Your messages of both Monday and today have brought much joy to our household. So glad that things are looking up. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Sent by Jen | 7:25 AM ET | 11-20-2007

What a great attitude. Only worry about the trivial things that you have some control of and DO NOT FRET over the really big problems that you can't do anything about.
Oh Leroy, life is good and we have so much to be grateful for! My best to you and yours.

Sent by J C R | 7:29 AM ET | 11-20-2007

You're right, Leroy; worrying doesn't make the big stuff go away...or the little stuff...actually, no stuff. And worrying is actually only wishful belief in the magical notion that, if I worry about it, I'm at least doing something about the situation; I have SOME power.

The unfortunate aspect of worry, though, is that it takes time from actually living in the present moment (besides the fact that, no matter how much we worry about the future, when it becomes the present, what will happen will happen, and we usually find out we respond differently than we imagined we would anyway). Imagining a future we don't have the power to see (and a future we get wrong most of the time anyway) and a past conceived of euphoric recall and idyllic moments robs us of each precious moment we waste on them.

Robert Ingersoll said,

"The time to be happy is now.
The place to be happy is here.
The way to be happy is to make others happy."

I agree with Jonathan Swift, who once said, "Live all the days of your life."

Sent by Leonard from Alabama | 7:59 AM ET | 11-20-2007

Hi Leroy,

Two days before the big eat off and those are real concerns. Plan you pain med so it kicks in just in time to sit at the table. Then eat your meal and if you need to take a break grab some time between the main feast and dessert. Dessert doesn't have to follow immediately after the main fare. Besides, turkey and an after dinner nap is the norm, isn't it?

Shopping: INTERNET! If you feel compelled to push the crowds with your walker, do so and have fun doing it. You don't have to buy anything, just get in the way. :)

Now wrapping the gifts is another issue. I personally cannot sit and wrap, I have to stand. I typically try to recruit a student (the best wrapper and folder in the class), however this year my sister has volunteered to wrap my presents and do you think I won't take her up that.... I am no fool, because wrapping is not my forte, and I don't enjoy doing it. She can wrap everything except her presents.

Keep up the forward progression, Leroy.

Sent by Sue Chap | 8:06 AM ET | 11-20-2007

Try some Christmas shopping on the internet. It can be fun! Time waits for no man...it just keeps on moving.

Sent by Sleepless in Seattle | 8:16 AM ET | 11-20-2007

For Christmas shopping, use my method. All those troublesome catalogs suddenly look wonderful. wonderful. You don't have to have cancer to love shopping from home and they even provide gift wrap. One Christmas, I went to Barnes & Noble website and ordered a book for everyone on the list. It was fun to do and it was all over in one or two sessions online. And, you have more time to put thought into each gift because you don't waste energy and time going to the store. Hmmmm, that gives me an idea. Hang in there.

Sent by Nancy McFadder | 8:37 AM ET | 11-20-2007

I agree with internet shopping suggestions. That has been my M.O. since I got cancer almost 2 years ago! I also sometimes have to leave a family dinner a little early to go sit on a recliner in another room. Everyone is understanding and I actually enjoy the break. Sometimes it brings me back to my childhood, when I was sleepy and had to leave the dinner table early. I remember the comforting sounds of family in nearby room and it makes me smile.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sent by Ronni | 10:43 AM ET | 11-20-2007

I love the visual of this tall guy with a tall walker calling "coming through" in a crowded mall. Maybe the walker should be decorated with red and white ribbons like a candy cane? Could you wear a Santa hat? But I support your shopping on line. Much easier if not as colorful. Have a great Turkey Day!

Sent by glenda | 10:52 AM ET | 11-20-2007

Wishing you and Laurie and your families and friends a very Happy Thanksgiving.

We, all of your bloggers, give Thanks that you and Laurie have become a part of our lives! We are grateful to you for allowing us to travel this bumpy and pot-hole ladened road with you because you are able to so artfully capture and articulate our common feelings and fears. You have created a "safe-haven" with your blog....no judgment, lots of support and encouragement, empathy and sympathy. The old saying "Walk a mile in my shoes" is appropriate here. Your bloggers have walked those miles and have shared and are sharing the common shoes imposed by cancer. This is truly a special place!

As we say the blessing on Thanksgiving Day, let us all ask for continuing blessings for Leroy and Laurie.

Sent by Al Cato | 10:53 AM ET | 11-20-2007

Leroy, You are making wonderful progress. Don't worry if you need a walker or wheelchair to get around - at least you'll get out. I have to carry oxygen with me and feel funny about that but if it makes me able to do things without getting sick it's worth it. So enjoy Thanksgiving and just worry if you can eat everything without feeling like you are going to explode:)

Sent by Vicki (FL) | 10:56 AM ET | 11-20-2007

Hi Leroy,

It is good to have trivial worries. We are in the midst of moving from California to Pennsylvania and still don't know exactly when we will be going. I am telling everyone that Christmas has been cancelled this year. It will be interesting to look back in January and see how it all goes down.
It is good news that the drains and pump will soon be gone!
I think sitting in a big comfy chair having Thanksgiving Dinner sounds pretty good or at least a lovely piece of pie.
I have bad memories of Thanksgiving from years ago. When I was a teenager my grandfather had cancer of the larnyx. They let him come home from the hospital for Thanksgiving but he could not eat. He was sitting across the the table from me. I think I chocked on every bite because I felt so bad that he could not enjoy the food with us. I am sure he was just glad to spend the day with us and not be in the hospital. He survived the cancer and lived for years.
Enjoy your day no matter where you have to eat!
Even in the midst of trial we have so much to be thankful for.
Charlotte in Temecula

Sent by Charlotte Kewish | 11:05 AM ET | 11-20-2007

Leroy:
Cares and woes?
Don't worry, they'll still be there.
For now, just be.
Love, Don

Cares and woes?
Don't worry, they'll still be there.
For now-- just Be.

Sent by Don Winslow | 11:18 AM ET | 11-20-2007

Oh my...shopping is NOT a problem! Fire up your computer and get ready to melt your credit card(s)

Gifts will be ready and sent to you way before the December holidays...head for Amazon or the Smithsonian museums or MOMA in New York!

All it will require from you are the names,the items,AND...the numbers from our credit cards.

As for turkey day issues...everyone is usually ready for an easy chair after a course or two.Then, after a short rest or even a siesta, back to the table for more.

Relax and don't fret. Life IS good and you are here to enjoy it.

Peggy

Sent by Peggy | 11:21 AM ET | 11-20-2007

Leroy,
Things will get crazy tomorrow, so I wanted to write today to tell you that this Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for you, for the progress you're making and for your transparency through this process. Enjoy your Thanksgiving, whether at the table or in the chair. I'm betting no one will care where you sit, just that you're there with them. Happy Thanksgiving!

Sent by Kathy Groh Canby | 11:29 AM ET | 11-20-2007

Oh Leroy,

You know how to put it just like it is!! I am sure we will all try to enjoy the holidays but we will try to hide the big burden inside tucked away for awhile. I must admit there is so much in my brain to think about that there is not much thought to holiday season. My, how life has changed!!

I wish you, Laurie and this wonderful family a happy Thanksgiving!! I am going to do my best to do the same.

Love to all,
Betty Lewis

Sent by Betty Lewis | 11:31 AM ET | 11-20-2007

Last year while I was undergoing treatment, I would call the store, tell them exactly what I wanted, and ask them to bring it to customer service. When I got there, all I had to do was pay. They would also get the packages to the car for me. It worked so well I may do it again this year!

Have a great Thanksgiving--count your many blessings and pass the pumpkin pie!

Sent by Pamela | 11:32 AM ET | 11-20-2007

Hi Leroy,
Shopping by Internet sounds like a great idea. Maybe if you are really good to Laurie...:)she will pick you up some stuff while she is out. At any rate just try to enjoy each day and don't sweat the small stuff.....after all, the main thing is you improving. You and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving and if you can't set at the table....bring the food to the big stuffed chair you are most comfortable in. God Bless

Sent by Teresa in WV | 11:44 AM ET | 11-20-2007

Leroy,
I only get to read your posts about once a week. Yesterdays really hit home. One year ago today we found out my husband had prostate cancer. With the holidays looming we weren't even sure he'd have more than last years. Well, I'm happy to say he is not only going to have MORE holidays but his health is great, negative PSAs since surgery in January of 2006. The only thing that is difficult is he is suffering from depression. He has an appointment with a doctor for THAT next week. ONE BABY STEP AT A TIME!!!!
Hang in there,
Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!!
Diane

Sent by Diane | 11:47 AM ET | 11-20-2007

Christmas shopping, only do what you feel complied to do. Christmas is more than present giving. With my husband and his Parkinsons he is unable to shop. We have had whole Christmas' go by without a gift exchange between us. I don't purchase gifts for him because it would only make him feel worse since he isn't able to reciprocate. The important thing is he is still here and so are you.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving. I hope you are surrounded by family and friends.

Sent by Barb | 11:59 AM ET | 11-20-2007

So happy to hear about the drain removal! I agree with everyone else--Internet shopping is a good plan.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Sent by Gyla | 12:12 PM ET | 11-20-2007

As for leaving the Thanksgiving table, there is always the TV tray. And I am physically unable to shop anymore, so I agree with the internet solution. In fact, I like it better than dealing with crowds at the mall.

Sent by Marilyn Trujillo | 12:21 PM ET | 11-20-2007

Dear Leroy,
I do hope your holidays are full of more cheer than worry! Cancer is so humbling! Thank God we have support from our family and friends and strangers for that matter!

Regarding shopping--There are wonderful handmade things benefiting 3rd world countries going directly to them. The Nat.Geo store is nice(online!). I'm sure you have many ideas from your travels around the world. And restoring old photos, I'm sure all your photos and creative work are the gifts that make people cry-personally I like all those gifts that make people cry. I guess you have to get started on those early though.
Window shopping and having a good Latte is what getting out is about to me-so I hope you have fun with it-just stay in the slow lane with your walker and I'm sure you'll appreciate all the creative hard work more than the others wizzing by(but don't worry-you'll be wizzing by folks soon).

Sent by Linda | 12:51 PM ET | 11-20-2007

I would like to echo all the good wishes and blessings to you this holiday season, I think the comfortable chair sounds great at any time!

I too am thankful for you, Laurie, this blog, and the people who write, you are all a blessing to me this year.

Take good care,

Sent by Donna L | 12:53 PM ET | 11-20-2007

Leroy:

Step by step. When my pump and drain came out, I felt liberated and I hope you will too. Little things but not having to dress around those made a big boost for me. As did my first shower. To quote John Hockenberry, "I was a real boy now". You will be too!

I am amazed at your stamina and that you ARE walking.

I'll send good thoughts your way about continued improvement.

Sent by Ben Timmons | 1:24 PM ET | 11-20-2007

Leroy - the electric scooters are great! Check with the mall to see if they have one you can borrow - Walmart, Target & the like have them available on your way in the door. You probably could rent one from a durable-goods store for a month if you really wanted and use it as needed during the holidays.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Sent by Joan | 1:24 PM ET | 11-20-2007

Leroy

Holiday shopping seems to have devolved into a contact sport, but Holiday shopping with a walker raises some interesting possibilities. How about welding a cow catcher on the front? A leather case on the right could hold a Taser while the case on the right can hold nun-chucks. Let's see... A leather jacket, a bandanna, and tattoo on the back of one hand would be good.

For the next sentence, you need to imagine the voice of the pro wrestling announcer, "Are you ready for SHOPPING?"

After being so sick and so fragile for so long, it could be nice to go intimidate a stranger -or at least confuse them. Well, maybe a chuckle will have to do.

keep laughing

Sent by Gary | 1:25 PM ET | 11-20-2007

That you are focusing on "trivial concerns" is a wonderful indicator that you are healing!!!! Have a great Thanksgiving - and if you need to move to your comfy chair during the meal, then so be it.

Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the feast!

Sent by Virginia in Brooklyn | 1:38 PM ET | 11-20-2007

Online shopping is the way to go whether you feel good or not :).

http://iamobsessedwithlife.blogspot.com

Sent by Rachel B | 1:43 PM ET | 11-20-2007

Leroy,

I'm also a big fan of internet shopping. Many sites will even do the gift wrapping for you.

For T-Day, I vote you bring the party to the living room. You can sit in your big comfy chair and everyone else can sit wherever they can using TV trays or whatever. Everyone's comfy, everyone's together.

Have a great day Leroy, I hope your turkey turns out just perfect and you have a day of love and peace.

Sent by Karen D. | 1:54 PM ET | 11-20-2007

Dear Leroy,

I got some wonderful news today that I just have to share. After a year of chemo hell, blood clots, and infection my mother just got her PET/CAT scan results and they were clean!! Thank you Dearest Lord! Now we all know this doesn't mean "cured", and we got the usual "disclaimer" from the oncologist - "could come back you know...." Yeah.... we KNOW, already. That doesn't change today's victory, and I'll gladly take every small and large one and be overjoyed with it, because that's really all we've got. NOW. And Right NOW, I'm in heaven.

Leroy, love you...like big handfuls. I know it's weird to those people who think it's because you've had such an accomplished career. That has nothing to do with it. It's just because you've let us in to watch a big man with a big heart fight a big disease... and never given up, even though there have been dark, dark days. You've helped me more than you'll ever know, and I continue to pray for you and Laurie and "everyone on the Cancer Blog". And by the way... don't worry about leaving the table early. I always do that. I leave, lie down and loosen the laundry, and then go back and eat some more.

Lots of love and Happy Thanksgiving.

Sent by Connie E. | 1:57 PM ET | 11-20-2007

Lots of love for you my sweet friend. I want to wish you, Laurie and this wonderful blog family a very happy Thanksgiving. God bless us all.

Sent by sasha | 2:44 PM ET | 11-20-2007

Thanksgiving at home! Something to feast on, whether at table or from stuffed chair. (Why can food be buffet on table and guests eat in room where your stuffed chair is -- sitting cross-legged on floor if need be?)

Who can tell what is big stuff or little stuff? Another Fall, Thanksgiving at home, seeing your healing progress... these are pretty huge in the scope of an individual life, and for all who celebrate those gifts... With much gratitude for you, for Laurie, for your friend Ted, for your concentric circles of love and support; and for all the ripples you send out to the world by your being. Wishing you gentle joys this harvest season!

Sent by Sarah | 2:44 PM ET | 11-20-2007

Shopping is easier early in the day, and if you can borrow or rent an electric scooter, I think you might actually enjoy the excursion. It really is kind of festive to shop for Christmas for your loved ones. Even if you only purchase some of your gifts the old-fashioned way, it's an act of taking back your life. It's so nice to be wished a Merry Christmas by people that you deal with in the stores. Besides, most people do use a blend of shopping methods for tackling their list.

I think you got some great ideas above on making it through the feast day. I hope your day will be really special; I know that your people will have full hearts being so thankful that you are still here to love and be loved by.

Sent by Celeste | 2:50 PM ET | 11-20-2007

Hi Leroy, Laurie and All.

Leroy, I'm glad that you are able to focus on some of the small stuff and leave the big stuff for another day. I hope you can make it through the Thanksgiving meal ok and I'm betting that you can! Those big overstuffed recliners are nice, I wouldn't trade mine for anything!!

For shopping, the internet is good. But if you get a "Rush" from being out in the crowd, most stores have those motorized scooters and you can buzz around pretty well on one of those. I almost got run over by a lady on one last year. She just advised me to call her, Dale Ernheart, as she came motoring through ladies wear. Charlotte is NASCAR Country on the streets and in the stores!

Laurie, I hope you can draw a deep breath before plunging into the holiday preparations. You are both still in our prayers.

To All, Have a really great holiday with lots of hugs shared with family and friends! And please remember Sasha and John in your prayers now, John is going through a very difficult time right now too. I certainly count all the people on this blog among my many blessings. God Bless!

Eileen Pruyne
Charlotte, NC

Sent by Eileen Pruyne | 3:04 PM ET | 11-20-2007

Why not move the big comfy chair to the dining table? Everyone will be so jealous!

Sent by Jen Barad | 3:41 PM ET | 11-20-2007

Hi Leroy today is my b/day & I'm 58.
seems during the summer colon cancer came to my body & I underwent surgery.
Then came the chemo fun, my body has never felt this different, can't stand the pins & needles sensation. Oh well never give in to it. Happy Turkey Day My appetite is not what it used to be

Sent by Julian B deLeyer | 4:06 PM ET | 11-20-2007

Leroy,

Not much to say today, but blessings upon you and yours this Thanksgiving!

Sent by Diana Kitch | 4:25 PM ET | 11-20-2007

First to Connie E.~ congrats on the good results! Thats awesome. There is hope. Leroy- you must be healing if you are worrying about shopping! My hubby would love a good excuse to NoT shop. But here is a great place that has little or no shipping cost. www.overstock.com

Sent by DiAnn | 5:43 PM ET | 11-20-2007

This is my second entry for the day, but I want to share this with somebody -- I have this GREAT idea for someone out there who has the capital and know-how to do it: Rental scooters at the mall. There could be a kiosk where the disabled (such as I) could rent a scooter/cart by the hour so that we could shop someplace other than Wal-Mart, Target, or the grocery store. I would be willing to pay $10 or $15 to have the convenience of one. They also need them in museums, aquariums, etc., etc. Any compassionate entreprenuers out there?

Sent by Marilyn Trujillo | 9:04 PM ET | 11-20-2007

DiAnn,

Thank you. I actually feel guilty posting "good news", when there are so many others who are going through very difficult times. It wrenches my heart out, because I know how hard it is. God Bless you, and everyone else. I pray for the day when we all can get positive (and lasting) good news.

Sent by Connie E. | 9:33 PM ET | 11-20-2007

I hope that you and yours have a happy Thanksgiving! (PLEASE don't sweat the small stuff, like Christmas shopping. Much can be done on-line, and guess what? Your nearest and dearest will cut you slack!)

Congrats on getting rid of more tubes!

Sent by Victoria Ferreira | 9:56 PM ET | 11-20-2007

Leroy, I read your blogs every day and am happy you seem to be making some progress.
I am spending my first Thanksgiving without my husband. He fought so hard but could not overcome the cancer. Keep fighting....as long as you have the strength to do so. You are in my prayers daily. Good Luck

Sent by Cindy | 5:10 AM ET | 11-21-2007

Leroy,
We are all here for the holidays and that by itself is wonderful.
Holiday gift giving - that's easy......
Write a paragraph or two about the person, your friendship, and a funny or loving memory you shared. Remembering that it's "A Wonderful Life".
I would rather be, in my position, knowing I have terminal cancer, with the opportunities to say wonderful things to the people I love, then to have been taken away suddenly.
Five months ago I made the decion to stop my chemo so that I could enjoy my remaing time - you know what -- it truly is a wonderful life.
"Believe in the Future"
Dorothy, Vt.

Sent by Dorothy, Vt. | 9:38 AM ET | 11-21-2007