Back From Canada!

Before commenting on my trip, I just have to say that I am still reeling over the death of Tony Snow. We were traveling back from Canada to Michigan on Saturday and I hadn't heard any news so I didn't find out until Saturday night. I had heard during the McClellan debacle that Tony Snow wasn't doing well but it was still a big blow that I wasn't prepared for.

My parents had DVRed all the Memorial shows done on Fox about him on Saturday and tears just streamed down my face as we watched them. Snow was larger than life and he just exuded optimism and humor and its just so hard to comprehend that he's gone. I haven't felt such a loss over someone in the public eye since Reagan, yet Reagan got to live 40 more years than Snow. My heart just aches for Snow's wife and kids to lose him when they are so young.

Tony Snow's faith, optimism, humor and political wit and wisdom will be greatly missed. Our loss is heaven's gain, yet his death will leave an incredible void here. In the above video you see how he touched so many people's lives by just caring like he did for Brett Baier's son. That was the kind of man he was and there aren't many like him. As Roger Ailes said, when you look character up in the dictionary you will find Tony Snow.

I am so glad Mike was able to do some good posts on him in my absence. I will do a comprehensive post on him too and I will dedicate a big part of my radio show to remembering him this coming Monday!!
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Well, its been a crazy 3 weeks but I'm glad to be back. I've been to Michigan and Canada and back to KC! I went to Montreal, Quebec on a Missions Trip. Before and after I spent some time with my parents in Michigan since they live on the way and they watched 2 of my kids while we were in Quebec.

I was exposed to a lot of French since most people who live in Montreal are bi-lingual and speak both French and English. I did a lot of driving and managed to avoid getting lost, and/or get pulled over for any driving infractions ;-). Anyone that knows me knows that this is a big deal. I am "directionally challenged" so I was a little concerned about driving in another country, but having a GPS is a marvelous thing. I love Garmin :-)!!

I was a "support person" on this trip which was a new role for me. I enjoyed seeing God work in others lives and being a part of His ministry from a different perspective.

Many thanks to Mike, Steve and Rebecca for blog sitting for me while I was gone.

Tony Snow is Back!!

"Not everybody will survive cancer, but on the other hand, you've got to realize you've got the gift of life, so make the most of it. And that is my view, and I'm going to make the most of my time with you."--Tony Snow

I was so happy to hear yesterday that Tony Snow was back and his cancer is far less serious than originally thought. Here are some of his comments from yesterday:

"Just a couple things about my situation. I'm not trying to feel sorry for myself, I'm just going to stop being choked up, because you guys have been so wonderful.

I'm a very lucky guy. As I told you before, we were, out of an aggressive sense of caution, going to do an exploratory surgery that did indicate that I still have cancer. Now, I know the first reaction of people when they hear the word "cancer" is uh-oh. But we live in kind of a different medical situation than we used to. And I have been blessed to be treated by, supported by some of the finest doctors in the world. What we are going to do -- we had surgery, where we did disclose -- and there are some cancers in the peritoneum and we are going to attack them using chemotherapy -- I'll start chemotherapy this Friday.

The design is to throw it into remission and transform it into a chronic disease. If cancer is merely a nuisance for a long period of time, that's fine with me. There are many people running around -- and I must tell you, I have received a lot of notes from folks who have had far worse cases than I have, who have survived many years with the kind of regimen that we're talking about, which is chemo up front, and then maintenance chemo to continue combating cancer tells.

I won't tell you how it's going to work out, because I don't know. But we obviously feel optimistic, and faith, hope and love are a big part of all of it.

The other thing is that I hope folks out there who may either have cancer or have loved ones with cancer need to know a couple of things. First, don't go it alone. The support I've received from you and from my colleagues at the White House and people around the country has been an enormous source of strength. You can't -- there's no way to quantify it, but you feel it. You feel it in your heart. And in many ways, that may be the most important organ for recovery, to have the kind of spirit and to realize that, in my case, I'm unbelievably lucky and unbelievably blessed -- and really happy to be back.

The other thing is -- so don't go it alone, and the other thing is be of courage. Realize that in an age like ours, things are happening very rapidly in the medical realm. I'm taking a cancer cocktail this time around, a chemo cocktail that's going to contain two agents that were not in broad use two years ago. Things are moving very rapidly, and there's always hope.

Not everybody will survive cancer, but on the other hand, you've got to realize you've got the gift of life, so make the most of it. And that is my view, and I'm going to make the most of my time with you."

One of the things I love about Tony Snow is how optimistic he is, which will serve him well in beating this cancer. God Bless you Tony Snow, we are so happy you're back!!

Sending Love to Tony Snow

The above video has one of my favorite Tony quotes of all time when he says this to Helen Thomas, "Well, thank you for the Hezbollah view...". Tony did an awesome job on Fox News Sunday, he was even better as a Talk Show Host and he completely rocks as the White House Press Secretary. He has given conservatives some very enjoyable cheering moments when he calmly took on both David Gregory and Helen Thomas without being rude or harsh.

Right now he is greatly missed and all of us need to send out our love to him. Go here to send Tony Get Well wishes. I sent him an email but I will also be finding a way to send him a card via snail mail as well. It will only help Tony's optimism in getting better to see how many people care.

Also, check out this awesome collection of links that Flopping Aces has on all of Tony's greatest hits.

I'm not normally a Cal Thomas fan but he has written a neat article about Tony. He talks of how Tony's faith deepened after his first cancer surgery. It is pretty inspiring. Thomas points out how appropriate it was for W to ask people to pray for Tony since Tony is a man of faith and prayer. No wonder I love him so much!!

Previously:
Praying For Tony Snow

Praying For Tony Snow

It broke my heart this morning to learn that Tony Snow's cancer has returned. Tony Snow is one of those stand up guys who most rational people can't help but love. He has always been a passionate voice for the conservative cause and yet, he is such a nice guy that it makes it hard for people to dislike him. LGF points out these hateful comments but these are by rabid, irrational, vicious leftists who are so filled with hate that they would never be capable of saying anything even remotely kind about anyone on the right.

Most of us conservatives had kind things to say about Elizabeth Edwards but the kindness and graciousness never seems to be reciprocated by many on the left. It is too bad because cancer is something that should evoke compassion in us all no matter who the person happens to be.

All that to say, I love the man and I will be praying for God's gracious, healing hand to touch him. I will be praying for a quick treatment and a speedy recovery because we need him in D.C. Click here to see the video of President Bush's kind words about him.

My message to Tony:

We love you and are praying for your speedy return!! Hang in there, you have a lot of people pulling for ya!

UPDATE:
Medical Experts are saying that he may be able to live with this indefinitely. That is encouraging.

Others blogging:
Michelle Malkin
Flopping Aces
Mike's America
Sister Toldjah
Gateway Pundit
Born Again Redneck
Chickenhawk Express
Angry Young Conservatives