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