Good Morning Leroy! Good Luck today and may it be an uneventful one with "no new news"! Sun is shining and it has turned delightfully cool for June. On a day like this, which you say is becoming "routine" for you, do you have to fast or prepare for these these tests? Can you at least look forward to a wonderful Cheesesteak sandwich and maybe a piece of cake with dollops of icing on top when they finally finish messing with you? Good luck, good news, and lots of love from us all.

Sent by J C R | 7:10 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Scan day. I hope the bed is not too hard for you, and that it is a rather uneventful day!!!!
WE are here thinking of you everyday and praying for you. Just think of what you have done for us.
Prayers,
Wanda Amorose

Sent by Wanda Amorose | 7:14 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy,
While I can't relieve the stress you spoke of yesterday, or the worry of today, perhaps I can push it aside slightly by simply saying thank you. To know you've helped another person is no small thing. I found your blog just days ago and read the entire two years of posts in one sitting. I am six months into the cancer journey with my mother-in-law (stage IIIc colon cancer). She has moved in with us, and to say that stress is involved all the way around would be accurate.
But, reading your posts has put some things into perspective, and for that I thank you. I hope all goes unsurprisingly well for you today.
Elizabeth B.

Sent by Elizabeth Brant | 7:19 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy,
I will keep you in my prayers...
You deserve a no surprises day! We are with you today, as always, in spirit! Your not alone my friend! Hugs to you and Laurie.

Sent by Laurie Hirth | 7:22 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Will be thinking of you today!

Sent by Liz L. | 7:39 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Will be keeping you in my thoughts, Leroy. I pray that there will be no bad surprises as well. I am really sorry that you are having to endure so much. Your courage in dealing with all of this is amazing.

Sent by Jen | 7:44 AM ET | 06-18-2008

We'll hope and pray for no "surprises". You know the choices for the radiation to the brain....if the tumors are fewer than 3-4, they can zap them with gamma knife. If there are more lesions, then Whole Brain Radiation is a choice. WBR has some potential worrisome side effects longer term but I'd give it a try considering the circumstances. WBR plus Temodar (a drug that crosses the blood-brain barrier) has produced some good results in others.

Hoping and praying for a good outcome!

Sent by Al Cato | 7:50 AM ET | 06-18-2008

With you all day.

Sent by Jack B | 7:52 AM ET | 06-18-2008

i hope all goes smoothly for you leroy!
:)

Sent by Jenn | 7:52 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Hi Leroy, I agree, let it be a "no surprise" day. And I hope the radiation to your pelvis reduces the cancer that's there and hopefully helps with the pain.

Even though this may have become routine, you are still a real warrior. Don't forget it!

Sent by N.R. | 7:54 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy,

Your day is certainly not sounding like fun. In fact, it sounds rather tiring. Be sure to take a good book, or a handheld puzzle with you to pass the time. Stake out the most comfortable seat you can. And don't forget snacks and water.

Radiation should help the pain the hip. Prayers of strength during the day.

Sent by Sue Chap | 7:56 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Dear Leroy,
I hope your wish for a "no surprise" day comes true. . . you sure deserve a break!
Love and best wishes to you!
~ Margo

Sent by Margo Gerber in Michigan | 8:03 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Dear Leroy,
I wish you the best today. There are so many life issues your writing prompts me to explore and process each day. Like so many others, I think of you and wish all was going better for you throughout the day.

Sent by Karen B. | 8:07 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Here's to a boring visit to the hospital. Praying for you in Chicago Leroy.

Sent by Lisa | 8:10 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Sending my love to you, Leroy, and to Laurie as well.... you both know how to make it through days like this one....

Sent by Brenda | 8:13 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy - I've been away for a few days......a belated happy birthday to you, and you might not have made 53 but you did!! so we all celebrate you!!!
I'll be praying for a "no surprise" day for you and Laurie!

Sent by Ruth Chermok | 8:34 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy, I too hope you can have a no surprise day and that the radiation on your pelvis will help with the pain. We are all walking along with you today. Will keep you and Laurie in our prayers.

Sent by dorothy in oregon | 8:36 AM ET | 06-18-2008

JCR,
I look forward to your messages. I sense you have acquired much wisdom through experiences and years. I would like to offer you some comfort in response to your post yesterday but I'm not sure what to say. Maybe just my good thoughts going your way might help? I hope so.
Jeanne

Sent by Jeanne | 8:37 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy,

I hope you complete the dreaded and tedious "work" of the day and stop for ice cream (with sprinkles) on the way back home.

Peggy

Sent by Peggy | 8:39 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Praying for no surprises.

Hugs. Hugs. Hugs.

Sent by Lori | 8:50 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Take along a small amoubt of icing in a plastic food bag as though it's part of your medical junk. Hold it in your lap til just the right occassion arrives. At that time open it up, smell of it, frown/gag, and then use something(maybe a straw that you just happen to have) to taste it. Let the observer be the one "getting surprised" today. Humor might do you a world of good! And I do hope that you will begin to find relief. Yes, drug companies are big drug pushers, but we need take what will help us physically and mentally. J.C.R., I hope that you will accept medication that might bring joy into the remaining yrs. that you have with your beloved husband. He sounds like a kind man who would be a pleasure to share every remaining day with, even though the days have there physical challenge. Hugs to you both.

Sent by Susan | 8:52 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Dearest Leroy

From your mouth to G-d's ears!

Jan

Sent by Janice Goldberg White | 8:53 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Good Morning Leroy, Laurie and All,

Leroy, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers today. And I hope that you are right and this is a: "No suprise day." You have more than earned one!

Laurie, I know this will be another long day for you. But I hope that the good news you both receive will make the wait easier.

To All, I will be headed out to the Cancer Clinic today too. And Tom will be by my side. It will be a long day for him today too. I want to give a special HUG to all the caregivers who fight this battle with us. We couldn't do it without you!! THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart!! God Bless!!

Eileen Pruyne
Charlotte, NC

Sent by Eileen Pruyne | 9:02 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Dear Leroy,

Here's a vote for a "no - suprise" day from this blogger. You have been through so much. I hope your pain diminishes. Hang in there Leroy and try to find some quiet time when you get back home. I will be thinking of you.

Love, Graham from Sag Harbor.

Sent by Graham G. Hawks | 9:08 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy, I wish you well as you undergo yet more radiation today, hoping that your pain will be much reduced, and greater comfort acheived! God bless!

Sent by Retha | 9:09 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy,
I know it will be a long, tiring day but you are tough. It's terrible when cancer becomes your job but that is what it feels like with my husband. His only job is to go to the doctor, wait for test results and recover from whatever is going on. Our reward is sometimes a good meal if he's up to it and the tastebuds are working. Have something you love and enjoy the moment with Laurie. God bless.

Sent by kathie | 9:10 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy, I hope the only surprises today are welcome ones. Thinking of you. -Jey Kernis

Sent by Jay Kernis | 9:16 AM ET | 06-18-2008

To a "no surprise" day Leroy.

God bless you.

Judy

Sent by Judy Voller | 9:16 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Here's to wishing for a "no surprise day."

Hope all goes well at the hospital today.

We're all behind you and Laurie!

Sent by Tracy | 9:18 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy,
Hope you can feel the collective love and gentle hugs of your cancer community. We are walking beside you in this journey. And if need be, we will hold you up as the journey gets more difficult.

Sent by Mel Sebastiani | 9:30 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy,

I am new to your blog, and I just want you to know how much your courage and story means to me. I wish you the best of all things today.

Sent by Kathy Seeley | 9:30 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy, wishing you a day with no surprises and maybe even some unexpected gifts. Every morning, at the start of your day, think of how much your sharing your story means to us and how much we all love you and Laurie. Best of luck to you today.

Sent by NancyGM | 9:31 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Dear Leroy,
I hope there is still cake waiting for you when you get back home today - and icing, too, if you haven't eaten it all with a spoon by now!
Keeping you in my thoughts.

Sent by Linda | 9:42 AM ET | 06-18-2008

I'm thinking of you and praying for No Suprizes today. Wishing you well, Leroy.

Sent by JJG | 9:42 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Best of luck w/ your scans and treatments Leroy. I hope that the rads avails you of relief of the pain you've been coping with.
As for the stress that you discussed yesterday, I'd suggest that you meditate regularly. It's not difficult...the "Relaxation Response" by Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard describes it, and I used to teach my patients how to do it in five minutes.
Meditating truly helps to relieve stress in a very gentle way. In your situation, you could do it as often during the day as you chose to. As a new meditator, you'd likely find it challenging to focus at first, but with practice, that soon goes away, and you achieve a state that is restful to your body, and even more so to your mind. I like to meditate when I'm being scanned, as long as I'm not continually being instructed to "Breathe in. Breathe out."
E-mail me if you have any questions about it. I'm wishing deep peace of the flowing waves to you and to Laurie. Hugs

Sent by Nancy K Clark | 9:43 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy

I will be thinking of you and Laurie today. You have been through so much; you are truly an inspiration. Keep your spirit up and I'll keep my fingers crossed for NO SUPRISES today! with love!!!

Sent by Tess from KY | 9:43 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Praying for your peace of mind, Leroy.

Sent by Judy | 9:43 AM ET | 06-18-2008

I wish for you a no surprises day, Leroy. Instead, how about a completely uneventful day filled with peace and grace? And so it is...

Sent by Anita Solomon | 9:50 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Dear Leroy,
I am sending prayers for a "no surprise" day and some pain relief from the radiation.
Charlotte in Rural Ridge, PA

Sent by Charlotte Kewish | 9:50 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Good morning Leroy. Your words today crash into my mind and allow me (to the extent possible) a view from your perspective. I join with your legion of readers in saying how much I care. I send my love to you and Laurie and pray that discernment will be achieved with some degree of ease. I, also, will hope you have a "no surprise" day. Joyce

Sent by Joyce Hughes | 9:52 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Good luck, Leroy. Hope your day is a very 'normal', boring one.

Kathy B.

Sent by Kathy B. | 9:53 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Hi Leroy,
I hope you have no surprises today

I hope you have a peaceful day

Karen

Sent by Karen | 9:53 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Good luck today, Leroy!! And God be with you with your decision making my friend.
You know, BORING is good!! I love BORING and uneventful, and that's what I wish for you neighbor!! {{{hug}}}

Sent by Linda Lee | 9:54 AM ET | 06-18-2008

"Hospital Day"
Any day at the hospital, as routine as it may be,seems to always stir a little anxiousness. I guess no matter how routine , there is most often a sence of uncertainty. Hopefully this uncertainty fullfills a day of NO surprises.
I am walking beside you Leroy and praying for a sence of ease during your treatments.
God Bless you

Sent by Pam | 9:56 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Here's to a non-surprise day. I continue to read your blog daily and send good thoughts to you and Laurie.
Be well.
Sandra Yudilevich

Sent by Sandra Yudilevich | 9:59 AM ET | 06-18-2008

May your day be filled with "NO SURPRISES". Just the same boring stuff that you've had before. Prayers are with you and your family always.

Linda

Sent by Linda | 10:01 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Good luck to you -

Sent by Deb from Michigan | 10:04 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Wishing you an Uneventful Hospital Day. That's what we always hope for on Hospital Days (my husband is Stage IV NSCLC). His last round of radiation hip worked terrifically well, but in the process of lying on the metal bed of the radiation machine, it stirred up some former problems in his rib cage (doh!). By the way, we both think your post about uncomfortable radiation machine beds was right on! It amazes us that, in this day and age, someone can't design a more comfortable set up -- especially considering the fact that most of the people who *need* to be irradiated have a lot of issues with bone pain. Anyhow, good luck today. Hope it all goes well and that you get speedy results.

bev

Sent by bev wigney | 10:05 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Just the same old, same old for you today. No revelations of any kind. And may your luck extend to this intention.

Sent by Pat Z. | 10:09 AM ET | 06-18-2008

I pray that God will give you the gift of living in the present today. Of enjoying the tiniest pleasure to the max, be it an exquisite blue sky, unexpected smile from a stranger, or that last piece of birthday cake waiting just for you.

Sent by Cathy | 10:12 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Good luck you are in our thoughts & prayers.

Sent by Cherie Brown, Tucson | 10:14 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Dig deep today my friend.
Scan days are exhausting on many levels.
I hope you have some James Taylor on your i-pod. Also might I suggest John Donohue, lilting voice, interesting thoughts. Lastly, I keep an SNL episode on i-pod "The Best of Chris Farley", so funny you could laugh through a spinal tap!!
No surprises, just steady as you go.
(((HUGS)))

Sent by Debra in New Hampshire | 10:18 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Dear Leroy,

Best of luck, many prayers, and only pleasant surprises.

Sent by Connie | 10:20 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy,

Pick out a comfortable chair, take a book or hand held puzzle, and don't forget the snacks.

The radiation should help the pain in the hip.

Best to you and Laurie today.

Sent by Sue Chap | 10:30 AM ET | 06-18-2008

You are in my thoughts today. We all want no surprises. Have some pie and ice cream after your trip. You deserve it.
With care.

Sent by anne lumberger | 10:34 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy,

Everyone has said everything I might want to say today, but I want to be counted in your cheering section.

Blessings.

Sent by Diana Kitch | 10:56 AM ET | 06-18-2008

I'll be thinking of you today, Leroy (and you, too, Laurie) ... hoping for "no surprises".

That's my own wish today as we head to the oncologist for my husband's monthly visit. No surprises means we get to stop at In-n-Out Burger afterward. Yum.

Sent by Dianne in Nevada | 11:19 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Hello Leroy,
First of all - Happy Belated Birthday!!! I too love the icing, so enjoy. While you at the hospital receiving radition, your army of supporters is armed with prayers and positive thoughts. You are a very brave man to continue to do battle with this ugly beast. You are my hero. It is not over until the fat lady sings. Never give up! You provide all of us with the hope and inspiration we all need just to get through our daily lives. Take care.

Sent by Nancy Owen | 11:21 AM ET | 06-18-2008

When I was a child I used to hate boring days - now I love them! I hope your day today is mundane and eneventful. We are with you both, every moment-I hope you can feel all of us in your blog family close to you and caring for you.
Eileen we are thinking of you too - thank you for your kind comments about caregivers. You make me feel special.
Lots of love

Sent by Tina from Alton IL | 11:31 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Another prayer for a no surprise day! Hope today is a good one for you!

Sent by Cori Swanson | 11:32 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy, from the bottom of my heart, I wish you a routine day full of ordinary delights and no surprises.

Thinking of you a lot.

Sent by Jacki | 11:40 AM ET | 06-18-2008

Thanks for letting us know where you'll be today - I'm here to carry some of the load.

Be in peace

Sent by Joan S. | 11:45 AM ET | 06-18-2008

As you ready for your radiation, visualize all these words in cyberspace forming a quilt of silken threads. May it cover you with our prayers and warmth and good thuoghts and help to give you comfort and strength. May it help to ease your pain. I am amazed at all the kindness that comes your way from all states and from all over the world. From teachers and nurses and doctors and everyday folks who are journeying along this path with you. As a 61 year old grandma, a cancer survivor, this internet is mind boggling to me. I remember the days of carbon copies and adressographs! Perhaps your "army" can pick one day and everyone that reads your blog can write you. I have a feeling you are reaching thousands. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Sent by Anne Burke | 11:53 AM ET | 06-18-2008

I'll be holding you and Laurie in my heart today, sending up fervent wishes for no bad surprises. Beyond that, I will even hope you encounter one slice of encouraging news or one unexpected joy.

Sent by Doris | 12:02 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Prayers for a boring day and good results..

Then go get a grocery store cake with icing!!

Patsy

Sent by Patsy Elmore | 12:02 PM ET | 06-18-2008

I am sending "No surprises for Leroy" vibes.

Sent by Beth S | 12:04 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Dearest Leroy,
We are all with you today in thoughts and prayers. Please try not to get stressed out and we all wish you comfort during your radiation. Peace and Comfort.

Sent by Teresa in WV | 12:20 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Happy, happy birthday!?? Here's to the next year and surprising yourself (again) at 54!?? And may the other surprise be that radiation does wonders for your pain.?? Keep those icing roses comin'...

Sent by Marcia E. | 12:25 PM ET | 06-18-2008

I will keep you in my prayers. I hope you get somme relieve of your pain.
Keep on fighting!

Sent by Marelly | 12:27 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Praying for you today, with wishes that if there are to be any surprises, that they be GOOD surprises. Hoping for your peace and comfort and some of those unexpected gifts ...

Sent by Kim Forester | 12:44 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Each of us wishes we could say the magic words that will allow you a no surprise day, or reassure you, or distract you from your situation.
Waves of love and prayer wash toward you, hands of light lift you up and hold you in care.

Sent by Peggy Carey | 1:14 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Having a day of "no surprises" would certainly help alleviate a lot of the stress you wrote about in yesterday's blog. Looking forward to no surprises with a cancer diagnosis is like living your life the way you thought you lived it PRIOR to the cancer diagnosis or the way you hope to live it once treatment is over.
I find myself saying, "I want my life back." But what I mean is I want a life filled with only the surprises I want to experience and none of the surprises that life seems to randomly dump on me.
Here is hoping that today is a "no surprise" day for you too!

Sent by Janell | 1:16 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Thinking of you as my husband and I are taking what we plan to be an "uneventful" 3 weeks with some of our kids in Seattle before he starts a new chemotherapy regime. Audacious, right? We've got it to spare, so we're using some of it imagining a "no surprise" day for you two.
Be well.

Sent by Ceese Stickles | 2:21 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Have you eaten the last piece of cake yet? If no...eat some tonight. If so... pick up another and have a bite for me.

Love & prayers from Kansas

Sent by GFC | 2:40 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Dear Leroy !!
I wish you no more surprises! Just good ,old fashioned news-----no stuff in the brain and bone (or anywhere else. Thinking of you. Take care ,,xox dee

Sent by dee | 3:19 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Hey leroy,

Hang in there today!! Hopefully your day will be uneventful. You will be in my thoughtsand prayers. You are amazing and make a difference in the lives of so many. Stop for dessert on the way home for a great big piece of cake with extra icing!!

Take care,

Mary

Sent by Mary McLellen | 3:45 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Dear Leroy, I have alot of close women friends for whom I am deeply grateful. They know my schedule and call to find out the latest results and are sometimes surprised when I don't know. I used to call with alacrity but when the news is consistently bad one loses one's enthusiasm for hearing it. I've developped a flat fatalistic attitude toward my cancer--not that I'm not fighting it tooth and nail--and researching it, and ultimately looking at my results--but I so much prefer hearing about my nurse's wedding plans. Now there's something to get excited about.

Sent by salee | 4:06 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Yes, yes, indeed, drugs are a very necessary part of our getting well. I was "launched " into Chemo 25 yrs ago and it apparently has saved my life because I am still here. Please don't mistake my not wanting any mood altering medicine now in order to cope with depression. I am trying to handle it by myself because my husband, who is 9 yrs my senior is not well and may need me to be alert and ready to help him should the time arrive. As some of you have noted, he is a great man and after sixty years together, I do not want to be in "La-la land" if and when he ever needs me. Necessary drugs and medicines, properly prescribed ,definately have there place in my life.

Sent by J C R | 4:14 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy.
Not to be contrary, but I wish you a suprise-filled day. I hope that your treatment is suprisingly effective and that the scan is suprisingly encouraging.
All our best to you and Laurie.

Sent by Gene Koeneman | 4:23 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy,
Remember to take frequent deep breaths!They will help to relax you. It is amazing how little we breathe when we are stressed. I am praying for you.

Sent by Mary C. in Kingston, MA | 4:44 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Hope by now it is over for you, Leroy and Eileen and Tom, too.

I'll be away from the computer for a couple of days and hope when I get back, there is nothing but better news.

My oldest and I are going to get youngest at an NRA (National Rifleman Asso) camp in Raton, NM. It's his first time away from home and he has been gone more than 10 days. Quite an experience, especially with a Father's Day service in the mountains Sunday. It really got to him and he called with some bad moments.

It was hard not to be able to hug him, but he has met another boy who has also lost a father, and another one with "family problems" of some kind, so he was able to see that he was not alone in his grief and he faired better than I thought.

Scott had an opportunity to feel for someone else, just as we do on this blog. He hasn't really grieved yet and meeting someone in the same shoes was quite a different thing for him. I'm proud as he has offered to "be there" for this other child who's Father took his own life, which shows lots of maturity on Scott's part.

I really feel for the children in Cancer families, both those with Cancer and those dealing with the losses that come with it. It is hard knowing what is going on and not being able to do anything about it. Often, they are caregivers, too.

I remember a 20 year-old son helping his Father in the Cancer Center in Denver. He was doing all the things I was doing, including giving baths, changing ostomy bags, and holding hands. It was hard enough on me and I could not imagaine what this young man was going through. My sons did their parts, however, including running the farm, but it takes quite a mature person to sit on the front line with the patient. That Father had obviously done something right and loving when he raised his child.

I'm wondering about sasha. Hope Elaine is working through things as I know her hands are full.

love to all.

Nikki

Sent by Nikki in Kansas | 4:45 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Hi Leroy,
For you, I hope "NO" surprises. But if there is a surprise, I hope they find it, and they will be able to "deal" with it. I am pleased that you are going forward on this treatment. Nothing alters the course, but I truly believe a positive attitude certainly doesn't hurt, if anything it helps. I will keep you in my thoughts. "STAY IN THE MOMENT, STAY IN TODAY"

Page Hendryx - Gresham Oregon

Sent by Page Hendryx | 4:49 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy,
May you have no more surprises today, and if they do come up my God give you the courage and strength to handle it.
You & Laurie are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sent by Aurella | 5:18 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Hope by now it is over for you, Leroy and Eileen and Tom, too.

I'll be away from the computer for a couple of days and hope when I get back, there is nothing but better news.

My oldest and I are going to get youngest at an NRA (National Rifleman Asso) camp in Raton, NM. It's his first time away from home and he has been gone more than 10 days. Quite an experience, especially with a Father's Day service in the mountains Sunday. It really got to him and he called with some bad moments.

It was hard not to be able to hug him, but he has met another boy who has also lost a father, and another one with "family problems" of some kind, so he was able to see that he was not alone in his grief and he faired better than I thought.

Scott had an opportunity to feel for someone else, just as we do on this blog. He hasn't really grieved yet and meeting someone in the same shoes was quite a different thing for him. I'm proud as he has offered to "be there" for this other child who's Father took his own life, which shows lots of maturity on Scott's part.

I really feel for the children in Cancer families, both those with Cancer and those dealing with the losses that come with it. It is hard knowing what is going on and not being able to do anything about it. Often, they are caregivers, too.

I remember a 20 year-old son helping his Father in the Cancer Center in Denver. He was doing all the things I was doing, including giving baths, changing ostomy bags, and holding hands. It was hard enough on me and I could not imagaine what this young man was going through. My sons did their parts, however, including running the farm, but it takes quite a mature person to sit on the front line with the patient. That Father had obviously done something right and loving when he raised his child.

I'm wondering about sasha. Hope Elaine is working through things as I know her hands are full.

love to all.

Nikki

Sent by Nikki in Kansas | 5:21 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Dear Leroy,
Also hoping for a "no stress" day for you. Just read your post as I was on the road by 6:30 AM. Found myself thinking of you as I listened to "Defying Gravity" from Wicked!

All the best as always,

Sent by betsey | 5:57 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Exactly - no surprises. Just relief from the pelvic pain.

Still lifting!

Sent by Janice J. , Los Angeles | 6:17 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy & Laurie,

Add me to the chorus of "No more surprises". The two of you deserve a peaceful day.

Here's hoping that the radiation helps get rid of the pain.

Sent by Marie | 6:25 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Hoping for no surprises and thanking you for being you.

Sent by Annie | 7:03 PM ET | 06-18-2008

May your day and evening be full of all the boredom you wish and your hand on the remote to order any excitement of fun that you wish!

Sent by Lucy | 7:28 PM ET | 06-18-2008

I'll be with you and Laurie tomorrow, in thoughts and prayers.

Jane

Sent by Jane | 8:56 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Leroy, I hope it helped and that by now it's over and you are resting nicely. And I hope it was a no surprize day. You deserve one after your "Alexander and the horrible no good very bad day" you just had recently (it's a childrens book). Sleep well and know good thoughts are coming your way from the windy city.

Sent by beth | 9:19 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Hi Leroy,
I'm responding late in the day so you no doubt have your results. If anyone deserves a break, it's you. There is a saying "don't be afraid when you have no choice". I sense a calm acceptance in you- I know you'll fight for every last inch of meaningful life. I also know your realistic acceptance of how things are will enable you to enjoy all that life still has to offer.In you case, it is a lot.

Sent by linda h. | 9:27 PM ET | 06-18-2008

Praying for "no surprises" and boldly asking for some good news. Hang in there, my friend. Keep fighting!

Sent by Stacy | 10:27 PM ET | 06-18-2008

No surprise day sounds like an excellent idea! I see the hematologist again (I suppose this is upwards of 30 visits or more). I'd like a no surprise day, too.

I might accept a surprise if it was REALLY positive, though.

You have a lot of people pulling for you, Leroy.

Sent by Scott S. | 2:06 AM ET | 06-19-2008

One new website they practically walk you through is www.caringbridges.org. They let you post daily how you are feeling & like your blog places for comments.

Sent by Cherie Brown | 2:34 AM ET | 06-19-2008