Dear Leroy and Laurie,

Keep fighting! You're always in my thoughts and prayers. It's the same stuff I post every time, but it never changes. I'm in for the long haul. Keep the faith.

Sent by Connie | 11:56 AM ET | 02-27-2008

It's been touch and go for me this morning waiting for your post. But, you are doing something much more important. Fight back, we are cheering for all of you in that room.

Sent by Sheara | 11:58 AM ET | 02-27-2008

Thosse things can be just as frightening as lions and tigers and bears - Oh My! I am just so happy you are hard at work on recovering. Keep going Leroy! You can do it.

Sent by Jmoyer | 11:59 AM ET | 02-27-2008

Keep on fighting, Leroy! We're all pulling for you.....

Sent by Brenda | 12:01 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Hey Leroy,

I hear many different tones in todays post. Are they working you too hard??? Keep your chin up and lifting those legs for steps and stairs.

Sent by Sue Chap | 12:02 PM ET | 02-27-2008

I would bet that if polled, everyone there would tell you that 5 yrs ago they never would have dreamed this could be where they would be. I always marvel at the reality of our situations, when i REALLY think about it. Most days we find ourselves so busy dealing with it that we never really think about it. Not deeply, not from a "stepped back" view. Ironic that it consumes our every waking moment....yet, it has become more of an immediate obstacle than an entire journey.
Sometimes it seems like years, other times just momemts.
Liz Z

Sent by liz Zimmerman | 12:07 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Life is worth fighting for. Each moment is precious, even the ones we take for granted, and even the hard ones, because we need yesterday (whatever it was) to get to today and today to get to tomorrow.

Sent by Leonard from Alabama | 12:10 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Interesting Leroy~ How do you feel about the group Therapy? Does it help to work and struggle together with others in various stages of rehabilitation, or would it be better to take each step of the treatment and exercise alone? How does it influence your own outlook about yourself? Does it depress you more or does it help to strugggle along with others in similar circumstances?
I ask you because I was urged to contact and join Support groups years ago when I first dealt with Cancer. I refused because I felt that I must conquer my demons alone and could not bear the thought of sharing my weaknesses & fears with others. Also last April, when I had this stroke, they urged me to get into therapy and support groups. I still cannot cope with that. I am fortunate to have an understanding mate with whom I have shared life with, so we stay rather private.
I would be interested to hear your opinions about "group" therapy and rehabilitation. I am a communicator and love writing and sharing with others, but when it comes to something like physical therapy, struggling to walk, climb, exercising my eyes and vision again since the stroke, I have mixed feelings and have chosen to fight alone. Am I wrong? Your comment today,"We watch each other" makes me wonder.
However you have the constant encouragement and love from us, your Loyal Followers Leroy, and I, for one, am so happy to watch your progress. Know it must hurt. How about your Stroke?

Sent by J C R | 12:13 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Keep fighting!!!! You are always in my prayers

Sent by cv | 12:17 PM ET | 02-27-2008

keep fighting the good fight.

Sent by N.R. | 12:18 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Good day! Good to hear from you; I was worried you had taken a step back. Are you doing all this therapy stuff with minimal pain? We are all cheering for you. I tell people about you and your battles as if you are a real life friend rather than the virtual friend that you are.

Sent by Eleanor | 12:21 PM ET | 02-27-2008

And last week your main characters were....getting out of bed? sitting in a chair? taking long sleeps? OH MY what progress you have made.

Sent by Theresa Lovin | 12:23 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Still cheering for you in Kansas City. Peace and prayers always.

Sent by Julie | 12:35 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Perfect opening line today! I smiled when I read it.

Keep on keeping on Leroy! We are all here for you - rooting for you - praying for you - loving you!

Sent by Vicky (NY) | 12:38 PM ET | 02-27-2008

That's right, Leroy! Life- that's exactly what you're fighting for. And, as long as you believe it's worth fighting for - fight on. I imagine you will till the end of your days.

As my husband used to say- it's better than the alternative!

Sent by Marilyn | 12:41 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Leroy,
Re-read Theresa L's message again...and again....and again....and again...

Kim from Columbia

Sent by Kim Moore | 12:44 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Each of us are fighting for our lives every day, whether it be in sickness, a caretaker or just driving down the road to a Dr.s appointment. That is the magnificient thing about God's plan. None of us knows when our number is up. Keep on fighting Leroy, each and every day is worth it.

Sent by Teresa in WV | 1:06 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Dusting off my 30 year old cheerleading pompoms and rooting you on in your fight!

Sent by Sue in Rochester | 1:30 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Just keep fighting Leroy, we will keep praying!

Sent by Laurie Hirth | 1:59 PM ET | 02-27-2008

So glad to see your post. I kept checking for it. Glad to hear of the progress. I'm rooting for you.

Sent by Kathy Galarneau | 2:25 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Leroy - keep fighting big guy, you are doing awesome and we love you!

Sent by liz | 2:49 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Leroy:
Did you notice the angst when you waited until the very reasonable hour of 10:25 a.m. to post? You are a rock star, Leroy, and we are the papparazzi, hanging on your every move!
Seriously, keep on keeping on -- we think of you every day. Love to Laurie.

Sent by Myra | 3:15 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Leroy - add my voice to the chorus that is cheering for you......can you hear us?? Hopefully every once in awhile when you think you can't do something (which knowing you can't be often) you'll get a whisper from the universe and know how many of us are out here - cheering, and storming the heavens with prayers for you and Laurie! One step at a time!

Sent by Ruth Chermok | 3:21 PM ET | 02-27-2008

I hope that your rehab group is an encouraging and supportive group like your blog. I know that many don't like to participate in Support groups but I always found them to be very good for me on many levels; when I was down, I was lifted up....when others were down, I could do the lifting...we were a team. Some who came had no one to support them so we became their "family". The battle is just so difficult to fight alone so we made sure that those who needed us could feel safe enough to let us know their needs. I must say that I received so much more from the group; I was lifted up in spirit by just being there to listen and help as needed.

Based upon your journey, Leroy, I suspect that you are doing some heavy lifting of spirits in the rehab group. We are witnesses to your compassion and selflessness here each day on your blog. You are a "giver". I know that you do the same for your rehab group.

May God continue to bless you and Laurie.

Sent by Al Cato | 4:01 PM ET | 02-27-2008

God bless anyone going through this. You are all very brave.
As always, I'm pulling for you with my thoughts and prayers.
Ivette

Sent by Ivette | 4:05 PM ET | 02-27-2008

We are all out here rooting for you, cheering for you, and praying for you.
You'll go all the way!

Sent by Marcy in NJ | 4:13 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Leroy,
I am one of those, who checked and checked this morning for your post. What an impact you have made in all our lives. Hopefully, we really are helping you too. You are a wonderful individual. AND, so is Laurie.
Prayers and blessings and May the Grace of God be with You.
Wanda Amorose

Sent by Wanda Amorose | 4:44 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Are you starting to feel like Britney with all us hangers-on?? :) Keep up the fight.

Sent by Jen in NOLA | 4:52 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Fight on, Leroy!
You are an inspiration.
I have been reading this blog for a long time but have never posted a comment. I had cancer almost four years ago and, as a friend who had prostate cancer told me the other day, once you've had cancer, you have cancer. I read your postings every morning and smile or cry, depending on what your day has been like. One way or the other, your words always touch me.
Thank you and don't give up!

Sent by maria | 5:15 PM ET | 02-27-2008

So good to hear from you today. When I checked earlier this am, you had not posted yet. I was very concerned. Hang in there, Leroy the Fighter!

Sent by Kathleen | 5:22 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Amazing how you can verbalize what so many of us have gone through... the wondering, watching, comparing game. It's a game we all would have rather "sat out" on...but keep on keepin' on! Babysteps are getting bigger baby!!

Sent by Jo Ann Baswell | 6:50 PM ET | 02-27-2008

As long as you keep fighting....you stay in the game. God bless you and Laurie each day.
Jane

Sent by Jane from Arkansas | 8:32 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Hi Leroy & Laurie,
Leroy, I'm one of those people who is breathing a sigh of relief that you posted today. I checked this morning, several times, but then had to go to my own doctors' appointments stuff, and am just now getting back to the computer, (before I go to bed and try and get some sleep), and Yippee! You posted! It puts my mind and heart at some ease. How are you doing with how you are feeling about fighting for your life? How's Laurie doing? What's going on behind the curtain? Are you scared? I think I'm scared for you. This is a hard place to be in, but as always you and Laurie have my prayers and best healing thoughts headed your way.
Heartlight,
Kim

Sent by Kim | 8:51 PM ET | 02-27-2008

We may check and check but it because we care and we are rooting for your spirits to stay up too! Not all days are going to be great and some days you need to just replenish your spirit without tending to this blog at all. Just know we all are praying , day and night, for everyone!

Sent by Lucy Groh | 10:02 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Leroy, thank you for all you have given me. You continue to inspire and teach. Thank you from the bottem of my heart.
Linda

Sent by linda | 11:01 PM ET | 02-27-2008

It is a strange & loving club we now belong too. Where we each want so badly for the other to succeed...times when I have sat & cried for thanks for someone I have never met but is on this journey and had a god test or PET scan or even day.. I think of that song from years ago where the huge group of people held hands and swayed to their love of coke..now I want to hold all of you hands and pray together for life and the fight against cancer...someone out there holds the key & God bless you whomever you are!!

Sent by Cherie Brown, Tucson | 11:47 PM ET | 02-27-2008

oh so true. and that's all I have to say about that.

Sent by Kaye | 6:43 PM ET | 02-28-2008

Leroy,

Keep on keepin' on! You amaze and inspire us all.

Suzanne

Sent by Suzanne Lindley | 10:18 PM ET | 03-02-2008