A quick update as we await Jen's next scan

Jen has been doing pretty well overall.  Since starting the Avastin, we haven't noticed any real decline, and in some areas a little improvement, so hopefully this is a good sign that the Avastin is working for Jen.  She has had 2 infusions already, and if the scan is good on Thursday she will be going in again for an infusion a week from today.

Jen getting her Avastin infusion

Jen did have another small seizure 8 days ago.  It lasted less than a minute and was much like her recurring mild seizures that she has had over the last several years.  Still, we were hoping with Jen's increased dose of seizure meds that she wouldn't be having any more.  We were also hoping to lower Jen's dosage, but with this latest seizure that is probably off the table.  The change in med times doesn't really seem to have had any impact and Jen's biggest daily challenge is fatigue which has definitely increased since the escalation in seizure meds.  Jen finds now that she needs more caffeine just to get through her day.  But with planned naps and a long night's sleep, she is still able to do activities.

We attended the annual UCLA Brain Tumor conference which as usual is a great resource for patients to learn more about all aspects of dealing with brain tumors - from treatment options to coping strategies for impairments caused by brain tumors.

Wearing Grey for Brain Tumor awareness

As my knee is recovering, and I am going through PT, we are both trying to get a little more active together.  We have been taking a lot more walks and even managed to get a little hike in for almost an hour.  Jen does sometimes need to use a cane these days, more so in the mornings before coffee.  This has been something that she has needed since the second recurrence, but her balance does seem to be holding and she has not had a fall in a while.

Hiking along the local Paseo.

We hosted a friend Earl's birthday party at our house this past weekend.  Great to sit around our ball o' fire with some good friends.

Earl is the one standing - Happy Birthday!



A little blown out, but you can still see Jen smiling & enjoying the fire!

We also managed to go see Tom Jones at the Greek theater last week.  Jen, as usual danced at least half the night.

Jen's next scan is this Thursday.  As always, please keep the positive vibes and healing prayers coming our way.  We welcome all.  In other news, Jen passed the screening blood work for the neural stem cell trial at City of Hope and the T-cells grew well for the Car-T.  The Car-T cells still need to undergo some safety testing, but if all goes well they will be ready for release in about a week.  Once they are available they can be frozen in storage for use when Jen needs them.  It's been a challenging few months, but Jen is still in this fight and as you can see from the pictures, still living life to the fullest!