in good health. There are a lot of folks pulling for you, big guy!
Leroy, 10 feet today, 20 feet tomorrow, then out the door home. You can't recoup until you are home in your own surroundings. You get no rest in a hospital and that is a known fact. Don't push yourself too hard. Your body is still fighting the staph. Take it slow and remember, each day brings you closer to getting the heck out of there.
Leroy, You have already demonstrated all the qualities of life that anyone could ever ask of one's self. Relax and heal. Much love and hugs to all. Joyce
Happiness is the very fact that you are still with us after all you've been through! Why humility? You should be beating your chest, like Tarzen, and yelling! Oh. how well I remember watching and slowly walking the hospital corridors with him as my (then), young husband learned to walk all over again after his back surgery a long time ago now.He has walked many a mile since, gardened, lots of bending, with those ole six Phillip's Head screws in his back! And lots of pain.
Leroy, you will do better and further each time from now on. Is the pain bad? Hope it has subsided some.
Are you able to keep some sort of Journal of your private thoughts and impressions as you live through this new chapter in your life? Keeping one surely helped me when I went through my cancer surgery.
Keep it up and think of better hours to come and how you will use.
Leroy, You didn't say anything about pain in the past two posts...I hope this doesn't mean that it has become routine and to echo all above, that there are enormous victories in each step as they again become second nature. As for the food ("bleh"), hope something scrumptious arrives soon -- or better yet, that you make your way towards it when your body is beyond "bleh"...
dear mr. sievers,
you moved ten feet forward, that's what matters.
i'm just 25 but i'm sure that the wisest advice i've ever received is to "be patient with yourself". i liked the reader Jessie's comment that you stand tall daily no matter what your feet are touching - so true.
sending you big smiles.
Leroy,
Hang in there. You will be home and walking before long. I hope someone brings you something good to eat. You are in my prayers.
Charlotte in Temecula
Leroy tomorrow it will be 11 and the day after it will be 12.
We shall be standing there pulling for you the whole time.
Leroy,
Don't panic because you haven't written for the blog. Others have filled in when you can't do it. We'll still be here. I am sure I speak for everyone when I say put yourself first.
Sending you a mental picture of a big ol' steak and baked potato, at home, in your comfy jammies. Some days, it's just the little steps that feel so important. Hope your "steps" are getting better.
there is alot of truth to the saying, "one day at a time"! Remember where you were two days ago? Your doing awesome! Continued prayers are coming your way!
As a physical therapist, I can tell you that EVERY LITTLE BIT COUNTS!!! Just the fact that you're motivated enough to get out of bed is something. Keep up the fight, because I look forward to your updates :)
Hmmm..achieving humility. In recent years, I've come to believe that's one of the most important steps in spiritual growth, especially for folks like me, who are somtimes prone to self-righteousness. But over these past many months,your blog entries have always been deep and thoughtful and caring. You have sounded like someone with plenty of humility. Maybe what you mean is acceptance? For someone who has been crashing through one obstacle after another, it must be hard to accept that sometimes going 10 feet is ALL you can do for that day! So - I wish you a bit more patience, Leroy. You've already got plenty of humility.
As for the blog, my first instinct was to say, "Let it go! Don't panic over doing anything right now!" But maybe it's good to have that distraction, and the knowledge that we
're all here waiting to hear from you?
May you soon be heading home, leaving the hospital routine behind.
Leroy, Surgery is a very humbling experience. I have had plenty for a lifetime, and I'm only 60. Now with the cancer I don't know how many more I might be facing. The whole recovery thing is so much easier from your own bed. I find begging works well, so start begging to get out. Hang in there. Stan
I am so sorry this is happening to you, Leroy....my prayers are with you everyday. Sue
On a more minor scale, when I have a cold, I think I will always feel that way. But the cold germs move on and my previous normal state returns.
After my lung cancer surgeries, I thought I would always feel incapacitated. But I gradually made it back to being out and about with very few residuals - thanks to the meds, the wonderful physical therapists, and the time for my body to heal.
The way you feel today is NOT the way you will feel in a week or a month. You will feel much, much better. You are a fighter; not a quitter and that will carry you on to a better place.
Keep on keeping on. Everyone says it - we're rootin' for you - every single step.
10 feets is AWESOME!!! I couldn't even stand up after 4 days in bed after my op. Humility is simply honesty. In order to get anywhere in this life you need to start there, in humble reality. So...10 feet today, tomorrow, maybe down the hall and back? Love ya
Alycia
Good Afternoon Leroy, Laurie and All,
Leroy, Ten feet is an accomplishment! You will be weak and wobbly for awhile yet after such major surgery and then the Staph infection. I know the food is YUK! And many antibiotics can temporarily change your sense of taste. But you must eat to regain your strength. Maybe Laurie can raid the snack bar for you.
Leroy, you are a source of humility, courage and comfort to all of us everyday. You don't have to wonder where it is, it lives in you!
Laurie, I'm sure you feel a sense of relief and I hope you are getting some rest. Please don't try to shoulder all of this alone, call for help as needed.
To All, I know our steps are lighter and our day is bighter as we hear of Leroy's positive progress. Things are so much better and we even got some rain in the night last night. I would have gone out and danced in it but our new neighbors would be left wondering about the sanity of the neighborhood!
God Bless!!
Eileen Pruyne
Charlotte, NC
Isn't the hospital food awful?! But I think it's a good sign that you are well enough to care about that. I'm sending you healing thoughts and pecan pie dreams.
I'm always plugging for you, Leroy!!
Your 10 feet closer to going home Leroy! There is time for dignity. Maybe in a week, be patient. Take care!
This truly sucks Leroy. I'll be thinking of you all weekend.
PLEASE do not worry about the blog, we will be here when you are ready. you need all your strength and energy for healing. God Bless
Leroy,
From where I'm sitting it sounds as if you're moving in a forward direction. Give yourself a pat every once in awhile. You're doing better all of the time. Sending you our BEST wishes.
Humility is what you are teaching anyone near to you willing to learn.
The tough part - the first hundred years, after that it's a piece of cake.
Hang in there.
Don't knock TEN feet, Leroy. Yesterday you were HORIZONTAL!!! Your ten feet today shows your towering strength, in every sense. We're all proud of you
Progress! You have been through a lot. It will take time to get back to your old self. Life is precious and worth fighting for. I think cancer patients adjust to new realities with the knowledge that they are doing the best that they can.
Keep getting well. Glad that you are back to blogging.
Bless your heart. I've been praying for you. Don't push things, go with the flow, lay back and relax for now, you'll be up and moving soon enough.
Today my physical therapist told me.* Its not how much you do,but every bit counts.*
Getting up and trying is a plus. He made the crack. *Inch by Inch its a cinch.*
You know he was right. The other day I couldn't hardly move to do much and today was so much better. Not 100% by a long shot..but in the direction slow but sure.
Its tough to see the total picture of how long to get things to a better point but just go for today Leroy.You did good.
About humility I see it here everyday. I was thinking earlier today, That I wished I could accept were I am at cause I know it will take me more time then the person who hasn't had cancer.To adjust and work to where I can walk normally again. One day at time is more acceptable then thinking in terms of months at this time.
I know you can do this Leroy..little by little. Please take care of you!!
Thoughts and prayers
Kerry Michigan
You don't need humility. You are doing amazingly well by just getting out of bed, walking and writing your blog. Go easy on yourself and we pray you will be well enough to go home soon.
Leroy
That's 10 steps closer to being healed.
Our prayers are being answered.
Mary Scruggs
Cypress, TX
"That's one small step for a man" ... oh, yeah, you know the rest ....
Dear Leroy,
You ARE up! That is a sweet victory after all your poor body has endured. Even if it wasn't for long, you walked, with a new spine and a body weakened by a life-threatening illness. As far as humility, you've been humble for a long time - that's why I believe you are so loved. With your words, comes a glimpse of a huge heart and a soul that is laid bare as you struggle with this disease.
Try to get some "real" food, if you can have it. Build your strength, rest as best you can, take it easy on yourself, and don't freak out over this blog. All we need to know is that you are ok, and someone else can do that. Hopefully, you will soon be home and in your own bed again. I think of you constantly throughout the day and send my warmest thoughts your way. God Bless you and Laurie.
You better PANIC, Leroy ???.. imagine all of us logging in and finding no word about you!! ???the energy!! We might all march down to wherever you are en masse!! No, seriously, I for one, would be impressed to see your editor/support/typist let us know???No Leroy today, he???s napping.
Like others, I too hope you are finding some pain relief and glorious sleep.
Last year in my own travails I did not know if I would be alive today. Others
have spoken about that wakeup call to think about death that those of us
with cancer have answered.
machine get it.> This topic that will get some rare airplay next Monday.
A professor with pancreatic cancer (Pausch) who has given his Last Lecture(http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5700431505846055184)will be with others on Oprah???s Monday program about Facing Death.
Celebrating your 10 feet of steps???
Vi
Leroy... it is hard at times for me to read your words...because it is painful for me to comprehend what you are going through...sending many hugs and prayers your way...
Krupali
Leroy,
You've forgotten to mention what I'm sure is in your mind -- gratitude. You are going through another dreadful experience with the beast (what we fellow cancer patients call cancer). You may recover to live many more years. You may not. But for every day you wake up, be grateful. You said you tried to stand and then were disappointed that you only were able to walk 10 steps. 10 steps is like 10 miles to your tired out body. But what a victory for your spirit!
My adult son is severely disabled, totally blind and brain damaged from a severe head trauma, but is somehow able to work full time for a major bank. When we wake up each morning we both express our gratitude for waking up on the right side of the grass! We find joy in the smallest, everyday things.
During my 7 year cancer journey I've never had to stay overnight for more than one night despite 3 major surgeries. I've been urged to stay longer but truly need to be home to heal and so far that's been the right decision for me. You'll be home soon and this experience will be just another bad memory of your cancer journey.
My incentive for being home is to care for my son. Your incentive is to write your blog and that is good for you! When you physically can't do it, don't. But if you can, then do it. You have a huge community of people you'll never meet who are here for you just as you are here for us.
I was given 2 years to live following my recurrence. God just isn't ready for me yet. He's not ready for you, either. Not yet.
As a hospice volunteer, I find joy and fulfillment bringing a spark of cheer into the lives of my patients and their caregivers. Now, I have an extended family of 40 patients and their families. My patients are frightened of being alone and being in pain, and sad about their loss of independence. The pain is the worst and you should never be in pain. Find a good pain management specialist. They have the ability to perform magic by making you comfortable. That's what they do. Mine has given me the ability to live a "normal" life by maintaining my home, caring for my son and my partner, and giving support and joy to my patients. It doesn't get any better than that!
I know that your partial loss of vision is annoying and frightening, but you are king in my son's world. You'll adjust to yet another nasty side effect.
You and your family are in my prayers. Rest when you're tired -- listen to your body! Don't forget to be grateful for every day. Each day is truly a gift!
Sue
Perhaps the only time in my life I've ever prayed was in my hospital room, after surgery, when my nurse Sandy was coaxing me up for a test walk--I promised all sorts of powers that be all sorts of things if only I could just stay in bed until I was better. Of course, I only got better because I walked...and walked, and walked, and walked. Surreal moment, that, realizing my only goal for the whole day was to get out of bed, into the hallway, walk a lap around the floor, and get back into bed by myself. It seemed almost undoable at the time.
This all seems undoable, and yet we are all doing it. Yay us! And yay Leroy (and Laurie), because today he needs cheers the most.
jj
Dear Leroy and Laurie,
Armfuls of love and healing thoughts from another cancer patient you don't know. I have stage 4 breast cancer metastasized to bones and blood. We are all family, and need to be there for each other. Everything you write with such acuity is very familiar; I love your fighting spirit as we walk (yes, even with baby steps,infections, stroke and chemo effects)this path together. Know we're here for you!
i'm glad that you have legs and feet and can walk. =)
yay leroy! keep going!
Please hang in there, no pressure here, but we all have come to think of you as our life line. Sending good karma your way...hope you feel better each minute. Sleep till your well!!
good job leroy we are all crossing our fingers for you here in dallas.whatever it is it feel nice to hear from you.
So many of us, and only one you. It is easy to feel lost in the sea of wishes, but somehow I want to be counted as a member of this extraordinary group. Joyce
Thinking of you and rooting for your recovery as that you can get out of the frigging hospital.
I've been in that routine at the hospital TOO many times...days blend together. It's like living in a whole different world!
Today I had a minor surgery but thankfully got to come home afterwards. I was thinking of you!
10 Feet...hhhhmmm time to go home w a high acutity home health care company. Always feels better to sleep in your own bed. Might be the pillow. Take it slow but keep going forward, a new motto for life I think.
I am sending good thoughts out to you Leroy. You are an inspiration.
Neide from Brazil
Oh, my Leroy! As much as we are anxious to know how you are, panic over the blog should NOT be happening. Your first priority is to yourself. Unless the blog is something that helps re-focus or get perspective.
Several friends of mine have dealt with cancer and others have fought - and succumbed - to other diseases. I guess that trite old saying that we live on borrowed time is true. Those such as you just know it sooner and better than those such as I.
I don't have words of wisdom, just keep on doing whatever it is you believe to be best for you and know that you have a large group of people thinking good thoughts for you.
Hello dear Leroy,
Thinking of you and wishing you peace, freedom from pain and love.
susan california
Leroy- wow ! Lots and lots of comments. It must be somewhat nice to fight something othet than cancer just in case you were getting bored !
I am happy to hear yu are making progress. It is the forward motion that ocunts - you're doing it - yeah !!
Oh, my goodness! Forgot it was Saturday and no Blog from Leroy! Hate these weekends anymore. Miss you and wonder how you are. Any more "giant steps?"
Hope you and Laurie have as pleasant a weekend as possible there in the hospital. Happy R & R
If I can learn to swallow again one small sip of soup at a time, you can learn to walk again a few feet at a time. It can be discouraging to see how quickly we lose it when we don't use it, but never lose faith in how much you can get back with persistence!
Really hope you are out of the hospital soon.
Thanks for posting...I appreciate the fact that you think of us...it means alot to see you here.
Bless You, Leroy.
Leroy,
Please don't stress about the blog. You give new meaning to the words,hope and courage. ...10ft today, 15 tomorrow, 20 the next....Hang in there.
Good morning Sunshine! Today you'll walk 11 feet and tomorrow, 12 feet. To reach your destination, you have to get up and keep moving, even if it's an inch at a time. That's what us cancer patients do in our world, but of course you already know that. LOL I'm laughing as I hear myself reading this aloud to myself. Like you don't already know this. Just chalk it up to the fact I was always too chubby to be a cheerleader and so I'm cyber-cheering you. Ha! Blog when you feel up to it. Hugs to you ... Linda
Below quote is from Sharon Salzberg in The Force of Kindness: Change Your Life with Love & Compassion.
"In 1997, while attending a conference in San Francisco called 'Peacemaking: The Power of Nonviolence,' I walked by the writer Alice Walker, who was having an informal conversation with a group of people. I overheard her say, 'As I get older, I realize that the thing I value the most is good-heartedness.' Intrigued, I reflected for some time on that statement. I thought of how we struggle and strive in life, of our craving for acquisitions and attainments and possessions and praise and glory. Then I thought of what in fact uplifts us when we are feeling down no matter how much we own, of what gives us a boost when it is so easy to feel weak or inferior because we are in mental or physical pain. I thought of what unites us when we could, instead, feel isolated, hurting because of some difference that we think sets us intractably apart, or one that others deliberately use to marginalize us, to diminish us. And I too thought myself again and again coming back to good-heartedness, to the giving and receiving of kindness."
Thanks for your good-heartedness, Leroy.
Hi Leroy,
I'm a Hospice Social Worker, I only see the patients whose cancer treatment didn't work. Your story is an inspiration to me. I check your blog every day and I'm cheering for you.
Neide from Brazil
Thank you for making the effort to write the blog. We want to keep up with your progress. We are there behind you, pushing you along!
Do you find that you put your mind and body into "the zone?" It's like you just turn both over to the medical community to do with them what they will. And they will. We know that you can wade through this, too.
Any day above ground is a good day.
Ten feet today, eleven tomorrow. I am amazed at your strength and stubbornness.
We are all humbled to be a tiny part of it.
Stay strong,
Robin
We are thinking of you and are glad to hear that you are improving. Take care!
Dear Leroy,
I read your blog every day. I'm sending positive thoughts on your way.
God bless,
Neide from Brazil
Leroy
10 steps may be small for one man, but each step touches not just the floor, but a million people who can stand a little taller because of you!
No advice. Just lots of love. I know you must be very tired.
Nikki
Something that my mother taught me: "This too shall pass." Words that truly bring serenity during challenging times. My prayers are with you.
Hey, it's a beautiful, Autumn, Sunday and I hope you have a decent view out of your hospital room.
Tomorrow is Monday and hopefully you will have some wonderful messages for us this coming week. Keep it up Leroy, we await your word.
Thank you so much for sharing your the most private and painful experiences with us. You do not know how much they mean to our hearts or how much everyone is praying for you. Your words make me feel like I am going through the same thing even though I know that I can never imagine what all you are going through. Thank you for being a part of my life.
Leroy:
No goals, no expectations,
Whatever is, is.
For now, just be.
Namaste, Don
Leroy and Laurie - Just a quick post to say I'm thinking of you both and your extended family and friends this morning - only good thoughts. Leigh
Hi Leroy, it's been a couple of days if not 3 or 4 that I have written. Things have been crazy with my dad. As you know it is never ending but the times when you are on the tip of the rollercoaster ride (things going good)you tend to forget the down ride of the rollercoaster. Well we are back on our down ride AGAIN. He was put into the hospital last week and things were not good. His kidneys were not good and they are trying to figure out what is going on, if the it is the cancer or what?! So everyone is left in limbo as they try to figure out the problem so that we are then the rollercoaster is going back up. I use the rollercoaster ride because for the family and for you all the patients, the ones going through it all, IT IS just that, a ROLLERCOASTER. You have ups and downs and then in betweens that you just can't control. This is probably why roller coasters make me so sick, I DON'T LIKE THEM and especially this one we have been put through. Anyway, I thnk this blog posting is all over the place and probably doesn't make sense, but the point I want to get across is that I AM THINKING OF YOU and as I wish my dad everyday and I pray for him you are always there in my prayers and thoughts. You keep me strong! GET BETTER SOON and hey make the best of the hospital stay, eat all the icecream you can from the patient fridge if you have one. I love those trips at Moffit Cancer Ctr when I am with my dad, I go get him a popsicle and watch him enjoy it...it's like he is in heaven!
You are in a heroic battle......and I pray that you win.
have been writing pretty regularly. don't see what i write posted, so will discontinue, but pray for you. either i am writing too often, messages are either too long, or too short.
continue the fight.
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A Ted Koppel documentary focuses on his friend Leroy Sievers' "My Cancer" blog and the response it evokes.
My Cancer will be updated Monday through Friday with posts and commentaries from Leroy Sievers. A journalist for more than 25 years, Leroy has worked at CBS News and ABC News, where he was the executive producer at Nightline. You can follow his story through this blog, his weekly podcast and his monthly series on Morning Edition.
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