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!!

Trip to Dr. Sipahi Office

Follow Up with Dr Sipahi from Recent Scans 12/19/07

• Met with Dr Sipahi who has really been doing some research on Tykerb and Xoloda.
• GREAT NEWS!!! Our Christmas prayers have been answered now that the scans showed the brain "tumor" has been reduced by 75%! ) The kidney cancer cell has also been reduced in size! 8)
• Both the lung and liver have increased in size a little - the liver went from 3.6 to 4.2 cm and the lung went from 3.0 to 3.2 cm (I think it is because we are still early with treatments of Xeloda and Tykerb)
• Another good note is that the lung is no longer a round mass; but, it appears it has been broken into a "C" shape (probably because it is being attacked with a vengeance by the chemo pills, don't you agree?)
• Gina also had her Zometa treatment again today ("super glue" for the bones) so she's a bit sore in the joints right now BUT looks as beautiful as the 1st day I laid eyes on her!
• We are going to continue with the Tykerb, Xoloda and Zometa as we are just starting the 3rd round and are hopeful that it is kicking the @#@! out of those bad cells!
• We are going back to see Dr Sipahi for blood work on January 10, 2008
• We are also going back to see Dr Olapade and Dr Knight at the University of Chicago on January 14, 2008 (I will keep you posted)

Take care and keep up those PRAYERS as they are stronger than any medicine!

GOD BLESS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR WARM THOUGHTS, NEVER DWINDLING PRAYERS AND LOVE AND SUPPORT THAT HAVE GOTTEN US THIS FAR!

Trip to University of Chicago

12/17: Follow-Up with Dr Olapade and Dr Knight at UCMC

• Follow up after completing the 2nd round of Chemo pills - Tykerb (brand new) and Xoloda. The doctors complemented Gina several times about how good she looks, especially since the last visit! Gina has stopped taking all other prescription medications EXCEPT for the chemo pills.
• All of us here at home agree with the doctors diagnosis that Gina is doing and looking WONDERFUL! In case you haven't seen her doing so, Yes, Gina has been driving for a few weeks now (so you do not have to call me and ask if I knew 8) !).
• The next step is scans CAT or MRI to see how the chemo pills are doing (I believe that GOD has been erasing away all the negative and replacing it with SUPER health cells).
• Gina is also still doing the Zometa IV ("super glue" for her bones) every 3rd week here in town at Dr Sipahi's office

More to follow later!

Dr. Knight Visit at UCMC

Monday, October 29, 2007 trip to University of Chicago Medical Center (UCMC)

• Met w/ Dr Knight and, get this, a Dr. Gina M (for Mauer) because Dr Olapade was out of the country trying to get back.
• The plan was that since Gina's Breast cancer is HER2 positive, we are going to start two new types of Chemotherapy - in a pill form.
• The first one will replace the Herceptin IV she was starting to get and is called Lapatinib (Tykerb) and is five tablets taken daily at once.
• The second chemotherapy pill is called Xeloda and is taken three pills at a time, twice daily
• Both types attack only the 'bad' cancerous cells and attach to them and destroy them - without harming the good cells (like traditional Chemotherapy does)

Also had another MRI of her brain, as it has been almost two months since the Gamma Knife Radiation so we had the scan with and without contrast (dye) injected.

• A follow up with Dr. Nicholas is scheduled for this Thursday, November 1, 2007, which just happens to be All SAINTS Day - GOD's presence again working for us! 8)

UCMC Visit

Monday, October 29, 2007 Trip to See Dr. Knight

• Met w/ Dr. Knight and Dr. Gina Mauer (Gina M just like my Gina) who said they have a plan for treatment.


• Since they are HER2 positive breast cancer cells, we are going to start two new treatments of Chemotherapy - both pill forms


• The first will replace the Herceptin IV treatments we were going to get every three weeks and is called

Dr. Olapadpe Visit

Dr. Olapadpe and Dr. Knight (Dream Team) at UCMC on Oct 8, 2007.

• Dr. Olapadpe was truly a blessing from above - she is world renowned and a very uplifting person to be around


• Dr. Olapadpe was accompanied by Dr. Knight and they said there were many backup plans they could do if one type of treatment doesn't work


• Gina was told that she has HER2Positive breast cancer and it is a stage IV (but all breast cancer that comes back is labeled that way, no matter where it comes back at)


• Waiting on pathology slides from Riverside from original breast cancer in 2002 for treatment plan from Dr. Olapadpe


• Started Herceptin - a new breast cancer drug that targets HER2 cells and keeps them from growing! (see attached video clip) Herceptin is basically an IV that is given every three weeks, and, for Gina, lasts around 90 minutes, with little to no side effects!


• Also, started a "monthly" IV of Zometra (a.k.a. "super glue for the bones") lasting about 30 minutes.

Benefit at VFW

Gina Mason Benefit on Saturday, October 6, 2007 from 4 pm - 10 pm

• Held at VFW in Bradley
• U-N-B-E-L-I-E-V-A-B-L-E !! (No words can quite capture the emotions or inspiration that you guys gave to Gina and our family)
• This was a truly awe-inspiring event that gave Gina's spirit a lift and showed her (and the rest of us) just how many people are out there supporting us each day through prayers, kind words, gestures and gifts.
• In my entire life, I have never witnessed so many people come together just to show how much love and support they have for us! There were so many beautiful baskets, thoughtful donations and supportive volunteers that made this night a truly unforgettable, life-altering event for me and my family. THANKS TO ALL and GOD BLESS! 8)

I hope you all had a chance to see our tiny Thank you message in Sunday's paper (10/21/07).

Dr. Swale Appointment

Dr. Swale @ Riverside for Eye appointment on Oct 4, 2007

• After discussing Gina's vision problems (double vision, blurriness) she was referred to opthamologist (Dr. Swale)
• New eye glass prescription for those big, beautiful blue eyes with prisms in glasses that allow her to see more clearly with less problems

* Radiation starts today and continues every day (except weekends) for nine total treatments by Dr. Schwartz office. The girls there were GREAT! 8)

Bone Scan of Whole Body

October 3, 2007 @ Riverside Medical Center

• Dr. Peabody from Univ Chicago Med Cntr ordered a whole body scan of all bones
• Riverside did scan by injecting Gina w/ dye @ 8 am then did scan later at 11 am
• Dr. Peabody said should be only @ 3 more weeks on crutches and all looked good

Radiologist Visit at Riverside Annex

TUE, October 2, 2007 - Visit with Dr Schwartz

• Mark Gina for Radiation treatments to leg and discuss how many treatments (possibly 15, or 3 weeks worth)
• Dr Schwartz said a total of nine radiation treatments to be given to right femur area

Follow-Up with Dr. Peabody at UCMC

Monday, October 1, 2007 @ 1400 HRS

• Met w/ Dr Peabody for follow-up from leg surgery
• Staples are finally out (all 27 of them) and it was virtually painless
• An X-Ray of right knee was done to check the swelling and some bruising where Gina said she had some pain there - all looked good from X-Ray and no cancer or anything out of ordinary was seen on scan
• Dr Peabody said USE BOTH CRUTCHES for @ 3 more weeks and gave "hands-on" demo of proper use of crutches
• A Follow-Up w/ Dr Peabody in @ 6 weeks
• A Bone San was ordered for WED, OCT 3, 2007 @ Riverside to make sure no other things show up (PET scan only went to lower thighs)

Back to Chicago to see Oncologist

Going back to UCMC to see what they can do to kick this in the butt!

• What more can I say... but, the man upstairs has sent us yet another miracle - an Angel by the name of DR Olopade! (8)
• This is the heavenly gift we have all been waiting for - DR Olopade is a WORLD-RENOWN LEADER in Breast Cancer and has numerous awards for devoting her life's work to this cause. (Featured in October Ebony magazine and numerous scientific journals)
• 30 years of research on Breast Cancer and Professor of Medicine and Human Genetics
  Director at University of Chicago Medical Center
• Gina (and the rest of us too) feel that this has been a truly Blessed day as DR Olopade has given us a feeling we haven't felt in over three to four weeks - HOPE!
• Her approach is very aggressive and compassionate and she is going to check not only the new biopsy from Gina's femur surgery, but, also, the biopsy from the breast cancer from 2002.
• We have a follow-up appointment in two weeks (Oct 8th) and should have a plan on what specific type of cancer we are dealing with and how to treat it!

Keep your PRAYERS coming and THANKS to all who have been with us along the way!!

Trip to Chicago Med Center

University of Chicago Medical Center 09/21/07 @ 1000 HRS

• Back to UCMC to check on "bruising-like" areas on back of right leg (where surgery was)
• Dr Peabody, Dr Angeline, Dr Avedian ALL met with us and said "bruises" are just from surgery and Gina's leg looks really good
• Removed surgical bandages and saw no abnormal swell ling and NO BLOOD CLOTS (Yeah!) 8)
• Gina had four incisions on right thigh from surgery with a total of 27 staples to close them
• Worried a little about losing blood from surgery and Gina being anemic so Dr Peabody had us check blood in lab - All blood tests came back good!
• See Dr Peabody again in a week (OCT 1) to discuss Radiation treatment and remove staples/check healing progress

Thanks again, from all of us, to all of the staff at UCMC - especially DRS: Peabody, Angeline & Avedian!

Leg Surgery Day

Surgery at University of Chicago Medical Center (Mitchell Bldg) @ 6AM

• DR Peabody and DR Angeline performed Bone Biopsy @ 0800 HRS
• Unfortunately, Carcinoma (cancer cells) were present in right femur 8(
• Gina then had a steel rod surgically placed into middle of right femur bone - four incisions on leg and then stapled closed
• Gina gets to go to Recovery room around 1530 HRS
• Family met with DR Peabody after surgery and he said operation went well - Gina has very STRONG bones w/ no fractures and very solid. DR Peabody scraped some Carcinoma from bone area and said Radiation/Chemotherapy would be administered for remaining cells
• Stayed over night and Gina went home next night after some Physical Therapy with her crutches (Of course she lived up to her image and was tough-as-nails)
• Next Follow-Up visit on October 1st w/ DR Peabody

The staff were Excellent (once again) and very professional and efficient! Thanks to all staff for your hard work and dedication! 8)

Visit to Dr. Peabody

Dr Peabody Visit at University of Chicago Medical Center for Advanced Medicine @ 1300 HRS

• Met with Dr Terrance Peabody and his associate, Dr Angeline @ 1300 HRS
• Once again, nothing more to say about visit other than UNBELIEVABLE!
• Upon arrival (10 minutes early), we were treated with utmost professionalism in a personal, "family" atmosphere
• Dr Angeline (note the last name starts with GOD's helpers) met with us first in doctor's office BEFORE scheduled time and our X-Rays and scans of Gina's leg were being looked at right away by the Radiologist
• Dr Angeline took Gina's personal information and then told us what to expect from visit
• Dr Peabody came in, followed by Dr Angeline and a visiting doctor and showed us the X-Rays and scans
• Dr Peabody said something showing up around outer bone of right femur and said it could be from Gina getting hit with that softball line drive in June OR could be the cancer starting
• Dr Peabody suggested we have an operation that would give him a biopsy sample which they could check in THEIR OWN LABS within @ 30 minutes and tell if cancer or not
• If not cancer, close up incision and send us home; If cancer present, then insert steel rod through hip bone into middle of Femur to strengthen it and secure with pin on each end, monitor Gina overnight and send home sometime Friday
• Dr Peabody had us scheduled for surgery THIS THURSDAY ALREADY at 6 AM!
• After surgery, if cancer was found, follow-up with Radiation

Visit to Dr. Sipahi

DR SIPAHI visit @ 1230 HRS

• Not the news we were hoping for today but we will get through this!
• The Liver Biopsy results came back as there being a tumor in the Liver
• DR Sipahi also believes that the scans are showing a very small spot on outer kidney and in right lung as well as the right femur bone.
• We are going back to University of Chicago on Monday to see DR Peabody about the leg
• DR Sipahi thinks we might need a steel rod put in for strength, although Gina is not feeling any pain in her leg right now.

Keep up those wonderful prayers and kind words because the FAITH in God and all of you is stronger than any medicine will ever be!

Thanks for everything to everyone and GOD BLESS!

Gamma Knife Surgery

The Neurologic & Orthopedic Institute of Chicago (Aka: Ravenswood Hospital) -Gamma Knife Radio static Surgery on 09/06/2007

** Let me start by saying you have all been nothing short of A-M-A-Z-I-N-G with all of your thoughts, kind gestures and mainly PRAYERS! The Love & Support we feel is one of the main reasons I believe Gina will not only be better, but completely cleansed by GODS Hands of any illness! -- Thanks so, So, SO MUCH (Bob)

• The surgery started this morning at @ 6 AM with consultation by DR Jimenez (Truly Gifted surgeon who was guided by Gods Hands)
• Next, came the installation of a metal frame that had to be attached to the skull to prevent movement during procedure (Very painful for Gina, but she is fine now)
• Next, another MRI on site with three surgeons (DR Jimenez- neurosurgeon, DR Schwartz - Radiologist and DR Levan - Physicist)
• Finally - GREAT NEWS!! The surgeons only found one tumor, turns out the other "activity" was an enlarged blood vessel.
• Planning for @ 3 HRS
• The actual Gamma Knife Radio surgery procedure (@ 1 HR) - all went well and doctors confident they killed all bad tumor cells (@ 1 PM)
• RECOVERY - Post Surgery (eat, rest (nap), and monitor activity - GINA, of course, passed with flying colors and gets to go home now (@ 3:45 PM)
• HOME SWEET HOME for Rest/Relaxation

Let me finish tonight's thoughts with the following comment - ALL of the staff from the receptionist and nurses to the three very highly recommended and skilled doctors were not only warm and personal but gave us all their full, undivided attention the whole day - Truly a rarity in today's fast-paced, you're-just-a-number-to-me attitude of most service providers! THANKS again for all of our loving friends, family and especially to the man upstairs who truly does guide our souls to the right places if we let him in! GOD BLESS to all! 8)

Dr. Sipahi Visit

Follow-up Visit to DR Sipahi 09/05/07

• Go over results from Liver Biopsy and discuss actions for treatment
• Dr Nicholas said Dr Sipahi should be prescribing Herceptin and some type of Chemotherapy

Dr, Peabody Visit

DR Peabody visit at University of Chicago's Center for Advanced Medicine @ 1 PM

• Consultation about right femur to discuss options to treat
• Expert in Bone treatments

The First Step....

Visit to Ravenwood Hospital on 09/06/07

• Gamma Knife Radiation @ 6AM
• Three Doctors - DR Schwartz (Radiologist), DR Jimenez (Neurologist), DR Levan (Physicist)- all plan and perform surgery together
• End Result? - NO MORE BRAIN TUMOR!

Dr. Nicholas Calls Us Back

DR Nicholas returned call tonight on 08/30/07 and had GREAT NEWS!

• The Spinal Tap showed NO CANCER IN SPINAL FLUID!
• There was only an enlarged blood vessel on lining of Brain and sounds like just the one lesion in middle of Brain.
• Dr Nicholas (after meeting with Tumor Board) said the consensus (including from the lead oncologist at RUSH Hospital) to go ahead with Gamma Knife Radiation in Ravenwood because Dr Schwartz and Dr Sipahi are both very well known and excellent in their fields.
• A follow-up with Dr Nicholas after Radiation is done was recommended to check progress

I Said A Prayer For You Today

I said a prayer for you today
And know God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart
Although he spoke no word!
I didn't ask for wealth or fame
(I knew you wouldn't mind).
I asked him to send treasures
Of a far more lasting kind!
I asked that he be near you
At the start of each new day;
To grant you health and blessings
And friends to share your way!
I asked for happiness for you
In all things great and small.
But it was for his loving care
I prayed the most of all!

Dedicated to my Beautiful Wife, Gina, from Bob

Dr, Nicholas Update

Update of visit to the University of Chicago (UCMC) on 08/29/07

• DR Nicholas was A-W-E-S-O-M-E! - genuinely concerned, caring, and very good bedside manner (One of GOD's angels without a doubt!)
• DR Nicholas and his two associates read the scans we brought and thinks might be something else, possibly in fluid of brain.
• DR Nicholas performed a Spinal Tap on Gina today himself and sent sample to lab before they closed today
• DR Nicholas is meeting with Tumor Board tomorrow @ 8 AM - a team of specialists in ALL areas of cancer (Radiologists, Chemo therapists, Neurologists, Oncologists) meet and discuss the BEST options to treat and cure
• We all think because of all your PRAYERS (keep 'em coming) that we were sent to DR Nicholas, his staff and the truly AMAZING Advanced Medical Center!
• Awaiting results of Spinal Tap and tumor board for next step to start treatment - DR Nicholas told us he has had many patients that are coming back every year to see him still

DR Ellis Thur 08/30

Visit to DR Ellis (Orthopedics) on 08/30/07

• View scans to upper, right leg
• Suggest possible treatment (Surgery to stabilize bone, Biopsy, Radiation)

** Update **

Visit was 3 hours long and we ended up with only a referral to University of Cicago (YEAH!) to meet with DR Peabody.

Liver Biopsy Update

Liver Biopsy at Riverside 08/31/07

• Riverside Medical Center @ 9 AM
• Gina's very sore but a super-trooper (chin's up and tough as nails)
• Seemed to go well, lots of rest for 24 HRS
• No results as of yet

Dr. Nicholas Visit

DR Martin Nicholas - Visit to University of Chicago 08/29/07

• Trip to University of Chicago - Center for Advanced Medicine @ 3 PM
• Dr Nicholas is the Asst. Professor of Neurology at University who specializes in Neuroncology and Brain Tumors
• Will read all scans to date and formulate a plan for treatment (CURE) of brain tumors

Good feeling about this! 8)

MRI Scan

MRI Scan 08/28/07

• At Riverside @ 4 PM
• Upper, right leg

Dr. Jimenenz Visit

DR Jimenez (Neurologist) 08/28/07

• Visit @ 1:30 PM Riverside
• Suggested 'Gamma Knife Radiation' at Ravenswood Hospital, Chicago
• Tentatively Set for next Thursday (09/06/07)

Dr. Schwartz Visit

DR Schwartz 08/27/07

• Radiologist visit @ 1 PM
• Reviewed all scans and suggested possible Gamma Knife Radiation @ Ravenswood Hospital, Chicago
• Scans showed "possible activity" in: Brain, Right Lung, Liver, Kidneys & Right Leg
• Possibly Chemo to: Lungs, Liver and Kidneys
• Possibly Radiation/Surgery to stabilize/Biopsy to Upper, Right Leg

HOORAY - finally a game plan!

Victory will be OURS!

We will BEAT this hands down! We have the guiding hands of GOD and the loving support of our family & friends to see us through this all. I LOVE MY WIFE UNCONDITIONALLY and WE WILL spend the rest of our lives together with our kids and grandchildren at our sides.

Don't forget to leave a prayer for us!!

Thanks in advance for all of your love and support!

Bob Mason II

08/27/07