Rodneyville Story Reviews:

Dear Rodney,
Your personal story of the body's "war within" is an exceptional essay.  You have shared concepts applicable to all conditions resulting in compromised immune systems.  Because you write from an "insider" patient perspective your words have high credibility but because you also write from a Christian perspective your words give this illness extraordinary dimension; that is, that our life stories are absorbed into a much Bigger Story written by God Himself. And it ends with the promise that we live "healthfully happily ever after."

Blessings on you and your family and on all the patients who will read your story.

Joan Hughson
Nursing Professor

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Rodney, I have finally had a few minutes to read the inspiring tale of Rodneyville.
I was impressed by how effective your analogy to a peaceful town invaded by terrorists—with the resulting surgical strikes, chemical, and nuclear warfare, and collateral damage—was in communicating what you and your family have been through.

Thank you for bringing us up to date, for sharing your powerful story, and for putting into words the inspiring insights you have gathered through this experience. May God continue to bless and keep you.

Nancy Lecourt
Vice President for Academic Administration
Pacific Union College

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I have just had the honor of reading your most inspiring, impressive, and effective writing. Your insightful thoughts, words, grasp of concepts and core beliefs go very far to substantiate your assertion that the fight against cancer is analogous to the fight against terrorism. If only more cancer patients – as well as political leaders around the globe – could see these issues from your perspective, the cancer arena would not be such a scary place, nor would the world.
Now, I must tell you that I have been an ICAN volunteer for 19 years and continue each day so that this MOST EFFECTIVE AND WORTHWHILE organization may continue to help more and more cancer patients and their families. In almost two decades, I have read and heard many thoughts, wishes, and prayers coming from patients and their loved ones. Of all those, yours stands as a gateway to understanding and giving ammunition to fight the fight.
May you and yours stay strong and continue to share this exhilarating and electrifying message.
Warm regards,
Sherry Weinstein
Chairman, ICAN Board of Trustees

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Mr. Hardcastle, I want to add my most enthusiastic endorsement to that of my compatriots on the ICAN board who have enjoyed reading your delightful rendering of the war against cancer.  It is inventive, potent, and so memorable.  As Marcia announced, based on the Executive Committee's decision, we look forward to honoring your gifted essay and enshrining it in a specially named program called The Rodney Hardcastle Survivors Program.
J. C. Gregory III, Chair, Board Governance

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What a wonderful and beautiful analogy of the war against terrorism and one's fight in that personal war against cancer.  As someone who has lost a wife in that battle, and who has been fortunate to see a daughter fight that greatest of wars, and win, the story brings home the emotions of being in that greatest of struggles. I believe that the mayor, and the loving occupants of his household, will be triumphant in this battle because of the dedication and willingness to fight the terrorists wherever they are with all the available armaments presently available.
Robert  H. Tamis, MD
Chair, Physicians Advisory Council, ICAN

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Rodney, you have described with tremendous insight what it means to live in the ever-challenging foxholes of the War on Cancer. Your spirited and skillfully crafted essay will inspire patients, spouses, families, colleagues and friends as well as the many healthcare providers who share this space with you and fellow patients.  You are the essence of the proactive and empowered patient and a joy to work with.  Here's to the small and big miracles continuing!
Marcia K. Horn, JD
The Rodney Hardcastle Survivors Program
ICAN, International Cancer Advocacy Network

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Hey, Rodney, I read the story this morning before chapel. It makes the medical issues easier to understand with the terrorism theme.  But your lesson at the end is the most powerful—value life and trust God.  Those are true whether the issue is/was severe like yours, or whether it is much slower and almost imperceptible, as our aging usually is. I hope I learn that lesson, because there’s no avoiding the slow death among humans. It might as well be a faithful ride.
Thanks so much for taking the time to ponder the last three years and to tell us what it means.
The chart was really helpful to see your return to normal chemistry. I hope these days find your body returning to some sameness, so you can keep gaining strength and returning to your former lifestyle.
Tim Mitchel
Educator and Pastor

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