you are an "eternal optimist". That is what they call it, and so we all must be.
As Santa starts to watch us for next year, may he see, sensitive, caring and giving people everywhere. May he attend to us in our down times, and let us know for sure, that somewhere the sun is "always" shining.
Blessings Leroy,
Wanda Amorose

Sent by Wanda Amorose | 8:18 AM ET | 12-26-2007

I could not agree more. I too have been "accused" of being an eternal optimist! I just don't know any other way to be! Take Care! Sandy Lathe

Sent by Sandy Lathe | 8:34 AM ET | 12-26-2007

Happy Day after Christmas Leroy!

You have described both my house, my boyfriends, and our refrigerators to a tee. I can imagine people out at the stores getting those after Christmas sale items before anyone else. I did that one year, and it was worse then the day after Thanksgiving,the shoving, grabbing, pushing. Hence NEVER AGAIN.

I feel like I have been mowed over by the large sleigh and reindeer. And no I didn't get the license number. Oh well, I will reclaim my house, office area, do laundry, and maybe I'll even rest. I'll try to remember the Santa is watching, after all, I am reading his autobiography right now.

Remain optimistic..and yes Santa has is next list already started.

Sent by Sue Chap | 8:47 AM ET | 12-26-2007

Hope you and Laurie and family had a great Christmas! Wouldn't it be nice if the true spirit of Christmas could be maintained for each day! It's certainly possible but often the realities of daily life seem to push that spirit back into the shadows until December comes again next year.

What I do enjoy is seeing Christmas through the eyes of my grandchildren - 5 of them ages 3 - 9. The wonder and magic of the season and yes, even the commercialism. The kids and grandkids came to Grandma's house yesterday for fellowship, food, fun and of course presents. Grandma reigns supreme over the chaos and tries to slow the opening of presents so that each grandchild can see what the other ones get while eagerly anticipating the opening of the present in front of them. It does often seem that the opening of the present, tearing the paper and bow off of the box is more exciting than the gift inside. Within 30 minutes the gifts are opened even with Grandma's ordered approach. Now the challenge is to keep each child's "stuff" organized in his or her own little pile. Some toys do require batteries don'cha know and one size battery doesn't work for all toys!!

The grandkids let us know that it is now time for dessert..chocolate cake. After all, THE major event has been completed so it is on to the next event. Once the pieces of cake are woofed down, back to the toys! The adults try to enjoy some key lime pie in the quiet of the kitchen while the noise, laughter and sheer joy continues unabated from the downstairs family room.

Time for all to go...bedtime awaits the grandkids immediately upon arrival at home. Playtime can begin again today.

The memories of Christmas Day with our kids and grandkids are precious for Grandma (who did all of the work) and Grandpa. I hope that they will remember these days as fondly and warmly as I do the days we spent with my mother and father when we were the kids and our kids were the grandchildren! These memories,of yesterday and today, warm my soul and give me renewed Hope for tomorrow.

Blessings and prayers for each of us this season and for the coming year!

Sent by Al Cato | 8:51 AM ET | 12-26-2007

Loved your column. When my kids ask me what the meaning of life is, I've always told them that it is the same spirit of giving of time and caring shown at Christmas-to love others as you love yourself. They used to think I was ridiculous, but are finally catching on. Wouldn't it be nice if people could care more for each other rather than be jugmental or to compete materialistically with each other?

Sent by jen | 9:09 AM ET | 12-26-2007

I would say I am a cynical optimist.

Hope for the best, but expect the worst.

Covers all bases.

Sent by Brit | 9:21 AM ET | 12-26-2007

Merry day after Christmas Leroy!
If all the people you have touched through this blog can commit to even one extra day of Christmas Kindness during the next 365 days, then the world will be brightened considerably. And Santa's list will grow longer still. Peace.

Sent by Steve Coleman | 9:27 AM ET | 12-26-2007

I wish you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR without so much pain. Only people who have cancer know how important it is to just show love to one another. It changes our whole outlook on life. What is important and unimportant is so changed. My granddaughter that lived with me her entire life passed on Thanksgiving at the young age of 20 and I keep wondering did I love her enough; did she know how much I loved her. At Christmas all I wanted was to be able to hug her, and it was not possible. Keep writing you are such an inspiration. People have said to me I am sorry for your loss, I didn't loose Ashton, she passed on to the streets of gold, where she can sing and dance. But, I miss her. God bless you and I wish for you the best year possible.

Sent by Mavis | 9:29 AM ET | 12-26-2007

Good Morning Leroy. Sounds like you are filled with Optimism and hope for this New Year. That is wonderful to hear. I have a lovely Christmas cold which is about to settle, big time, into my chest. Oh well, maybe by New Year's I will be able to be optimistic also.
I am so glad to hear from you this morning and realize that yes, like Scrooge, we did not miss Christmas and now have the opportunity to make this Next Year better.
Let us know how your pain management is doing. You sound good.

Sent by J C R | 9:36 AM ET | 12-26-2007

Leroy...as one who always insists that "...there has to be a pony in there somewhere...", I just keep on shovelling. After all, even manure is a blessing to those with gardens.

Have a great day after, and a super day before.

Peggy

Sent by Peggy | 9:54 AM ET | 12-26-2007

I'm just counting the days....5.....until the new year. I am enjoying each day but psychology would love to start fresh.

Sent by Lisa | 10:07 AM ET | 12-26-2007

On this day after Christmas I am most thankful that I got to spend it at home with my family. I spent most of Christmas Eve in the hospital ER having my lungs drained because I couldn't breath. I was blessed with a caring Dr. that left his family to take care of me so that I could go home and not wait until Wed.(today) for treatment. The staff at the hospital was wonderful and the best blessing and Christmas I could have had.I have been very fortunate to have been treated in the very best of ways by all my health are givers. GOD bless them all for enhancing my quality of life.

Sent by Vicki (FL) | 10:17 AM ET | 12-26-2007

Good Morning Leroy,
Yes, we are all tired and glad all the hustle is over for now. I hope you and your family had a truly enjoyable Christmas and now looking forward to a joyous and blessed New Year. May each of us have a special blessing in our lives.

Sent by Teresa in WV | 10:27 AM ET | 12-26-2007

Leroy,
Happy day after Christmas with all its chaos and exhaustion. I too have been called an eternal optimist or a Pollyanna by some. You are a shining star where others with similar circumstances would have chosen a different path. I received a lung cancer diagnosis 7 months ago and though they have found new nodules of concern, I chose to remain hopeful. May your love of life, optimism and spirit continue to shine for a long time.
Many Thanks,
Barb

Sent by Barb | 10:38 AM ET | 12-26-2007

Leroy,

May 2008 be a good year for you and everyone in this community. May all of you smile, love, and keep the Christmas spirit all year. Quite a challenge, Leroy, but I'll try!

Sent by Diana Kitch | 11:43 AM ET | 12-26-2007

I agree with you, Leroy, and love the saying, "Hope springs eternal!" Each moment offers an opportunity for the best in all of us regarding of what we're facing. Thank you for helping to keep us hopeful, too! Happy New Year to both you and Laurie!

Sent by Molly | 11:59 AM ET | 12-26-2007

Hopeless optimist; what a nice compliment. Merry Christmas, Leroy. I hope the New Year will be a good one for you and look forward to reading your blog daily. We're listening!

Sent by cv | 12:32 PM ET | 12-26-2007

Our Christmas was subdued this year. My significant other's mom has taken a turn for the worse in her battle with lung cancer.

She actually did quite well by ignoring the problem for 10 years. Obviously, she had a slow-growing cancer, but it has taken off now, probably acquiring new mutations or whatever.

It's frustrating because when her cancer was diagnosed, it probably would have be curable. But she chose not to have surgery because of outmoded thinking that this would make the cancer take off. Well, it has taken off now.

The newer drugs available might have made a real difference giving her years extra of good quality of life, if they could have been started a few years ago. Now, I don't know if anything could be done.

Sad, and unnecessary, and difficult to watch people not fight their cancer.

Sent by Scott S. | 12:39 PM ET | 12-26-2007

I am rethinking the meaning of Christmas amongst the rethinking of many things in my life. This is the first Christmas without my mother, who died of lukemia in September. So, I've learned that like goes on. Though I knew that to be the case, I never had it quite tested in this way before. This forces the start of new Christmas traditions and gives rise to the need to define Christmas for myself and my children as something beyond a day of opening presents at Grandmom's house. Maybe this will cause me to search for the true meaning of Christmas. I don't know of a more difficult yet promising gift to have been given. Peace to all. Holly

Sent by Holly Gaenzle | 12:49 PM ET | 12-26-2007

I'll join the eternal optimist club - a lifelong member.

Sent by rochelle | 1:01 PM ET | 12-26-2007

I vowe that next year will be all gift cards~~I always do this to myself. Im beyond exhausted if thats possible. Im glad you have leftovers~~they are the best the next day. Im really so thrilled you are starting to feel better. We are strangers to you but we do worry.

Im glad you made it thru Xmas Leroy. Sending you warm hugs and love.

Sent by Robin T | 1:23 PM ET | 12-26-2007

Happy Boxing Day! I had my first radiation treatment today. Took way too long because I kept "falling" off my marks. How do you make yourself relax? Any way, one down, 32 to go.

Sent by Dianne (DC) | 1:31 PM ET | 12-26-2007

Leroy: Merry Day After Christmas. So glad to have you in our lives.

Obviously, Scrooge didn't have the IRS after his small business. Seems like the day after Christmas means a continued race to the end of the year, remembering that the local courthouse closes at noon on the 31st.

Let see, there are all the property taxes to pay...or just half, depending on what the accountant says, figuring up who owes whom for machinery rent, prepaying chemicals, fuel, feed if necessary...even borrowing the money if the cash flow isn't there...and deciding to spend this or that in 2007 or 2008 so the Income tax doesn't take more than they need too.

Despite a good year, the money hemorrhage is still flowing at max at our house and it makes one wonder why we bother until we think of all those who have little or nothing.

Farming and stress didn't give Burge cancer, but I can see how the stress of it all helped it take his life. I'm so greatful for all we had yesterday and the love of family, I wish it could last the rest of the week. We missed him so much but today seems even worse without his reassurance that "it will all work out in the end."

God bless all of you at the Cancer Blog. I know you all have your personal lives to handle and perhaps we will all be able to do good throughout next year. I know you all have helped me through some pretty tough moments. Thanks!

Nikki

Sent by Nikki | 2:12 PM ET | 12-26-2007

Dear Leroy,

I am optimistic about next year. I can't wait for this one to be over. I am trying to remain optimistic as I dodge the puddles, piles, and tiny needle teeth of the Maltipoo puppy my daughter got for Christmas. What WAS I THINKING? I'm trying to remain grateful that I can walk and bend to clean up after it, and have working hands to pry it off my ankle...and cover my ears as it yaps incessantly. We love him, though - Skippy - the poop machine. I hope we all skip through next year with better health, less pain, and continued love and concern for each other.

Love and prayers to everyone.

Sent by Connie E. | 3:37 PM ET | 12-26-2007

Merry Merry Christmas, Leroy. Peace and joy and my best wishes for comfort, health, and peace to everyone.

Sent by liz h | 4:00 PM ET | 12-26-2007

As we head toward the close of this year, I want to wish everyone on this blog and all of their families of year of improving and better yet, good health. Let's pray hard miracle drugs and positive outcomes. And, let's pray for peace everywhere in the world.

Sent by Marcy in NJ | 4:39 PM ET | 12-26-2007

Dear Leroy/All,

Wishing everyone a happy 2008 with more GOOD news and less pain. We had a nice Christmas; my husband had a two month break from chemo so he was able to enjoy the holiday. Unfortnately, he has to start chemo again on January 3, 2008. I too want to be a
"Hopeless Optimist" Love to all...........

Sent by sasha | 4:43 PM ET | 12-26-2007

I???m a little sick from today???s chemo, but I want to say something to Scott S. and anyone who???s reading the blog and dealing with a loved one who has chosen not to get timely medical treatment for cancer.
I have seen people forgo cancer treatment out of fear, ignorance, financial concerns, laziness, pig-headedness; or ethical, moral, or spiritual concerns. And they???ve probably died sooner than if they had sought treatment. I feel, partly because I???m a nurse, that those people deserve our love, and compassion and support, just as those of us do who chose to fight. It???s usually a lot easier to cheer on those of us who are perceived as fighters. That???s one of the reasons Leroy???s blog works.
But cancer treatment is very dicey and uncertain, not to mention expensive, time consuming, stressful, and sickening. If someone opts out of all but end-of-life care, then as care-givers and loved ones we need to just get with the program. Otherwise too much precious time is wasted on shoulda-woulda-coulda [That sounds better said than written] Sometimes letting our anger over the patient???s lack of initiative in seeking and accepting treatment, as well as intellectualizing over all the things that could have been done, are an excuse for not giving in and just loving the patient while there???s time, and performing the mundane, but so important acts of caring that provide some sense of dignity towards the end.

Sent by Ana | 9:38 PM ET | 12-26-2007

I too know the relief that comes with a lazy next day and leftovers. But others are still suffering. And many have never stopped working. They were waiting tables and doing dishes yesterday, they are in the stores we went to today, they are always keeping things clean. Some go into a zoo after dark and shoot a tiger that has killed one person and wounded two. Some drive someone home who might have frozen after falling asleep in a car with an open window. Many who do work for us are known as illegal immigrants--as if any PERSON could be ILLEGAL. News reports are full of feel-good stories about people who were helped, children who got toys.

Some people are sick, tired, in distress or pain. Some people are working for our benefit, just under our radar, sending money back to their families and worrying about the knock on the door.

We owe acknowledgment to all who suffer.

Sent by joan | 1:16 AM ET | 12-27-2007

Glad for the update and glad to hear there is some good news in that mixture. I have not been online for about 10 days because of another bad chemo reaction. I just went back to catch-up and am so thankful to Mara for the update. Hopefully she is sharing all of our good thoughts with Stephanie.

This was my third Christmas not knowing if it would be the last. I hardly have any patience for those thoughts anymore. I was so sure two years ago I was on a clear path towards death and now who knows. Time is what it is. There are so many twist and turns we can only deal with each day at a time. Today I'm at work and that is what counts. I am scheduled to have Radio Frequency Ablation on Jan 18 on the liver mets and see the lung surgeon after that. Back to Whack-a-mole.

Sent by Dona | 1:26 PM ET | 12-27-2007

Leroy, Just a note to let you know that I've been inspired by your story since learning about you on last year's Discovery Health Special. Just last week a good friend's son (4.0 GPA all throughout high school, Computer Science Major -4.0 GPA in his first semester of college, black belt in martial arts) and blind since around the age of 2 from retinoblastoma, learned his cancer had returned. His family is now gearing up trying to locate the best treatments for Adam. He is an amazing individual and wrote a Merry Christmas letter that I wanted to share with you.

http://www.adamcampfield.com/2007/12/26/merry-christmas/

Adam's spunk and determination reminded me of your blog and wanted to let you know that there's another very special young man out there preparing to "fight the good fight." With Warmest Regards

Sent by Lee | 2:02 PM ET | 12-27-2007