Deb’s Update: May 16, 2007 8:30 AM PST

Hi All,

Sorry for the delay in the update on how things went with the MRI, vaccine screening, etc... Here are the latest updates.

Last week I finally had the neurology appointment with my neurologist here in Thousand Oaks. He is the one that called me "normal" last time due to my neuro exam. Of course this time he didn't make me memorize anything and tell him an hour later, so I was much happier :-) He did tell me that my EEG that was done about 2 months ago was perfectly fine... no seizures were seen which is always a good thing! Basically I was in and out of there, but here is one interesting thing he asked me: "Are you having additional word finding problems?". I don't think I am and I Kim, my mom and anybody I talk to all the time doesn't think so either! Apparently it's the anti-seizure medication that I take which can cause that.... so, I have that part of my brain chopped off and now I'm on a pill that may change my word finding. I will keep you posted on that...

The MRI that I had last Friday (May 11th) was "better than the last one even" according to Dr. Yu! I am always stunned when he tells me things like that :-) He said it was just perfect and so clear that he was happy too! I do usually get stressed out during and after the MRI until I get to hear the results from Dr. Yu.... I didn't think I was stressed this time, but Kim reminded me that she can tell and that I talk too much when I'm stressed and I get irritated... so, low and behold, I was chatting up a storm and getting annoyed by several things...

I had my screening done for a newer vaccine trial which is technically a phase I trial just because they have changed what they will mix my dendritic cells with. The good news on this trial is that the 6 antibodies that they will use to mix with my cells are the 6 that I already have! Apparently the subject only needs one of the six to go onto the trial, and low and behold I HAVE THEM ALL!!! So, you can imagine that Dr. Yu is excited to use me on this study because of my antigens. Here's the catch... my ANA (antinuclear antibodies) was high so I have to go and get additional immunology type lab tests done before I can start the study. Everything else was fine, but this is the last thing they will re-check.

Of course I was bummed that I am not just eligible immediately because I really wanted the first vaccine before my trip back East... Plus, I wanted to be the first subject on this new vaccine study (more attention when you are one of the first subjects...)! Today I am off to Cedars-Sinai again to see an immunologist which will hopefully be okay. I am sure that I will have lots of additional lab tests done and of course a physical exam, family history, past medical history, etc... done as well. Fingers are crossed that I will know these results by the end of the week.

Here is the kicker... No Temodar (chemo) four weeks prior to the first vaccine through six weeks post the 3rd vaccine! So, this is technically for about 4 months May through August. Kind of scary, huh? But, Dr. Chu and Dr. Yu actually think that the vaccine will be better for me (due to my 6 antigens that they just love!) than the Temodar... of course it's a clinical trial, so it's just a guess for them. So, the worst case scenario is that I will not be doing the vaccine trial since my eligibility is not good enough (my ANA labs) but I will continue my treatment with my Temodar. Definitely stay tuned on this stuff!!!

I also have a follow-up appointment with my radiation oncologist this afternoon so today will be full of doctor's appointments for me.... one down at Cedars-Sinai (about 45 minutes away from here) and one down the street. Hopefully the LA traffic won't harass me today ;-)

On another note... Alicyn sent me the best snacks that I have had in a long time... of course since she is a health nut, these snacks are good/healthy. I'm sure the nutritionist will like them when I tell her what I'm snacking on now... I will be calling the nutritionist right before I head back East since she wants to see how that May chemo treatment went.... of course if I'm on the vaccine trial and not on the chemo in May, she'll be all over the place just wondering why I'm changing things AGAIN!

So, Radar is back to normal in terms of his weight... I took him to the vet to get weighed (they finally got a new scale...) and they think he's perfect now! There was a new vet there that hadn't seen him before and he said that all dogs should be as thin and healthy as Radar looked and felt! So, he and I are both the weight we need to be :-)

That's it for now... I have to get ready to head to Cedars-Sinai. I can't wait to see my East coast friends, family, etc... in a few weeks! Plus, I actually can't wait to get back to work again.... it's been way too long since I've been able to actually get up, go to work, and be in a routine!

Thanks for all your comments, prayers, fingers crossed, etc.... you guys really keep me going!

Love Ya,
Debbie