Wed, July 23rd

Hello again. We (Bob, Jake & I) are here at MGH with Glenna. She is having her first dose of radiation to her brain today. Let me update you on what has occurred since I last wrote:
After planning the one-day radiation to her brain, and then the surgergy to remove the tumors in her breast - another side-step to our planning. After reviewing the new MRI and scans, they told us that not only did she have the 3 small, but growing tumors that they will radiate, but she has one more in her brain that has grown even larger and somewhat changed. This tumor will have to be treated, but is too large to treat with a one-day sterio-tactic treatment (like the others). This also means that surgery had to be postponed for now. Because she has active tumors growing in her brain, these need to be addressed first - and are the priority over any other treatment. Her radiologist, Dr. Shih, explained that they will go ahead (today) and do sterio-tactic radiation on the 3 smaller tumors. Then, next week, she will come to Boston for a 5-day treatment, Mon - Fri, and each day they will treat this 4th tumor, doing a section each day. This process will hopefully stabalize these active tumors in her brain. Dr. Shih said that this new tumor looked different and they are not sure if this could mean that there was some bleeding, or possibly some effect from some of the treatments she has had.
So today we came up early and met with Dr. Lawrence to go over her current situation and how she feels. Then we met with Dr. Shih and Dr. Chapman (the head radiologist). They explained exactly what she would be going through and any risks or side effects that may occur. The possible side effects would be nausea, headaches, complete exhaustion, and the riskiest one would be seizures. They gave her a dose of Ativan before treatment, and she is to stay on Ativan for the next several days, as well as up her dose of steroids to help control any swelling.
So she is undergoing the radiation as I speak. It will take anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
There is still a chance that she could have the breast surgery later on after recovering from radiology, if she chooses. She also may opt to have some radiation on her breast to temporarily relieve some of the discomfort. She will make these decisions in time.
So after today, I would imagine Glenna will be resting at home for the next few days. If she feels up to it, she can do whatever she likes. She has been feeling pretty strong lately, so she may sail through this with little affect - let us hope so.
Her courage and positivity is astounding to us all, and is what keeps us strong as we plow through the days. I think her doctors realize now that she has no intention of giving up, and will continue to fight against this monster that is ravaging her body. But no matter, it cannot ravage her soul or her spirit. Keep the faith. I will write again soon.
Love you all, MK