Doris Holloway
780 Riverside Drive, Apt. 5C
New York, NY 10032
Two years and counting!!!
On September 11th, I celebrated the second anniversary of my survival from primary liver cancer — a real milestone for me. Itıs a milestone because at the time of my operation, I was told that if I could make it to two years, I might have a chance of beating my disease. While no one can ever "close the book" on cancer in this kind of situation, I'm finally able to wake up each day with a genuine sense of "Wow, I think I'm going to be ok!"
Cholangiocarcinoma - a deadly and extremely rare form of primary liver cancer — is not generally discovered and diagnosed until it is too late to do anything about it. Because I was fortunate enough to find my own tumor and because I was lucky beyond belief to have Dr. Myron Schwartz operate on me to remove the tumor, I'm writing to you today.
I know without a doubt that Dr. Schwartz, a world-renowned liver surgeon, saved my life. To honor this incredible man and to thank him for giving me back my life, I've decided to put together a small fund for his research group. I've put off sending this letter because I felt reluctant to ask those who were so supportive of me during my illness to do anything further. And I really didn't want to be yet another person with a cause. But guess what? I do have a cause and I do have a huge reason to celebrate! Here's a little information about Dr. Schwartz:
Myron Schwartz, MD, FACS, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, is currently Director of Surgical Oncology and Associate Director of Liver Transplantation at Mount Sinai, where he oversees the hepatobiliary cancer unit. He came to Mount Sinai in 1981, completed residencies in general and vascular surgery, and joined the faculty in 1987. Dr. Schwartz's principal research interest is in primary liver cancer and his research program has been funded by the NIH through a K24 Career Development Award entitled, "Systematic Integration of Patient-Oriented Research into the Clinical Pathway for Hepatocellular Carcinoma." Dr. Schwartz worked with Charles Miller, MD, to establish the Liver Transplant Program at Mount Sinai in 1988, and since 1990 he has devoted his career to hepatobiliary surgery - that's what I had- and transplantation. He has published over 200 papers in peer-reviewed journals, as well as 15 book chapters. Dr. Schwartz is one of the country's leading experts on primary liver cancer, and he lectures frequently on the subject both in the U.S. and around the world.
And by the way, he also sings beautifully, plays the piano, is a gourmet cook, loves baseball, does yoga and has performed in a professional ballet company for several years, as well as being the father of five children.
I realize that we all receive way too many requests in the mail, via email and by phone every week — if not every day. I know also that this is an especially challenging time for everyone, so I totally understand if you don't feel comfortable sending off yet another check. But please remember that any amount you send will enable the doctors who are studying this elusive killer disease to expand their work. And of course, any contribution will be tax deductible.
If you'd like to participate, here's the information you will need:
Name of Research Group:
Surgical Oncology Research and Education Fund
Tax ID - #13-6171197
My address:
Doris Holloway
780 Riverside Drive
#5C
New York, New York
10032
Please include your home address so that I can write back to you!
Cancer can be a lonely experience — after the shock of diagnosis, the operation to try to fix what is wrong and then the excitement of going home — you're left to keep getting better pretty much on your own. You reflect upon the experience and to try to move on from there. Sometimes people forget that you had it or they figure that once you've made it to a certain point, you're okay and that you're not worried anymore. But it's always in the back of your mind.
Thanks to each of you, though, I truly
never felt alone. Your cards, letters, phone calls, beautiful flowers and
visits made such a difference. It was a long journey but you kept checking in
with me. You simply can't know how much each kind gesture meant to me and I
want to say thanks to each of you again. I am happier than you can possibly
imagine — just being alive and well and enjoying each and every moment of my
life.
With deep gratitude and love to you all,
Doris