Dear Friends and Family (you are one in the same),

When I was 13 years old, I overheard a neighbor tell my mother the following at my Bar Mitzvah celebration,   "Randy did not invite a lot of friends, but the ones he invited are true friends".   I always thought I had a "few good friends".   The experiences of the past few weeks have shown me that my small group of friends has grown, yet they are still all true friends.   The cards, letters, e-mails, flowers and visits have been incredibly heart-warming.   I thank you all for being a part of my life.

I just got out of the hospital on Saturday after a two week stay.   On Monday, Nov 7th, the pericardial sac surrounding my heart filled up with so much fluid that the heart just about stopped pumping.   They call it a Cardiac Tapenade.   Fortunately I made it to the hospital, but they told Charlie several times during the night to prepare himself because I might not make it.   They kept me alive for 2 hours until 3:40am when a thoracic surgeon arrived and was able to drain the fluid from my heart.   The heart returned to full pumping capacity when the fluid (approx. 2 cups) was removed.   There was no damage to the heart.

They have no idea what caused it, but on further testing, my liver showed several lesions.   I have NO history in the family of cancer, but after visiting the Oncologist's office Tuesday, they have diagnosed me with an Angiosarcoma.   This is a very rare cancer of the blood vessels.   It appears to be contained to the liver.   St Louis University has already confirmed a second diagnosis with Barnes Hospital. Only 25 cases are diagnosed a year.   This doctor has only seen two.   They have caught mine incredibly early.   I was the miracle in the ER that night.   No one working on me could believe that I was there, and no one could believe that I survived either.

I will most likely begin chemo next week.   We will still be seeking other opinions like Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson or Sloan Kettering, but chemo needs to begin ASAP given the rarity of this condition.   There is very little literature available.   The treatment will be a bit experimental.   They feel that I am healthy enough to handle it.

I had surgery last week to put a drain (which they call a window) in the pericardial sac so that it may never fill up with fluid again.   They were also able to remove one entire lesion.

I have too many things going for me right now . . . especially with my artwork.   I will win this battle.   I have lots of artwork and too much work ahead of me.   Two of my bamboo paintings are presently in a Gallery in Costa Rica.   The owner recently e-mailed saying that 3 different people have been very interested in the paintings.   One is an interior designer that does instillation's in Hotels.   I am already back at the easel!

Later today we are invited to some friends to celebrate Thanksgiving.   I think it will do us all some good.

I will be in touch,

Love Always,

Ran

P.S.   My mother knows about the "heart problem and the surgery".   She does not know about the chemo and cancer other than that I have a very rare blood vessel disease and need medication to treat it.   Please do not mention anything to her.   You can write to me or to Charlie with any questions you may have. Charlie's e-mail is bometz@hotmail.com