What A Day

WED 01/28/2009

What a day Gina had today! We started out at Dr Sipahi's office where he drew blood to check levels and they seemed better. Dr Sipahi then said:

• Gina will keep getting Herceptin every three weeks along with Zometa (superglue for bones) and her Iron infusion while doing radiation.
• Gina starts radiation (IMRT) to mid-brain area tomorrow to treat the tumor that had the Gamma-knife surgery on 09/2007
• The radiation will be for five weeks, every day with weekends off and done at the Betty Bridgewater Cancer Treatment Center on RT 45.
• There is another Gamma-knife scheduled for the new tumor that they believe is back of brain on THU 02/12/2009 with Dr Schwartz and Dr Jimenez doing procedure
• Dr Sipahi, Sr Schwartz, Dr. Jimenz, are communicating with each other to get this under control

Gina and I also went to University of Chicago Medical Center to see Dr. Nicholas (he is the neuro-oncologist that we started on this whole journey with -Awesome and extremely intelligent individual). We went over the news of tumor growth and he said the following:

• Dr Nicholas does think the new IMRT radiation and upcoming Gamma-knife procedure to the brain is a good plan.
• After a series of simple tests, Dr Nicholas believes Gina is having her problems (runny nose, watery eyes, gaging feeling, double vision, etc) as a result of swelling in mid-brain and should be better after IMRT radiation.
• Dr Nicholas is having a conference at UCMC and will be showing and discussing Gina's scans and notes with them (panel of other doctors and specialists)
• Dr Nicholas is going to meet with Dr Olopade and go over everything, including his suggestion to try a new chemotherapy called Avastin (link on this page)

We see Dr Olopade this coming Monday, so we will keep you posted on the details and her thoughts and plans for Gina's Victory! Love all of you for standing by us through everything and I know GOD is up there watching over us with angels like all of you helping Gina get better. A SPECIAL THANKS to all the doctors and nurses that are treating Gina - GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

Not what We Hoped For...

WED JAN 21st, 2009

Gina had her scans on this past Monday of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, and the brain. After meeting with Dr Sipahi this morning, she was told some bad news - the tumors have grown.

• The brain now seems to have two tumors - the original one in center of brain is swollen and believed to be causing all of her vision problems, headaches, and slurred speech. This is the same tumor that she had the Gamma-Knife surgery on and controls the areas of brain that perform breathing, seeing, hearing, fine motor skills, etcetera. There is also another smaller tumor in the back of the brain that they are going to do Gamma-Knife surgery on. The original tumor is going to have radiation done, probably starting on Friday. They may have to do five or six weeks, daily, of radiation.
• The lung scans showed two tumors in right lung that seem to be causing Gina to have shortness of breath - probably because it is putting pressure on the heart and taking up space in her lung that does not allow her to take a full breath of air. The left lung has a swollen lymph node (area that filters air). The plan is to start radiation to lungs as well.
• The liver and kidney tumors did not appear to have grown any nor changed from last scans. THANK GOD.
• Dr Sipahi only gave Gina Herceptin today since the Navelbine (new chemo) does not appear to be working well. Since she is starting the radiation, Gina will not be able to have chemotherapy at the same time. This is why they are doing radiation to the lungs also.

Gina also saw Dr. Schwartz who is the radiologist that worked with Dr. Jimenenz when Gina had Gamma-Knife to brain last time.

• Both doctors (Schwartz & Sipahi) decided to put Gina back on the steroid, Dexamethasone, to bring down the swelling of the brain.
• Gina will be marked tomorrow morning by Dr Schwartz here in town to prepare for radiation to swollen tumor area in the brain.
• The brain is the MOST IMPORTANT area to get back under control so is priority #1 right now.

We are still going to see Dr .Olopade (primary Oncologist) on Feb 2nd, 2009 and Dr Nicholas (Neuro-Oncologist) this coming Wednesday. We will keep you posted so PLEASE pray for us!

Update Time

01/15/2009

Updates from Gina's Progress

• Dr. Sipahi on Wednesdays for chemotherapy - every week Gina gets Navelbine IV & Iron Infusion every third week Gina also gets Herceptin IV
• Gina had Zometa dose again last week since her jaw pain was better (manageable)
• Blood counts better lately (hopefully cause of the "licorice" Iron infusion
• Scans scheduled from Dr Sipahi to check progress of new Navelbine/Herceptin combo
• Feb 2nd we go to see Dr Olopade to see if we change the chemo regimen or keep it up
• Jan 19th, 2009 (this Monday) Gina has a brain MRI
• Jan 21st, 2009 (WED) Gina sees Dr Schwartz (did brain surgery) to go over MRI results

I will keep you all posted when I get more info! THANKS for all your SuPpOrT!

New Year Updates

01/07/2009

Hello to all and Happy New Year from Gina & Family!

• Gina has been doing the Navelbine chemotherapy every week on WED
• The Navelbine is very strong it seems and seems to be extremely exhausting for her
• On every 3rd week, Gina still has Herceptin done - in addition to the "preload" meds, and IRON infusion by IV (this is the long day usually starts at 0830 for blood work and then back at 0930 to see Dr Sipahi before starting chemotherapy which lasts until late afternoon.)
• There seems to be some concerns about Gina having had a runny nose for over a year now and it is undetermined at this time what it is caused from. Note: No over counter or prescriptions have helped her much yet. )8
• We are seeing Dr Sipahi again today at 1045 HRS then we will ask him about getting scans scheduled (MRI, CT or PET) to see what the progress is with new chemo regimen.
• Gina has been having some pains in liver again and vision issues - we are going to get these scans done and go over them with Dr Schwartz (did brain operation) and then set up an appointment with Dr. Nicholas at UCMC.
• We go see Dr. Olopade in Chicago on Feb 2nd for updates.

Thanks again to all of the loyal supporters and caring friends, family and other loved ones that have been praying and keeping in touch! It is amazing how healing it is to know there is such a large support group out there that extends so far out into the community. I THANK each and every one of you personally from the bottom of my heart. Keep up the smiles, prayers and faith - we WILL get through this.