From Ali Khalid Abdullah to all comrades in concern
TO: ALL COMRADES IN CONCERN ABOUT MY MEDICAL CONDITION
FROM: ALI KHALID ABDULLAH
DATED: June 11, 2001
Many of you have sent words of concern regarding my medical condition
and what you have read on the internet about my having "throat
cancer".
There was an honest misunderstand in this and part of that is my
fault. I do not have "throat cancer", but do have "Thyroid Cancer",
which, I am told, is very treatable and won't spread. My lack of
understand the difference may have contributed to a lot of confusion
and for that I am sorry. However, please note that I am being treated
and have been told of the medical regimen I will undergo for the next
6 months.
First, I am scheduled to see the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist
in July. From that an effective plan will be made as to how best to
treat my condition. What I have found is that the growth at the back
of my thyroid (which is in the back of your throat) can be treated by
either a simple surgery or laser surgery.
It's been brought to my attention that, since the growth is
relatively small and not very large and a new growth, laser would be
a better option and would be able to get all the growth at one
setting.
Second, after the laser surgery and removal of the growth (which
would only take a matter of minutes), I'd been given medication to
take daily for 60 days. I'll also have frequent checks to ensure all
is well. I also found out that this procedure may and may not require
my taking a steroid which would be administred after the surgery for
a period of time.
I am encouraged by this information and hope you are as well. I have
been also informed that thyroid cancer, unlike throat cancer, doesn't
spread in the body, which is a good sign.
I am a bit ashamed that my medical condition has been exposed to you
all, but now that it has, I feel you have a right to know what is
going on. If I have any problems whatsoever you will be informed.
However, I am moved by many of you who've sent letters of concern for
me. Let this concern translate to showing your support for the
International Campaign to Support Ali Khalid Abdullah, which Lorenzo
Komboa Ervin and others have launched and PPWC, which is independent
of the International Support Campaign.
In the trenches...
Ali Khalid Abdullah #148130
3225 John Conley Drive
Thumb Correctional Facility
Lapeer, MI 48446
USA
To read Ali's last statement on this, and erroneous letters sent because people were not completely informed, click here