One week after having surgery to remove a testicular tumor, College President James Freedman is in good spirits and said he expects to return to work soon.
Freedman returned to Hanover last Friday.
"I think I'm doing well," Freedman said in an upbeat sounding voice in a telephone interview yesterday from his Webster Avenue home.
Freedman said he is in some discomfort and is fatigued, but added that his condition is improving daily.
Yesterday was the first day his doctors permitted him to leave his home for some light exercise. Freedman said he went for a walk.
Last Monday, Freedman underwent surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital to remove the tumor. Tests on the tumor revealed Freedman has lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system.
Freedman will undergo eight rounds of chemotherapy at Mass General, starting Wednesday, and doctors say there is an 85 percent chance Freedman's body will be free of lymphoma after the treatment.
Chemotherapy is a combination of drugs used to stop cancerous cells from growing and multiplying. Freedman will undergo minor surgery Thursday at Mass General to have a catheter placed in his chest to aid in the treatment.
Freedman said that although doctors caught the lymphoma early, it had already spread to the pelvic and abdominal area.
During his absence last week, Freedman said he received an outpouring of support from members of the College community - including cards, letters, books, gifts, balloons, flowers, a teddy bear and homemade cookies.
"From the bottom of my heart, I thank all members of the Dartmouth community for their support," Freedman said in a statement issued Sunday by the College. "It has been a wonderful feeling."
Yesterday, Freedman again emphasized how much he valued the support of students and administrators.
"It makes you feel that this is a community that cares about each other," he said.
The Board of Trustees will meet in Hanover Friday, two days after Freedman receives his first round of chemotherapy, but the President said he expects to attend.
"They tell me most people with chemotherapy have no problem going to work the next day," Freedman said. "I expect I ought to be able to go to work."
Chemotherapy affects people in different ways, and Freedman said he is apprehensive about his first treatment.
Freedman, who is in his seventh year at the College, said he is still "very happy" at Dartmouth, and said his recent health condition will not persuade him to retire early.
He is scheduled to take a six-month sabbatical on Jan. 1, 1995. Dean of the Faculty James Wright will act as president in Freedman's absence.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The date of College President' James Freedman's first chemotherapy treatment was erroneiously reported Monday. He will undergo his first trestament April 20 at Massacheusetts General Hospital. The Board of Trustees' meeting is taking place April 15-16.
