A Day Off
Leroy is taking the day off.
7:00 AM ET | 08- 5-2008 | permalink
To much bull riding over the weekend? I truly hope all is well... Rest, it is much deserved.
Sty on the bull. Hope you have a good day off!
A much deserved day off. Rest well, my friend.
God Speed, Leroy :)
Dear Leroy,
I have not posted in a while, but I am thinking about you always.
Much love,
MA
And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me,
shine until tomorrow, let it be.
Be well friend,
Debra Altschiller
Saying extra prayers for you and Laurie today, Leroy.
Janie
Dear Man...I hope that today you will be able to relax and have some respite from pain and a helping of chcolate.
Peggy
Leroy and Laurie, everyone deserves a day off. Miss hearing from you this morning and hope all is ok. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers today. I hope this is just a day to recoup or to do something you wish to do.
I am so sorry to hear this...It makes me very sad...I usually start my day with his message. I hope that all of us who have been inspired by his courage will send messages to him today. He has fought a valiant. Maybe the time has come to just let things be now...
Well deserved!
Good for you! Let's call it National Leroy's Day. I'm gonna take the most wonderful people(g'kids:)) to an interactive kids museum to celebrate this new holiday. They will get to visit various exhibits like a bank, 50's diner, medical clinic, grocery store, etc. and play the part of an adult. We need a similar museum that lets us play the part of an innocent kid!
A day off is a beautiful thing....may you and Laurie find peace and comfort in familiar things today.
Thinking about you Leroy and hoping you're doing okay. Prayers continue to be with you and Laurie.
God be with you Leroy and Laurie.
Rest well dear friend. You deserve some time off. As always, prayers to all.
God's peace to you, Leroy. From the 'secret last wave' to 'riding the cancer bull,' we all acknowledge that time is winding down. Your willingness to share your walk down this cancer path has been amazing. You and Laurie are dearly loved my many.
Wishing you a peaceful pain free day off. Well deserved!
Charlotte in Rural Ridge, PA
Take care and God Bless.
Hugs and prayers to you both.
You deserve it. You have been working so hard. Day and Night. You deserve to just rest. I will be thinking about you all day and hoping that you are free from pain and worry and back with us tomorrow on the job to continue to inspire us.
My thoughts are with you as I know this gets harder. Peace,
Yes, please rest. The thoughts and prayers continue to flow.
I am thinking of you and Laurie today, and sending you peaceful thoughts and warm wishes!!!
Dear Leroy and Laurie,
I've been with you every day, in my thoughts and prayers! Rest my friends and be at Peace.
Love to you Jude
truly earned
Leroy, Laurie, my thoughts are with you all day
peace, daily you are in my thoughts and prayers, thank you for sharing your life with us, i so loved the daily blogs, they were honest, and heartfelt..georgie
A much deserved one as well! You are both in my thoughts....as always, and I will continue to keep you all in my prayers!
Peace....
Hope you and Laurie are gathering strenght and peace on your day off. It's okay to do what you need to do, and Laurie, it's okay to give him permission.
Love to you both
Thank you for letting us know.
Leroy and Laurie.....
May God's strength be with you today; may you find peace. Our prayers and thoughts are always with you. You are blessed!!
Well deserved! I have you in my prayers today and hope all is O.K. Rest, enjoy Laurie, and enjoy a donut and a chocolate cupcake!
God Bless you both.
Leroy and Laurie, I've been pretty quiet lately but I never stop thinking about you guys. Hope the day off gives you peace of some kind.
Rest, rest, rest Leroy! Enjoy it...you deserve it! :)
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Laurie today, as they are every day. Strength and peace to you both.
Do whatever you need to Leroy. You've given me so much. If only I could return the many blessings and wisdom you have shared with me. In love and light.
Anita
Yay, Leroy. I'm glad to see you choosing to take the day off. I hope it is so you can enjoy more of it. You and Laurie are in my thoughts and will remain there even if you decide to take more days off in the future.
Thank you for showing, by example, how to be one's best, most honest self.
Sending wishes for a peaceful day.
Karen
Enjoy your day off Leroy and try to get some rest. We all love you and Laurie and want what is best for you both. God Bless.
May your day include an ice cream cone or two!!
Thinking of you and Laurie - who hopefully took the day off too!
I'll add my voice to the chorus of well-wishers who have come to feel such affection for you and Laurie. I hope you know how deeply you have touched so many.
Sending good thoughts your way.
Leroy,
My morning is different without your message...sending you & Laurie loving thoughts and always...
Take your time, but hurry back.
Bobbie
Bull riding is voluntary.
The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.
I am thinking of you and missing you today, Leroy and Laurie. Prayers, love, and soft, comforting thoughts to you and our blog family.
Loving wishes to you both.
God bless you both.
Judy
Leroy and Laurie,
May you enjoy today and feel at peace. This is my first post but have been reading you for a long time. God be with you both.
Ok Leroy, I applaud you for taking the day off, but will be honest fear gripped my heart and I am worried.....please God let you be ok.
Peace, for you both.
Take care.
Reading that you are "taking the day off" is a jolt for all of us. Hugs and ice cream dreams to Leroy and Laurie.
Yes, rest dear man. We will still be here for you when you return. Blessings to both you and Laurie. from Sherri in Texas
I hope you're back in the saddle again soon!
Sweet dreams, Leroy. Wishing you a peaceful, pain-free day with Laurie and other loved ones gathered close.
YAY LEROY! Take time (a little or alot) or retire altogether if you need the time back for your own life now. Your well-being and comfort, your having the energy for what matters most, are what is important now. Cheering you onward whatever you choose!
Leroy, Good on ya, Mate!! Stan
I don't know about you guys, but I hope he's on a plane to Hawaii!
A gentle hug and so much love. I hope you can feel all the support from your extended cyber-family. We are with you always.
Rest well Leroy. May the force be with you.
Thinking of you and hoping you have a peaceful, restful day.
I have been so inspired by your blog. It is the first thing I read when I get to work. Enjoy your day and know I am one of many that keeps you in my daily prayers.
May your day be blessed! I'm still having "coffee with Leroy" as your blog is my first thing to read before work. Rest all you need...we'll keep the conversation going. Love upholds you and Laurie from all around the country.
We are all so willing to have Leroy have as many days off as he wants! We are with him in spirit and Love and want him to enjoy the freedom of choice every day. We can write for him!
Leroy,
I was diagnosed, at 39, with ovarian cancer at the same time you were diagnosed with your cancer. I have listened to your interviews, read your blogs, prayed for you and for me as well. It almost feels like "My Cancer" was "Our Cancer". I want to say thank you for speaking the words so many cancer patients want to say. The jeep wave, icecream, wanting one normal day....they are all the simplest things. The simple things mean the most.
My wish for you today is a moment that is not filled with cancer thoughts, one laugh that comes from deep in your soul and for you to remember that you were not always a member of the Cancer Club. You used to be a member of the "Really Cool Jeep Club".
Tammy Valley
I wish you enough for this day.
Leroy,
Whatever the reason for your day off, you are certainly entitled! Hope you are at peace and comfortable so you can enjoy it.
Blessings.
Just a reminder to all~ I put a star for Leroy at standup2cancer.org If anyone wants to donate to his star, just click on the constellation and search his star by name. Ignore the state of Colorado that I accidently put in. Thats my state.
Just checked in and find you are taking the day off. How wonderful. Enjoy!!!
It's funny, but thinking about Leroy this morning got me remembering my own diagnosis.
I live in a very rural part of Colorado, so I went to Denver for my diagnosis and treatment. The day after my biopsy I headed north to Boulder with an ice pack in my bra (a truly refreshing sensation I might add). I headed up higway 6 which still travels through farm and vacant land, instead of the freeway. About half way there, my phone rang, and I could see it was my advocate from the diagnostic center. "I have some good news and I have some bad news," she intoned. The bad news was, of course, that my biopsy was positive for cancer. The good news was that it was so early, they may have even gotten it all with the biopsy. "What will you do now," she asked, "Is there anyone you want us to call?"
Because I think I am tougher than rocks, I relayed my plan to go on to Boulder, as I really, really wanted to go to the bookstore, and to Ben and Jerry's for ice cream. I remember saying so arrogantly, "I'm not going to let cancer stop me in my tracks."
In Boulder, the bookstore seemed overly bright and hot, I couldn't seem to catch my breath, but assumed that my aversion to crowds was catching up with me. I walked down to Ben and Jerry's on the Pearl Street Mall, a spot that is like a cross between 1968 Haight Ashbury and a circus village in the off hours. Sitting on the mall licking at my ice cream, I found myself staring at the breasts of every woman who went past. "She has big boobs," I'd think, "I wonder if she'll get cancer."
All of a sudden I sort of 'came to' and realized that I probably looked like I was "checking out" these women, and offending some, if not all of them. I threw the ice cream in the trash, got in my car and started the long journey home.
Peggy C.
It's good to know you're taking care of yourself by taking a day off.
Kate in California
Dear Leroy and Laurie,
Miss you! maybe you are out enjoying the sun shine today. I hope you are able to do that and am glad you are taking time off from this.
Although, I am just blown away by everyone here today...Blogging you on your day off! Your love is left bare but extremely evident when your words are gone, Leroy. How powerful is the response to your absence. We really all love you both so much; that is so touchingly evident today. It reaffirms the goodness of life for me and the unity that love brings. Life is a (spiritual)battle between constant separation and constant unity, never made clearer when the physical body suffers, or loss is gripping us. We need each others spirits so much that it transcends the physical when those we love suffer. It is good to see love triumph in hard times. I too came looking today, as usual, for my friend and mentor, Leroy. Thank you all so much. I love all of you. I will practice my favorite fiddle tune tonight, a beautiful love song entitled "Words Aren't Enough" by April Verch thinking of all of you in my mind and heart -Graham from Sag Harbor.
I read the entry today. Then I read all the responses because I needed time. I didn't know what to write. And it occurred to me that there are such a variety of responses. There is so much love in each one...
All I know to say is "Peace be unto you, Leroy.. When we talk again we will take up where we left off.."
I miss you.
Dear Leroy,
Thinking of you today, and praying for you, as always. Love you.
Yes, just rest today. Peace and love to you both.
GoodMorning Leroy & Family,
The strength it has taken for you to write your blog each day, that strength needs to be used for something else.
A day with no adgenda, a break, a rest, and peace.
God Bless,
Page Hendryx - Gresham Oregon
We are a tapestry of many colors,
all threads connecting to you
Leroy and Laurie.
Rest here, you are loved
Leroy, May it be a good day off for you, free of pain and full of laughter. Love you.
A day of peaceful rest to you Leroy and Laurie. Enjoy the moments surrounded by love from all of us! You are always in my prayers! God Bless!
Eileen Pruyne
Charlotte, NC
Dear Leroy and Laurie,
While we're all missing your observations and humor and insights this morning, Leroy, you've given us treasures to ponder over the last couple of years which we will gratefully carry with us forevermore.
Truth be told, what we're missing this morning is YOU; and yet at the same time, we celebrate your "day(s) off" with your beloved Laurie, and with heartfelt wishes for your comfort, smiles, communion and peace.
With love to you both,
Kim Forester
We are in service to you. You do not need to be in service to us. So to all those who rely on Leroy's posts - lend him your shoulder and strong back AND strong message. Let those who suffer as he does with cancer step forward and offer a guest blog post. As Leroy stated earlier, what will become of this all too important blog? Make it so....
Blessings to you Leroy and Laurie for bringing strength and hope into our lives.
Nancy Mathias
Love and peace to both of you, today and future days, you are in my prayers always. Kathy from San Diego
Every day a gift -- bronco, jeep, extra frosting or quiet time off -- whatever works. Namaste (may the peace in me salute the peace in you).
Dude, here's hoping you're sipping a cool one and watching the sun set.
I wish you peace.
Rest well, Leroy. My prayers and blessings go to you and Laurie!
The Touch Of The Master's Hand
'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile.
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?"
"A dollar, a dollar. Then two! Only two?
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?"
"Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three..." But no,
From the room, far back, a grey-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loosened strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet,
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: "What am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow.
"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice,
And going and gone," said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand.
What changed its worth?" Swift came the reply:
"The touch of the Master's hand."
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd
Much like the old violin.
A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine,
A game -- and he travels on.
He is "going" once, and "going" twice,
He's "going" and almost "gone."
But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the touch of the Master's hand.
-- Myra Brooks Welch
I wish you peace.
Excellent, you two deserve it. Do something special
I think of you often and hope you are resting on this much deserved day off. And, Laurie, take care of yourself.
Peace be with you!
Thank you Leroy for your inspiration. God has much better things in store for you.
My prayers are with you and Laurie.
I hope the day off serves you well and hope to see you back soon.
I miss Leroy's thoughts today, but those who left a comment touched my heart. Blessings to all and special ones to Leroy and Laurie.
I was searching for your link on the main page today and could not find it. Then I came to the Health section. Hope you are having a peaceful day off.
Prayers and lots of positive vibes from Seattle.
Rest Leroy and I will be looking for you tomorrow. Meeting you and the others on the site has helped me to endure my pain. I hope today you are able to find a moment to smile-and let that smile on your face hang for a long while. Your words are missed today. Peace be with you.
Thinking of you both. Wishing you peace and relief from pain,if even briefly today.
Hey Graham from Sag Harbor . . you're thoughts are always so lovely. Please help me in my effort to keep this blog from becoming a premature dirge.
Peggy C.
dear Leroy and Laurie,
You are beautiful.
The road is rough and emotionally and physically painful.
I wish you a day pain free and filled with peace and love.
We are always by your side.
susan
california
Remember, there's truly is one thing that cancer can't touch, ever... and that is love, the love and respect we have for you, now and always. xxx
Beautiful comments. I haven't posted in awhile but I read the blog every day and say special prayers for you Leroy and Laurie. May the love and caring of all these bloggers give you some peace and happiness. You are a very special man. Carol
Leroy,
We'll be thinkin' of you today, as you rest. I love the piece above, "Masters hand." That was a
great thought for today --for me.
Thanks Robin!
No goals, no expectations.
Whatever is, is.
For now-- just Be.
Take as many as you need...godspeed.
This is so not like you...I hope you haven't had a fall or something similar - sending you prayers and hoping you come back to us soon.
Wishing you a good day and some peace.
Leroy,
Pat was very Irish and we've collected quite a few Irish blessings over the years...
May you be blessed with hope and
strength to guide you through the
weeks and months ahead.
And If God sends you down a stony path,
may He give you strong shoes.
Love to you and Laurie.
Take care....we are all thinking of you.
hooray for National Leroy Day! Praying for you and your family always
Leroy: Another sleepless night last night. I thought of you often and wondered if your pain was under control and if you were able to sleep. Anixously awaiting for tomorrow. Please be peaceful. Di
Hope you had a peaceful, pain-free day....with ice cream. Prayers for you and Laurie.
My husband's bout with a pulmonary embolism followed by a diagnosis of non hodgkins lymphoma 3 years ago spurred us to an early retirement this June. We are currently 5 weeks into a 5 month trip around the US. One of the first things I do everyday is read your post. You have been an inspiration to me to find the good, look for the positive and think of all you have, not what you don't. I have been dreading the day I opened your blog and you wouldn't be there. I am thinking of the two of you.
Dear Leroy, I've never commented before, but I read your blog every day. I'm glad you are taking a day off and can simply spend it with Laurie. The courage and fortitude you both have, are an inspiration. May you find joy in this day--looking at the flowers, birds, perhaps enjoying your favorite song together.
DITTO to all the above. Saying an extra prayer that your day was peace-filled and restful.love and peace to you and Laurie and family...
I hope you're alright dear Leroy.
I've been away for a few days. My precious Dad was buried today. He was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma stage 4 at the end of March. He had had 5 of 6 chemo treatments when his cancer, at first reduced in size with chemo, came back with a vicious vengence. He is no longer in pain as of Saturday morning. God bless you all--patients and caregivers and loving family. It is a difficult road we walk.
God be with you, Leroy and Laurie!
Thanks so much for your blog. Your sharing is truly an inspirational gift to all of us that are following your experiences.
A chill went through my heart when I read your words, Leroy, but the warmth of your readers' words made my heart beat again. I am continually touched by this wonderful community.
I feel scared too. Joyce
Leroy,
Wishing you a "pain that is bearable" day. Laurie, I KNOW that your heartbreak is sometimes unbearable, just know how many of us are there with you...
Jane
"You say something..when you say nothing at all.."
Oh Leroy,How I wish we all could embrace you tonight...How can we ever show you beyond mere words how much you are loved and respected.We haven't met..but all our hearts are forever entwined.You have given so much of yourself in allowing us to glimpse your life with all your hopes,joys,trials,tribulations..and triumphs.And so..I dedicate this beautiful song to you..Be at peace my brother.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVW3Yege2-I
Dear Ones, I also wish you enough...... Joyce from the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Thinking of you both today. Well wishes and peace.
I write every morning and look forward when I wake up to read the blog. I have always posted, but so many times it is not posted. I post usually early morning, and it is important to me to be included with the others, as a cancer survivor in this "fight".
Wanda Amorose
Not a day goes by that I don't think of you both. Tonight you will be in my heart and prayers. Stay close to each other and all of us here in Leroy's army.
Hoping that the loving wishes sent to you today have helped give you comfort and peace today. I wish you physical, emotional, and spiritual peace.
Leroy and Laurie...thinking of you...
Much love...
Missed you. You are who I come home to these days.
Hope the day was good for you and Laurie. May you have a peaceful, restful night.
Pat
Thoughts and prayers are with you, hoping it's been a good day off!
Dear Leroy,
Thank you for all of your words of wisdom! I wish I could reach through the computer and give you a big hug for sharing your life. Take care,
Best to you , my friend.
May God Bless you and give you peace.
I always ask myself "whose NEED am I meeting". Am I meeting Leroy's or Lori's need to hear from me that I'm thinking about them, praying for them, wondering how they are doing? Am I meeting MY need to have someone hear my voice, to make a 'difference', to 'know what the future holds', or to 'connect' somehow? I don't know. I find myself back here with you, checking in, looking for the next marker along the road of our "One Way" street. I've stumbled into 'really caring' along the way. Thanks for being our trailblazers, we're right behind you.
Hello Leroy. I was just bouncing around the net and noticed your blog.
One thing struck me right off the bat, and that was the name of your blog. You call it "MY cancer".
It strikes me as odd, because it comes across to me, as if you are sort of predetermined to "own" or "possess" your diagnosis of cancer. It seems to me that by calling it "my", you are even making cancer as one with your mind, body, and even your identity.
I myself think that if someone truly wants to recover from it, or from any diagnosis, that they consider avoiding owning or possessing a diagnosis, and avoid making it "who they are".
I don't see how anyone can possibly heal from or get beyond any diagnosis by owning it or being possessive with it.
Wondering what you yourself think about it?
Best to you,
Michael
dearest leroy and laurie, looked for your blog yesterday morning and was concerned - work overtook this and i dreamed about it and woke up to look for it. i pray you just had a "normal" day for the two of you and it was somewhat peaceful. you are in my thoughts more than i know and therefore more than you know. G-d bless both of you.
Jan
A minister decided to do something a little different one Sunday morning.
He said, 'Today, in church, I am going to say a single word and you are going to help me preach. Whatever single word I say, I want you to sing whatever hymn that comes to your mind.'
Then the pastor shouted out 'CROSS.'
Immediately the congregation started singing in unison, 'THE OLD RUGGED CROSS.'
The pastor hollered out, 'GRACE.' The congregation began to sing 'AMAZING GRACE, how sweet the sound.'
The pastor said, 'POWER.' The congregation sang, 'THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD.'
Then the pastor said, 'SEX' and the entire congregation fell into total silence.
Everyone was in shock. They all nervously began to look around at each other afraid to say anything.
Then all of a sudden, from way in the back of the church, a little 97-year-old grandmother stood up and began singing with a smile, 'PRECIOUS MEMORIES.....'
Gotta Love Us Little Old Ladies.
(Since you are back with us today, I thought MAYBE this would get a smile!!! HUGS
So glad to see you back. As I said yesterday you have been an inspiration to me in living thru my husband's cancer. Cancer caused us to rethink our lives, retire and begin traveling across the US until we just don't want to anymore. We're 5 weeks into it with no end in sight. Follow along on our blog at http://trishasroadtrip.blogspot.com. Thinking of you and Laurie.
Hope you have an incredible day off!
Leroy Sievers in the Ted Koppel Documentary
A Ted Koppel documentary focuses on his friend Leroy Sievers' "My Cancer" blog and the response it evokes.
About 'My Cancer'
A journalist for more than 25 years, Leroy Sievers worked at CBS News, the Discovery Channel, and ABC News, where he was the executive producer of Nightline. He wrote this blog daily until his death in August.
My Cancer Podcast
Download Leroy Sievers' radio commentaries and exclusive audio segments in the My Cancer podcast.
» Get the Podcast
Subscribe to 'My Cancer' via E-mail
Search 'My Cancer'
Archives
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- October 2006
- September 2006
- August 2006
- July 2006
- June 2006
- May 2006
- February 2006
Contact 'My Cancer':
If you'd like to write to the My Cancer staff privately, please use our e-mail form.
Browse Topics
Services
Programs
- News/Talk Programs
- Morning Edition
- All Things Considered
- Fresh Air
- Talk of the Nation
- Tell Me More
- Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me
- Weekend Edition Saturday
- Weekend Edition Sunday
- Music Programs
- All Songs Considered
- From the Top
- JazzSet
- Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz
- Mountain Stage
- World Cafe
- World of Opera
- more
Add a Comment
Please note that all comments must adhere to the NPR.org discussion rules and terms of use. See also the Community FAQ.
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Login | Register
More information needed to participate in the NPR online community.. Add this information