Thursday, July 10th

Hello friends,
Yesterday was another trip to Boston to meet with Dr. Shih (Glenna's radiology oncologist) and Dr. Lawrence. The discussion with Dr. Shih involved the new growths in Glenna's brain (she has six total lesions in her brain). Three of these growths have already been treated and are stable. One other is very small and can be left alone. The other two, Dr. Shih said could be radiated without any problems. In fact, she said the technology they are using since the last time Glenna had radiation has far improved. Instead of having that big Frankenstein headgear that she had to have screwed in last time, she will have three tiny beads inserted just inside the skin. They use these as the targets to line up with her MRI scan to do sterio-tactic radiation on each lesion. This was pretty exciting news to get, after previously hearing that she may not be able to have radiation again. Dr. Shih assured her that it would go fine and there was a very high chance that it will stop at least what is there now. Glenna then talked with her about the possibility of radiating her larger tumors on her right side. Dr. Shih actually said she thought that having them surgically removed would be a better option. She recommended that Glenna talk to Dr. Tanabe (her original surgeon) about the process, and also highly recommended Dr. Tanabe's wife (Dr. Gadd) who is a renowned breast surgeon at MGH. So Glenna has an appt. next week with Dr. Tanabe and Dr. Lawrence to go over this option.

Then we met with Dr. Lawrence (her oncologist) and discussed Glenna's current situation, and her recent chemo treatment. He wants her to try at least one more 5-day chemo treatment (It is given for 5 days each month). He then proposed something to her (as he described, "a little off-the-wall"). I won't get into the details of it right now, as it would take too much time, but it involves a new drug that has just recently been used to treat a few melanoma patients, and has shown some very positive findings. It is somewhat of a risk, although the side effects may be minimal; but because it is so new, he cannot predict exactly how it will go. But at this point, she is ready to try just about anything that might help. So he prescribed it for her (it is an oral drug) and she is thinking it over and may start it soon. She will still go ahead with the chemo next month. And she has actually just set up her appts. to start the process of the brain radiation. The actual radiation will only take one day, but it involves several other days of planning, scans and preparation to get ready. She will not lose her hair (which is growing in quite nicely).

So - all in all - it was a very positive day. Nothing proposed is guaranteed to cure her, but just being given the hope of something new and the stabilizing of existing tumors is extremely exciting. And besides, maybe this new approach will work! Stranger things have happened, right? Needless to say, we are all happy to be going down a new path and boosted up with new hope. We all know the reality of what has been, but are looking up towards what could be.

Sorry to make this so long, hope you're still with me. Another plus is that Glenna is back at yoga again, and today - for the first time in a very long time - she drove herself and is spending the afternoon alone. It's improvement. And she's very happy about that.

Love to you all - Happy Days! MK