You've just made my mouth water! It's great to hear that Leroy is enjoying putting the ol' feedbag on again. And those cookies!!

Sent by Nancy K. Clark | 8:57 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Happy to hear Leroy is eating a good cheesesteak. Appetite is a wonderful sign. And thanks Laurie for your window on times past.

Sent by Robin L. Fairfax VA | 8:59 AM ET | 02-19-2008

You've gotta take the medicine that works, no matter what form it takes, right?

Give Leroy our love. Does he sit up in bed and read the comments? Just curious. And just hoping they lift his spirits as they lift mine.

Sent by Jordis | 8:59 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Now that is what I call alternative medicine, food for the spirit.

Sent by Theresa Lovint | 9:00 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Good doctors know "good medicine". Great doctors know "good medicine and the human spirit". Leroy seems to have great doctors!

These small steps each day lead to a magnificent place called Home. That's where you and Leroy are headed.

Prayers as a always.

Sent by Al Cato | 9:08 AM ET | 02-19-2008

For me it was "Haddock A La Ruthie" and I ordered it everytime the nurses ordered my Taxol. That and their good cafeteria coffee, yes it was really good, were like ambrosia and I always ordered them as I did chemo - so I began to associate chemo w/this delicious haddock dish that the hospital cafeteria made ! The stuffing tasted like it was made with sherry... and it was made by "Ruthie" in the cafeteria so got that name.

Whatever gets you through ! Good to hear Leroy is eating w/some appetite !

Sent by Nancy Oliveri | 9:12 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Laurie, first of all, thank you for being the wonderful caregiver you are to Leroy and keeping up his blog while he's not able.

And, yes, it's amazing what the amazing healing powers a good, drippy, onion-filled cheesesteak can have! Glad to hear he's doing better.

Sent by Joyce in FL | 9:13 AM ET | 02-19-2008

I think that's what they call "comfort food".....and its something different for everyone. For me, it was cookies too, from Blue Chip Cookies in Leawood, Kansas. THE BEST....

Sent by Lesa in Kansas | 9:13 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Laurie,
Isn't that the case. The best medicine does not always come in a bottle, and we will take it from wherever it comes.
It is such a blessing that you are able to write and let us know and share these things. Hope is the key, and you give us that everyday.
Prayers and love, and May the Grace of God be with you.
Wanda Amorose

Sent by Wanda Amorose | 9:14 AM ET | 02-19-2008

when i was having chemo i discovered a donut-hole-in-the-wall that only the real donut eaters know about, and so i had a dozen or more brought in with me to offer everyone there, it put smiles on most peoples faces and helped with the awful taste you can get while having the drugs given to you.

Sent by Jenn | 9:16 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Thank you, Laurie. This vignette tells us so much about Leroy's progress. And it seems to be moving along the right path, at the right speed. Please tell Leroy that, while we miss him, we want him to take all of the time he needs to rest and recover. Laurie, it is more than generous of you to pick up the daily mantle on this blog. Please don't feel obligated to write for us daily, if you need to do otherwise for your own well-being.

And since you mentioned shortbread cookies... I have to put in a plug here. During my chemo, the one thing I would look forward to eating was the shortbread cookies sold annually by a certain non-profit organization which serves school age girls. With a cup of ginger tea, they hit the spot!

Sheara

Sent by Sheara | 9:20 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Medicine comes in many forms--laughter, friendship--and yes, great comfort food!

Here's to many more cheesesteaks!

Sent by Kathleen, NJ | 9:25 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Cupcakes, cheesesteaks,I can't think of any better meds than those! Keep eating Leroy~

Sent by DiAnn | 9:29 AM ET | 02-19-2008

it's a beautiful thing.....

Sent by Karen | 9:34 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Dear Leroy and Leroy,
Sometimes "BIG" things come in small packages......Sounds like you have found some great cheesesteak pain medicine. Keep up the good work. Hugs to you both.

Sent by Teresa in WV | 9:37 AM ET | 02-19-2008

There is nothing like a good meal to lift your spirits. Not only a good meal, but good friends, good family, a good laugh, and you guys have that. This is what helps you through cancer, through life. Thanks for sharing this story!

Sent by jen barad | 9:40 AM ET | 02-19-2008

I swear by how good good food can make a person feel. Sitting down to the right plate of fixin's can make me so happy when all is right with my body that I have no trouble seeing how it could make your day when you're not feeling so hot.

Keep eating, Leroy. Keep up your strength.

Sent by Rachael S. | 9:41 AM ET | 02-19-2008

When I first met my doctor after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, he asked me about alcohol use and I said I usually just had a glass of wine when I had salmon. He launched into a salmon recipe he had just discovered, pausing in the middle to ask,"Are you interested in this?" I said I was. I don't remember the recipe he gave me, but I so appreciated the human touch and will always remember that. Thank God for doctors like that.
Thank you, Laurie, for continuing Leroy's blog at this difficult time. My continued prayers to you both!

Sent by Nancy Abbott | 9:57 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Laurie...you are so kind to keep us "in the loop" on how Leroy is doing, thank you for that.

I always trusted that I had the best pulmonologist and oncologist, BUT they never brought me a cheese steak. That doctor is a real mensch.

Peggy

Sent by Peggy | 10:05 AM ET | 02-19-2008

So good to know he still has a good appetite!

Thinking of and praying for you both!

Sent by Vicky (NY) | 10:08 AM ET | 02-19-2008

When I was 14 my brother came quickly out of remission. We knew we weren't going to lose him when he craved pizza from our local Italian restaurant. He only had a slice, but it was the best pizza we ever ate!

Sent by Liz L. | 10:09 AM ET | 02-19-2008

I hope Leroy has more of these wonderful days that cancer isnt the first thing on his plate~~wonderful!!

Warm hugs to you both~

Sent by Robin | 10:21 AM ET | 02-19-2008

What a wonderful picture you conjure up laurie of you all picnicking on Leroy's bed in his room! Sounds like you have great Hospital food as well as understanding Doctors. Aren't you truly, slowly, taking small steps down the path toward the "normalacy" you so desire Leroy? Sounds good to me and I am happy to hear about it. Enjoy the little things.

Sent by J C R | 10:25 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Going through a rough time here.........but still thinking and praying for everyone on the blog. Glad to hear that Leroy's is enjoying his favorite food. Prayers to all.

Sent by Sasha | 10:31 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Although I've been trying to stay away from sugar and red meat, lately I've really been craving (and eating) juicy burgers, deep fried mushrooms, and crispy fries. Second on my list are and lox and bagels. Yum. I love those flavors. They are healing and nurturing.

Sent by Laurel M. Jones | 10:33 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Good morning, it's so good to hear from you both. Just a note to doctors: my oncologist tells me stories about his son's love of the original Star Trek including the Vulcan greeting, my surgeon tells me stories of her pregnancy while changing a painful dressing and drain, another oncologist writes out a prescription for milkshakes PRN, another tells me of his funny experiences in cruising to helpdistract me. These docs made me laugh or at least smile when there wasn't much to smile about. This stuff is the real medicine, I think. Cheesesteaks? Cupcakes? Milkshakes? Shortbread cookies? Or personalized human contact?

Sent by glenda | 10:34 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Wonderful! Still out here in Colorado praying healing prayers for you, Leroy...complete and total healing!

Sent by Stacy | 10:52 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Cheesesteaks, cupcakes, pie... it is all food for the soul as well as Leroy's body. Continue healing. With care, Anne

Sent by anne lumberger | 11:10 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Aaahhh...before we know it, he'll be ready for a mai tai or two!I'm glad his doctor is a caring person with a sense of humor who bothers to interact personally with the person, not just the patient.

Sasha - I'm so sorry to hear you are going through a tough time. Know that there are many here who care.

Sent by Doris | 11:32 AM ET | 02-19-2008

I have read daily the last few weeks at the increased discomfort you have endured. You are all in our thoughts and prayers, it goes without saying. God bless you for providing this incredible insight into the thoughts and feelings of an oncology patient. It has helped me immensely, not only (and especially!) as a nurse, but also as the daughter of a father going through some of this on a greatly diminished scale, at least SO far. Again, God Bless You and thanks so much for the courage and humor you continue to exhibiton a daily basis.

Sent by Carol | 11:45 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Please give that fine and caring doctor a big hug for me. He knew just the right way to make Leroy's day, but probably did not know how many other people's day got made by that sharing. YaHOOO!

Sent by Sarah | 11:59 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Dear Laurie and Leroy,

Sound absolutely delicious! His doctor sounds like a man of great wisdom to understand exactly what his patient needed.

Since Leroy enjoyed it, it also sounds like an appetite is returning. :)

Another forward step. Thanks....

Sent by Sue Chap | 12:25 PM ET | 02-19-2008

i was already hungry when i read this post; now i think i'm going to lose my mind! gaaaa!

at moments when you can truly enjoy the most amazing food, don't you just feel *lucky*?

Sent by mary | 12:43 PM ET | 02-19-2008

Little joys, like someone washing your hair or getting you your favorite foods do more for healing than science could ever explain!!Sounds like you all had a great day and I hope today is even better.

Sent by NancyGM | 12:52 PM ET | 02-19-2008

Laurie, Sometimes the Doctors are so much about business that it is painful. We have to hear all kinds of horrible information from them. Then they surprise you with a "Philly Cheese Steak", go figure. It certainly reminds us they are human too. Glad you all enjoyed it, sometimes it is about the simple things. Best Regards, Stan

Sent by Stan Wozniak | 12:56 PM ET | 02-19-2008

Sasha, I'm sorry that it's rough going for you right now - I hope it helps to know that you are not alone, because we are all here for you, thinking and hoping the best for you and your family.

Leroy and Laurie, when I was having chemo for breast cancer 2 years ago, my husband was very concerned about diet and nutrition with respect to chemo, and he didn't understand why the medical establishment didn't do more research and give more specific guidelines about diet and nutrition. MY feeling was, the doctors know how much they and chemo have taken from you, and they just can't bear to say "No cheesesteaks" (or cupcakes, or ice cream, etc.) because sometimes, cheesesteaks is all you got left. So hear's to alternative therapy, in whatever form it takes.

Sent by Gretchen Hoag | 1:53 PM ET | 02-19-2008

To Sasha - I'm so sorry to hear that things are rough right now. Many of us are thinking of you too.

Sent by Nichole in FL | 2:14 PM ET | 02-19-2008

cyber hugs to you, Sasha....know we are keeping you in our collective thoughts and prayers.

Sent by Karen | 3:04 PM ET | 02-19-2008

Laurie -

From the medical side of things, there was an article printed recently in a medical journal that stated that revealing personal information results in the perception of substandard care by the patient... it's nice to know that someone else out there realizes that our feeble attempts at humor, moments of kindness or reaching out on a personal level are as healing and important as the actual medical care.

Trust me, those of us who work in Cancer World realize that the person in the bed might be us, our spouse, our sibling, our parent or our child... and we pray for someone to be kind in our moments of need. And maybe share a cheesesteak.

Sent by jennifer | 3:47 PM ET | 02-19-2008

Laurie,
I loved today's blog (and I have to admit that I've never had cheesteak!) When I was going through chemo, I had this thing for chicken wings. One of the local joints would have them on sale on Mondays so I'd buy a bucket of them and freeze them in little packets so I could have them when I "got the urge..." Maybe they packed a punch to the Zofran but even if not, they still tasted great. Almost 15 years later, I still smile when I see chicken wings on a menu.

My best to both of you and good thoughts to Sasha as well.

Sent by betsey in albany ny | 3:53 PM ET | 02-19-2008

Laurie and Leroy,

Such good news. An appetite is so important, and it is good that the doctors are remembering to stimulate Leroy's.

Sasha, we are praying for you and your husband.

Sent by Marcy in NJ | 4:02 PM ET | 02-19-2008

Laurie,

You are a great writer like Leroy!!

Love and prayers to you and all our cancer family.

Betty Lewis

Sent by Betty K. Lewis | 5:02 PM ET | 02-19-2008

Sasha, being a caregiver is so hard... I am proud of you... Hang in there...You have many praying for you!
Laurie and Leroy, what a good thought today to think about...soul food! You do what ever it takes...Continued prayers for you both and for this blog family!

Sent by Laurie Hirth | 8:01 PM ET | 02-19-2008

Excellent! Sometimes that "alternative medicine" is the best kind! This is good news. :)

Sent by Lisa Lindstrom | 8:21 PM ET | 02-19-2008

Prayers for you Sasha. Tonight I will mention you in my prayers.

Sent by bettye | 8:27 PM ET | 02-19-2008

Sasha,
There are so many of us out here in Cancer World that are sending you and your husband our caring thoughts and prayers. As a wife (widow on paper only) I feel your helplessness and I always check this blog for your comment. Try to stay strong and take care of yourself.
Laurie and Leroy, great to hear about a good day. May God bless you and make each day better...
Jane

Sent by Jane from Arkansas | 8:59 PM ET | 02-19-2008

Here's to "alternative" medicine. We continue to hold you deep in our hearts.
Elena

Sent by elena | 9:21 PM ET | 02-19-2008

It is uplifting to hear that someone, Leroy's doctor no less, made his day! The simple joys in life are so important and cancer really drives that home. You are in my prayers Leroy, Laurie and Sasha.

Sent by Jennifer in CA | 1:00 AM ET | 02-20-2008

That's good news and it is wonderful to hear that Leroy is getting his feisty back a little.

Hmmm, I'll add that to the list of foods that heal or comfort, chicken noodle for colds and URI's, cranberry juice for UTI's, frozen pops and ice chips for stomach flu, and cheese steak for cancer back surgery. Got it.

Seriously, whatever "gets his boat to float" a little more each day. My alternative medication during cancer diagnosis, surgery, chemo, and all the other cancer tests and non-cancer things that are following is a cute snow leopard cub stuffed toy from Build-a-Bear online, part of their WWFund line. To each his or her own.

Please pardon my overly-abundant curiousity, Laurie, but I was wondering if he is or was on anything that remotely resembled that strange back contraption John Wayne was in for a back injury in the movie "Wings of Eagles", or at least a modern less torture chamber looking version? I have tried to imagine what kind of bed-type contraption they use for a back surgery as complex as Leroy's.

Anyway, tell him hello from one of the blog gang.

Sincerely,
Bobbie in Texas

Sent by Bobbie Hollis | 1:53 AM ET | 02-20-2008

laurie, i live in fell's point and need some cookies! what's the name of the bakery? sincerely, brockett in baltimore

Sent by brockett | 8:35 PM ET | 03-18-2008