From: Susan Dahl <dahl_s@FORTLEWIS.EDU>
> To: vianet@i-2000.com
> Subject: I've go it too.
> Date: Thursday, May 08, 1997 8:00 PM
>
> Hello Kent and this amazing leiomyosarcoma support group,
>
> I continue to survivor a high-grade leiomyosarcoma found in 1991 in the
> fibroid walls of my now defunct-uterus (the cancer was discovered during
> an hysterectomy.)
>
> My doctor told me my prognosis was three years. That meant to me I had
> about 3 years to live. I walked out his door in a daze, smelling the
> just festering Spring greens, enjoying what I preceived to be the last
> years of my life. Six years later, and some difficult years at that, I
> am still alive.
>
> Unfortuantely, the cancer would returned almost three years to the day
> where it showed up as pain in my left hip bone. After chemotherapy and
> radiation treatments, (maybe a year, maybe only nine months, the time
> was too brief to remember, really) it appeared again in the lower lobes
> of my lungs: Hello Darkness my old friend. I left the doctor's office
> crying, defeated even though I'd spent the last years doing everything
> (Essiac, juicing, supplements, exercise, etc.) I could think of to keep
> those little beasties away.
>
> My husband and I then took a trip to France and Spain in late April
> early May. It was a a great trip. From the tranquill beaches of St.
> Jean du Luz I wrote my friends and relatives: "I'll probably be dead
> soon." I didn't expect to make it to my 47th birthday.
>
> Embarrassingly, I'm still here. Several friends who weren't even
> diagnosed with cancer in 1991 have since died from faster forms of the
> disease. Too many other friends and relative have died from accidents
> or illnesses.
>
> I tried chemo. again since September with no help, even attempitng us
> through the inovative Cancer TReatment Centers of American. I few
> months ago, the oncologist determined somthing was working. So, you can
> see I am still suffering from cancer, must use a crutches and pain pills
> to get by daily, but daily, through so many other good people's prayers
> and amazing discoveries like this "support group for leiomyosarcoma"
> patients I continue to work, tinker at my life's interests, and am quite
> happy.
>
> I would love to correspond with anyone with a similar type of uterus
> related cancer, or ANYONE, for that matter. I am looking into a gene
> P53 related genes just for leiomyosarcoma patients, but the information
> is at home. I am using my good friend S. Dahl's e-mail access, so will
> check back here soon for anybody interested in hearing more about this
> new gene. Or you can send e-mail to me directly to
> "SAUNDERS_R@FORTLEWIS.EDU" If this doesn't work please reply to address
> above. Or feel free to call (970) 247-7291 until May 15, 1997.
>
> Bless all of your struggles, and efforts to make this interesting site
> work. In my small town, no one has ever heard of this disease, much
> less know anyone with or have it.
Sincerely, Rebecca