There’s no other word to describe this community. AWESOME
I can’t even begin to guess how many blogs or columns or websites there are that host opinions about cancer.
But I can say this….there is no more compassionate, loyal and caring group than all of you. This group ‘gets it.’ That’s always been the case, from the very first “My Cancer” when Leroy connected with all of you. He didn’t even know it at the time, but he was searching for voices that were just as up-front and honest as his own. Voices that were the echos of living with a disease and not afrraid to express those feelings. The same was true for those of us who were sitting in the side-cars of these journeys. We had our opinions too. We had a voice that was loud and clear and needed to be heard. The stars aligned and this community was forged.
We’ve been through a lot together. We’ve cried at our losses, we’ve celebrated at the news of NED’s, and we’ve lifted each other when that’s what was asked of us.
No one here has ever seen our backs because we don’t turn and run.
AWESOME…
August 12, 2011 @ 11:09 am
It’s really great that people are shraing this information.
August 11, 2011 @ 5:14 pm
To think, I was cofnsued a minute ago.
August 6, 2011 @ 7:25 pm
Prayers for your friend Mo…a really scary thing..brain surgery.
We all have endured in spite of how we felt physically and emotionally. This is a good thing. Sadly the way one gets experience is to be in cancer world for many seemingly endless days riding the highs and lows until you become numb. It is nothing we wished for nor could have imagined until cancer poked its head into our lives and took up residence. No one schooled us on what to do, how to react, what to expect, what to hope for or pray for…..we were in a strange land occupied by a very formidable beast, unrelenting and unforgiving. Somewhere in the deep recesses of the human spirit the primordial need to survive kicked in and we began to fight and to fight as hard as we’ve ever fought. Along the way we learned on our own. We sought and found others who helped us in our fight. Gradually, we came to realize that there are hundreds and thousands of people like us who need each other for comfort, information and for a shoulder to cry upon when we are overwhelmed. Fortunately for us we found Leroy! The port he offered in the midst of the raging sea gave us hope. Hope is what we needed most of all. His legacy has been passed to Laurie and Our Cancer and to us. May we always be a beacon of light for those struggling in the darkness of cancer. Individually and collectively we can touch so many who may be lost, with no hope and no one who’ll understand. Our Cancer stands as a beacon and we are all its foot soldiers standing ready when we are needed. No doubt how we’ll all respond!!!
August 7, 2011 @ 9:42 pm
Al…. you always provide the words for the feelings that I have. Thank you for the comfort and strength that you give to us.
August 11, 2011 @ 1:14 am
Now I’m like, well duh! Truly tanhkufl for your help.
August 16, 2011 @ 5:09 am
Shoot, so that’s that one supopses.
August 17, 2011 @ 9:45 am
Always the best content from these pordigiuos writers.
August 11, 2011 @ 12:03 pm
Glad I’ve finally found somethnig I agree with!
August 12, 2011 @ 11:06 am
You’re the one with the brains here. I’m wachting for your posts.
August 6, 2011 @ 2:32 pm
Amen and thankful for that.
Mo best wishes for you’re friend and for you as you continue to offer her help and guidance.
Ned wonderful stated words from your ‘throne’ and from your heart.
August 6, 2011 @ 12:18 am
That’s what friends are for!
August 11, 2011 @ 9:36 am
You’re on top of the game. Thanks for shranig.
August 12, 2011 @ 11:21 am
A good many vaualbles you’ve given me.
August 5, 2011 @ 7:57 pm
After a hard day I like to take a little down time snoozing in my deluxe, “Amish crafted’ recliner. The chair was a Valentine’s day present from Penny and she always referred to it as the “throne”. If I had to be away overnight she liked to let me know she would be occupying the “cathedral seat” -our evening phone conversations would end with something like a sarcastic; “enjoy your continental breakfast.” Well, I’ve had many solo breakfasts(and dinners) since then. I suppose she’s outraged that many of these meals take place in the same place of high honor. Often times a unusually timid border collie finds her way underneath the footrest after dinner.
So I’m looking back at the week and I’m thinking about how silly I am. let’s see-the week began with the vet having to tell me to “chill out-Lucy is chronically ill but not every event is a crisis.” I’m thinking, yeah the mutt always had bad reactions to summer grasses and hot weather. The point is, it’s best to just follow Lucy’s lead for a change. She lives each day with enthusiasm and courage. Tomorrow will come and we will deal with it. I spent a lot of time this week watching the market sink back into the abyss of recession. Of course, a lot of people are wringing their hands and fretting.Then I think-I just spent an hour going through my wife’s old paperwork to find contact information for a customer who needs help funding her chemo. This lady was just thrilled that she recently got a clean brain scan-now that’s living on the margin!
Yes prayers for everyone and tonight a rosary for Mo’s friend. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know about my future and I can’t get a lot of people out of my head. Just last week my friend I used to work with laid down under the surgeons knife. He has a lot of confusion and infusion ahead of him. But he is thankful and he is downright …..charming in his wit and inspiring in his courage. His wife is at his side and they show little resentment about being dropped by their insurance carrier. Of course, there was no problem declaring him 100% disabled, but our government insists on a waiting period before my friend can receive medicare. Beyond the b.s.-that’s what I like to focus on. It’s a beautiful evening and “Lucy the fearless” and I intend on spending it reflecting on Neil’s balloons flying to heaven, Stan’s tractor making it’s way through cherished fields, Randy’s jokes about busy health care workers, and Leroy’s simple truth-“it’s a life worth living”. Life isn’t about always being comfortable-quite an easy statement for me to make from the “throne” The promise is peace and beauty-one in the same.
August 7, 2011 @ 9:39 pm
I’ve been thinking of you a lot lately Ned, and wondering how you were doing. I think I know the fear you live with concerning Lucy. Fear is so debilitating; it saps your energy, dampens your hope and drags you down. I like your idea of following Lucy’s “fearless” lead.
Don’t lose hope Ned; life IS worth living…even when it means that we have to feel our loved one(s)’ pain and sometimes even lose them. Being with them during this journey brings out the best in us and helps us to grow stronger. Thinking of you and wishing you lighter and happier days and nights my friend.
August 11, 2011 @ 5:47 am
Home run! Great suglgnig with that answer!
August 12, 2011 @ 11:50 am
Now I feel stipud. That’s cleared it up for me
August 16, 2011 @ 8:39 am
That’s way more clever than I was execpting. Thanks!
August 17, 2011 @ 1:30 pm
There’s a serect about your post. ICTYBTIHTKY
August 11, 2011 @ 4:59 am
And I was just wondeirng about that too!
August 12, 2011 @ 9:40 am
You raelly saved my skin with this information. Thanks!
August 5, 2011 @ 6:10 pm
I’d like to ask for prayers for a friend who has brain cancer. She’s just come through surgery and is doing amazingly well but takes great strength from knowing she’s held close in thought. Thank you.
August 5, 2011 @ 7:18 pm
You got it Mo! And prayers for you my dear, to continue to be her friend and guide her, hold her hand, talk to her and just listen….You know what has to be done….Stay strong…LU♥
August 6, 2011 @ 12:18 am
Mo, sorry for your friend but glad she made it through surgery. Prayers for her and you..
August 7, 2011 @ 9:31 pm
Absolutely Mo….prayers are on the way. Thank God that she handled the surgery so well and is doing better. With you by her side, we know that at least her heart and her soul will be healed.