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Leroy Sievers 1955-2008

Leroy Siever's Battle Inspired Courage
I first heard of Leroy sometime ago on a Ted Koppel's , Documentary on Cancer.  It was a documentary which Ted focuses on his friend Leroy Siever's blog, *My Cancer*and he responses to in the cancer community.
I have read this blog from the beginning not only did I meet and leave comments for a incrediably huge man in spirit and in heart. But a warrior in all sense of the word. His battle was written about in this blog. It is open and very much to the point. He said what many patients feel and shared opening about his fight with cancer. Never a victim always a survivor in every since of the word. Cancer is not a pretty or easy disease, Leroy shared it all no fluff all truth. Feelings and all .
This blog profoundly challenged my thoughts with my own cancer as well as realizing its something that many of us are dealing with on a daily basis.
Leroy, gave a gift and left a huge legecy through this blog . He became a daily friend one I checked daily in good times and rotten ones his candor on so much was shared. If any
thing his blog was about living the with a disease so many have and in this community of cancer. All of us were profoundly touched by Leroy.

One thing I realized being a part of his blog comments. Is that there is a huge community of patients, caregiver-survivors out there. I am have been extremely blessed to be a part of it.

I will be forever grateful for Leroy , his story and what he shared with all of us daily.

My prayers are with Laurie and their Family and Friends today.

Rest in Peace Leroy.

I haven't written much lately. Today I feel I should just cause of what's on my mind. A while back someone told me it was okay I had cancer at my age. I was shocked at the immaturity of the person. Never mind that I was 41 when I was at my sickest and entered treatment at age42. Thats not old my any means.But as I wonder around the internet just checking out cancer sites.I realize in some forums I am an *Old Fart Cancer Patient* Being over 40. Omg!! How can that be!!

It brings me to this. Few weeks back I bumped in to a man at the hospital who was 105 and had cancer. I beg to say his needs are way different then mine as a cancer patient. Let alone a person his age. But are they the same as mine. In some ways of course. But in other ways no way.

I am finding we have a social situation that should be with cancer. But am I better off cause I got dxed at 42. I don't thinks so in some ways. In other ways yes I can't argue because I do not know how it is to be 20 with cancer.  But its still cancer at any age. IT stinks.

Ironically I don't think my age even at 53 is old. I simply don't. Each age group as its thing with cancer and socially you work through to a better point.

What upsets me is when people think at my age, I have one foot on the banana peel and the other in the grave. Since I don't rate to be in the younger group Nor the older group. I have to laugh. Or I love this one.. *Wow you survived you must of had the good cancer!* Believe me there is no good cancer.

Cancer is cancer anyway you look at it. 

The thing is I have visited Planet Cancer and Your2Young for this. I love everything about both as well as a few other sites I have found. I also travel many blogs of those with similar cancer as mine. The insite there is incrediable. But I will say its not anything I haven't felt.

As I sit here to day, I am a woman , a wife ,a mom, a newer grandma, and so much more. I am far from old and geratrics. I am active as I can be and as well as I can be for a woman with cancer for my age. But to just assume all people are old of mind and body over 40. I will still deal with cancer forever. Surviving is the tough part and dealing with the day to day issues its tough. 

I admit... that maybe all social ages need groups. But so we lump 40 up to 105 and think thats okay.  How in the world is that right??  It blows my mind.

Anyways thats just food for thought. If your younger with cancer. I am sorry you have it and have to deal with it. But I also think at any age its really hard just different things to do with. I am in the throws of my husband retiring. young. Kids in college, Weddings and new Grandbabies. Yes I have experienced lots of life. But having cancer with a pre teen &teens in the house was a tough deal as well. Forty is the age of parenting so much more. And yes I couldn't have another child either. That was tough but I was thankful as well for those  given to me. But still today at fifty three I don't fit in the geriatric area either. Old Fart maybe but ancient never. So many elderly Americans living life with cancer and many things. But looking at the physio social relms of cancer lumping us in one group is strickly wrong .

So Old Fart maybe age wise to the younger set. But from where I sit I am in the middle which is fine with me. That just means I can touch anyone and everyone with cancer. In hopes of giving them hope.

As for the person who made the remake I would never understand at his age.  That I had my life already at forty two. That is just plain silly. Cancer sucks at any age. No age is any different. I don't think living life with it is easy at any age. Thats just my take.

The thought I have at any age is make it the best day possible that we have everyday.

The other thing is that: Tomorrow any of us could step outside and get hit by a bus!*  Young or old it can happen to anyone.

As for cancer I hate it. I hate that any age gets it and it could be anyone I love as well. It just stinks all of it.

Anyways just food for thought.
Will post later today.  I have not felt that great today. So I am off to rest.

Hugs and Prayers
Always Hope

I got this Link today from a friend . So I took a look...Finish Strong.  I love the music as well. :)
Have a great day.
Hugs and Prayers Always Hope

Last Friday was a very insane day around here. I never wrote about cause just thinking about it, is exhausting for me.  We both got up before 5am in the morning and that is really to early. We had to drive across town for an earlier surgeons appointment then we had planned. As it turned out, someone canceled for a procedure at 7am. When they call you for this surgeon and that happens you grab that appointment.
Here is the scoop. Husband is set up for surgery on August 28th. It will be ambulatory care. So this is fine. Not a office procedure which I already knew due to them messing around with the wrist joint. ICK. There is inflammation by the ulna and pain due a bone spur. Plus the bones in that arm are to short..which is probaly a birth defect of sorts. The growth in there is most like a ganglion cyst. But it has more then one lobe. Meaning its one cyst which has like tenticles on it and the next lobe grows. Thats not a bad thing very common we were told. But its were it is and thats right on the radial artery and sometimes it will wrap around the artery or tendons. So its tricky.
As of now pre op...all of that info was okay. But one glitch. Husbands blood pressure was to the Moon. I mean sky high. He had forgotten to take his one med which, was not a good thing . Two days worth and he was having a problem.
So we came home. Then called the Primary Doc. Who said to come in Now. So thats what we did. She was like *Holy Cow!* The took it three times and it did not come down. I was getting worried sitting there and he was so not himself to. So they gave him two pills. One first did a re check on the bp then said nope Then a second. Finally and improvement.  Then later that night I was to give him another. Which I could see the difference.
So we are addressing that issue totally. And he learned a lesson that this med can't be stopped. We were told he can possibly with checking his BP.s daily it is possible to get 2 a day verses three. and If its a problem remembering..there is a patch use. But he said no the pill is fine. PLus he told his doctor. That she had really better stress the importance of certain meds. When your on three different Meds for the same thing. They are not all the same. Seems he doesn't want to forget any of them. Now. So we are watching that closely.
His BP checks yesterday and today were great. Whew..thank goodness.
So hopefully we will be fine by the time surgery is.
Post op . Plaster cast for possibly two weeks . Then recheck. Then a splint for four weeks if things go well. No lifting at all for six weeks. Plus he told us. He will have a z..or zig zag incission due to that being easier for healing. ( I told Hubby heck I got a machine for that. He just laughed)
So thats pretty much it on that. Whew!!

I just wanted you all to know..Beth I know you were wondering on the removal of my port. I had been putting that off. Due to so much happening.
Our surgeon can take care of it. I do not have to find someone else to do it. He said * He would not remove it till my next round of tests. In Sept*
So that said thats a relief. He can do it at his office in the surgical suite. Only thing he is concerned about is scar tissue after this long. Plus he will repair my scar to. Its horrid. So I feel so much better on that for now.

We had a great weekend more on that later.

I am off. I have the Grandbaby tomorrow . So we are planning on going to the park to feed the ducks in the morning. Hoping for a nice day.
Sleep well everyone...Hugs and Prayers Hope

I read many blogs and spaces daily. It seems at times my list grows. With some really heart warming and inspiring blogs. Tonight once again I have to share Nate and Tricia's Blogspot. Some how I was brought to this story and for ever changed by this young couple faith and fight for survival.
Tricia is a young woman who by all means fits the bill of a fighter. She has lived all her life with cystic fibrosis and now due to a double lung transplant she has a form of Lymphoma which she is now in treatment for. She is an amazing young woman. Who prior to transplant gave birth to a micro premmie. All the while her husband Nate staying close by her side fighting with her. Its an amazing story.

Tricia did one of the same treatments that I did, but it did not work .So her doctors have started her on a new treatment. So she is experiencing many things right now and soon will loose her hair as well.

Today I went to the blog and found something to share. Nath is with all of us fighting this disease called Lymphoma. He has pledged to raise,$3,OOO.
Starting August 1st to August 8th. IF he hits his goal.  He will Shave his head in support of his Wife Tricia.

I want to tell all of you who read here something. I went there to read to day and this story proves how many families deal with lymphoma through out families . Not only are Tricia and Nate dealing with a form of Lymphoma. But so is her sister Janet's Husband Jeff. Like me his disease is incurable.

I encourage anyone reading this blog, those who comment and those who just fly in and out . Please make your way over to
CF Husband Goes Bald  Check it out. I also want you to click on the link to go to the donation page for one second. I want you to watch the amounts scroll simple because  the amounts are what people can afford. One reads $2.25 and others are more. However ever penny on there goes to those fighting these cancers. Its not about the amount every cent counts and is put to use. I want everyone to see what Nate has done in a 8 hour period. Its amazing.  This is an amazing young man with a heart of gold out there helping so many. This it how it gets done folks.

Families like us wanting to help each other.

More to come. But take a look . I promise you this a story that will touch all of you. It has my total family as well.
It renews my faith in others fighting similar things as we are as a family and those willing to jump in and help. Its awesome.

I am betting Nate has to shave his head . And he will reach his goal by Monday. Thats how much support is going out to his family.

You know we hear so much garbage and read so much rotten news in a day. I for one what to read real life stories of great faith in times of hardship. I love reading about people who inspire. This is truely one of those stories.

Come on now go read...What do you  have to loose??? It will do your heart good....:)


Hugs and prayers always Hope

PS...More to this story. If Nate reaches his goal of $3.000 by 12midnight Monday August 4 . I will buzz my Head. Simply in support of Tricia and Nate and others with lymphoma. If by August 8th, he reaches $5,000 or more I will shave my head then post a picture here and on my other blog.Which I will post the link later.  He is well on his way to his goal.  I have sent him an email as well. In support what he is doing.

I know some will think I have gone off my rocker. But I know a few who did the same for me. So I am off to check out the buzzer. I got  a feeling I am going be having a buzz cut soon. LOL Plus its only hair and it will grow back.  I belong to the *Sister  Hood Of The Bald is Beautiful* anyways as a survivor.  (I know hugs heal as well as support going through the process.) So I know my head looks better then Nate's does.!! :)

So I am posting this so he knows I am up for the challenge!  So if you are reading this blog  more to come!!

Have a great night everyone...More to come.  Always HOPE, Always

I wanted to post this yesterday. But I  never got a chance to . Something many of us have been working towards for a very long time.
Blood cancers are the leading cause of death of children under the age of 20. Knowing other Kid's with other kinds of cancers as well. I am so happy to know finally its a step in the right direction for the Kids!!


Bush signs pediatric cancer bill named for Rep.Pryce's daughterTuesday, July 29, 2008 By Jonathan Riskin
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCHWASHINGTON -- They've been in a tough fight with avicious disease, but two little girls from central Ohio emerged from the Oval Office and walked out onto the driveway outside the White House this morning with wide grins, official pins andpresidential words of encouragement.
Hannah Lewis, 7, of Reynoldsburg and Eden Adams, 8,of New Albany, who became friends as they underwent cancer treatment at Nationwide Children's Hospitalin Columbus, were among those on hand to watch President Bush sign a pediatric cancer bill into law.
The Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood CancerAct was crafted by Rep. Deborah Pryce, R-UpperArlington, and named by lawmakers after her daughter, who died in 1999 after battling neuroblastoma.B
oth Hannah and Eden used the same word to describe meeting the president and first lady, being given presents and a tour of the Oval Office: "Cool."The signing ceremony was not open to the press aside from still photographers, but Hannah's mother,Jessica Lewis, said Bush told the families that he knew "we were going through a tough time and wished us the best."
Jessica Lewis and Eden's father, Rourke Adams, said they hope the next step after President Bush's signature will be for Congress to approve spending the first $30 million installment this year of what the law calls for: $150 million over five years for such initiatives as expanded pediatric cancer research and a national childhood cancer database.
The single parents saw their friendship at Nationwide Children's Hospital, which paid for the families to attend the White House signing ceremony,blossom into a relationship."This is something we deal with every day," RourkeAdams said about having a child who is battling cancer. Adams said it is his hope that a fully funded cancer database will in future years give researchers more information about why children develop cancer.
After the signing ceremony, Pryce said shewas "delighted" to see her legislation enacted.The president and first lady spent a lot of time with the children and families - including Hannah's five-year-old brother, Duncan, and Eden's brother Riley, 14 - before Bush wielded his signing pen,Pryce said. Bush lost his three-year-old sister Robin to leukemia in 1953 and Bush told Pryce he is looking forward to telling his parents that he gott o sign the pediatric cancer bill into law, thec ongresswoman added."This is a great step forward," Pryce said. "We have been waiting for this day for years now."

Yesterday my Daughter called me. Its was one of those calls you hate to hear about. Someone a Mom, she use to work with lost a Son in a shooting.
Senseless.
As I search through the the Freep.com, I was able to pull up things about it. Minus the names with held. What really hit me, was this. You have 4 fatal shootings. Two with people in the twenties. Still way to young. Then you have a 15 and 17 yr old out after curfew. At 2 in the morning. Simply to pick up a friend who needed help. These kids walked in to something they couldn't handle and are not alive today. It just amazes me that what society thinks are kids today. Sorry but to me 15 and 17 are still young.

I don't consider twenty old either my kids are all in the twenties. They still need guidance at times. Heck so do I at times.

My daughter was really upset. She and this other lady never got along but still she is upset at the loss of her child who just graduated high school.  Potential lost.

I agree when is  this world going to sit up and take notice. How does one become so dam lost,to do something  so wrong over petty jealousy. Its so beyond me capacity of thinking.

Now a family grieves. Now people who care grieve. So senseless.

Ahh its almost Monday!! We have a few things going in the morning appointments to make with the Surgeon for Hubby . Than  as well as a few test appointments of me. So that will be done early.
Then I will be out and about getting help with The Light The Night Walk. We have some ideas out and about there. So just waiting on a few call backs. I am kinda not taking no for an answer. Kinda give me a reason..why! So that said.  I feel good about things! At this point.

Was a very low keyed weekend. But that was a good thing. Friday I hit a brick wall fatigue wise that is never a good thing. The only thing that helps is sleeping at that point. I felt upset by it cause it caught me so off guard this time. If I only knew when its going to hit I could do something about it. I still think it has a lot to do with how my immune system handles stress. When I am under it. It always catches me that way. Hitting a brick wall is not a good thing. Its a bone tired that nothing helps but sleep.

So that said. We all kicked back, most of the weekend.

I am off for some rest...Hugs and prayers Hope

One thing I hate is going into Detroit in the afternoon. Simply because the traffic is insane.  Going to the hospital was nuts we left around one to go down. But the appointment was not till 3:45. We took a walk and did some things I needed to take care of down there.
We ended up going to the third floor to the ultrasound area. Then found out we had to be up on twelve. So we made it up there about an half hour early and waited and waited. Come to find out the machine froze computer wise. To bad the tech didn't come out for 40 minutes to let us know. So it was back down to the third floor to get things done. We waited and waited. Finally Husband got mad. Then things got moving very fast.

Anyways results will be on computer as soon as the second radiologist reads them. As it looks its not an aneurysm a good thing. However whats going on is not confided to the wrist its spread out. The do not think tumor thats a good thing. More occult ganglion cyst, which means it spread
out. So we will contact the Surgeon in the morning. Luckily we can use the plastics micro guy..who did my surgeries. So we are comfortable with that. Will leave a call for the primary doc as well to watch for the report so the referral will be in the computer as well.

 We walked outta there at twenty to six exhausted. Knowing there is no way possible we had to be there that long for a 15 minute test.

Anyways. I also made a trip to the oncology floor to find out a few things &talk to the Social Worker in charge of my case. She had sent me a letter pertaining to my dental being covered possibly by my health insurance due to treatment. Of course I had not read it but it was in todays mail. Which is going to help matters for this upcoming possible dental surgery.  So we will see about that.

One thing I know today I felt a ton of anxiety today just setting foot on the oncology floor. Amazing how that works. I was waiting on the elevator to leave , it must of showed in my face. This lady waiting  just said in passing. * I could care less if I ever set foot on this floor again!*
I said yeah me to. She was some sort of program admin person. But was a patient as well. She said * you know we are happy to when you do not have to visit here so often.* I was really happy to hear that, cause going back is tough at times.

Plus I wanted to spare Hubby that trip to so I went while he was doing paper work . He was stressed out enough about things thats not something he had to do today.

So a fast day there turned out long and drawn out.  But glad its behind us for now.

I am off to get some sleep. Off to hug a Hubby....Hugs and Prayers Hope