Doctors 'cautiously optimistic' Tom Landry can beat leukemia
11/04/99
By Frank Luksa / The Dallas Morning News
Former Cowboys coach Tom Landry remained hospitalized for treatment of leukemia Thursday, and attending physicians were ``cautiously optimistic' that his illness can be brought to a state of remission. Mr. Landry's condition became a source of concern Thursday amid speculation that he was gravely ill.
``My knowledge is, that's not the case,' said retired Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, who said he spoke by telephone to his former coach on Friday. ``Doctors are cautiously optimistic they can get him in remission.'
Mr. Staubach said he was encouraged by his conversation with Mr. Landry, 75, who is being treated at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.
``He's dealing with chemotherapy treatment great. He has no side effects. He's in great shape, but he's not there yet,' Mr. Staubach said. ``There's no reason to believe his illness can't be turned around.
``I personally feel he'll fight it and win it.'
Because chemotherapy weakens a patient's immune system, Mr. Landry is being treated in isolation as a precaution against infection. His wife, Alicia, said last week that the former coach spends time reading, watching John Wayne movies and sports on television, and walks 30 minutes daily.
When Mr. Landry will be released from the hospital remains undetermined. |
