Almost There!

Updates from 02/23/2009

• Gina saw Dr Schwartz today and he is working on getting a PET scan done (Reminder-a PET scan is scan of whole body from head to knees)
• Some concerns with Gina's right leg, having pain from hip to knee (same leg that was radiated and operated on in Sept 2007)
• Only FOUR more IMRT Radiations to brain (all done on Thursday) <>
• Another Brain MRI to see how Gamma Knife surgery to rear brain and IMRT Radiation to mid-brain has worked (I know it had to attack & completely eliminate cancer)
• Gina also sees Dr Jimenez on Thursday for follow-up to Gamma Knife
• Also, Gina still continuing Chemotherapy every three weeks - consisting of Herceptin, Zometa and Iron Infusion
• Tykerb (oral Chemotherapy) still taking daily

That's all for now but as you can see it is a lot on our plates.

Thanks for those who volunteered to bring or have brought meals but although we appreciate you all SO MUCH, making dinner is one thing that makes Gina feel like she is still needed and contributing to family. I also LOVE her cooking and think she is the best thing that happened to me!

Gamma Knife on 02/12/2009

Ravenswood Hospital Surgery


Gina and I went to The Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago (formerly Ravenswood) today for the Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

• Arrived at 0545 am and checked in


• Started prep for surgery at @ 0630 am


• Dr Schwartz (Radiologist), Dr Jimenez (Neurologist), and Dr Mkrdichian (Nuerosurgeon) were present for surgery


• Dr Jimenez attached the metal frame to Gina's head @ 0800 am - keeps her head from moving while the Gamma Knife procedure is performed (See photo above)


• Gina spoke to Dr Schwartz and Dr Jimenez about procedure and then went for her MRI of the brain at @ 0930 am


• The Gamma Knife Radiosurgery was done at @ 1100 am and took around five treatments
• Surgery seemed to go well and I spoke to Dr Schwartz & Dr Jimenez who both said they felt everything went well and it was a difference between 'night & day' as compared to Gamma Knife done in Sept 2007 to mid-brain area
• The frame was removed and then Gina had a good lunch, and the nurses checked her over and she seemed to be doing good
• Gina & I went home after released from hospital and back into town around 4 pm
• The staff were unbelievably AWESOME at Ravenswood - Thanks for all the extra attention and for your outstanding devotion to your work

Doctors orders are to REST, REST, and more REST to Gina. A follow-up with Dr Jimenez in few weeks and Gina continuing the IMRT to mid-brain in town with Dr Schwartz office.

THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT! We owe a lot to all of you for keeping up with our progress and THANK G-O-D for all his healing touch to our beautiful Gina and especially for destroying the tumor in the back of brain today!

Keep you posted - check out links on page for updated info (including Gamma Knife procedure)

Update on Turn of Events

Dr Olopade Visit on 02/02/2009

• We met with Dr Olopade today to discuss Gina's progress
• Dr Olopade had already talked to Dr Nicholas last week and decided the Gamma-knife surgery and IMRT radiation to the brain are the main priorities now
• In addition to the brain treatments, Dr Olopade advised we keep on the Herceptin every three weeks and start taking the oral chemo you may remember known as Tykerb
• Gina was on Tykerb in late 2007 with the Herceptin when she first started treatment
• Tykerb targets breast cancer cells that have too many HER2 receptors by going into the cell and blocking the HER2 pathways - helping to prevent cancer cells from growing, dividing, and surviving
• Click here for a link to how Tykerb works: http://www.tykerb.com/about-tykerb/how-tykerb-works.html
• After Gina is done with IMRT treatments (20-30 we have been told) and the Gamma-knife surgery, Dr Olopade is going to considering a new chemotherapy called Gemzar or Doxil in addition to the Herceptin

More later, just wanted to keep you all posted. Thanks for keeping up on us!