Pre-paper

[Rita Di Maria]

Dear Colleagues,
I’m very sorry to be so late with my pre-paper.
But unfortunately I’m concerned with serious illness and it will be a
miracle for me to take part in the conference. I had some routine
medical control and it was found that I had a polyp that was
cancerous. Consequently I went in to have surgery and remove it, the
intervention went well I recovered very well with little or no
problems. Last month I had an appointment with the surgeon for a post
op and to get the result of the biopsy.
The doctor waited until last week to give me the final results
because he wanted to talk to me personally. The Biopsy found that out
of 18 Lymph nodes tested one was cancerous. The doctor explained to me
that it means that the cancer has invaded the lymph nodes. He also
explained that with no other intervention I have a 30% chance of
surviving the cancer. With chemotherapy the chances go up to 70%
survival rate. I am taking a little time to think about it, get more
information and I will have to do some other tests to see the
extensiveness of the cancer.
At this point I am still in shock and incredulous that this is
happening. The reason it is hard to believe is that I have been until
now asymptomatic. So it is very hard to believe.
I wrote this note to all of you that have correctly sent on time your
contribution just to beg your pardon for my delay. I will try to
continue what I have started and hope that I can send my pre-paper at
least before the beginning of the conference.
Finally, let me say: it is not about how to survive the storm, but how
to dance in the rain…
Looking forward seeing you in London
Rita Di Maria