From: cindy landes <thermocindy@earthlink.net>
To: vianet@i-2000.com <vianet@i-2000.com>
Subject: A Very Sad Christmas Time.
Date: Tuesday, December 09, 1997 1:02 PM

Dear Kent,

My dad has just been diagnosed with Leiomyosarcoma. I guess there
isn't really a "good time" to be diagnosed with cancer, however,
Christmas just 2 weeks away it is especially difficult.
My dad has Kaiser and they have a tendancy to be extremely
uninformative with their patients.
The tumor has already been removed, 4 weeks ago, and he just
received the call yesterday informing him that it was malignant. Why
the 4 week wait to find this out I don't know. They also stated, he
hasn't even spoken to a doctor yet, that it would be 2 weeks before
they would determine the best course of treatment as they are very
busy right now.
Here is what little I do know. My parents are rather at a loss
when they speak to a doctor, etc. and do not really know what to ask.
The tumor which was located on the inside of his upper thigh, was
the size of a puppy they said. History is 30 years ago he had a tumor
of this size removed at the same location, nothing ever mentioned
about malignancy, in fact the doctor then called it a "fatty tumor".
The only things my parents could remember, after the call yesterday
from the physicians assistant, are that she said something like "low
level", I think most likely he means low grade and my mom remembers
"slow growing". I'm sure this sounds promising, however, I'm not sure
how important this information is when it comes to Leioms. Common
sense tells me that location of the tumor would be important and the
little bit of research I did this am says that these do not generally
metastasize via the lymphatic system, do you know if this is true?
Interestingly enough, I also read that they typically occur at in
the 30's and 60's (my dads first one was at age 37 and he is now 67
years old).
As this is such a rare tumor I feel with Kaiser handling this that
I need to be as informed as possible to make sure he gets proper
treatment.
The Phys. Asst. also said something to the effect of needing to see
what is the best course of treatment and mentioned radiation or
surgery. Already I am concerned, from what I've read Radiation
generally has little impact on this type of tumor. Unless it is
because it grew back so slowly or because of the "low level"/"slow
growing" status, am not sure.
Please any information you can give during this very difficult time
will be appreciated so much. My dad started crying when he told me
over the phone and I've never seen my dad cry before, it was the
hardest part for me to hear my dad so sad. I am his first born and
have been so close to him.
Again, please anything to help me understand this type of tumor and
how important is the grade and the fact that it was slow growing,
however remembering that it was very big. The first one that was
removed 30 years ago, the doctor said that it was the largest fatty
tumor they had ever seen or heard of and that they were going to write
it up in the medical journals. Maybe 30 years ago they didn't even
know the difference between a fatty tumor, if there is such a thing,
and a Leiom.
God Bless you for your time and I will check back often to see if
you have emailed.
My name is Cindy and my dad's name is Tom, any prayers sent our way
will be so greatly appreciated.
Have a wonderful and Spirit filled Holliday.....Cindy