From: Kent A. Field <vianet@i-2000.com>

> To: dpeduto@access.k12.wv.us

> Subject: Re: My friend Sheila

> Date: Friday, November 14, 1997 1:44 PM

>

> > From: dpeduto@access.k12.wv.us

> > To: Kent A. Field <vianet@i-2000.com>

> > Subject: My friend Sheila

> > Date: Thursday, November 13, 1997 11:36 AM

> >

> > Kent:

> >

> > A few months ago I contacted you about my friend Sheila that

> > has the same kind of cancer you do. She contacted your doctor

> > but has never heard from him.

> >

> I forwarded you message again to my Dr.. Hopefully, he will respond soon.

>

> > I wanted to update you on her condition and see what you

> > thought. The cancer has now spread to the kidney-a tumor the

> > size of a golf ball. The doctors talked about radiation but

> > have now decided on surgical removal. There is a lymph node

> > that is enlarged about 1 cm. on the other side of the

> > affected area that they are probably not going to touch,

> > although they may try to get it during the surgery.

> >

> They really should get that lymph node too. Wide negative margins is key

> with leiomyo. Chemo and radiation have not proven to be very effective at

> all.

>

>

> She had chemo for 2 months and they did an MRI and it showed

> > that the treatments had not helped the cancer. They will now

> > switch her to chemo with Taxol. I guess Taxol will make her

> > lose her hair and be sick. Have you ever taken that?

> >

> No, and it probably wouldn't do any good anyway. Shark cartilage in massive

> daily doses of 100,000 mg. have worked well for some folks.

>

> > They are saying that the surgery will only alleviate the pain

> > she has been having, it will not prevent the spread of the

> > cancer somewhere else. They feel it will pop up somewhere

> > else, as this is her 3rd round of leiomyosarcoma-1st the

> > cervical area, then the lung, now the kidney.

>

> The nature of leiomyo is that it typically has a 70% distant failure rate.

> I think building up a healthy immune system is key.

> >

> > She still tries to teach school with me when she can.

> > Everyone is pretty dismall about her chances. The doctors

> > say the survival rate is only 1 in 5. she talked to her

> > doctor about your doctor and he said he would contact him,

> > but he did not.

>

>

> Survival is really more like 3 in 10 past 5 years. But I know of many alive

> for 20+ years, several operations later.

>

> You really have to push them. They are very distracted... Doctors are.

> >

> > Do you feel there is no hope for her? Be honest. I

> > appreciate your concern and opinion.

>

> I really do believe that has more to do with God than anyone else. But her

> attitude, outlook and immune system also play a role. And to cut out

> anything that looks suspicious!

>

> God Bless!

>

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Donna

> > -------------------------------------

> > Name: Donna Hoylman Peduto

> > E-mail: Donna Peduto <dpeduto@access.k12.wv.us>

> > Date: 11/13/97

> > Time: 4:36:00 PM

> >

> > This message was sent by Chameleon

> > -------------------------------------