Dr Sipahi Visit

Results on 09/03/2009

• Gina met w/ Dr Sipahi today and went over her MRI and CT scans from Tuesday 09/01/09
• The good news was that the liver and both lungs decreased in size (Yeah!)
• The bad news was the MRI showed no change or stable in mid-brain region BUT increase in size in rear, left brain area and swelling observed (Boo!)
• Gina stopped taking the Ixempra since it was tearing her up so bad and we do not think she would have been physically or emotionaly been able to do an third treatment of the Ixempra chemotherapy.
• Dr Sipahi switched Gina from Ixempra to Avastin (breaks blood/brain barrier) and restricts blood flow to tumor cells thus causing it to stop growing. Avastin may block the tumor's ability to communicate with nearby blood vessels and may prevent the tumor from connecting to the blood supply.
• Avastin is the one chemo that Dr Nicholas, neuro-oncologist from the University of Chicago Medical Center, recommended. Dr Nicholas said Avastin should help with tremors Gina has been having and help to reduce the swelling in the brain.
• Avastin is given by IV every two weeks - 90 mins 1st dose, 60mins 2nd dose, 30 mins each dose after I believe is how it works.
  
• Dr Sipahi also stopped the Herecptin (Gina has been on for a long time) and switched her back to the Tykerb (An oral chemotherapy drug). Tykerb also breaks through the blood/brain barrier.
• Gina was also given Procrit by Dr Sipahi - for low red blood cell count.
• We are off to see Dr Nicholas at UCMC tomorrow at 0900 HRS so I will let you know what happens when I can