You are so right. The challenge is to wake up every day and go forward. To live your life as if your problems or ailments are no different than everyone else. I try to do that every day. Who knows how long we will be here? Does anyone. The challenge is to enjoy in whatever way we can the day we are in. Get well! Keep writing. Thank you for your strength.

Linda

Sent by Linda | 8:55 AM ET | 02-04-2008

You have consistently risen above the disease and by doing so each day with your blogs, you have lifted each person who comes here to read/post. One cannot do more...We are grateful that you came into our lives.

I only watched the game..no half time, etc. I'm really glad that the Giants won. Once again, the underdog prevailed when the consensus by the "experts" was a New England blowout!

Blessings and prayers as always.

Sent by Al Cato | 8:58 AM ET | 02-04-2008

The little challenges often are more upsetting to me than the big ones. With my pending hospitalization I have felt awkward since I will be there bald. A small thing but being bald makes you look like a victim. You can't wear interesting jewelry into surgery to assert that you are really not just a "sick" person but have a personality.

This weekend two friends came over and we did henna tattoos on my head. They are great and will make me feel more interesting. I can't control the success of the surgery or the amount of pain but this is something I could exercise a little control over.

Sent by Dona | 9:06 AM ET | 02-04-2008

Leroy,
I sometimes wonder how my husband manages to get out of bed and face each day knowing how bad he feels and just getting dressed takes all his energy. He, like you, takes each day and tries to make the best of it with hope that tomorrow will be a little better. You guys are heroes as well as all the people that love you. Keep on achieving for perfection.

Sent by Kathie | 9:21 AM ET | 02-04-2008

DONA...best of luck with the surgery and congrats on the henna tattoos. Way to make lemonade out of lemons. That is awesome!

Perfection is a scary word to me. Rising above challenges sounds better. I don't think there is one of us here that doesn't meet that criteria.

Congrats to the Giants. Being and Eagles fan, that was very hard to say for me but I'm nice like that. Ha!

Hugs,

Lori

Sent by Lori | 9:22 AM ET | 02-04-2008

I completly agree with Dona on the exercising of a little control over our lives. That enables us to not be totally victimized. Wishing you a day w/o pain.(or at the very least a 2 on the pain scale)

Sent by Leah | 9:24 AM ET | 02-04-2008

That ad was my fav. Not humorous like the others. Just real.

Sent by DiAnn | 9:25 AM ET | 02-04-2008

Keep on taking the high road Leroy!
We love you more than ever.
It was fun to see the underdogs win yesterday...that I love!

Sent by bethann | 9:27 AM ET | 02-04-2008

We have to rise above it physically and emotionally. People asked me how I coped with going through treatment and working on a pediatric intensive care unit. It was easy then I was only dealing with the physical stuff. Now is the hard part dealing with my emotional bagage and seeing a 5 year old with cancer. Not fair to them at all. Actually, it's harder to see the parents in utter shock. I just try to help them through their challenge.

Sent by Lisa | 9:35 AM ET | 02-04-2008

To Nancy Oliver,
I just wanted to say that I'm glad that you wrote in on Friday. I, like you, have had quite a set of challenges this last fourteen months, caring for my husband who has Stage IV lung cancer. If only cancer were as beatable as football teams. If only teammates, hard work and and careful strategy would make the difference between a win and a loss. Cancer though is a battle unto itself. The game plan changes on a daily basis and only hope and love can get us through each day. Good luck to you Nancy. I'm thinking of you.

Sent by Elaine | 9:40 AM ET | 02-04-2008

Dear Leory,
Thank you for day after day rising above your challenges and writing for us. Like Al I am grateful you came into our lives; I am sorry for what it cost you. I haven't watched much sports since my divorce in 1993. I thought I had put in my 35 years of forced sports watching. I did watch the Super Bowl yesterday and enjoyed the game. I thoght the Giants played inspired football.
We had a beautiful sunny day yesterday here in Pennsylvania. Today we have clouds and a little rain...just like life.
Leroy, have a great day!
Charlotte in Rural Ridge

Sent by Charlotte Kewish | 9:50 AM ET | 02-04-2008

Sometimes I forget for a bit that I must continue to rise above the challenge. Some days it seems too much. Some days the fear grabs hold.

Then I read about henna tatoos on the bare head of a mature woman going into surgery. That brings me back to center. That brings me back to today.

This is the day during which I get to smile. This is the day I unslump my shoulders and raise up my head and know that I am alive. This is the day I can be proud that yesterday, our team, Leroy's Army, won the Super Bowl. Henna tatoos, and all.

Sent by Laurel M. Jones | 10:01 AM ET | 02-04-2008

Leroy and all, you rise above the disease daily! You give many of us hope, courage and strength. Those of us that have lost our loved ones continue to find strength and comfort here. Thank you!

Sent by Laurie Hirth | 10:12 AM ET | 02-04-2008

to Dona - paint a "smiley face" on the bald head and you will look interesting as well as good-natured.

Good Monday Morning Leroy! So happy that you are enjoying all the hoopla over this Super-Duper stuff. It is good therapy for you to talk and remark about it all.
I wish we had heard Russell Crowe. We like him. As to aspiring to Perfection, I am not sure about that goal. What is perfection and how will we know when and if we ever reach it? Has anybody yet? I would strive simply to be better each day in some way. Working toward perfection might be a better way to look at it. Aspiring means "dreaming" doesn't it However we did not hear what he had to say, so I can only voice what I think of the idea.
You, Leroy seem to be progressing and maybe took three steps forward this weekend. The BIG needles must be working! You, are quite close to perfection in our minds. Quite a Journalist!

Sent by J C R | 10:19 AM ET | 02-04-2008

Dear Leroy/All,
My children decided that after two years I need to get away by myself and try to heal. They bought me plane tickets and tomorrow afternoon I will be sitting in a tropical climate with a girlfriend, away from hospitals and chemotherapy rooms. I have faith that they will look after their father. I will return next Sunday. But, why do I feel so guilty leaving..................

Prayers to all.

Sent by Sasha | 10:24 AM ET | 02-04-2008

Struggle and strife, is life ever easy, even without having cancer. There are things we just cannot control or change.

Sent by Sue Chap | 10:40 AM ET | 02-04-2008

Leroy,

I think "aspiring to perfection" is a bit daunting, myself. I prefer to view it as doing the best I can with what I have to deal with. For me, that's good enough...and all I can do.

Sent by Diana Kitch | 10:54 AM ET | 02-04-2008

Sasha: Go...and please don't feel guilty althought that's easy for someone else to say. I'd feel the same but you will be so much better able to care for your husband after a short rest. It will give you some new energy.

Leroy: Hope you're having a good day. I can't comment on any games on TV as we didn't watch. I cleaned closets instead...oh what fun that was. There are 40 years of memories many of which we said...why did I keep that! :>)

Nikki

Sent by Nikki | 10:56 AM ET | 02-04-2008

Sasha,

Have a wonderful time. Try to relax and make it okay to be working on you. We will be thinking about you enjoying the sun.

Laurel

Sent by Laurel M. Jones | 11:30 AM ET | 02-04-2008

Couldn't agree more. The whole "one day at a time" thing is so hard when everything is frustrating and overwhelming. However, dealing with cancer is easier when we avoid thinking too much about the big picture.
Yesterday, I read about a study that said that cancer patients who are in denial actually do better than patients who feel defeated. Denial, I always thought,was unhealthy...
Ofcouse when I think about it, maybe that is what got me through the last year. I just didn't really GET the gravity of the situation, on an emotional level. People would comment on my "amazing attitude", when, really, I was just in denial about a very poor prognosis! I spent years developing good denial skills!
When one is dealing with pain, I am sure this is on a different level, but distractions often really help.
All we can ever do is aspire to deal with what problems we can tackle, or begin to deal with, today. Aspiring to just get through the day is as well as we can do sometimes.
I have a little stained glass thing on a glass door that says:"Every day is a new beginning". My hope for you is that on one of these mornings your pain is under control.

Sent by NancyGM | 11:30 AM ET | 02-04-2008

Each day we must push on and continue to think of what we are thankful for. I just returned from a week long trip to the Virgin Islands and I feel rejuvenated (and in less pain)! I highly recommend a trip for anyone who is able. My improved outlook will benefit not only myself, but also those around me who did not go! Spring will be here soon!

Sent by Susie R. from OH | 1:46 PM ET | 02-04-2008

Dear Leroy,
Everyday, we face "the" challenge. We get up and know we got another day out of it.....the quality of that day is another thing......challenging ourselves to be "the best" is what we all try to do well. One step ahead of the other, my precious Dad would say, and like you said Leroy, Cancer itself, is a fine definition of Challenge.

Sent by Wanda Amorose | 3:02 PM ET | 02-04-2008

I guess the Super Bowl proves that miracles still happen. Miracles are sometimes what we need.

It is nice we can escape our cancer fight for a few hours, at least.

Sent by Scott S. | 3:52 PM ET | 02-04-2008

Leroy,
You don't know me from Adam, but I check your blog every day, even on days when I know you won't update it. I love to read what you write and I love to know that you're making it through, albeit in a hell of a lot of pain that I wish you weren't in. You should know that you, above all people, consistently rise above. You are a motivation to me to aspire to more, to aspire to closer to perfection. I somehow think you'll wave that off, but it's true. And life's too short not to let you know that.

You're in my thoughts!

Sent by Miss Melanoma | 4:10 PM ET | 02-04-2008

Leroy,
The game of football is just like life??? professional predictions aren???t always correct because they don???t consider the power of the human spirit!
Remember 18 ??? 1, miracles do happen.
Linda

Sent by linda bongardino | 4:22 PM ET | 02-04-2008

Rise to the challenge -- and I am proud to say I did today! After two bouts of cancer and finishing radiation treatment last week..I went back to work today (1/2 days-back to the outside world), but nonetheless, I was back in the saddle ..sort of. Left at almost 1 pm, got home, ate lunch..and took a 2 hr nap!!! Priorities please --my back and eyes hurt from sitting 4 straight hrs in a chair staring at a computer going through 3 months worth of emails, company announcements, etc --but I DID IT. Tomorrow I aim to tackle the new phone system installed while I was gone and check messages which I assume the blinking red light means. A challenge is "making each day above ground count". Even if it is only for counting pain-free moments. I wish many of those moments for you Leroy, and many for all of us who travel the cancer highway!

Sent by Jo Ann Baswell | 5:12 PM ET | 02-04-2008

That's exactly how I viewed my bout with cancer. It's a competition to keep your dignity and rise above it. Sometimes its a battle just to rise out of bed, sometimes it's not. You only lose if you give up.

Sent by Crawford | 7:06 PM ET | 02-04-2008

What a wild and crazy game it is, this superbowl of life!! Billy Graham once said that "We cannot truly face life until we face the fact that it will be taken away from us." As we wake in this world of cancer, we face life fully. We tolerate pain that before cancer would have been unfathomable, we accept treatments and procedures as a normal part of our day, and we push forward to make every milestone memorable and even the smallest accomplishment a celebration. One minute at a time we forge a pathway for others so that their journey might be easier. Sharing tales of henna tatoos and island retreats will bring the next person comfort and added tools for survival in this cancer world. Not only do we rise to the occasion, but far surpass even our own expectations.

Sent by Suzanne | 11:03 PM ET | 02-04-2008

Well Leroy, I grew up an Eagles fan, but have become a Pats fan while living in MA for 25 years. It was tough, very tough, to see the Giants win yesterday. Today, I was trying to think whether there were any parallels between cancer and the highs and lows of yesterday, the preparation, and execution, etc. I think, not really. I think that our cancer world's agonies and joys make those of the sports world pale by comparison. So, I enjoyed the game and the commercials; but, I'm over Super Bowl XLII ...we've got something much more important on the line.

Sent by Sheara | 11:50 PM ET | 02-04-2008

Hi, Leroy,

I watched part and the end of the SuperBowl. Kept switching back and forth between the Superbowl and Animal Planet's "Puppy Bowl IV" with its "Kitty Half-time." I did catch some of the Superbowl ads and they were cute. I was sort of supporting both teams in this one, but I was glad the Giants won, especially for or Eli Manning. It was fun watching his brother up in the stadium box.

Today, I saw my internist and tomorrow I see my oncologist in the morning for my 3 month. She will schedule the CTScan and the Blood tests for the next week and then I get results the week after that. Needless to say, I have feelings of dread and major anxiety, but I am told that is perfectly normal. If it is normal then why is it so dang uncomfortable.

Then tomorrow afternoon I see the allergist to see if my RAST test shows any environmental triggers that a set of allergy shots will help.

On a lighter side, I think it is amusing that the Superbowl is now an unofficial USA holiday. Who would have thought that would happen years later.

Speaking of sports event sort of, I got involved with the American Cancer Society annual Relay For Life which I also attended last year. I like the slogan they are using, "Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back."

I'm mentally as blank as a whiteewashed wall today so I'll close this pretty soon.

Your closing statment said it all, Leroy. Cancer is a challenge, it was a challenge going through the surgery, the chemo was a big challenge. I have learned that each aspect of cancer life has its own times of feeling anxious or just plain terrified, especially the waiting 3 months to find out whether the cancer is in remission or has it gained a foothold again. I want to get back into life, the things I know I can do, but the thought of the return of cancer always lingers just below the surface. I want to get back to doing what I seem to do best, helping people who are begining to do their family tree and I give them information about where to find information and teach them to use Family Tree software.

I am almost afraid to try since I am not sure if the cancer will be back. I haven't learned to live with it yet. I guess it takes practice.

Anyway, each of us hax
sr own "cross to bear" and we learn to live with it eventually I guess. I just have to learn to be less afraid to go after the things I know I can do and just do them.

Take care, Leroy. Prayers and good thoughts for you, me, our families, and every person who comes this way through your blog.

Sincerely,
Bobbie in Texas

Sent by Bobbie Hollis | 12:54 AM ET | 02-05-2008

Leroy, glad that you felt well enough to watch game and enjoy it. To strive to rise above is something we should all remember. Take care. Thanks for being there with us.

Sasha, I am so glad that you can get away for a bit. I know that feeling you must be having right now. Your children will be there for JOhn and look out for him. Let the mind rest and have a wonderful relaxing time. I am sure you need and deserve it.

Sent by dorothy in oregon | 1:41 AM ET | 02-05-2008

Aspiring to overcome challenges under any circumstances, evn if that just means getting out of bed--certainly an admirable aspiration. But perfection? Nah. Give me an image of a chemo-bald woman with henna tattoos on her head as she goes into surgery. It's when you learn to admire the beauty of the struggle--the imperfect--that you really learn to love life.

Sent by N.R. | 7:47 AM ET | 02-05-2008

Leroy,
It's Tuesday morning and I haven't seen your post yet. A day without a post is like a day without sunshine. Are you ok?

Sent by linda bongardino | 8:14 AM ET | 02-05-2008

Leroy,
I have been thinking of you a bunch lately! Just finishing a series of 15 cranial irradiation treatments...only 3 left to go! Was diagnosed with "Small Cell Lung" cancer on February 6, 2007. Did the 6 mos. of chemo, 38 chest radiation treatments, responded as "clean" during the last three months and now the propholactic cranial (PCI). Very frightening to think that my brain may never be the same. However, need you to know that you are a true inspiration to me. Thanks for your blog!

Have a great day!

Sent by Dianne Rennie | 9:01 PM ET | 02-16-2008