>From: "Peter McWilliams" <peter@mcwilliams.com>
>Subject: oops yet another time again
>Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2000 17:48:06 -0800
>X-Mozilla-Status: 8001
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>
>
>The intro to "How to Grow Medical Marijuana" is wrong. Here's the facts,
>from the mother's mouth.
>
>Enjoy,
>
>Peter
>
>PS Those of you who've ordered the book and said nice things: Thanks. And,
>yes, it was supposed to be funny.
>
>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0967659205/petermcwilliamsh/002-84213
>20-0930650
>
>FROM TODD'S MOM:
>
>I must have overlooked something, but I just realized this afternoon, as
>I started to read Todd's book that the following info is PUBLISHED!
>
>I thought it was just on the net.
>
>Histiocytosis X is a very broad term which encompasses many variations,
>some benign, some malignant.
>
>Pure Histiocytosis X - eosinophilic granuloma - IS a benign condition -
>it can hit from childhood to early adulthood, usually is self-limiting,
>and a one time occurrence.
>
>But that isn't what Todd had/has.
>
>In Dr Forman's words following his last examination of Todd, "He is in
>remission now, but this disease could return at any time and even be
>fatal." Ed Forman is the department head of Pediatric Oncology at RI
>Hospital and had been Todd's oncologist from 1972 until Todd left RI in
>1991.
>
>Todd had SYSTEMIC tumors involving both bone and soft tissue. It
>effected vital organs as well as destroying marrow and eating through
>bone.
>
>He had liver dysfunction, spleen, heart and lung involvement. The first
>tumor was not restricted to the vertebrae, but had infiltrated the
>spinal column - a very serious complication - which might have been
>avoided had Boston Children's Hospital done their job right.
>
>The doctors at RI Hospital were not over-zealous in his treatment, if
>anything Ed Forman and Peter Smith in Pediatric Oncology were extremely
>cautious. They did not go for the more aggressive treatments until we
>had reached a point where the tumor was life threatening or permanently
>disabling. MANY tumors were allowed to burn themselves out.
>
>John Montgomery was an active advocate for Todd and as his primary
>physician DID reject some experimental and/or aggressive treatments as
>being overkill.
>
>Radiologist, Robert Tefft, went to great pains to use the barest minimum
>of radiation possible.
>
>Walter Cotter kept him under observation for 2 weeks, trying
>non-invasive treatments first, before even considering the fusion. When
>they finally went in it was only because the vertebrae had crumbled and
>tumor cells were present in the spinal fluid. The tumor had resisted
>medication and continued to grow - pressing dangerously against the
>spinal cord itself. Paralysis and/or death was imminent. He had been
>prepped for surgery twice before the operation was actually done. Both
>times it was Dr Cotter who pulled back because tests done at the 11th
>hour showed a glimmer of hope.
>
>His cardiologist, Pat Rompf, is very conservative. She fought hard and
>tirelessly when she felt other specialists were going too far.
>
>You could have interviewed any or all of these people.
>
>Dr. Drew (or whatever his name is) - who had not met or previously
>examined Todd - was the one who brought up Histiocytosis X - totally
>ignoring that Todd had HAND-SCHULLER-CHRISTIAN DISEASE which is to
>Histiocytosis X what COPD would be to having a common chest cold.
>
>I mentioned several times that night that Dr Drew's explanation of
>Histiocytosis X was accurate to a degree - but it wasn't what TODD had.
>It was like talking to the wall. They were oblivious....
>
>I don't know what else to say, except, I really wish you guys had just
>asked...
>
>ann
>
>
>
>
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