The American Spectator

Funny thing, life. The pleasure is in taking everything for granted, oblivious of encroaching change. The tragedy is in realizing the worth of everything only as it is lost.
— David Govett
Davis, California

After reading Mr. Henry’s column my problems seem silly. I will pray for him, it is the least and the most we could do. God Bless and keep you sir.
— Jim Karr
Blue Springs, Missouri

It was a moving account of your condition. I am a doctor and have seen what you describe in my patients (though most of them are not as articulate as you). I fear I will face it my self some day.

Some people are just tough — that’s their constitution. Other people are clever. I am neither of these, but I am interested. If you discover so much as a grain of wisdom about how to handle what you describe, please write about it.
— Wayne Pickard

Please forward to Mr. Henry my best wishes. Life, life the True Love it is composed of, needs no affirmation.

Tell him to ask his ruthless physicians about buprenorphine naloxone. Withdrawal from opiates has been cured.

He can research the literature on his own.
— Joel Raupe
Raleigh, North Carolina

Your piece “Nothing Else to Do” is so moving, and I am so sorry that you are suffering in so many ways. I will pray for you tonight. I pray that you receive the grace to live through your illnesses and that your sons will know your character and bravery. Thank you for your writing.

Yours truly,
— Elizabeth B. Sullivan
Birmingham, Alabama

I just finished reading your “Nothing Else to Do” column. I’m in my 50s; my husband and I both have serious health issues. You are a very gifted writer, and your column touched my heart very much.

Mr. Henry, right now it might seem there is nothing else to do but cry as you absorb today’s bad news. (Believe me, we understand those days too.) But you just keep hanging on. You keep writing to fill up another shelf with manuscripts and columns to submit to American Spectator.

Mostly hang on because you are an important part of the lives of at least four people — your family (your wife, Bud, and Joe) and your friend Chip. How blessed you are to have a friend who comes over to pray with you! Please, while you are praying, remember to thank God for your loved ones, for the medical care you are able to receive, and that you live in America.

I don’t know why some of us are destined to go through life with health problems. What I do know is that having a family that loves me does help me get through the bad days filled with only bad news. Prayer and a relationship with my Creator also helps. A Bible verse that I hang on to with everything I’ve got is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” No matter how many days God allows any of us, we can each always cling to the hope He gives.

Please don’t give up the good fight.

A friend and admirer,
— Judith H