Happy New Year.
I know, it’s hard to believe we’ve spent another year together sharing stories, ideas and advice.
We’ve lost some friends and we’ve rallied around their friends and family to show our support. We’ve found some new folks to join our little group and just recently we’ve found some old friends to rejoin our family. That’s a pretty good years’ work.
What we do here makes a difference. We reach out and share our experiences in cancer world to those who are going through some tough times. Cancer touches so many people and even though each victim is unique, we share so many things in common. How we handle the journey, prepares us for who we are once it’s over. Whether that means surviving the beast or starting over because we weren’t that lucky. Coming here to “Our Cancer” means finding an outstretched hand to lift, and open hearts to help.
You are all very special to me. I never forget how we came together in the first place. You joined Leroy as he shared his adventure in this odd place we call cancer world. Time has moved on and you’re still here….
I want to say “Thank you” and wish every one a HEALTHY, HAPPY year ahead.
January 4, 2012 @ 2:17 am
The Neurosurgeon didn’t call back today, so I’m still hanging — don’t know what his verdict will be, despite the fact that I called that office at 9:15 a.m. Kathy K
January 2, 2012 @ 6:13 pm
HAPPY (and HEALTHY) NEW YEAR to everyone ! I haven’t been here for a while, tried several times, but didn’t do it right. I’ve had two more skin cancer surgeries since I was last here, the 14th and 15th malignancies. Not worried about those. The scary thing is the brain/shunt (?) symptoms that have been occurring lately, at least intermittently: worsening imbalance, blurring vision, doubling vision. You know you have a problem when the digital clock says it is “33 o’clock”. The eye doctor says my eyes are OK; thought it was side effects of meds and changes. The pharmacist says it is not meds, not enough of a change, call the neuro doc. Both the neurologist and the neurosurgeon are out of the office till tomorrow because of the holidays. Meanwhile, intermittent is better than constant.
January 2, 2012 @ 2:22 am
My mother died on the first day of this new year. I sat close to her at noon on her last day. I stroked her hair with one hand and helped her with her french fries with the other. My mother had not been eating well and it was nice to watch her enjoy a hot, fattening snack. She stopped chewing long enough to calmly ask me:”Why can’t I just die?” I candidly told her she could-after the fries and when her time came. Later in the evening,after witnessing the first snowflakes of winter, she passed away. My family had a very anxious holiday season. We all knew my mother was fading and the only true smiles I saw were on my mother’s face. She was troubled, but she also would exhibit these brief, almost forgotten, radiant smiles.Those expressions reminded me of my Penny- after the cancer had lost its power.Penny held court in a hospice bed. She would not let anyone or anything take her freedom. Tonight cold, white flakes melted on my mother’s uplifted face. Tonight the two women who helped define my life shared a glimpse and I am left out of the reflection. I am alone, listening to the familiar sound of a freight train in the distance. I often imagine these harsh blasts through a peaceful night are carrying my prayers to destinations that exist in the morning light-places at peace. Places I have visited with all of you.
January 1, 2012 @ 8:44 am
Happy New Year Laurie and to all my dear friends…………….lifting
December 31, 2011 @ 8:13 pm
Best wishes to everyone for a very Happy New Year. While I don’t know what this year will have in store, I know I can bring it here when I need to share. What a great feeling!
December 31, 2011 @ 6:22 pm
May 2012 be a great year for you all!!
December 30, 2011 @ 8:47 pm
Wishing you the very best in the coming new year, Laurie. You’ve kept our group together and continue to provide a place where we all feel safe letting our hearts speak for us. So many different threads link us, each one leading to a unique story and yet universally allowing us to follow a path to understand, confront, and battle cancer, grieve loss, and come out whole again. Thank you for all you do on behalf of all of us who have experienced cancer in all its guises and with all its consequences. It is no small legacy that Leroy left behind, and I imagine he spins a special glitter ball just for you on New Year’s Eve.
December 30, 2011 @ 6:44 pm
Ditto….
Happy New Year dear friends!
December 30, 2011 @ 5:27 pm
Ditto, what Al said… You are the muse, Laurie and we are all thankful to be here with you.
December 30, 2011 @ 4:14 pm
Happy New Year to you as well ,Laurie. This place would not exist unless you picked up what Leroy first began. You not only picked up where Leroy stopped but you’ve continued his legacy in an exemplary way. We are all indebted to you. Without our resident muse, that would be you Laurie, the conversation would not begin. Hence, the lifting, the support, the caring, the encouraging, the praying would all disappear. If we can help only one or two people, it is more than worth it. We know our potential and it is that we can support and help many if they would come to this special place. May 2012 be a year when we have our potential maximized.