> From: pat sloan <psloan@serv02.ci.oak-ridge.tn.us>
> To: vianet@i-2000.com
> Subject: Leiomyosarcoma survivor
> Date: Tuesday, April 29, 1997 1:11 PM
>
> My husband underwent a colorectal resection a year ago to remove a tumor
> that was leiomyosarcoma. It was discovered by our family Doctor who was
> doing a routine prostate exam. He thought it was a polyp at first and
> sent Richard to a Gastrointerologist. He discovered it was actually a
> tumor beneath the surface of the colon. Surgery was scheduled the next
> day with another surgeon. Two weeks later we got the "call" that the
> cyst, they were 99% sure was benign, was in fact leiomyosarcoma. To
> make a long story short, Richard underwent a colon resection. Because
> of the location of the tumor in the rectal portion of the colon,
> resection was very difficult. Luckily we had an excellent Colorectal
> Surgeon, Julio Solla, at the University of Tennessee Hospital. A year
> later now, Richard is Cancer free as far as we know but has had numerous
> problems recovering from the cure! Scar tissue continues to shrink the
> rectum and he has had several dilations and two minor surgical
> procedures to remove the strictures. Currently he is suffering from a
> bladder infection (unrelated as far as we know) and a cold. He also
> lost his job several weeks ago, possibly due to he physical health over
> the last year. He is an ordained Baptist Minister but has not been
> employed fulltime by a church in 10 years. His last job was working for
> a window and door company as a salesman. Now he is in the process of
> applying to a hospital Chaplain program. I think he is a little
> depressed and isn't fighting back enough right now. I work for the City
> of Oak Ridge Tn as a Recreation Supervisor. We live in a small town
> outside of Knoxville Tn called Farragut. I was very interested to read
> your story. We are well aware of how rare leiomyo is and how limited
> the treatment options are. My E-mail address is
> psloan@ci.oak-ridge.tn.us