> From: Rosalie Peipert <RPeipert@webtv.net>
> To: vianet@i-2000.com
> Subject: A Survivor's Story
> Date: Thursday, September 25, 1997 6:10 AM
>
> Thank you for your website. It is a
> tremendous source of knowledge. I am
> a long time survivor of 16 years. It started
> with a fibroid in my uterus. I had a hyster-
> ectomy and even the gyn was surprised at
> the pathology report. ( spindle cell leio
> with mixoid features). At that time, very
> little was known. I was pronounced clean
> because it was all removed. My doctors
> never thought to keep me in check all those years. Well, 11 years later
> I had to
> go in to have breast surgery, and during a
> routine pre-op exam, they discovered spots in my lungs. I had a needle
> biopsy
> and it had spread to my lungs. I was lucky it was low grade and grew
> slowly.
> I had my breast surgery and the path re-
> port said lobular cancer in situ. I am at
> very high risk for invasive breast cancer.It returned 3 more times. I
> was put on tamoxifen for prophylactic measures and
> hopefully that will keep it away. Anyway
> 6 weeks after the breast surgery, I checked into MSKCC for bilateral
> lung
> surgery. They did a clamshell thorotomy
> to reach both lungs . I had 5 nodules.
> The sternem is broken like in open heart
> surgery and it is a brutal operation. I made up my mind I was going to
> be one
> of the people to survive this ordeal. Three
> months later, I was exercising and walking
> a mile and a half every day. I try to keep
> in good physical shape so I can be ready
> for whatever. I believe if you are in good
> shape you can recuperate much faster.
> 2 years and 10 months later, I developed
> 4 more nodules in the lungs. Repeat of
> the clamshell thorotomy. This time I opted for the Pain Clinic's help
> and they
> administered an epidural in my upper
> back which seemed to be a better decision for me. I also had PCA(the
> pump) It controlled the pain so much
> better. Why does no one tell you about
> these things to make it a little easier? I
> had to research it myself and ask for it.
> It as been 2 years and I have 1 node that
> is stable and no new nodes . We are
> taking a watch-see attitude. I have had
> 9 surgeries in my war against leio. I need
> the break. 1997 was the first year I had
> no surgery. I take vitamins, minerals,
> essiac tea and whatever I can to boost
> my immune system. I have become very
> spiritual and thank God every day for being on this earth another day.
> I am
> thankful for everything I have. After all
> I lived to see my children finish college,
> have terrific careers, get married and the
> bonus-5 grandchildren I never thought I'd
> live to see. I have a LH who has walked
> every step of the way with me. HIs support has given me the strength
> to go
> on. I think I am one of the oldest survivors in age (62). There is a
> young
> woman I know who has survived 23 yrs
> to my 16. MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!
> Hang in there and never give in. Take
> all the options offered to you. My only
> option is surgery. Take good care of
> yourself and never, never miss a checkup
> or ct-scan. Compassionately, Rosalie
>
>
>
>