August 7, 2008
Charlotte had her Avastin today and will start her Temodar tonight. She's been working every day on her sculptures. She looks and feels good, but we've been having a few minor problems with high blood pressure and now a high potassium level. Her labs yesterday finally showed a little increase in her WBC count, but continues to be flagged for being too low. The other problem is her platelet level. It continues to decrease weekly, but hopefully there will be something preemptive by the doctors before she has to have another platelet transfusion. Both her WBC count and her platelet level drop (sometimes dramatically) due to the Temodar. Her next MRI is on August 25th.

July 24, 2008
Charlotte had her Avastin today. Yesterday we went out and bought her a new outfit. She wore it to this morning's treatment and "wowed" everyone. She is accompanied by her sister Donna in the picture. We had a good visit with her brothers Gary and Craig, along with Gary's wonderful wife Lorie, over this past weekend. Mary ran the gallery while being the perfect hostess to us all. Gary was so kind and kept asking me if I thought Charlotte was getting too tired. I know what her limits are, but I keep trying to push them a little further each week when she is feeling good. I believe it makes her that much stronger the next day.

Today she had her Avastin, but then the three of us went to Ikea for lunch (Swedish meatballs, of course) and then to Costco. She is sound asleep now, but I believe these "non-normal" days are helping her. Her next MRI will be August 25th. I asked the nurse today if maybe she might be able to handle an increase in the Temodar, and if the UCLA study would even allow it. It is the Temodar that is so hard on her system, especially her blood counts. So that is my first cosideration. But as I said in one of my earlier updates, my research seemed to show that some tumors seemed to come back with a vengeance around month seven. We're approaching that date now. Her last MRI showed her tumor to be stable. Perhaps an increase in the Temodar would let me hear those magical words of "her MRI reading shows a slight reduction in the size of her tumor".

July 10, 2008
Charlotte had her Avastin this afternoon and I will start her Temodar tonight. Charlotte's MRI came back showing that her tumor "remains stable", so that was good news. My main concern now is her white blood cell (WBC) count. It has declined every week since her last Temodar treatment a month ago. Her Temador dosage this time was even increased from 280mg to 300mg. She usually has some sort of bounce in her WBC count during the month, but it didn't happen this time. I just have to be more aware of a possible infection, and try to avoid exposing her to those types of situations. Other than that, I believe she is entering this chemo session as strong as she has been in a long time. I just hope the increase in Temodar, along with her already low WBC count, will not set her back.

Charlotte, to our knowledge, was the only "early" patient still enrolled in this Avastin/Temodar trial. Everyone that we had somehow met or knew about, was now "off trial". But we had kept hearing about this "older gentleman" that was able to continue on the higher Temodar dosage that the trial wanted you to start during your second month. That's when Charlotte's health took a dramatic turn for the worse. Yesterday, to our surprise, we met Tom and his wife Mary in the pharmacy. He is the "older gentleman" and is still on the higher dosage of Temodar. He still has fatigue problems, etc., but he couldn't get over how well Charlotte looked, and we could not get over how well he looked. We all compared notes on medication side effects, speech and memory problems, fatigue, etc. We exchanged email addresses, and hopefully will meet again. It was so good to see "two fighters" standing side by side.

June 27, 2008
Mary Morgan sent me this link. I thought it was wonderful and just wanted to share.
NPR asked people to complete the line "My Cancer..."

June 12 , 2008
Charlotte had her Avastin and Temodar today. The "regular" dosage of 280mg of Temodar that she received last month and will receive again this month has greatly improved both her lab results and her daily routine. Her neuro-oncologist was very impressed by her appearance. She has gained some weight, and her muscle tone and color are returning. All of these she had lost. Her next MRI will be on July 1st.

I wanted to share another email for an internet friend that writes to me about her precious Nick that also had a GBM grade 4.
Hi Brent,
You will find the strength that you need. We don't know how strong we are until we are challenged.

I remember the last couple of months someone asked me how I was doing and how I got through the days and still laughed. We would still find a lot to laugh about, of course we also had our tears. We talked a lot about death and Nick wanted a Native American death ceremony, so three weeks before he died I got him, and his puppy, from NC to NM and CO to meet up with a Sioux medicine man for the ceremony and so he could see the mountains again.

He was so much more at peace with death after that. I know his spirit is in a peaceful place.
I remember one day thinking I was numb.....you just get up everyday and do what needs to be done and you don't think about it, or what you have to do, or the consequences. There are no tears at that point, just functioning. You aren't sad, happy, tired, or anything......you just are, and doing what needs to be done.

Your Charlotte sounds like a wonderful woman. You will always have her and your memories. Have you had a lot of years together? If there is anything you want to remember, write it down. With the stress you are going through now details could be blurry. Enjoy the times when you can just sit at the side of her bed, or next to her and talk and hold each other. Give her your strength....and hopefully you will both be blessed with her having many months and feeling better.
Take care of yourself,
Beth

Partial reply from Brent:
Charlotte and I have known each other for 40 years. We met on Memorial Day weekend in 1968. (I still circle that date every year on my calendar with a little heart next to it. I do that for all the pets, people and events that have touched our lives.) I met her when she was beginning her senior year in high school, and we have been married for 37+ years.
We are not only husband and wife, but best friends, and partners in everything that we have ever done.

May 30, 2008
Charlotte had her lab work on Wednesday, and her Avastin yesterday. I wanted to actually see her this morning and also to see how she slept last night before writing an update. Two weeks ago during her last treatment she had a miserable night with nausea, and a swollen left eye when she awoke. This time she had a peaceful night and this morning she wanted to start working on a new sculpture. She had a very small chicken salad for lunch, then decided she was pooped. She is fast asleep now.

I wanted to share an email I received from Susan in L.A. about a week ago. Somehow our website came up when she was researching GBM's. She wrote to say that her brother was diagnosed in May of 2006 with a GBM grade 4. She went on to say that he went thru a period of short term memory loss. But today, he is on Avastin and Temodar, and most encouraging, he is back to work and that his energy has returned. She wanted me to remain optimistic.

This reminded me of my conversation with a brain cancer researcher during Charlotte's party on April 20th. He wasn't specifically talking to me about brain cancer patients, but cancer patients in general. He told me that most have to "hit bottom" before they start to recover. I still have to be driven by knowledge, but it did make a difference to know that there possibly might be a bottom somewhere out there. At least now I hope for one. Until Charlotte had breast cancer seven years ago, we didn't know there were eighteen different types of breast cancer. Unfortunately, I know now her cancer then and her cancer today are at the extremes on each list. But as I said in our last update, with her blood counts up, I get to be with her while she does the things that make her the happiest. And that is creating her sculpture.

A close second for her would be to have a short conversation and hugs with her fellow chemo friends. Yesterday was our first regular "Thursday" chemo day since April 10th. Charlotte tells this story that when she was just a little girl, she remembers going to church with her Mom. Before falling asleep on her Mom's lap, she says she remembers the minister saying something about "goodness is love; love is goodness.

I truly believe from watching how Charlotte interacts with other people, both for the past forty years and now during her fight, that "Charlotte is love", and that "love is Charlotte".

May 14 , 2008
Charlotte had her Avastin and Temodar today. Her last Avastin and Temodar was on March 27th, and her last Avastin was given on April 10th. Her blood counts all dropped dramatically due to the last increased dosage of Temodar. She was one sick girl, and I think the worst was two weekends ago. She has had a platelet transfusion, and I had to give her two series of three shots each of Neupogen to help bring her white blood cell count up to normal. During this time period she was also on antibiotics for a sinus and mastoid infection. Her last MRI on April 14th had shown Charlotte had hydrocephalus, and that a surgical procedure to install a shunt was being considered. However, she would need to be off her chemo for three months. We had an expedited MRI last Saturday. The doctor called on Monday saying that the hydrocephalus had remained the same, but that she was not considering the shunt surgery at this time. The MRI had shown "subtle growth in the residual tumor". Therefore, we had to restart the chemo treatments.

Last Friday was the first day that Charlotte had some energy again. I could tell that her blood count levels were probably back to normal just from just her actions. We started making a glass sculpture together, and have been working since then. She would discuss with me where each piece of glass should go as she laid them out. As she went back for a nap, I'd solder everything together. We would repeat everything until all the glass work was finally completed. Then came time for the wire work, and again she would discuss what was pleasing to her eye, and what was not. More soldering for me when she was asleep.
I have watched and helped her make probably thousands of glass sculptures over the past thirty years, but these last six days have been truly a blessing for both of us. For me, it's been selfish. I just wanted to keep working beside her, and to savor these moments. For her, she just wanted to keep creating beautiful sculpture that will bring some joy and beauty into someone's life.

May 5 , 2008
Charlotte and I would like to thank all of our friends and family again that came to our party on April 20th. It was a wonderful, loving day for Charlotte. She was very tired at the end, but her gallery has always been a place of strength, beauty and joy for her. Thank you all for adding to those on her very special day. The gallery will be closed until probably May 27th.
After that date, please call Mary Morgan at 760-765-3584.

April 21, 2008

The first Anniversary Celebration for the gallery was a joy for Charlotte. She was energized by the outpouring of love from her friends. Thank you all for coming. And many many thanks to all the volunteers who made this celebration possible, especially her sisters.

Today she is having a platelet transfusion which I hope will help to strengthen her

Our friend Leena who makes these updates possible will be gone till May 4, look for another update after that.

March 27, 2008

Charlotte had a low level fever yesterday, plus her white blood cell counts have been borderline, so we didn't know exactly what to expect today. But she did receive her Avastin this morning and she will be starting her higher dosage of Temodar tonight.

Since her last Temador treatment a month ago, Charlotte has been spending probably 20 of her 24 hour day sleeping. We do still go for our three walks a day, but her "sleepiness" is both expected, yet troubling to me. I'm also decreasing her steroids and seizure medications, so that could also be a contributing factor. But I have also seen a decrease in her speech, memory and reading skills in the last week. Her doctor said it could be just a temporary condition, or edema (swelling) in her brain, or tumor regrowth. Her next scheduled MRI is on April 14th, but that will be moved up if I see her condition start to deteriorate.

Charlotte also got joy and strength today. As usual, she talked to everyone in the oncology waiting room. She talked with a couple that we had not seen for a while, talked to an older blind lady that always enjoys hearing Charlotte's voice, and talked to a few "newcomers". They really appreciated her kind words and inner strength. Then after getting her infusion, Charlotte walked up and down the row of chemo chairs wishing everyone well. I asked her later about her conversation with the couple in the waiting room that we had not seen in a while. She said she just wanted to tell the woman to have no fear.

"No matter what happens, have no fear. I don't".

March 13, 2008

Charlotte had her Avastin treatment today. We were notified that a few of the other patients in this trial were having blood clots due to the Avastin. The one girl that is ahead of her in this study had one in her leg. They were able to treat it in time, so she is able to continue in the study. We had met someone else in radiation therapy that had become a good friend. We learned today that her blood clot had traveled to her lungs, so they had to take her out of this program. I was told again to watch for swelling feet and ankles, and also pain when Charlotte takes a deep breath. Charlotte also calls me her drill sergeant because I'm always trying to get her walk more often. It's easy when she feels good, but hard when she doesn't feel well. After today, she realizes how important it is to prevent blood clots when she's on Avastin. I also gave the nurse some information that I had found on brain-research@yahoogroups.com (first register at brain-research-subscribe@yahoogroups.com) just a few days ago.

Two things were reported in a recent study. First, Avastin may "cloak" tumor regrowth during follow-up MRI's. Second, there doesn't seem to be a chemotherapy drug that is effective after tumor regrowth once you've used Avastin. (See messages #2532 and #2535). I am also asking UCLA for Charlotte's "methylated" or "unmethylated" MGMT report. They have Charlotte's tumor and the nurse said they should release this information to me. Temodar is more effective with a "methylated" MGMT. Actually, Temodar seems not to be effective if you have "unmethylated" MGMT. That's just my research, but I obviously hope Charlotte's is "methylated". Makes me wonder why this study doesn't tell people up front what some of these tests reveal from their tumor biopsy. I'm only learning now, after my "30 days of medical schooling", what are just some of the questions that should be asked. I'm too late on some questions already, but most of my time now is trying to figure out our options when the tumor returns. Especially after the above mentioned study in the brain-research site on Yahoo, our options may be very limited. I think the DCVac might be an option, but I think UCLA is the only place that may have a trial study, and I don't even know if it's open to recurrent brain tumor patients. Sorry if I'm getting too technical for some, but I know some other GBM friends may be reading this.

Sometimes my head feels like it's going to explode with information over-load, or mainly having information that I just don't understand. I just know that my time is limited, and that I can not stop. I also know that if the roles were reversed, my beautiful wife would be more doing more than me.

I also want to thank everyone for everything they have done. Everything from letters and cards, knitted caps and scarves, food (including Ultramet which she's using...drill sergeant again), firewood for the gallery, feeding our cat and peacocks, website updates, etc., etc. Thank you to everyone; especially to her sisters Mary and Donna. Charlotte wants to write thank you cards, but it is just not possible now. Please just know, that you are forever in her heart.

March 6 , 2008
Charlotte has been having a rough time since the beginning of her last Avastin and Temodar treatments. During this period we've also been trying to lower her Decadron and Keppra medications. She has been waking up with a moderate headache since Feb. 27th, after lowering the Decadron. We have further lowered it beginning three days ago, and she has been waking up to a #7/10 headache yesterday, and a severe #9/10 headache today, along with nausea and vomiting. The nurse gave me permission to give her another dosage of everything that was lost in one of these episodes. I've kept really good notes and realized all these headaches began when we started lowering the Decadron. Her neuro-oncologist will let me know tomorrow if we lowered her dosage too fast. The headaches could also mean more swelling in the brain, or other things that I will not discuss now. Charlotte has been in bed sleeping now for 5 days due to the fatigue from the Temodar, and the headaches. I remember my mom holding me when I was young and telling me she wished she could take all the pain into her body that I had when I was sick. When I held Charlotte today, I repeated that to her. It was one of the few times since all this began that I saw tears come to her eyes. I usually give her a massage twice or three times a day, but today her body hurt so much that she didn't even want that. We also found out that the girl ahead of her in this study did not want to continue after her first 28 days because of what I think Charlotte is experiencing now, which speaks volumes when you know there is basically no alternative. She did change her mind, however, and seems things are a little "easier" during her second treatment. I do not know what that means. I also don't know if they increased her Temodar dosage again as required, or kept it the same. Each day seems to bring something new, but as long as I have my beautiful wife, that's fine.

February 28, 2008

Charlotte had her Avastin treatment this afternoon, along with more lab work.

I did receive an email from her neuro-oncologist concerning the residual tumor area that she found yesterday. She believes "the area will improve with the current regiment, and that this area is not a region that we can do gamma knife because of the radiation she (Charlotte) has already gotten in the same territory and it is not demarcated enough for gamma knife".

Charlotte will begin her five days of high dosage Temodar tonight. I found out that her immune system will be lowest probably during weeks two and three of this twenty-eight day regiment. Also, the one patient ahead of her in this study, did not feel well during the first week following the high dosage Temodar. Hopefully Charlotte will be different, but at least we will be prepared.

February 27, 2008

Charlotte had a doctor's appointment today to review her last MRI and to get instructions on her next Temodar (chemo) treatments. The results of her last MRI from last week showed it "better than the post-op MRI, but shows some residual tumor."

At this point, I don't know what everything means, and what our options are. Our doctor found this residual tumor while going over the MRI with us at the end of Charlotte's appointment today. The initial radiology report had somehow not reported this.

We were told after surgery that the correct terminology to use from now on is "trying to control, and not cure"...the tumor. I don't know if her current treatments are effective at "containing" the tumor, or what other treatment options would be both available and as effective as her current treatments. I'm trying to find more information. Needless to say, this was not what I had expected to hear today.

Charlotte will be starting her higher dose Temodar tomorrow when she receives her normal bi-weekly Avastin treatment.

I've been researching everyday about Charlotte's condition. I've even talked with the executive director of The Brain Tumor Institute in New York a few days ago. (Hope the name is correct. I've talked with many people or researched so many websites that everything is a blur.) Basically, from what I've learned and from what she said over the phone, being enrolled in a clinical test is our best hope. And right now, both our neuro-oncologist and our neuro-surgeon have been the best!

With the latest MRI results, I felt it best to cancel Charlotte's exhibition at Gallery 21 in Balboa Park. We've had people come as far away as Colorado, Minnesota, New Jersey, South Carolina and Florida for this show. She has a lot of loving friends around the country, and in Spanish Village in Balboa Park. To her friends in Spanish Village, thank you for inviting her to show again this year. She truly loved showing in Gallery 21, and will dearly miss everyone this year.

February 18, 2008

Charlotte and I drove up to the gallery yesterday to pick up more supplies and to deliver some finished sculptures. We are "on call" for her next MRI, so we wanted to come back last night. Below is a wonderful picture that I took yesterday of Charlotte with her sister Mary. When radiation and the first treatments of chemo stopped, I was able to reduce one of Charlotte's Decadron pills. As the doctor told us, it's both our friend and enemy. It does keep the swelling down in her brain, but it makes all of her joints and muscles hurt, along with making her look more "puffy".

On February 13th we first started on one short walk around the block, but now we are up to two walks. She does tire very easily, but her stamina has improved with the walks. I just want to get her as strong as possible before for her next series of battles.
Between our walks and her naps, she continues creating new beautiful sculptures for her upcoming show at Gallery 21 in Balboa Park.

Our gallery will not be open as often as in the past. Mary will now have it open Thursday thru Saturday, 1pm to 5pm, or by appointment, or anytime that Mary is home (just a few minutes away). Just give her a call at 760-765-3584.

February 13, 2008

Charlotte read these updates for the first time last night, and she was almost in tears with joy over the wonderful job that her friend Leena Hannonen has done updating the site. Charlotte loved everything! Her memory is obviously not the same as before, so it was especially good for her to be able to reread the wonderful, well written articles in The Julian News by Laurel and Colleen. I have included a few more pictures that you can link to here. The pictures have all been taken within the past month.
Thank you again everyone for all your love and help!

February 12 , 2008

Today was Charlotte's last day of radiation, and tomorrow she will receive her last Temodar pills. She will get another MRI in about two weeks to see how effective her treatments have been. She will then be off the chemo pill Temodar for about two weeks, and then she is to receive double the dosage for five days starting on a scheduled Avastin day. Then she will be off the Temodar for the next 23 days, and then they will again increase the dosage for five more days, followed by 23 days off. In between all this she will continue her Avastin every two weeks and continue seeing doctors and having more lab work done.

I hope the MRI shows no new growth. Her last MRI on Jan. 3rd, showed that her surgeon had done an excellent job. With everything that she's been through in the last six weeks, it's hard to imagine anything but a positive result. My internet research has shown that with this type of therapy, the tumor seems to stay "controlled" until about seven months after the initial radiation and chemo, and then the tumor returns with a vengence. This has been such a learning experience for both of us. Who had even heard of "Glioblastoma multiforme" before? And it's the most common type of brain tumor for people our age!

She is in excellent spirits, and is still creating art probably at the fastest rate that she has ever done. Her sculptures are also the most intricate that I've ever seen. They are absolutly beautiful!  As her dear sister Mary Morgan would say, "you're not prejudice in thinking that, are you?" Her other sister Donna Hodge is in the picture holding her cross that Charlotte presented her during one of her Avastin treatments. Look at the smile on Charlotte's face! That is what I see everyday when we go to the hospital or to radiation. She is truly an inspiration to others; a cheerleader to those that are in the same situation. There were many heavy hearts today when they found out it was Charlotte's last day in radiation. They all loved her positive attitude and conversation.

We are working on Charlotte's solo exhibition in Gallery 21 located in Balboa Park on April 3-13th. Her neuro-oncologist thought it would be good for Charlotte, so with the help of her sister Mary, hopefully it will be a wonderful time for Charlotte. There will be times when Charlotte has doctor appoinments, etc., and only Mary will be at Gallery 21. But hopefully the "Poetry in Glass" exhibition will be full of Charlotte's new sculptures that she is making now. She truly believes her mother Genevieve is beside her during this journey, and is even helping with her sculptures. When she needs a certain piece of glass or ceramic piece to fit exactly where she wants it, all she has to do is to reach into one of her many boxes and it will be the first piece on top that she needs. It will fit perfectly!  She'll tell me..."it's Mom again...go figure!!"

January 23 , 2008

The Arts and Letters Committee of the Julian Library presented its January program last night which featured the remarkable video of Charlotte, entitled Poetry in Glass. Originally, it was thought that Charlotte would not be present due to her treatments but her doctor felt her blood tests were good and I knew the joy it would give her to see her friends and feel their love would far outweigh any possible problems.

The evening began with the unveiling and presentation of a magnificent sculpture entitled HOPE which The Friends of the Julian Library had commissioned Charlotte to create for the Library. Charlotte was lovely as she delighted in explaining its significance and her reasons for choosing the poetry she had inscribed on it from favorite authors, Emily Dickinson and Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Charlotte recited the first verse of Hope by Emily Dickinson and encouraged the audience to use the Library to find and read the rest of it.

The documentary featuring Charlotte in her Gallery was then presented. It was quite wonderful and everyone agreed that its talented producer, Brian Kramer had done an outstanding job of capturing the inner beauty of Charlotte and her work The artful addition of a tape of Charlotte's mother, Genevieve, playing Memories and other inspiring music left no dry eye in the audience. (To purchase a DVD, stop by the Library book store. A major portion of  the sale goes to the Friends of the Julian Library.)

Charlotte and I want to thank everyone who contributed to this most special evening. Charlotte felt is was very healing for her. We both felt very loved and I felt she was truly in a State of Grace. I should add that Charlotte is feeling strong and has been able to tolerate her
treatments well.

We love you!
Brent and Charlotte

January 3 , 2008
Charlotte began her radiation, chemo and Avastin treatments today. Due to the need for a baseline MRI her treatment could not start as originally scheduled on the 2nd. She will generally have radiation Monday thru Friday but since it was missed on the 2nd she will have a treatment on this Saturday.

Both Brent and Charlotte are feeling very hopeful and their spirits are good. The plan is that they will return each Friday after treatment to Julian and return to San Diego on Sunday afternoon or evening.

December 22, 2007
Brent brought Charlotte back to Julian last night. Charlotte's first appointment yesterday was with the radiologist, where they made a mask of her head and did some measurements. Then Charlotte received a bunch of prescriptions again from her neuro-oncologist. The radiation, chemo, and Avastin will all begin on January 2, 2008, and continue through February 12, 2008. In between will be another MRI and various lab work, with another MRI at the end to see the results of her treatment. There was a similar Avastin program just completed at Duke University.
You can link at www.newsobserver.com.

December 16, 2007
Today Charlotte was the wonderful subject for a documentary type video for the Arts and Letters Program at the Julian Library. The program will be presented on January 22, 2008 at 6pm at the Library. Do join all of her friends and admirers for the program. You will just love it. She was amazing and those of us who were there were joyful and tearful to see how
beautifully she explained her love of poetry and art.

Charlotte was home for part of Saturday and all of Sunday. Each day she feels much better and grows stronger. If you did not know of her health challenge, you would have thought she was just fine as she walked around the Gallery speaking of the many works displayed there.

On Tuesday she meets with her primary care doctor and thereafter begins preparations for the start of radiation, chemo and Avastin. She says she is up for the fight and intends to get back to work as soon as she can.

December 14, 2007
Charlotte visited her surgeon today and he removed the staples from her incision. All went well. Later she visited with the oncologist and a proposed schedule was set up to begin radiation, chemo and the inter venous infusion of the drug Avastin. The Avastin is part of a study conducted with UCLA and will be given every two weeks. Avastin inhibits
angiogenesis – the growth of a network of blood vessels that supplies nutrients and oxygen to cancerous tissues.

Charlotte will return to Julian on December 18th.

December 12, 2007
Charlotte continues to make progress. The Physical Therapist came today and ordered a cane so that she can walk around the house with more confidence and less chance of a fall. Her spirits are good and she is looking forward to returning to Julian.

The next update will be on Friday after she visits with her surgeon and oncologist.

December 11, 2007
Charlotte is looking so much better! It has been a week today since her surgery. The nurse from Home Health came this morning and was impressed with all that Brent is doing. She also felt that Charlotte was making good progress. She is requesting that a physical therapist come this week to help Charlotte regain some strength. They hope to return to Julian after their appointment with her primary care physician on Tuesday December
18th. This coming Friday she will see her neurosurgeon and have the staples removed.

She thanks you all for the wonderful cards and notes of encouragement.

December 10, 2007
Charlotte was released from the ER last night at 9:30 p.m. The cause for her rise in temperature appeared to be an infection. After a CT scan and blood work, it was determined that she had a urinary tract infection. This most likely resulted from her last stay in the hospital.

Brent has been taking her temperature today and it is back to normal. Her spirits are good, she is beginning to eat and walk around the house. She and Brent remain in San Diego at their home. Her first radiation treatment will be December 28th.

December 9, 2007
This morning Charlotte was not feeling well and Brent was advised to bring her to the ER at Kaiser. They reached Kaiser at 10:00 a.m. and a CT scan was performed. It is now 5:30 p.m. and they are still waiting to speak with the neurosurgeon. The nurse thinks that Charlotte will spend the night there.

Brent and Charlotte plan to return to their San Diego home when she is discharged. They will have Home Health care while they are there. It is a service they cannot receive if they return to Julian.

December 7, 2007

Brent and Charlotte returned to Julian around 5:00 p.m. this afternoon after her appointment with her neuro-oncologist. The pathology report confirmed that the tumor is a Glioblastoma Multiforme Grade 4. This is an aggressive fast growing tumor. The oncologist would like to begin chemo and radiation as soon as possible, perhaps in three weeks. Charlotte will have radiation Monday thru Friday for 4-6 weeks along with daily
chemotherapy.

Charlotte will need a great deal of rest during this time. Her spirits are good but she is experiencing some head pain tonight.

December 6, 2007

Charlotte had what Brent is calling a "slight regression" last night around 6:00 p.m. She was having difficulty remembering and naming things. This morning that continued somewhat and the surgeon said that it may be like this or it could improve with time. If Charlotte does not immediately know your name, she'll always appreciate you reminding her.

The MRI showed that the surgeon was able to take more of the tumor than he realized but that there was more tumor than he had thought at first. The good news is that Charlotte was released from Intensive Care and able to go to her San Diego home this afternoon. Tomorrow morning she will visit with her oncologist. As expected, she is very tired. The hospital staff suggested that she not be left by herself at this time and Brent continues
his round the clock care.

December 5, 2007
Brent spent the night at the hospital with Charlotte and by 9:00 p.m. she was able to converse with him. Today she is in very good spirits and is eating and able to walk around.

Her surgeon visited and sent her for an MRI so that he can see better what remains of the tumor. The report should be available tomorrow.

If all goes as planned Charlotte will return home tomorrow to rest and will then return to Kaiser on Friday to confer with her oncologist. She thanks you all for your thoughts and prayers.

December 4, 2007
Charlotte's surgery lasted 5 hours. The surgery went well as far as the procedure but Dr. Gerras was not happy with what he found. The tumor was more aggressive and had penetrated further into the brain than anticipated. The initial frozen section revealed the tumor to be a Grade 4 / high grade Gliobastoma multi forme. The formal pathology report will take 3 - 5 days.

Charlotte is able to speak and follow commands. She should be home by the end of the week. She will need quiet & rest. As is expected Brent is devastated by the severity of the initial report.

This site will continue to be updated. Brent asks that you not call or e-mail at this time. If you wish you can send Charlotte cards or notes at:
P.O.Box 552, Julian, CA. 92306 - 0552
Brent is appreciative of your support, thoughts & prayers.

A note from Charlotte, December 1, 2007

Yes, I would like to tell everything about this current problem so others will know and more folks someday will get a better treatment too if unfortunately it happens to them. Only about a week ago have I noticed the speech discontinuing which made me nervous. At first I thought it was more of 6 year-old breast cancer, which it was not. But it turned out to be worse as it is a tumor on my brain that cannot fully be taken out. I am scheduled for December 4th to have the surgery, even slower than the doctors wanted as we needed to make my water levels in the tumor come down so they will be able to see better.
The most modern treatment was $600,000 for each of 10 from all over the country, most were close to death, but I have heard of at least one miracle...Fortunately, our doctors thought my tumor was a bit smaller and with Kaiser, will not cause me $600,000...WOW! I then told our doctor today only two things as I do not talk well. 1. Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson used to be my favorites until I heard a year ago- "What is it you plan to do with your wild and precious life?"...Mary Oliver is the poet of many beautiful works and is now my favorite I use in many sculptures. 2. Doctor, of course I will not deny some fright, but I plan on fighting, fighting and more fighting!

After the surgery, my heart may be in danger for quite a time, but especially three days after. About 30 days starts chemo-therapy for a very long time, stilling and hurtful- bring it on! I am ready for anything! That is about all now other than the fact my doctor said that art was on the other side of my head...whoopee! Thank you for all the concern.
Love to all, Charlotte Mitchell.

Please come back to this page for updates on Charlotte's new journey.

Charlotte Mitchell - Poetry In Glass

The love of words inspires artist Charlotte Mitchell to create sculptures mostly out of her favorite material - glass; a wonderfully, colorful medium. However, she augments glass with many other materials such as new ceramics and metal and precious, recycled fire fragments; filling the creations with strength and beauty - inside and out.

Charlotte loves poetry, which has caused her to create her art. She has created beautiful works based on the imagery which fills her mind when reading poetry, song lyrics or other words-well-done. Her inspirations may take her to another part of the world or another time in history. One of the first poems that inspired such works was the last line of "The Summer Day" by Mary Oliver, an unfamiliar poet’s work which Charlotte found taped near the front of a friend’s computer —"Tell me, what do you plan to do with your one wild and precious life..." The imagery of Mary Oliver’s poetry has sent Charlotte’s mind to the forests of Massachusetts, and has lead her straight to Tibet. Mary Oliver is now one of Charlotte’s favorite poets. Walt Whitman’s powerful words has led Charlotte onto the Sea, or onto the Grass. Many sculptures are related to old-time hymn lyrics such as "Amazing Grace", or "old-seeming" lyrics by Sting - "Fields of Gold". All of these go directly to the hearts of people who enjoy beauty or who can regain joy from visions of both the words and sculptures.

One of the largest pieces is called "Something There Is" from Robert Frost’s "Mending Wall". Fire-flashed glass, metal, ceramic faces , and recycled oddments frame a seven-foot wall which wants to crack open as the glass swirls up and out the top of the wall. Built after the 2003 Cedar Fire, this piece has made a tremendous impact on viewers.

Charlotte Mitchell finds the showing of her artwork at the Julian Library both a honor and a privilege. She hopes to show what words and art can do to our lives.

Visit The Mitchell Studio Gallery
4336 Highway 78 (at Wynola Rd), Julian, CA
760-765-1102
Hours will depend on her health, so please call ahead.

It is a bright yellow 110 year-old building
with lots of flare, love, and grace!
Enjoy!
See more photos from the gallery here.