The past month, since I’ve been home, has been rough. New medicines, new challenges and the constant worry as to whether I’m feeling symptoms of recovery or decline. I’m still not sure. But what I can say is the last two days I’ve been comfortable, a feeling I’ve learned not to take for granted.
There’s something else I’ve been feeling lately. It’s a feeling of inclusion, of belonging to a group of badass people fighting for their lives. Everyday I’m shocked to learn just how many of you are joining in your own battles with cancer. And although it’s not a club we choose to join, I’m inspired by my teammates. I’m inspired their energy, their drive and their reluctance to give up.
For me, walking seems easier this week, so my goal is to do more of it. Hopefully by my next post, I’ll have dropped some of the steroid weight and I’ll be able to get around more easily.
Know that as my fight continues, I’m wishing strength for you in your own personal battles with illness and all of life’s other lemons.
Loren
The Nancarrow Project 
Loren you are such and inspiration. You just continue your brave fight.There are so many people ,not just San Diegans pulling for you. Fight the Fight. You are already strong and courageous.Prayers for you and family. My husband died of Liver cancer in 2010 after 58 years of a wonderful married life and I wish we had had time to address all avenues of help in some way back then. You are younger and strong and you Can Make It. Have Faith and No Fear. God Bless you and your family. Walk the Walk Babe……. Shirley El Cajon A Follower.
You’re in our prayers. 🙂
Loren, so glad you are able to walk a little easier. I know you try very hard to focus on the positive but that you are still struggling. I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer the same week you were diagnosed. Every time I get an email from/about you, it hits home really hard! I’ve had chemo, surgery and now chemo again. I’ve been feeling really discouraged but hearing from those in “the club” that have survived long past expectations certainly makes me feel better! Keep the faith….that positive attitude helps as much as anything else you can do!
“Do not be anxious…but in everything by prayer and supplication…let your petitions be known to God; and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts” Philippians 4:6,7
You are doing a great job Just DO NOT give up. Thanks for being YOU
Hang in there, Loren. I will be thinking about you and sending warm thoughts and wishes your way. You are tough and a survivor. If anyone can beat this, you can!
Hi Loren,
You may remember me from Frogs gym…(.you can see my picture on facebook). My sister went through cancer treatments for uterine cancer this past year. She lives in Ohio and went to the Cleveland Clinic for her treatments and lab etc. We are both strong Christians. When she told me about her treatments that she was about to start, I said, “You can use this time as a “personal ministry to others”. She didn’t understand. I continued………I’ll buy you books..called..’More Than A Carpenter’ and you can hand them out to others every time you have to go to the doctor or for any other visits or lab. She agreed and decided to incorporate this “ministry” with her treatments.
I mailed her two boxes each week (you can buy them in a pack of 6 per box). She would go for her treatment and look around the room for “WHO” would be the recipient of the “surprise gift”. She personally signed the inside with her name and phone number and then included this sentence…..”This book was bought for you by my sister in San Diego, CA. After her six rounds of chemo, and several months later…..she had handed out hundreds of books. The stories and the joy she had “connecting” with others in need were palpable. She said it made her visits meaningful and helped her to “re-focus her energy and thoughts”. Many of the people she met she still communicates with.
This book changed my life 40 years ago and I’m still handing it out. If you haven’t read it….you can find it on Amazon written by “Josh McDowell”. It answers all of a person’s questions….like…”Who am I….why am I here……what’s all the fuss about Jesus….how can I know for sure that there’s a heaven…..how can I know for sure I will someday be there? At the end of the book, the person has the opportunity to “pray a simple prayer”…..to receive Jesus as their Savior. .All who choose to pray the prayer and mean it…..immediately change their destiny FOREVER…..no matter how long they have left to live. So simple….so real….so vital!! I’ve never been the same since I prayed that prayer!
I believe that my sister and I will see some of those people in heaven some day because of our “ministry” to others during her personal life crisis. I pray you will order the book and maybe you too…..will consider praying the prayer at the end of the book….and if you already know Jesus as your Savior….perhaps you can use this “surprise gift” to change someone else’s destiny forever! God bless you and Susie and your family! I hope to see you again one day soon at the gym!!
Rebecca
You are so loved!
Bless you Loren! Your strength is inspiring.
Just someone who watched you on the news and who follows your post as I too am going through chemo. I really related to the comment you made about is this feeling I am having the symptom of recovery or decline. I have finished 4 of 6 chemos and each time the chemo after effects get a little worse…or is it decline? I am so inspired by your strength. I have uterine cancer and I too have that darn steroid weight…although the steroids do make me hungry so I am eating more. And I too, am shocked by the number of people with cancer. We all need to fight.
hang in there!!
patti
Sure miss seeing you on tv every day . We wish you nothing but the best and want you to know you and your loving family remain always in our prayers.
Your posts inspire & bless me with the strength to keep going. Small tasks become triumphs & I am thankful for every sunrise & set. I thank you & hope you know how much your thoughts help all of us.
Each time I read your blog, I’m inspired by your courage and your family’s constant love and persistence in the face of all the challenges you’re facing. God bless you Loren, you have no idea how many people you’ve lifted up because of these journals about your struggles.
Thank you for your posts….and for your courage to expose your thoughts and feelings to us. It is such a personal journey you are sharing and I know it helps so many people…Other warriors and family members are allowed to feel connected through your words. I send you light, comfort, strength and good thoughts. Hugs to you and to your family.
I hope to see you on the beach soon.
Feeling comfortable……. that is a good thing.
Glad you’re feeling that.
Prayers and positive vibes are still be sent out to you. Thanks for including us in this part of your journey.
~~Peace!
Wishing you more days that bring hope, and more comfortable times to share with your wonderful family. Never stop fighting and celebrating victories, no matter how small.
Hi Loren. good to hear from you again and that you are feeling a tad better and might try to go for a walk. Praying for you all the time as are so many of your followers. You have a great family and so many followers that are constantly prying for your recovery. I have heard of many remarkable alternative choices in cases like yours with amazingly wonderful results. If you ever decide to embrace something else besides the “modern approach”, give it a try.
Jackie
What a powerful inspiration. Amazing–I really appreciate it. Thanks, Lorin.
Hi Loren, Yes, you are definitely an inspiration. My sister, Dee, just had surgery on her cancerous colon. They removed about 1 foot. She was home last week for a couple of days. She was looking good until sepsis set in. She returned to the hospital, she is still there, and she is now on a respirator. I am going home, to be with her. I had to move about two weeks ago, because hubby and I have been off work for about a year now. I am on disability because I had to have surgery on my spine. My sister has now asked for me, so I am coming home tomorrow. I wish you luck, and I am happy you are doing well. I pray for you and I also pray for my sister. Can you please pray for my sister as well? Thank you so much. You have always been an inspiration.
Sorry, I forgot to put my name and email.
Hi Loren,
So nice to receive this post on my birthday today! Glad to hear that you’re feeling better! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Loren….Thrilled beyond words to have received your post today and I hope you up and around walking this week. All the very best.
Good days are what winning the lottery used to be. May you have many more good days Loren, you deserve them.
Loren, you and your family are truly amazing and inspiring. Thank you for reminding us all what’s really important.
God Bless you Loren, im very happy to hear that you are having some improvement. I pray that continues. You have an amazing family & friends around you. You also have All of us in your corner. Prayers for you & your family
Love Always
Linda Gloria
Hi Loren…I am a breast cancer survivor…almost 3 years now…It’s definitely a club. Once you are in the club, you are much more aware of what is really important and your eyes are opened to the true suffering of others…Some have it so much worse than you…although It’s hard not to feel sorry for yourself, sometimes, but then you shake it off and realize you have life to live and things to do! Take that walk, breath in the fresh air, clear your mind and just enjoy your life…Be happy in the moment…Your “team” is behnd you (family, friends, doctors and fellow survivors!)
You are truly AMAZING….Keep up the fight….we are all praying and believing in you! DSB Loren Nancarrow! ❤
Dear Loren, It is so good to hear from you. You are one of the most positive and motivated folks that I’ve ever known. Glad that you are comfortable. I think of you often and send those positive vibes in your direction. Take care. With love, Lois
Hi Loren! Thank you for the update. You continue to inspire us and educate us as you share your honest innermost being. We all love you for it. Marilyn
Loren,
You are quite simply amazing. Thanks for the update and always remember you are not alone. Prayers and love coming your way.
Loren, we are saddened that you, Susie and the kids must endure this devastating challenge. We are encouraged to see that all of you seem to be gleaming as much positivity as possible. We are rooting for all of you.
Susan & Bob McAndrews
Dear Loren…I am a strong believer in make all your dreams come true. Not only dream abt walking more but better yet dream abt speedy recovery. The dr gave me the news that I should get my life in order and do whatever I dream of doing because I had less than a yr to live. I began to dream big I said I want 5 more yrs but now 15 yrs later I am healthy and alive. I wish you a big dream Loren. As always praying for you. Blessings
YOU are a stud and I am inspired by every thought and every word you are generous enough to share with us…
Enjoy your walk!
You are selfless! The notion that you can even think of others and their struggles speaks volumes about your love for others. God’s blessings – and if you have too many lemons call me. I’ll make us all some fine margaritas!
Lemons become lemonade and I happen to like lemonade so you are filling me every day. I wake some days with arthritis pain and want to bitch and moan and remind myself ”you have it good” and get up and over it. You continue to be a guiding light to those of your family, your friends and all you come in contact with. People are looking at you and saying ”if Loren can do it, so can I”. Keep it up and you and remember you are loved by many.
INSPIRED!! It was nice to see your post to read your words of inspiration!! You are definitely a badass!!
Im glad to hear you are doing better this week. I have picture of you holding my son who was 7 months old at the time, you were getting footage of the La Mesa Octoberfest. I have been on the search for that picture to post it here on your page. Always Praying for YOU! God Bless You and your family.
~Carolyn Jones of Santee, Ca
Sending love and light to you and your beautiful family. You are an inspiration to everyone. Thank you for sharing your private thoughts with those who follow you through your personal battle.
My daughters father (my ex husband of 17 yrs) also has GBM he is a Miami Dade firefighter it has been such a life change,he also on steroid decadron woah this drug almost as difficult as the cancer.There have been ups and downs since the diagnosis in April 2013 he is back working light duty which has been good.I look forward to your post I grasp at all the real people that are dealing with this battle.I hope you are feeling better day by day.My prayers are with you and your beautiful family…
I have followed your journey from the very beginning but haven’t written yet – just prayed. I too am in the club. I was diagnosed 8 years ago with stage 4 Lymphoma…I did and continue to do just that – fight! I continue to fight to have more time with my kids (my youngest was 6 when I was diagnosed), my family, my friends. I fight to have more time to be with my husband, more time to be grateful to see the sun rising and the sun setting. More time to learn and to grow, to love and to forgive. I will continue to pray for peace, for strength and for stamina for both you and the ones you love. Stay strong Loren. No one can understand the walk that you and your family are on, not even someone who is in the club. Everyone and their family and friends has their own unique walk. Don’t listen to the statistics – God is the keeper of your statistics – not the doctors or past cases. Try not to get discouraged and live and love and cherish every moment. The good, bad and the ugly! Stay strong Loren!
Dana, your story is very encouraging to me too! You’re right, don’t listen to the statistics! Just live!!
So glad you posted an update! Praying for you daily along with others in “The Club”. You truly are an inspiration to so many…you have no idea. Thank you for sharing your life, struggles and celebrations – big or small – with us! xoxo
Thank you so much for the post, your honestly and well wishes for others. We are sending you and the family all our love. Cara and Don xoxo
you don’t us…but but we love you Loren!! keep your chin up and spirits as high as you can…you are doing marvelous today! which is all we all have…today…no one is guaranteed anything past that!…
You are an inspiration to me. I just reached my 4 year mark with breast cancer. It has been getting easier. Still on meds fighting it, but surgeries are over. Still tired, but working, etc. I am proud to be a survivor, not embarrassed about my body any more. Glad you have your family there with you to help you through this.
We all get the lemons, it how we handle them when they come and you are inspiring!
Fight On dear one. Those steps you take now will hopefully make you feel some accomplishment on this crazy journey. Keep on Truckin” We will all be holding your hand along the way.
Thank you Loren for being such a wonderful light of encouragement and hope for those who are suffering! I wish your journey becomes easier for you day by day. My mother passed four years ago from brain cancer and was gone three months later. Keep fighting the good fight my friend!
Pulling for you and sending love and light to you and yours.
Loren you area true inspiration. While fighting one heck of a battle you still worry and wish well to those fighting similar battles or just experiencing hard things in their lives. You are a huge blessing.
Hey a few good days is wonderful news hope you make your goal and lose a few pounds. I really did not mind being a little crazy from steroids but the weight gain is the pits. Just out of the hospital from an infection recovering slowly from a liver kidney transplant but confident all will be well.
Loren, you are an inspiration to us all, keep up the good fight!!
I was reading
…and I thought that it must be annoying to be so focused on oneself all the time.
Mr. Brucker….obviously you’ve never had cancer……I’ve had a very rare form….adenocarcinoma consistent with cribriform carcinoma. It is a sweat gland cancer that bared it’s ugly head on my arm. I caught it early; a small sized football chunk was removed from my underneath my forearm. I go every 3 months for tests to see if is once again burying it’s ugly head. Cancer isn’t a toothache, or appendicitis, or gall bladder disease. It’s a big time bugger. I hope you change your mind and find somewhere inside your heart to pray for those fighting the battle. Until then….please focus on Loren…he’s a good guy and deserves our prayers and support. ~ Nancy Robertson Lord Drake
BLESS YOU