'My Cancer...'

Thank you this is an amazing presentation. Made me think of what role the cancer plays in my and my family lifes..

Sent by Ira | 11:01 AM | 6-26-2008

Dear Beth and everyone at NPR, thank you for compiling that inspiring collection of comments and photographs. If I have learned anything from this blog it is that the human spirit prevails over the disease - this forum and community is amazing.

To all of you pictured in that collection and all of you who responded to Leroy's "my cancer..." prompt, your bravery and the fact that your true lives and characters shine through the burden of cancer to so clearly define you inspires my soul. Thank you for your daily inspiration and honesty.

Sent by liz | 11:09 AM | 6-26-2008

This small sampling of Leroy's Army brought tears to my eyes: tears of anguish at how cancer impacts so many lives, tears of frustration at how little we can do despite how much is done, and tears of joy at how much love this community has generated.

Thank you, Leroy. Out of a personal hardship you have created a true community. That would be a marvelous legacy for anyone.

Sent by Joe Robertson | 11:34 AM | 6-26-2008

Awesome to see faces... Can we send more, if so how????

Sent by Sue Chap | 11:46 AM | 6-26-2008

Thank you Beth...a true labor of love!! You just can't know how good it feels to place faces to names of those we have come to love.

Sent by Betty Obst | 11:48 AM | 6-26-2008

amazing. thanks to all. I am humbled to be in your company.

Sent by Claire | 11:56 AM | 6-26-2008

Beautiful!

Sent by Doris | 11:58 AM | 6-26-2008

More of the same, PLEASE!!!!!

Sent by Sue Chap | 11:59 AM | 6-26-2008

I just heard about this today for the first time and hope I can add: my cancer.... has taught me to ask for help, listen wholeheartedly, appreciate those I love, live with fear and believe in my purpose

Sent by Linda-Jo Greenberg | 12:06 PM | 6-26-2008

Beth, Thank you so much for this wonderful addition to My Cancer. What a lovely gift to see photos of our blog family and their loved ones. More please.

Sent by Penny Coeur d'Alene, Idaho | 12:23 PM | 6-26-2008

I heard you on the radio this a.m. on my way to work. I was struck by your journey through and with cancer. I know I am a stranger but I feel compelled to tell you that your story made me cry and that is good. What you are learning through this, you are teaching. Empathy is a powerful baramoter of our society. I was glad your story made me cry. One more thing; though I am powerless to change your situation please know that I pray for you, your family and your friends. God bless you from a tiny corner in MT. You have touched me.

Sent by ljurack | 12:44 PM | 6-26-2008

Wow! Great job Beth. It's so wonderful to see and hear from everyone. Like other commentors - more, more, more please!!!

Sent by Amy from Minnetonka, MN | 12:51 PM | 6-26-2008

This is so beautiful. It brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes.

Thank you.

Sent by Connie | 12:53 PM | 6-26-2008

Thanks for sharing Beth. Its amazing to me how much community is here. Its good to see others who comment here to put a name to a post. Thanks for sharing that gift with all of us. And yes more please.:)

Sent by Kerry in Michigan | 1:21 PM | 6-26-2008

Thanks for moving this to a more accessible place! Now, where is my picture that I sent you?

Sent by Dianne (DC) | 1:24 PM | 6-26-2008

What beautiful faces. Because of cancer my husband watched his mother die when he was 8 years old. It took his father twenty years later. Cancer is a monster. I hate it.

Sent by Wendy | 1:24 PM | 6-26-2008

Beth: Thank you so much for including Burge & I in your photo project. Burge would be honored.

Like so many others, I'd love to see more of my blog friends. What a wonderful book this would make. Perhaps including the "how I'd like to be remembered blog" too.

Nikki

Sent by Nikki in Kansas | 1:27 PM | 6-26-2008

Beth, That was great, I too thank you. I am a daily reader of this blog, and didnt know about the photos, how do we submit a photo? And can you tell us how many hits this site gets each day, am so curious how many people are touched by this blog. I have found this blog to be one of the most amazing and profound words I have ever read. Thank you to all who help make this blog happen.

Sent by Nancy | 1:31 PM | 6-26-2008

Thank you Beth for putting faces to our blog family. It was awesome and brought tears to my eyes!! Love the pics and comments and would love to include my Dad's pic with the others. He lost his life to cancer 11 months ago...

Sent by Karen | 2:52 PM | 6-26-2008

Beth,
What a tribute for all of us. We have grown to love and support all of these people. To see their faces and put a face with the name is amazing. Thank you for such a wonderful loving tribute to so many in Leroy's Army.

Sent by Laurie Hirth | 3:17 PM | 6-26-2008

Dear Beth, This photo blog is remarkable, a lesson in photos (plus words) about how remarkable people are in the face of adversity. A picture says a thousand words. Thank you for putting this together.

Sent by Linda | 3:30 PM | 6-26-2008

Thank you for the work you all did putting together that beautiful presentation. It made my day better today and connected me to many fellow travelers on this Cancer Road. It may not be feasible, but I for one, would deeply appreciate the ability for it to be added to over time. There are so many faces, so many stories. I can't tell you what it meant to me to see other strong people living life...not preparing to die as LeRoy so eloquently put it in a previous post.

Sent by Kim Madsen | 3:39 PM | 6-26-2008

Great presentation! We identify so much with many of the comments and pictures. Thanks.

Sent by Michael Perry | 3:45 PM | 6-26-2008

Beth, Thank you for doing this for all of us. Even for a "lurker" it is a wish come true to see the faces behind the stories and we all have a story. Who hasn't been changed by cancer? It has changed my family, friends and even distant relatives. Coming from a small community, even people who don't know me, know my story. Hopefully it will, at the least raise some awareness. Also thank you to all of Leroy's army for being so open and honest. You all have truly helped me make it through more than one day.

Sent by Linda | 3:47 PM | 6-26-2008

Beth - I wished I would have known we could send pictures. This is awesome. I would have loved to sent one in of my husband and I together.

Sent by Deb from Michigan | 3:58 PM | 6-26-2008

For some reason I get the main page with three photos, but whichever one I click on I get a photo of a man with a fish. I see no arrow or "next" telling me to go on to more photos. What am I doing wrong? I would dearly love to view the gallery.

Sent by wendy | 4:06 PM | 6-26-2008

Dear Beth,
How wonderful to see some of faces behind the words from our blog (and it truly is our blog!) Thank you so much for doing this for not only Leroy but for all of us as well.

Warmly,
Betsey (and Steve) on the Golden Gate Bridge

Sent by betsey in albany ny | 4:24 PM | 6-26-2008

Beth,

Bravo!

Sent by Teri Thomas | 4:25 PM | 6-26-2008

Beth, Oh what a perfect job you did with this montage! A true labor of love straight from your hearts to all of us and everyone in the universe that sees it. Such tears I shed...lots of emotions...but mostly joy because This is VICTORY over cancer. The transcendance of suffering of the physical body through victory of the spirit can be seen, in one way or another, in each of the 32 families and individuals honored. I wish I could give someone a hug...I guess it will be my sister who has so far been victorious over the Beast. It is all about love...

And thank you Leroy. I heard your voice again. How comforting. What a great day!! Love to all.
Graham from Sag Harbor

Sent by Graham G. Hawks | 4:26 PM | 6-26-2008

Never mind, I figured it out. Just click on a photo, and another one pops up. Thank you so much for this gallery, Beth. I agree with others - more pictures if possible!!!!

Sent by Wendy | 4:28 PM | 6-26-2008

Beth
The photo gallery is beautiful and made me smile through my tears! What a wonderful idea and how lovely to see our blog family.

Sent by Tina from Alton IL | 4:47 PM | 6-26-2008

Dear Beth, Thank you for the pictures being able to see beautiful people with their remarkable strengh in adversity. I to submitted my picture,canser thought me to be patient, enjoy every minute most specially the little things, laugh and live one day at the time. God bless you.
Marelly

Sent by Marelly | 5:05 PM | 6-26-2008

Please Beth, consider adding more! I'd love to be able to contribute.

Sent by Donna R. in NJ | 5:29 PM | 6-26-2008

This is beautiful... I will say again that I've learned more about living from my friends (and others) living w/cancer than those of us who tend to take everything and day for granted. We shouldn't do that...

Sent by Rebecca Weber | 5:57 PM | 6-26-2008

Beth, thanks for adding Michael and me to your montage. You did a beautiful job! Since I wrote the passage, Michael has been disgnosed with recurrence and is back in chemotherapy. Uggh! Our best to all struggling with cancer, especially to Leroy and this community.

Sent by Paul | 6:01 PM | 6-26-2008

Dear Beth,

This is so wonderful!! Thank you. I find comfort every day when I come here.

Thank you to Leroy, too. I pray for us all every day.

Sent by barbara j | 6:12 PM | 6-26-2008

Amazing!!!
It is immensely touching...

Sent by Bor | 7:04 PM | 6-26-2008

My cancer wasn't my cancer at all.

But a horrific disease took my life partner away, and for that I am supremely pissed.

We were supposed to have a "happily ever after," and at 41 I was robbed of that happy ending.

Thank you to the blog/blog community for the sharing and the photos and stories.

Beth, can you arrange to permalink the photo/story site from the main blog page? It's too important to be allowed to "fall off" the page.

Sent by Bruce | 7:42 PM | 6-26-2008

Thank you Beth, Leroy and NPR!

I remember reading the original comments (all of them) and crying. It was amazing to get this insight to people's lives.

The pictures today were a gift (I have commented before that I have pictures of the other bloggers in my mind's eye).

It reminds us all that we aren't alone.

Sent by Liz L. | 7:43 PM | 6-26-2008

Thank you Beth, it was a beautiful tribute to our blog family...

Sent by Faun | 7:46 PM | 6-26-2008

Leroy,
I want to share with you a poem written by Joshua Loth Liebman which our congregation usually prints as part of the Memorial Service for Yizkor. It is entitled DEATH IS NOT THE ENEMY:

I often feel that death is not the enemy of life, but it's friend; for it is the knowledge that our years are limited which makes them so precious. It is the truth that time is but lent to us which makes us, at our best, look upon our years as a trust handed into our temporary keeping.

We are like children privileged to spend a day in a great park, a park filled with many gardens and playgrounds and azure tinted lakes with white boats sailing upon the tranquil waves.

True, that day allotted to each of us is not the same in length, in light, in beauty. Some children of earth are privileged to spend a long and sunlit day in the garden of the earth. For others, the day is shorter, cloudier, and dusk descends mroe quickly as in a winters tale.

But whether our life is a long summery day or a shorter wintery afternoon, we know that inevitably there are storms and squalls which overcast even the bluest heaven and there are sunlit rays which pierce the darkest autumn sky. The day that we are privileged to spend in this great park of life is not the same for all human beings; but there is enough beauty and joy and gaiety in the hours, if we will but treasure them.

Then, for each of us the moment comes when the great nurse, death, takes us by the hand and quietly says, "It is time to go home. Night is coming. It is your bedtime child of earth. Come; you're tired. Lie down at last in the quiet nursery of nature and sleep.
Sleep well. The day is gone. Stars shine in the canopy of eternity."

For some reason this brought me a degree of relief from the pain of burying my mother, father, sister, and ultimately, brother, who two years ago died of cancer. I hope it brings you a measure of peace.

Nancy Nerenberg

Sent by Nancy Nerenberg | 8:17 PM | 6-26-2008

This was beautifully presented. Thanks for a job well done.

Sent by Susan | 8:40 PM | 6-26-2008

Beth - You did a beautiful job - thank you.

Sent by Beth | 8:46 PM | 6-26-2008

Beth, Thanks for giving us a chance to send in pictures. Even though Leon and I were not chosen, I felt connected to see faces of others--Like Nikki and Burge.
Thanks again, Jane

Sent by Jane | 9:53 PM | 6-26-2008

I just saw this. How wonderful!!

Sent by Lisa | 10:37 PM | 6-26-2008

Leroy, I've been so inspired by your radio journals. This morning's journal made me cry. I cried because of:
...sorrow for you and your recent scan results;
...proudness of you and what you have endured and shared with us;
...relief that my cancer has showed no further spread (for now) and wishing I could bottle this blessing for you;
...shame of the triva that I obsess about compared to the enormity of your journey;
...frustration of being helpless to your cure;
.... and hope that you feel compfort from our prayers sent your way. God bless you.

Sent by Jake in Maine | 11:14 PM | 6-26-2008

Thank you for the beautiful contribution today of cancer responses and the pictures that say a thousand words.
Sherri in Texas, dx BC 4-06

Sent by sherri eggleston | 11:30 PM | 6-26-2008

Beth,
Thank you for putting the gallery together. I finally got 5 minutes before going to work to check on Leroy today and imagine my surprise. It had been a very stressful morning so it was such a treat to see these beautiful photos. I honestly smiled and cried at the same time. Thank you again.

Sent by kathie | 11:36 PM | 6-26-2008

Beth, thank you so much. You have done a beautiful job. This is SO touching. You have given us a tremendous gift today!

Sent by Alice | 12:02 AM | 6-27-2008

Thank you Beth. This is beautiful and brought me to tears.
Jennifer

Sent by Jennifer in CA | 12:02 AM | 6-27-2008

Amazing people the president signed a bill in 1971 declaring a war on cancer, Since that time we spent the exact same amount in the first 6 months of Iraqi, So many beautiful faces and lives which we did not owe to cancer, Why are so few helping us?

Sent by Cherie Brown | 12:46 AM | 6-27-2008

Awesome!

Sent by Dorothy - Los Angeles | 12:51 AM | 6-27-2008

From the photos and the comments I get the sense that this is a club with no exclusions.

Sent by M | 8:13 AM | 6-27-2008

What a wonderful way to start the weekend. Thanks Beth! Thanks Leroy!

Sent by Sue in Rochester, NY | 8:18 AM | 6-27-2008

Thank you for openening your life to us. You move me to tears as I listen to and read your blog - but the overall affect your story leaves me with I think, is one of hope and peace. And for the example you represent I am very grateful.

My heart goes to you and prayers for comfort and joy.

Sent by Sean Maher | 8:23 AM | 6-27-2008

I'm crying. It is beautiful yet I'm angry too. Well done.

Sent by Lori | 8:57 AM | 6-27-2008

Thanks Beth!
Great job!

Sent by tpo4444 | 9:15 AM | 6-27-2008

Thank you, Beth, Leroy, and everyone at NPR. The photo gallery is lovely and moving. I am so grateful to you and to everyone in this blog community for helping to make my cancer a little easier to bear. You all are inspirational!

Sent by Elsa Cumming | 9:24 AM | 6-27-2008

What an amazing compilation of photos. I cried while reading everyone's words. I want to show it to my mother who has metastatic ovarian cancer but she doesn't speak English well (she's Japanese). I think I will get it translated for her and print it out so that she knows that she isn't alone in this world of cancer. Thank you!

Sent by Michelle | 9:34 AM | 6-27-2008

What beautiful work by Beth and all who contributed.

Sent by Linda | 9:41 AM | 6-27-2008

Dear Beth and Leroy:
Thank you so much for this wonderful affirmation of life. I have been reading Leroy's blog for some time now. My partner was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma and went through a horrible surgery and radiation and just as we are breathing easier, a biopsy shows some suspicious lesion on her lung. So now we wait for another scan and possibly another biopsy. A big part of cancer is a waiting game and it gives us strength and hope to read the blog and especially to see these wonderful pictures. Thank you and everyone who sent pictures.

Sent by Eileen Paul | 9:48 AM | 6-27-2008

Wow! That was beautiufl! I'm glad I looked at that display first thing this morning because it gives me the resolve to be of good cheer today.

Sent by Erin Vaughn | 10:03 AM | 6-27-2008

Beth as a 3 time cancer survivor - thank you! This is wonderful. The whole NPR team is so special and Leroy's blog has been so helpful to me.

Sent by Andi | 10:24 AM | 6-27-2008

Beautifully done, Beth. If I weren't at work now, I'd be weeping.

Sent by Judy Fuller in N.Va. | 10:45 AM | 6-27-2008

It was wonderful to hear Leroy's voice on NPR this week--Leroy and all his "family" that keeps him and this community bonding with him are all courageous, hopeful, and inspiring.

Sent by Judith Hoffberg | 10:56 AM | 6-27-2008

What a wonderful treasure! Thank you!

Sent by Anne Moser | 11:12 AM | 6-27-2008

Leroy, There is still hope in those faces!! Thanks for the great work. Stan

Sent by Stan Wozniak | 11:18 AM | 6-27-2008

Thank you for continuing to blog. and fight. The photo gallery and comments are awesome as my son says. I can't drive to support groups, so you and R. Pausch are my support along with many family and friends.

Sent by marlene | 11:36 AM | 6-27-2008

Beth,
Thank you, beautifully done.

When I started my treatments and my outward appearance changed so much, I stopped being in pictures. I wanted to stay who I was, at least in photographs.

Thank you to everyone who was so brave to post their photos. Your courage has inspired me. I will step back in the picture, in all ways.

Debra

Sent by Debra in New Hampshire | 12:16 PM | 6-27-2008

Tears! I have been so blessed with this cancer.I felt alone,not now.I have the largest family!I am loved.What more could one want. hugs and thank yous

Sent by Laurie in Wi. | 12:27 PM | 6-27-2008

Dear Beth, thank you for finding a way for me to "meet" so many of the people I have come to know. It is wonderful to put a face with a name.

Sent by barbara leighton | 1:35 PM | 6-27-2008

Thank you Beth and team. It is lovely to see faces and families and scenes of great beauty nurturing members of this community. It is dear of you to have thought of this slideshow, and to have made it happen. Thank you!

Sent by Sarah | 2:39 PM | 6-27-2008

I have had cancer now for three years and everytime my wife jess sends me some of the blogs that she reads it allways brings a big smile to my bald pail head,
thank you
kaes from houston tx

Sent by kaes | 3:47 PM | 6-27-2008

Thank you.

Sent by Rochelle | 7:40 PM | 6-27-2008

I want to cry. Everyone is so beautiful and full of live and love.Thank you everyone for sharing yourself with us.

Sent by Susan Saoui | 9:42 PM | 6-27-2008

I LOVE this blog. Leroy, you are the man. My cancer forced me to face immortality... and that is noa bad thing!

Sent by loaffe | 9:54 PM | 6-27-2008

Hi Leroy,
I just felt moved to finally let you know that i have been following your blog every day for some time. I am very connected to what is happening to you on a daily basis. It is bringing back memories of being with my father as he coped with his lung cancer. You are helping many people by sharing your experience and I want you to know that I am thinking of you each day.

Sent by cindy feinberg-vairo | 11:32 PM | 6-27-2008

I will never be grateful for my husband's cancer. I am grateful for my husband, however.

Sent by donna bennett | 10:58 AM | 6-28-2008

I'll finish watching later. I can't stop crying right now. Thank you for sharing these hopeful stories.

Sent by Bill Kelly | 11:54 AM | 6-28-2008

Leroy - thanks for putting a public face with this disease that affects so many. Your blog has been ispirational to my husband and me as we have dealt with his metastatic lung cancer over the past 2 years. I don't have the disease, but I am changed as a result of it.

I applaud your honesty and courage, and I pray for you and your family.

Sent by Diana Spratt | 12:23 PM | 6-28-2008

Thank you Beth, Leroy and everyone. I am so excited to be a part of this amazing community of photos. I have shared it with friends and family and ALL of the photos and sentiments have just blown people away. Thank you for helping me find this way to share the blog with others. Well done.

Sent by Sarah | 12:24 PM | 6-28-2008

I am newly launched on round three of my personal battle against breast cancer: someone sent me the link to this site: what a timely gift! My cancer has taught me to take time to see, smell, touch, hug and laugh, and to let the tears come when they might.

Sent by Nancy | 9:44 PM | 6-28-2008

How moving and wonderful and articulate... thank you all...

Sent by Joan | 3:25 AM | 6-29-2008

This slide show provided me a view of how life surrounds us always. Sometimes gentle, sometimes jeweled. Sometimes PAINFUL, sometimes profound. With simplicity of words and photos you all moved me to a new appreciation of living. I have no cancer now, but if I do, it's good to know there is wisdom to carry me on.

Sent by Greg Huang-Dale | 2:42 PM | 6-29-2008

Thank you for letting people know that it's ok to talk about getting sick, death, dying etc. It's something we all have to face sooner or later.You have helped me talk to my family about my own problems.Thank you.

Sent by Kathy Cote | 6:10 PM | 6-29-2008

Thank you NPR and everyone at the blog, this is truly wonderful.

Sent by Jamie | 11:46 PM | 6-29-2008

Oh, it's so beautiful to see everyone's faces together with their comments. Thank you for putting it together.

Sent by Martha | 5:20 PM | 6-30-2008

touching.

Sent by jt dodge | 10:28 AM | 7-3-2008

I like all the pictures. But the one that brought tears to my eye is the picture of Paul and Michael. They have been together for 27 years. It changes my understanding & perspective of the love & its deapth between the so-called 'controversial' gay couples in our society. I sure hope I have a 'partner of 27 years' who will stand by me when it is my turn to have cancer.

Sent by Nancy | 4:42 PM | 8-18-2008