The Latest Info
Hello everyone....Thought I would give you all the latest update - in case you haven't talked to Glenna recently. As you all know, she completed her "whole-brain" radiation on Feb 2 (groundhog day!) This past Wed, she had an MRI and yesterday Bob & I spent the day with her at MGH while she underwent what is probably one of the most miserable days of her life - receiving the sterio-tactic radiation on the two tumors which still showed up on the scan. Although nothing new showed up, and the two existing tumors did not look to have grown, it was necessary to do an aggresive radiation session to hopefully knock them out so that they won't return.
Prior to yesterday, Glenna had lost most of her hair, and she decided to have the rest of it taken off for comfort-sake. She then had to have the halo-from-hell attached to her head, then another scan, so they could do the exact measurements needed to proceed with the two radiations. It was hours of waiting in this condition before they could begin the actual treatment. And, as usual, she was a trooper and hung in there with literally no complaining. She even let me take a few pictures of her to send to Will. It was torture to see her go through this, and I know it was worse for her. Sometime after 2:30, they finished up, and they removed the halo from her head - to her wonderful relief. Although she immediately had a very sore and painful head and was totally exhausted from the day. We got to the car and she slept all the way back to the cape. The first two days after this treatment are a bit scary, as she is at risk of bad headaches and possible seizures. But after two days, they said she should be fine.
And now we play the waiting game - again. She will be talking to her doctors in the next week or two; but no treatments will be given again, until she gets a clean bill of health regarding her brain. But she and Dr. Lawrence have discussed her participating in a clinical trial which will take place sometime in the next month. It's a bit too detailed and lengthy for me to get into today, but we will keep you posted as the time gets closer. She had to sign a huge consent form in order to be accepted into the study. There are still a couple of things that need to be cleared for her to begin - but we'll fill you in on all that later. It will take place at MGH.
For the next few weeks, she will have some time off - and has even planned a trip out to a desert spa in California, where my friend Stephanie (some of you may remember her as Ethel) lives and works. She is working at a beautiful hotel/spa called The Springs in Desert Hot Springs, and she has booked a room for Glenna for five days of R&R and lots of decadent, healing treatments. Glenna is really looking forward to this trip. She will be away from Feb 18 - Feb 23.
So...that's where we are right now - I cannot tell you how many of her doctors and nurses and practitioners (all of them actually) have told us what a strong, wonderful trooper she is. They say she goes through all her treatments so well and is so positive. I know she can get through anything. Will is coming home in early March for his two-week visit (still don't have an exact date) but that will be a dream for her. We are so looking forward to seeing him.
And we're really looking forward to the Boston Marathon this year. Out little Kohl family will be there with bells on cheering Meg & Lauren on and cheering for our Glenna.
Love to all of you - and keep in touch and keep the vibes flowing.
Mama Kohl
Prior to yesterday, Glenna had lost most of her hair, and she decided to have the rest of it taken off for comfort-sake. She then had to have the halo-from-hell attached to her head, then another scan, so they could do the exact measurements needed to proceed with the two radiations. It was hours of waiting in this condition before they could begin the actual treatment. And, as usual, she was a trooper and hung in there with literally no complaining. She even let me take a few pictures of her to send to Will. It was torture to see her go through this, and I know it was worse for her. Sometime after 2:30, they finished up, and they removed the halo from her head - to her wonderful relief. Although she immediately had a very sore and painful head and was totally exhausted from the day. We got to the car and she slept all the way back to the cape. The first two days after this treatment are a bit scary, as she is at risk of bad headaches and possible seizures. But after two days, they said she should be fine.
And now we play the waiting game - again. She will be talking to her doctors in the next week or two; but no treatments will be given again, until she gets a clean bill of health regarding her brain. But she and Dr. Lawrence have discussed her participating in a clinical trial which will take place sometime in the next month. It's a bit too detailed and lengthy for me to get into today, but we will keep you posted as the time gets closer. She had to sign a huge consent form in order to be accepted into the study. There are still a couple of things that need to be cleared for her to begin - but we'll fill you in on all that later. It will take place at MGH.
For the next few weeks, she will have some time off - and has even planned a trip out to a desert spa in California, where my friend Stephanie (some of you may remember her as Ethel) lives and works. She is working at a beautiful hotel/spa called The Springs in Desert Hot Springs, and she has booked a room for Glenna for five days of R&R and lots of decadent, healing treatments. Glenna is really looking forward to this trip. She will be away from Feb 18 - Feb 23.
So...that's where we are right now - I cannot tell you how many of her doctors and nurses and practitioners (all of them actually) have told us what a strong, wonderful trooper she is. They say she goes through all her treatments so well and is so positive. I know she can get through anything. Will is coming home in early March for his two-week visit (still don't have an exact date) but that will be a dream for her. We are so looking forward to seeing him.
And we're really looking forward to the Boston Marathon this year. Out little Kohl family will be there with bells on cheering Meg & Lauren on and cheering for our Glenna.
Love to all of you - and keep in touch and keep the vibes flowing.
Mama Kohl
posted by Glenna @ 5:17 PM
1 Comments:
At 10:13 AM,
Anonymous said…
Glenna & Fam,
From one coast to the other, our hearts are with you. But it's YOUR personal strength that is actually helping US to support you through this ultimate test of faith. Thank you, Glenna, for all that you are and are yet to become!
XOXOXO
BBK&R
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