Gina Byrne's Battle for Life and Family

February 26, 2025

Gina was admitted to the University of Minnesota Medical Center on Monday, February 17, where she remains awaiting treatment for Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma. This specific diagnosis came from another liver biopsy where pathology was present to immediately take the tissue to the lab before it could die. This was the missing step which has prevented accurate diagnosis from all the prior biopsies she has undergone. She did not have to undergo the heart biopsy to everyone’s relief!

While her oncologists were determining the best treatment plan to get her into remission, Gina underwent surgery Saturday to remove a benign cyst on her fractured tailbone which continues to be a problem. The surgery turned out to be more complicated and involved than expected, but hopefully the incision will be healed within a month. Unfortunately, tissue removed with the cyst was cultured and came back positive for a very serious bacterial infection. She is now on a strong antibiotic.

Gina will receive both a car-T cell therapy drug, Glofitamab, and two chemotherapy drugs, Ciematabine and Oxplatinin. All three drugs are hard on the body, but this form of car-T therapy is more gradual and less hard on the heart. She will start treatment tomorrow or Friday and will remain in the hospital under a 72 hour watch for serious side effects. If all goes well, Gina will then be discharged to come home.

George is headed to Minneapolis today to be with her since Rick is unable to take off anymore during the week right now. He will be back with her Friday night. Because Gina is in the Transplant unit, no children under 5 are allowed. She misses her son Ricky desperately, but does video call to see him. As always, we appreciate your prayers and support. God has brought us through thus far and we are depending on Him to carry us on.

Love, Gina, Rick and Family