CANCER GUIDE CONSULTATIONS
- A FAMILY'S LETTER
Eileen and Tony Giardina, sister and brother-in-law of Lorraine Bonder.

After Lorraine Bonder was diagnosed with uterine cancer, I was contacted by her sister, Eileen, and brother-in-law, novelist Tony Giardina. I commented on her biopsy results and framed my information through an appropriately optimistic lens: there was a good chance her uterine cancer was early enough to be cured by surgery. I emphasized that in Lorraine’s case surgery was the central issue, both because it was potentially curative and because proper staging in this disease is the key to determining whether—and what—post-surgical treatment is needed. Above all else, this requires a highly skilled and experienced surgeon, so I referred them to Dr. Peter Dottino, overall the best gynecologic oncologist and surgeon I know of, who is also a superb communicator and humane physician. My information, reassurance, and referral were the most important aspects of my guidance to the Bonder and Giardina families. The following thank-you letters are from Tony and Eileen on behalf of their families and particularly Lorraine, who remains cancer-free over a year later.

Dear Henry,
If your ears are buzzing, its because everyone in the Bonder family is praising you to the skies these days. Lorraine got an appointment with Dr. Dottino, saw him Monday, and is scheduled for surgery this Thursday. So far, things look pretty promising. the CAT scan revealed no invasion to other organs. So it'll be a matter of getting her uterus out and doing whatever tests need to be done. But Lorraine had never been taken such good care of in a doctor's office- found him funny, approachable, human. she's feeling a lot better about this whole procedure, which I think just makes her- and all of us - that much more grateful to you. It is an incredible service you provide, and I just want to let you know how important its been to us to be able to help Lorraine, through you. I'm putting my book in the mail to you tomorrow, but that's a very small way of saying thanks.

All best,
Tony Giardina

Dear Henry,
First reports on Lorraine's surgery today are all good. Dr. Dottino was
very encouraging to Eileen and her sisters (all waiting anxiously at Mt.Sinai) that he thought the cancer had been contained in the uterus. So we wait for reports, but we're very, very optimistic. Thought you'd want
to know.

Best, Tony

Dear Henry,
Thank you thank you thank you! You are truly as wonderful as Marci has always said. My sister is doing well post-op at home. Dr. Dottino was wonderful and we are filled with gratitude towards you both.

All my love
Eileen Giardina