Tuesday, May 29 Update

Hello to all...Today was the dreaded follow-up visit with Dr. Lawrence to go over the results of Glenna's scans which were taken after her last treatment of the clinical trial. It's my most hated type of visit. Although it's good to know exactly what's going on and not wonder and worry, it's like torture waiting to go in and hear what he has to say. Especially since we have never heard any good new yet! But yesterday we did have some good news (and not so good). The good news is that he did not see anything new in the scans (yeah!) which means no new growth inside. That is encouraging. The bad news being that the tumors she does have are continuing to grow. So we don't know if the treatment she just finished did nothing, or possibly it held off anything new from starting. It's very hard to make that determination. But regardless, she will have to move ahead and take some action on the growth that is there.

There is at least one option that could be done at MGH. It would mean treatment that may hold off that further growth, but not eliminate any tumors. If it was successful, it would only be a time stretcher and not a cure. Her next step will be a trip down to Bethesda, Maryland to have a consultation with the team of doctors there who have at least a few new methods of treatment that Glenna may choose. One in particular that seems encouraging is to remove one or more of her tumors and use them to grow T-cells - which will then be reinjected into her body. These T-cells are supposed to fight off the melanoma cells that exist. Dr. Lawrence said this process has been having very positive results in late stage melanoma patients. But it will be something Glenna has to decide she wants to do. It involves some pretty invasive prepatory treatment - which includes high doses of chemo and of Interlukin II (the horrible treatment she had for two weeks before). This prepatory treatment is used to stop her own immune system from attacking the oncoming new T-cells so they can do their job. Sounds horrible, but if it works, it may be worth it. But only Glenna can make that choice. We are also hoping that maybe the team in Maryland will have some other new treatments that we can consider. She will make an appointment for a consultation as soon as possible - and then we go forward.

I want to take a moment and thank all of you who contributed to Glenna's fund. All of these kind and generous donations and the Etsy contributions mean so much and this is the time they are going to be used. With Glenna having to go out of state to seek better treatment, this fund will be the determining factor on what she is able to do. Bob, Jake and I cannot say in words what your support has meant to us. I know that the spritual support and love that she receives from all of you has helped her to maintain her positive and happy attitude. She is an amazing person and it's partly due to the wonderful friends who love her.

Thank you all, and I will keep you posted as the progress goes on. M.K.