Dr. Sipahi for Chemo Today

11/19/2008

• Gina saw Dr. Sipahi and his lovely "girls" (staff) that do the wonderful things they do each day to make Gina and everyone else feel special.
• Dr. Sipahi spoke with Dr, Olopade and they thought Gina should be put on a new chemotherapy drug called NAVELBINE - Gina will get this instead of the Xeloda pills she was taking at 3,000 mg a day, one week on and one week off.
• Now, Gina will take the Navelbine by IV once a week and it will last around 15 minutes and then another 15 minutes or so for saline to flush out her veins.
• You can click on the links to right in the Information Station to learn more about Navelbine and how it works in the body - The action of the drug is the Inhibition of Mitosis at cell's metaphase (or, I believe, stopping the cancer cells from growing and/or dividing at cellular level).
• We will continue with the Herceptin for as long as Gina's heart can tolerate it as it seems to work very well
• For those of you who did not know Gina is diagnosed at a stage five of cancer so we want to knock this down to a lower number than to a ZERO!
• As far as the "spot" in the heart that was suspected to be either a tumor or a clot, the doctors say it is the tumor in the lung that grew that is showing up in the scan and Dr. Sipahi is calling it new disease so another reason why they are trying the Navelbine now.
• No PET scan yet - we are gonna wait until the Navelbine attacks those cancer cells and then do the PET scan (more later)

Thanks for the loving support and all your goodwill!

Notes on Dr. Sipahi Visit

11/17/2008

• Trip to UCMC for follow-up with Dr. Olopade
• Dr. Olopade was told about heart echo (test) showing a "spot" that might be a clot or tumor and she said she would review the scans with Doctors and get back to us
• We told Dr. Olopade about the lung tumor was shown to have grown by last chest scan and putting pressure on Gina's trachea and encroaching her heart
• Dr. Olopade said she wants to change the chemotherapy and stop the Xeloda since it is not effective in Gina's treatment but keep on taking the Herceptin (IV) form of chemo - that is good since Gina's hands are numb and SO sore from the Xeloda
• Gina did no take the Xeloda today (11/18) since Dr. Olopade is changing to another chemotherapy drug that Gina will take daily (unknown at this time for sure what it is)
• After talking to Dr. Olopade, she thinks we need to have a Pet scan for Gina (shows whole body and any tumor activity in the body from head to knees), waiting for scan to be scheduled
• Gina having Herceptin tomorrow (11/19) and will hopefully know what new chemo is

Keep up the prayers and support - we need your faith and love to get some good news!

Updates on Gina's Progress

11/16/08

• On 10/29/08 Gina had Chemo again w/ Dr. Sipahi and "the girls"
• Gina noticed a small, black spot in between her big toe and the next on left foot so Dr. Sipahi suggested a biopsy to check for possible skin cancer
• A procedure was done on friday, november 7th and the spot was removed and sent to lab while gina had two stitches in between toes
• test results came back as negative for skin cancer (YEAH!) - better 2 be safe i guess
• gina having chest pains for awhile now and chest feels "heavy" so had echo done on heart - results suggest small "spot" on heart, could be clot or tumor so Dr. Sipahi said get to Chicago as soon as possible
• Dr. Olopade notified but she was out of country in Nigeria so appointment set for monday, november 17th at 10:30 am (keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer to the man upstairs that it is nothing bad, maybe just a bad scan). if clot, doctor said gina might need a stint put in.

More tomorrow after we talk to Dr. Olopade in chicago. (sorry 4 the late postings)

In Limbo

• Went to Dr. Sipahi's office to have Herceptin and Zometa on October 8th
• Next "IV" chemo on October 29.
• Taking Xeloda 3000 mg a day one week on one week off - side effects are much more manageable.
• Having scans (CT of chest abdomen and pelvis) on Monday October 27th at Riverside Medical Center. This is to check progress of the tumors in the lung, liver, and kidneys.
• Going back to see Dr. Olapade on Monday Nov. 24th
• Gina is now working 2 days a week at Dr. Brown's office, this is a wonderful opportunity for Gina, as it gives her a real sense of independence.
• This month is the 1 year anniversary for the benefit, we think about that AWESOME day often, all the work that went into that day, and the support from so many people still helps us get through the days that are challenging with a smile on our faces!!

Thanks again to all that have supported us through our journey to victory!

Meet the Girls at Dr. Sipahi's Office

TUE, SEPT 16th, 2008 - Another Round of Chemo

• Visited Dr Sipahi office for Chemotherapy
• Had Herceptin again and Dr Sipahi said also having Procrit & Zometa ("super glue" for bones) again 'cuz of leg pains where surgery was
• Supposed to get Zometa every other Herceptin treatment (every six weeks), now changed to every three weeks
• Dr. Sipahi going to check with dr Schwartz to see if more radiation can be done to leg but thinks maxed out doseage already
• Gina's HFS (Hand, Foot Syndrome) which is caused by the Xeloda is VERY painful lately - hands and feet very red, swollen and starting to crack! 8(
• Going to order more scans after the next Herceptin chemo on October 7th to see progress of the Xeloda and Herceptin is having

Cross your fingers, bow your head and help me to ask GOD for good news that my wife Gina will be cure! I pray to GOD every day in my heart that he will give me the rest of my life with her.

Thanks to all those who have been supporting us through the months, past, present and future, and keep on praying for the day we hear She is all cured! 8)

Dr. Sipahi visit for treatment

Gina saw Dr. Sipahi and the "girls" today on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008.

• Herceptin treatment, Procrit and Zometa given.
• All seemed to be good with blood work - red blood cell count even went up!
• Dr. Sipahi said he doesn't argue with "Chicago (doctors)" and okay with treatments.
• Gina told him about bone pain in right leg so Dr. Sipahi ordered an X-Ray for the leg.
• The X-Ray came back okay - nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary. Good News! Why the pain then?!?
• We asked Dr. Sipahi about Gina not taking Coumadin anymore and he did not think she was still taking it, so said to try stop taking it
• Gina is also taking Iron supplements every other day - to help with swelling of hands and feet from Xeloda side effects. Very PaInFuL for Gina and she keeps them lotioned up constantly.

Trip to Dr. Olopade

Gina and I went to see Dr. Olopade on Monday, August 25th, 2008 in Chicago.

• Dr. Olopade decided to change Gina's dose of Chemotherapy with the Xeloda - still taking four 500 mg pills in morning and same at night BUT, one week on and one week off, instead of two on and one off.
• Considering changing doseage down to 225 mg pills instead of 500 mg; however, only wants to change one thing at a time to see what happens.
• We asked her if Gina should still be taking Coumadin since we saw on Xeloda video that not recommended since they counteract each other (thus making treatment less effective). Dr. O said to stop taking the Coumadin now since it is for blood clots.
• Dr. Olopade suggested seeing her every other month now unless needed.
• Gina still doing IV chemo - Herceptin every three weeks, Zometa ("super-glue" for bones) every six weeks

Keep prayers coming this Xeloda not as easy as we thought. Gina gets very tired and sick feeling with Xeloda for a couple hours after each dosage.

New Chemo Started

Gina's Latest Updates!

• Gina was unable to finish her last chemo round of Taxotere-Carboplaten-Herceptin due to neurothapy (nerve damage).
• Gina started new chemo consisting of Xeloda pills and Herceptin IV treatments - still taking the Zometa every six weeks and Procrit every three weeks.
• Back to see Dr. Olopade and UCMC staff on Monday, August 25th, 2008 to find out how long the new chemo regimen will last.
• The new Xeolda chemotherapy is two weeks on and one week off - so very tiring and less time in between to rest (*like she rests 8)! )
• GREAT NEWS ! - with the new Xeloda pills we should all be seeing those lovely locks of hers again! (This chemo does not cause hair loss -- YEAH!)

The next chemo, Herceptin, will be on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 here at Dr. Sipahi's office -- we just love him and those lovely girls working there.

Round Ten of Chemotherapy - Incredible

Gina at Dr. Sipahi office today for tenth round of Chemotherapy!

• Gina had Procrit and Zometa both today.
• All three types of chemo - Taxotere, Carboplaten and Herceptin
• Very hard this time - but we all know what a strong minded person she is and that she will rise above it all and kick this cancer out of her system!
• I Thank GOD and all of you for the support, e--mails, Blog posts, phone calls and friendly "Hello's" when we see you out and about.
• The shot is tomorrow and then Rest, rest, rest for Gina.

Keep you all posted on this site! Thanks again for all of your love and support!

Gina's Results from Latest Scans

Trip to Chicago to see Dr. Olopade

• We saw Dr. Olopade on Monday, July 7th, 2008
• After reviewing the latest scans from 07/03, Dr. Olopade said that the T-C-H (Taxotere, Carboplatem and Herceptin chemo therapy) was doing a good job of shrinking the tumors.
• Dr. Olopade said that Gina is her "miracle girl" - as no one else has had more than six chemotherapy treatments with the T-C-H combo because it leads to nerve damage.
• Gina did Round #10 of the T-C-H chemo so Dr. Olopade is going to use her records as an example to the other doctors at the hospital.
• Gina has been having some numbness (or tingly feeling) in her fingers on and off and sometimes in her toes.
• Keep the prayers coming and say a special prayer for Gina's recovery as each new chemo treatment gets harder and harder for her to recover from. (I love her and would do anything to keep her from feeling any more pain or discomfort!)
• The GOOD News is that the tumors in the lung, both kidneys and liver have shrunk as well as no change to the brain (still unchanged in size and shape since shrinking @ 75% from the Gamma Knife surgery!
• Dr. Olopade said will try two more T-C-H chemo treatments and then change the regimen to something different (probably keep the Herceptin going though since it works so well!)

See the How Herceptin works video link on left side of this website to see how it works on cancer cells!

Nine is a Lucky Number

Round Nine of chemo today 06/24/08

• Gina had #9 of Taxotere, Carboplatem and Herceptin
• Also had Procrit so could have Herceptin
• Shot tomorrow at Dr Sipahi
• Scans set for 07/04 weekend then off to UCMC on 07/07 to see Dr Olpade to see what's next since not likely will keep having same chemo

Thanks for all for the support and PRAYERS! they definitely work.

New Update

Round Eight of Chemo on Tuesday.

• We saw Dr Olopade and Dr Peabody on May 19th, 2008
• Dr Peabody (bone doc) said all looks well - had X-ray on leg, calcification on hip, see him annually from now on and to stay on the Zometa ("super glue" for bones)
• Dr Olopade said should only have six of these chemo treatments; however, since all is going well, wants to do two more (unless Gina shows signs of nerve damage)
• Gina had more CT scans of pelvis & abdomen - all looked well
• Scans showed slight decrease in all tumors or stayed the same
• We saw Dr Nicholas (brain doc) who said all seemed fine with brain, vision still an issue but since brain tumor is located in area that controls all motor functions vision will be affected until tumor is gone
• Dr Nicholas said appears Ginas memory is getting better
• Tuseday is chemo again (treatment #8) with Zometa

(click here to learn how Zometa works: http://www.us.zometa.com/info/therapy/zometa_infusion.jsp)

Round 5 of Chemotherapy

Trip to Dr Sipahi office for Chemo #5

• Met with Dr Sipahi who reviewed the latest scans from Thursday (CAT and MRI)
• He said all scans shows either a reduction or no change in tumors
• The tumor that showed up on scan in left kidney was there before and appears to have shrunk a little bit
• Gina also has a cyst on her ovary - follow up w/ Dr. Yalamanchilli scheduled
• No Procrit (as all blood clots appeared last time)
• No Zometa ("super glue" for bones) this treatment
• Dr Sipahi asked how many more chemo treatments and he said he does not know if they will ever be stopped - maybe take a break from chemo, but, that's all
  

Round Four of Chemo

Dr Sipahi Visit @ Riverside Medical Center

• Trip to Dr Sipahi's office for fourth round of chemotherapy
• Follow up w/ Dr Sipahi went well - looked at recent bone scan which showed an improvement from original scans in femur.
• No other new bone cancer in the body was detected! (yipee!)
• Since Gina's kidney function is doing much better, Dr Sipahi increased level of Chemo and added new medicine (red blood stimulator) called Procrit
• Had to take Zometa again - "super glue" for bones
• At Dr Sipahi's office from 0930 until around 4:30 or 5:00 pm for treatment
• Dr Sipahi had his lovely staff members schedule CT scans for chest (lung), abdomen (liver) and pelvis (kidney) for Thursday March 27, 2008 - to coincide with MRI of brain that Dr Schwartz ordered (also same day)
• We wanted to take a moment to let all out there know that all of the "girls" at Dr Sipahi's office are God's little angels and have always treated Gina (and myself) wonderful and really go that extra step to make us feel so good.
• We will be off to Chicago again to see doctors Olopade and Knight on April 7th they will take a look at the new scans to see how much the chemo is destroying those cancer cells.

Bone Scan at RMC

Gina went with her mom to Riverside Hospital this morning for a bone scan to check how things are going and rule out anything else (Gina's been having some chest pain).

• Bone Scan with contrast (dye injected) @ 730 am
• Bone scan complete @ four hours later
• Gina called and they said everything looks good!
• No new growth shown but a "little movement" in leg that had the surgery but all still looked good from scan

Keep those Heavenly connections open by continuing to pray daily for my Gina as she is the best thing that God has ever given to me and I know he is going to make everything right again! We love all of your support and, believe me when I say, it really, REALLY helps to know so many out there are thinking about us and encouraging us to stay strong and kick this cancer in the A@*!

Round Two of Chemo

Dr Sipahi office

• Gina and I visited Dr Sipahi today


• Dr Sipahi increased Chemo because he said her kidney functions are better.


• The blood test results were good - just need to increase iron and calcium intake.


• Gina had all three chemos - Taxotere, Carboplatem and Herceptin - and is doing fine.


• The new port seems to be working great and it made things a lot easier for her.


• Lots of Rest and back tomorrow for shot

Post Surgery

Port Surgery @ Riverside Medical Center

• Gina had her port put in by Dr Brockman this morning
• Dr Brockman told me all seemed well with it (we even were ahead of schedule with surgery - around 9:10 am instead of scheduled 10:30 am)
• The port will help to ease pain with Chemo Therapy IV injections
• Gina also had the shot on Wednesday last week so, once gain, she is wearing her Superwoman cape and staying strong with a smile on her face against all the adversity she has been up against!
• Doctors and nurses both stressed many time for Gina to rest, Rest, REst, RESt, REST!

Keep those prayer lines coming they are working and getting our Gina healthy and kicking that cancer in the A-@#! Thanks again for all your support and Love!!!

New Chemotherapy Begins

Chemotherapy at Dr Sipahi Office

• Gina at Dr Sipahi office today for new Chemotherapy treatments
• Dr Sipahi reviewed Dr Olopade's notes and agreed with treatments
• Gina asked Dr Sipahi about getting a port put in and he said it would be okay
• We told Dr Sipahi that Dr Brockman had the port surgery scheduled for this Monday (January 14, 2008) and he said to go ahead with it (Gina's veins do not need any extra stress from all the new IV treatments she will be getting, so I agree that she should have the port put in)
• Gina had first dose of the three new Chemotherapies by IV at Dr Sipahi's office
• Gina also had the Zometa, "super glue" for bones, since she was getting IV already
• Dr Sipahi and Dr Olopade have Gina scheduled for Neulana (shot) on Thursday (01/10/08) that helps with side effects from Chemo

Visit with Dr Olopade and Dr Knight

Trip To UCMC with Dr Olopade

• Dr Knight from Chicago called and wanted to see Gina a week earlier than scheduled based on latest scans
• We met with Dr Olopade at the University of Chicago and she decided to take Gina off the Tykerb and Xeloda (chemo pills) now that her brain tumor appears to be under control (it had shrunk 75%)
• Dr Olopade changed Chemotherapy now to IV form and is using a combination of: Herceptin (had one dose before the Tykerb), Taxotere and Carboplatem
• The new Chemotherapy is VERY strong so it will unfortunately make Gina pretty sick and tired. (We will be giving her LOTS of extra love here at home to compensate)
• Dr Brockman is going to put a port in Gina to help with all Chemo treatments with IV
• Dr Olopade said Gina on Dexamethasone again for three days during Chemo treatments (before, on and after the treatment) to keep down swelling in the body
• Gina's white blood count good and she is in Good health and spirits (that's my tough-as-nails Gina though)
• Gian will be on new Chemo for 6 treatments (@ 18 weeks), one every three weeks and see Dr Olopade every second cycle (6 weeks) to see how her body is handling the Chemo

Keep up the Prayers and Thanks to all for your support!!