“Home is where you hang your hat.”
We’ve been hanging our hat here, at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center site for a year now and it’s been a very nice fit.
A home is supposed to be a place where a person feels secure and at ease. A place where we can all be honest and share our stories, knowing it’s a safe haven. No judging here, just understanding.
We come here as a community, as a family to hold each other when we’re troubled and to lift each other when the troubles get too heavy. We do that with skill and grace.
Cancer created this blog many years ago. It took shape each day, as Leroy’s words drew a picture of what it was like to live and die with this disease. He opened up a place for all of us to pull-up a chair at his table. We were encouraged to make our own sketches and describe them in our own words. He understood how cancer was the same, but different for everyone. It was important then, just as it is now, to hear about those differences.
“Our Cancer” is about all of you and about me too. It’s our home. Pull up that chair and stay a while.
April 24, 2012 @ 11:31 am
While I may go for periods when I don’t post, I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of a terrific community that helps untangle all that it means to have cancer or to walk with a loved one who has cancer. There are no benefits to having cancer, but there is a benefit to learn that you are not alone. Every time I read something about cancer, I think of this group.
April 21, 2012 @ 7:38 pm
Home is where your heart is….
My heart has been touched by all of you, we all move forward but its nice to know ‘home” is always here when we need to come back for a hug and some major “lifting”…..
Love and hugs…
April 21, 2012 @ 2:49 pm
We are here. Just not able to say it as clearly as you do.. Thank you so very much for just being here for me to just “listen” and know others feel the same but still different, and lifting.
April 21, 2012 @ 7:35 am
I came to this safe place approximately six years ago. I left for a while when the transition was made with Hopkins. But, I’m back…….what’s the saying? ” They always come home “………Thank you Laurie for keeping us together and thank you for having Laurie Hirth track me down and bring me back home……………lifting
April 20, 2012 @ 9:15 pm
It seems strange almost to good to be true that the years have flown by and we’re still here. I certainly consider this a wonderful place for hearing other cancer voices and for gathering inspiration.
I thank you Laurie for continuing on and finding your own voice and allowing us to participate just as Leroy did.
April 20, 2012 @ 8:43 pm
I was a little worried when I started reading that you were leading up to this blog possibly being discontinued. I should have known that you would not give up on us Laurie. We are so blessed that you took what Leroy started and expanded and went in your own direction with it. I, like Al, wonder where all the people are that need this family. We seem to be a loyal few but I hope there are many people reading and just not joining in the discussions. If that’s the case it’s ok..take what you need contribute what you can.
April 20, 2012 @ 7:23 pm
This place is special, Laurie, because you’ve made it special….a place of safety, security, rants are allowed, understanding, care, comfort, where sympathy and empathy abound, knowledge, information and education! Leroy began this a number of years ago and now you’ve continued and embellished upon his great work to serve us all. We are all grateful to you for all that you do. You make a difference each day.
When I come here each day and read or post or do both, I am saddened to know that there are so many in the cancer world who could benefit from this site but either don’t know about it or choose not to come here. There are so many who are in the fight and seemingly alone because they don’t have someone who knows of what they feel and/or speak. As we all know the cancer battle can be and most likely is all consuming of time and energy but many times is just so isolating. Friends and family do all that they know to do but often the cancer patient or caregiver would benefit from communicating with someone like them who have feelings and fears like them. Maybe one day……
Continue your good work, Laurie. As we all know if we can help only one other person in our lifetime, we’ve done a good job…a really good job. The other thing is that we cancer patients and caregivers have an abundance of hope and optimism so we believe and know it to be so that we can help so many regardless of the number if they will allow us to help them. May God continue to bless you Laurie Sievers.
April 20, 2012 @ 5:17 pm
Thank you for continuing what we’ve all needed, still need. May 5 will mark three years since Patrick’s death, and I began reading this blog long before that date. So many wonderful people have shared here every emotion it’s possible to experience. I’m deeply grateful for the listeners, the sharers, the givers among us.