All I need is lots of p53

It is official now. I signed the protocol and I entered the Phase One study for R7112. It was pouring when I left MSKCC and the rain soaked my copy of the protocol... but I can still read what this drug might do:

We are testing the safety of different doses of a new oral medicine called R7112. We want to find out what R7112 does to you and your cancer, good or bad. R7112 blocks a molecule called "MDM2" in tumor cell. This causes the cell to make more of a molecule called "p53". Large amounts of p53 then cause a tumor cell to self-destruct.

I will tell you more details tomorrow. Right now I am going to dream with large amounts of p53

Good night.

NEW YORK once again.

Well, well well. Back to New York and the quirky world of MSKCC.

Elsa arrived from Lisbon last night, and by 4am we were already on the road to NY City for Elsa's new drug trial. After a vacation in Portugal, all that sun and good disposition, she was not ready for the pouring rain. There are T-storms possible for the whole day today, which does not make NYC very appealing.

Well, I'm stopping here because Elsa will not let me publish what I really want to say about MSKCC's screw up of her scheduled PET scan.

So have a nice day!

First we take Lisbon then we take Manhattan

Leonard Cohen is in Lisbon today and I have a ticket to see him!

Yes... I should be jumping with joy... but I also have another ticket in my hand. A return ticket to the USA. The R7112 trial is calling me and forcing me to interrupt my fantastic vacation. I arrive in Boston tonight and tomorrow morning I will drive to New York City for a Pet scan, a CT scan and to sign the new protocol.

I know, I should be jumping and screaming Hooray... but I have been in love with Lisbon since I was 18 and it is always hard to leave.

Viva a Vovó Tapioca

Some photos

Cabo Espichel




Lisboa

Bom Jesus, Braga

In Braga

Today the Portugal vacationers are on their way to Braga.

Maya went to Mosteiro dos Jeronimos the other day and was intrigued by the tomb of Fernando Pessoa, because she had just started reading a young adult's version of Menssagem.

Filipa went to see Harry Potter with her friends Rita and Sara.

Later today is off to Porto where Filipa will start her classes this coming Monday.

more Portugal 2009

Happy to see each other. Ana Isabel and Filipa.

Hey! That's fun.

Portugal 2009

Here are some pictures from the lunch, which reunited Elsa and many of her friends from high school in Macau.



The picture below is a then and now picture of a soccer team whose success is a historical secret.

In PORTUGAL

Elsa is in Portugal, by all accounts, having lots of fun. Last Saturday there was a lunch with colleagues from the Old Liceu (High School) in Macau. She was excited to see her high school friends. Some she had not seen in many many years.

Filipa and Maya are also having fun. They are both keeping a journal, so hopefully they will share it when they come back.

I stayed back in the USA, enjoying the rain, which does not seem to stop. I'll try to post updates as they are relayed to me.

Cheers!

Z

how the bad and ugly liposarcoma looks like

Photo of the first ESTUPOR* removed in Macau on May 3rd, 2000
This ugly cystic, sotf, retroperitoneal mass was 40x40x30cm and weighed 5467g (approximately 12 pounds).

*Estupor means ugly and bad in Portuguese. It is how my dear friend Filipa calls her stupid tumors and how I will refer to mine from now on.

The rain is gone

If you live in Massachusetts/Rhode Island, you know why I am posting this video today.
Have a Happy Sunny/Painless Fourth of July.
(Yes, my pain is also gone)