Forza Impavido

We are overwhelmed by your support at us taking a Sunday morning jog! In case you missed the news, Gregorio and I are taking part in th 5K run to raise money for brain cancer research on Sunday May 3rd. A number of you are joining the run with us here in DC, many will be lining the route to cheer us on, others are doing their own run in others parts of the world. At 10 am there is also a Kids Fun run which the girls and some friends will participate in.


And your donations have been rolling in. Thank you. The power of the internet and the ability to reach you all so quickly. Just in case you haven't donated yet and you have a few spare dollars lying under your mattress, loosing value in this economy, consider this cause, your generosity will greatly benefit the lives of others. It is not too late to donate, even if you are reading this after May 3rd. You can donate up to September 30th 2009. Please log onto the website http://www.curebraintumors.org/ and search for Gregorio or I, let me know if you have any difficulty donating. No donation is too small. So far we have raised approx $4,000. Fantastic.

Today we are at the hospital for the first round of cycle 3. The doctors reiterated the good news from the MRI and showed us the visual evidence. There has been significant reduction up to 50% in some areas. It is really good to see and hear this news. We will continue with the current regime as she is tolerating it well and it is having a significant effect on those weeds. Another 6 cycles will take us to early 2010. We will get there.

Go Team Impavido

Lots of love,
Emma and Gregorio xxx

Race for Hope

On Sunday May 3, Gregorio and I are donning our running (well maybe walking shoes) and joining thousands of others in a fundraising 5K Run/Walk for a world without brain tumors. We will be part of the Children's National Medical Center team aka Dr Bear's Brain Buster team. If you would like to support our effort you can either sponsor us individually or our team. Please go to the website and follow the instructions.

www.curebraintumors.org

We are grateful for all your support. If you want a laugh come down to the Freedom Plaza, 13th and Penn Ave NW and cheer us on!

Many thanks,
Emma and Gregorio xxx

Shrinking

I know many of you have been waiting with bated breathe for the MRI results, this morning we finally received the good news. The chemo is working, the tumors are shrinking.

Last measurements of the main tumor: 29 x 25 x 32 mm
New measurements: 26 x 22 x 31 mm

They also looked at the spine, part of it seems to be the same and another part seems to have disappeared. The two smaller tumors in brain are unchanged.

Great news. Enjoy spring.

Will write more soon.

Lots of love,
Emma and Gregorio xxx

Happy Easter

This week has whizzed by. We have been enjoying the first week of the spring break, bike rides, ice creams, visits to the Natural History Museum, enjoying the new playroom and more. Having been without chemo for two weeks there were very few side effects this past week.

We're at the hospital today with Matilde. She is having a great old time and won't leave the art room. But I think she is more excited about this evening - her first sleepover! Everyone at the hospital has been told.

Today we completed the end of cycle number 2. We are a quarter of the way there!

The MRI will now be on Friday April 17th. This is not unlucky for the British. We are confident that those weeds are shrinking but do keep those prayers going.

Our basement is complete, after 10 weeks of chaos we are much relieved. Spring is in the air, the forsythia and cherry blossoms have peeked, the daffs are still out and the tulips are begining to show their colorful heads and now the dogwoods and azaleas are beginning to bloom. This week-end we've got an Easter Brunch with friends, egg hunts and Papa's birthday (not to mention tennis, playdates and a ikea visits) so lots of things to keep us busy.

No chemo for the next two weeks but we'll update you when we have the results of the MRI. Next week Isabella will meet the people from the Make a Wish Foundation and will let them know her wish.

Happy Easter/Buona Pasqua,

Emma & Gregorio. xxx