June 22nd

GOOD NEWS (It's amazing what we consider good news these days!)
Glenna had the pet scan of her brain - and the results came back as "no activity in the brain"...which we were all able to giggle about, thank God!!! So that means she is clear to go forward with her next chosen treatment. And the treatment she has chosen to do is a new, Phase One clinical trial, offered to her right here at MGH. Dr. Lawrence suggested it might be a good choice, and the fact that there was only one opening left before the trial closes meant Glenna had to make a quick decision. So she chose to try it. It involves a drug called RTA.... which has shown some very positive results on melanoma - but it is a Phase 1 trial, because it is new and they are just now figuring out the appropriate dosage to give. Glenna got in at the end, so she will be given the highest dosage. She has to take 13 pills a day for 4 weeks - then one week off - then another series of the same. It's a pretty simple procedure, but the question is how she will tolerate it. If she tolerates it well, and it has good results, then she can continue to take it and be monitored from there. If she does not tolerate it and chooses to stop the trial, or if it has no positive results, then we will go back to our plan to head down to Maryland for the other treatment. We are still planning to go to Maryland to discuss the exact details of that treatment, so we will be ready if the time comes. But, of course, we're all hoping and praying that this treatment will be the one.

So...she has an appointment with her surgeon on Tuesday to have a biopsy done, for base-line study, and then she will start the treatment on Thursday, July 5th. So we may have to whoop it up for the 4th before she goes on this drug. Well, that's about all the news for now. Hope everyone else is doing well - and thanks for listening.

Love and hope, M.K.