Marinella Nava

Marinella Nava

Marinella found Donna's web site in September 2004. Marinella is our first 'International' Survivor that is listed.

If you would like to email Marinella, please do so by clicking here.

Updates Below; Please scroll down!

On June 30, 2002, after a period of strange headaches and a sudden seizure, diagnosis was: glioblastoma multiforme on the right frontal lobe.

On July, 4, 2002 I underwent first craniotomy with "macroscopically total" surgical resection of tumoral mass (Neurosurgery Department at San Raffaele Hospital, Milan)

Following surgery (August, 2002), I had conventional radiotherapy (maximum dosage: 30 applications) and various rounds of chemotherapy (Temodar).

Second craniotomy (January 2003) after MRI showing recurrency of disease (but biopsy after surgery revealed that the mass removed was less than 10% active tumoral cells and the rest radionecrotic tissue).

During surgery, a Rickham reservoir was placed to allow locoregional radioimmunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies (Y90-Biotin) by Dr. Giovanni Paganelli’s equipe at IEO (European Institute of Oncology - Milan).

From Febraury 2003 to this day, I had five treatments with monoclonal antibodies alternated with rounds of chemotherapy with Temodar; four MRIs showed that small residual fringe of active tumoral tissue remains substantially stable.

Recently, a vast edema around the surgical cavity, causing pressure on the right side of the brain and consequently affecting mobility of left arm and leg, has been effectively treated with Mannitol and Soldesam.

Starting from november 2003, I had other serious problems: the surgical scar partially re-opened and won’t heal, due to extreme skin fragility as a long-term side effect of radiations, and to a serious infection under the skull plaque, probably caused by the Rickham reservoir. Four surgical treatments and high doses of antibiotics were necessary to solve this problem. Unfortunately, the reservoir had to be removed, thus precluding further locoregional radioimmunotherapy (but anyway I could have had only one more, so I didn’t lose much!).

Now I’m still on Temodar and feel quite well. Next MRI will be on September, 7, 2004 and I hope in good news.

I'm very happy because my MRI scan (yesterday) was good! I don't know when my next scan will be, I suppose 3-4 months from now, I'll let you know. I'm going on with Temodar, though it makes me sicker than it did before, but consider that this is the 21st cycle... Doctor told me that I should have 24 then stop for a while. But in general I'm feeling quite well, but I repeat i'm very happy for my last scan.

I'm going around, too, with my husband Michael (Michele): this year we've been in Austria, Sicily, Budapest (Hungary), Barcelona (Spain). Saluti e baci e buon Natale (that's "best wishes and kisses and Merry Christmas" in Italian). Marinella

I don't know when my next scan will be, I suppose 3-4 months from now, I'll let you know. I'm going on with Temodar, though it makes me sicker than it did before, but consider that this is the 21st cycle... Doctor told me that I should have 24 then stop for a while. But in general I'm feeling quite well, but I repeat i'm very happy for my last scan. I'm going around, too, with my husband Michael (Michele): this year we've been in Austria, Sicily, Budapest (Hungary), Barcelona (Spain).

Salutie baci e buon Natale (that's "best wishes and kisses and Merry Christmas" in Italian).

I had a new MRI scan on April 4 and it was clear again, so we're very happy. Can you please update my page, so all my friends will know? Thank you very much. I pray for you aand, please you pray for me. thank you again.

I'm Marinella Nava from Italy. Today I've had the results of my latest RM scan, the second after suspension of Temodar chemotherapy, and it was clear. I'm very happy! I hope all of you are well. Thanks a lot,

I'm Marinella from Milan, Italy. I've had my scan on 01.12 and it's clear. I'm very happy. Thank you very much!

Hi Marinella!!!! Wonderful News!!!!!! This is great!!! 3 and 1/2 years now!!! Awesome!!! Praise God for your miracle!!! Thanks for the update. Do you have folks in Italy look at your web page?

Yes, there are folks in Italy that look at my web page, but also from abroad. Some also wrote me (two from Rome, one from Florence, one from Great Britain and one from Australia) looking for advice or information for themselves or parents and relatives and I'm still in contact with them, following their stories. I'm glad to be helpful, if I can, thanks to your site.

I'm Marinella Nava from Italy. Today I've had the results of my latest RM scan, and it was clear. I'm very happy!

I'm Marinella from Italy. How are you? I''ve had my laast scan on 06.09.2006 and it was clear. Frank, please could update my page?

I'm Marinella from Italy. How are you? I''ve had my last scan on 12.12.2006 and it was clear. I'm very happy. Happy new year!!!!

I'm Marinella from Italy. How are you? I''ve had my laast scan on 30.08.2007 and it was again clear.