To my friends and family,

So many of you have called and/or written so many beautiful and encouraging letters.   It is very difficult right now for me to respond individually so please accept this note.

Charlie and I are continuing to move forward in spite of the obstacles set before us.

My third opinion of this very rare disease has unfortunately confirmed the first two opinions.   I am not discouraged, for now I know exactly what I am dealing with.   This sarcoma unfortunately occurs in less that 5 people a year and is still an unknown.

We are presently in New York due to the diligent efforts of Dr Scott Gerst, and the generosity of our good friend Frank Wallis.   The beginning of the transit strike started at 12:01am today and a system wide strike may begin at midnight tonight.  I mention this because I am entering the hospital at Memorial Sloan Kettering tomorrow, Tuesday.   This strike will certainly affect the staff at the hospital.

On Tuesday, the doctors will perform a Hepatic Artery Embolization.   In essence, this procedure injects a sand-like material into the vascular surrounding the tumor in my liver.   It should immediately begin killing the tumor.   My hope is for a reduction in tumor size by 50%.

In a month, I will have a CT scan to evaluate the procedures effectiveness.   At that point, I will begin my chemo-therapy.   The chemo will be important to kill any new tumors that are undetectable at this time.   If the embolization is effective, it can always be repeated.   It seems to be effective in other types of liver tumors and so the doctors are hopeful it will be effective in this one. Bottom line on all of this is that there is nothing tried and true, and effectiveness will depend on the treatments and my response to them.   I am young (relatively) and healthy, and should be able to withstand most anything.   I am ready to get in there, get going, and get past all of this.

Once the embolization takes place, I should be hospitalized for at least 2 - 3 days for observation.   The procedure is not complicated, and I've already been through worse operations this past month.   I will be hospitalized because as the tumor dies, my body will respond to try to rid itself of the dead cells within.   This should give me a flu-like symptom which would be best monitored in the hospital.

I want you all to know that special thanks and recognition should be given to Dr. Scott Gerst, a St Louis friend, and a physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering.   Scott not only expedited my appointments at MSK, but also expedited my procedure scheduled for tomorrow.   A normal waiting time for this procedure would be 3 - 4 weeks out.   Because of Scott, we knew I had an appointment within a matter of hours.   I can not thank Scott and his partner Jim enough.

Also special thanks to our friend and neighbor, Dr Greg Polites, who saw me at home the evening of November 7th, expedited my care in the emergency room, and saved my life that night.

Frank Wallis gave up his home in NY, so that Charlie and I would have a place to live and is totally responsible for my recent weight gain as I am eating my way through New York.

My other thanks go to Charlie, who in essence is my right arm.   I owe him my life.   His love and support is unwavering.   I could never do this without him.   Please help me in any way possible to support him.

Tomorrow will go well.   I hope to leave the hospital on Friday.   From there, tentative plans will be a train ride to Harrisburg, PA and to spend Christmas and Chanukah with Charlie and his family.   We plan to return to after Christmas.

I send you my love,

Randy