Update on Dora

["Barton P. Chambers" <bartonc@infi.net>]

My Dear Friends,

Thank you very much for your thoughts and prayers on behalf of my Love,
Dora.  The news is very bad, but not as bad as it could be.  We have spent most 
of the holiday season running between specialists, and I haven't had any time to
spare for e-mail.  When the smoke settles a bit, I will personally answer each 
of you, but for the moment I must beg your indulgence and ask that you not be 
offended by this group message.

Still, in all, we had a very lovely Christmas, just the two of us, and
she was in high spirits, feeling better than she has in months.  I'm sure
that this was in no small measure due to your prayers and good wishes,
and I appreciate it more than I can tell you.

The problem is a very rare, and very painful stage II carcinoma, excerbated by 
her chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (that severely compromises her immune system). 

The treatment will involve a combination of chemotherapy and massive radiation, 
for a period of 6 to 8 weeks, if all goes well.  The treatment will be extremely
painful, but if successful, and it has a 70-80% success rate, should eradicate 
the cancer without the necessity of surgery.  The treatment is going to be
extraordinarily painful and difficult for her, involving radiation burns and 
sickness, so I will be semi-incommunicado for that period.

In the meantime, I appreciate your prayers and kindness on her behalf,
Thank you for the two of us, and may you all have a happy, healthy and
prosperous New Year!

Bart & Dora