IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM BOB-PLEASE READ ENTIRE MESSAGE

Maureen is going to have a procedure which is scheduled for wed (tomorrow morning) at 10 AM. The area of cancer in the upper left femur creates a weak spot that has a risk of fracture-If that happens it would literally be a disaster. We have seen a orthopedic surgeon who is the partner of our radiation oncologist's brother. His name is Dr Durbahkula, and he did a fellowship at Harvard. We are very impressed with him. Both he and the radiation oncologist, Dr. Susan Stinson feel that this area of the femur should be fixed. She is going to have a rod inserted the length of the femur to support it and prevent fracture. There will be either 2 or 3 very small incisions, the operation will take an hour, and be done under spinal anesthesia. She will only have to be in the hospital about 2 days. She should be able to walk with a cane afterwards and radiotherapy to the femur can begin 1-2 weeks after the procedure. It will be perfomed at Shady Grove Hospital in Maryland. The 2 oncologists, Dr Priego and Dr. Stinson, still remain optomistic that this is all very treatable. Obviously setbacks are always emotionally challenging, but we plan to focus on the positives that at least there are things we can do about this. Eilleen is doing a great job as our executive assistant and we could not possibly get through this without her. Mom has also been extremely helpful throughout this ordeal. She is sick now too, with a persistant cough and we are taking her to Maureen's pulmonologist, Dr Jay Weiner, today. Dr. Weiner has gotton a lot of patients out of all this!! (Maureen, me, Sara,and now mom). I would like to emphasize that we totally appreciate all the support from our friends and family, even though I don't mention every name. Thanks also to Sara for setting up this web site which allows us to keep everyone posted--20 years ago this kind of thing would have been impossible.
Will update again tomorrow after the surgery as soon as I can get to a computer.

Bob S.