Geoff Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 Hey Gang, I wanted to give everyone an update. Mom is resting fairly comfortably in the hospital. They are trying to straiten out her pain meds so that she is pain free but not wonked out. She has begun having lower back pain probably from the cancer so they will more than likely give her radiation for that. We are fortunate to have a big family so someone is with her 24/7. I’m still investigating treatment options and will probably get her on TM and phenylbutyrate. I’m also investigating the possibility getting her some Avastin. I think most of the Docs are not willing to give her interthecal chemo because she is so weak. Also she has already had WBR recently so they cant give her much more of that either. The Docs at Sloan have given her a prognosis of weeks and I and the family are waying quality of life issues. Prayer is my major source strength and hope. On the drive to the hospital yesterday I was praying as I usually do, and I noticed that the car in front of me had the license plate AMIRICL. God is good. All the best and prayers for all, Geoff Here is an abstract on the phenylbutyrate: Sodium 4-phenylbutyrate induces apoptosis of human lung carcinoma cells through activating JNK pathway. Zhang X, Wei L, Yang Y, Yu Q. Pulmonary Center, Department of Medicine, and Department of Biochemistry, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02118. Sodium 4-phenylbutyrate (PB) has been used in the therapy of urea cycle defects for many years. Recently, it has been shown to cause cellular differentiation, growth arrest, and apoptosis in certain malignancies. We have analyzed the effects of PB on human lung carcinoma cells. PB has distinct patterns of effects on different lung carcinoma cells, inducing apoptosis in NCI-H460 and NCI-H1792 cells, causing G1 arrest in A549 and SK-LU-1 cells, but having no effect on a non-transformed bronchial epithelial cell line HBE4-E6/E7. We investigated the role of MAP kinase family members, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), JNK, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), as well as other important cell survival signaling molecules in PB-induced apoptosis. We observed activation of JNK and ERK by PB in the lung cancer cells. JNK was activated only in the two apoptotic cells, whereas ERK was activated in both the apoptotic and the growth-arrested cells, demonstrating a correlation between apoptosis and activation of JNK in response to PB. Both JNK inhibitor and JNK RNA interference (RNAi) inhibited PB-induced apoptosis, whereas MEK inhibitor did not, supporting that apoptosis induced by PB is through activation of JNK. De novo protein synthesis is required for the PB-induced JNK activation and induction of apoptosis. However, the production of known upstream activators of JNK, namely Fas/Fas ligand, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, TNF-beta, and TRAIL, are not altered by PB treatment. Therefore, PB activates JNK through an unidentified and cell type-specific mechanism. Understanding of this mechanism is of therapeutic value in treating cancer patients with PB. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 Geoff, I dreaded opening this to read the update. I'm sorry to hear your mom isn't progressing the way you had hoped, and the way that ALL of us had hoped. I am very happy to hear that she is resting and has family with her 24/7. The quality of life decision is a tough one and my prayers are with you for guidance. You're a good son, Geoff. I hope you know that. All my love and may God bless you with His presence, Love, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 I"m sorry to hear your Mom is not doing well Geoff. Prayers to her and to the whole family. I hope you will be able to keep your Mom comfortable. Paddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 Geoff Keeping you all in my thoughts. elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeTaa Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 This is so heartbreaking. Hold close to your Mom, Malinda, and the rest of your family. You need each other more than ever right now. Praying for us all, TeeTaa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jana_W Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 Geoff I am so so sorry things are like this at the moment. Wishing you strength and love. Jana xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betplace Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 ((((Geoff and Melinda)))) Prayers for your mom and you both! Treasure the time you have with her! Blessings Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail p-m Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 Geoff, I'm so sorry to hear of the difficult time your Mom is having. I'm glad you have a large family to share some of the difficult times with. Quality of life issues are not easy to deal with. I've been through that one before. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. Gail P-M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 Geoff- This was a hard post to read. I know how devoted you are to your mom. I'll keep her in prayers and hope that miracle comes to pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 GEoff, I am so sorry to hear about your mom's decline. I have you all in my prayers and hope that she can be pain free soon. Take care of each other and spend as much time with her as you can. You are a good son and have been there for your mom. Tell Melinda that I have her mother in my prayers as well. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 Geoff, This is such a difficult time, but it can be a time of great love and caring. It is good that there is such a large family so that your Mother is surrounded with love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerbil runner Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 I pray you will get your miracle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAnn Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 Geoff, I have sent prayers for your mom. So glad they have been able to get her comfortable. Gather around that big family and hold on..... TAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karenl Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 Geoff I'm sorry that there has been such a sudden and dramatic turn for the worse. I hope you can all find some peaceful times together in the days ahead. Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kim Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 Geoff, So sorry that you mom has turned this direction. You are with her now and that is the most important thing. Remember, ALL things are possible through the Lord! Prayers for your mom, you, and your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 Geoff, my prayers continue with you and family. Glad to see you recognize God's hand in your journey. I have become more aware of that sort of thing in my own life. Blessings. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elnodel Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 Dear Geoff, I'm sorry to hear your news but glad that you've got a good and caring family that can rally around at this time when she needs you all the most. I'm sure it's a great comfort to her to have you all there and to know how much you all care. I hope that you can have some good time with her now and that you can handle all the hard decisions that must be made as you go along. Know that we're praying for and thinking of you, Melinda, your mother and everyone in your family. Ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MayFrog Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 Geoff, Please know that you, your mom, Melinda and your entire family are in my thoughts.......bless you all Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 Wishing all the best for you and your mom~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilgna Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 You will be in my thoughts and prayers today for you and your family. Miracles happen everyday, hope one is coming your way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilgna Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 You will be in my thoughts and prayers today for you and your family. Miracles happen everyday, hope one is coming your way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berisa Posted September 29, 2004 Share Posted September 29, 2004 Geoff, you are a good son. I can see the love. I hope you find out the best treatment option very soon. hang in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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