When Chemoradiation Can’t Wait—Treating Glioblastoma in the Face of Disaster

A patient must receive essential treatment for a brain tumor, even during an evacuation warning when there was a fire raging in Pacific Palisades.

Worrying symptoms on vacation

Santa Monica, California, January 2025 — James, 75, was vacationing in Hawaii with his wife Lynette, 73, when he realized something was wrong. He was having trouble enunciating his words and recalling the words he wanted to say. He wondered if he had a stroke, so he made an appointment with his primary care provider as soon as they returned from their trip. An MRI showed a mass in the left side of his brain, in the area that controls expressive language. He was quickly referred to Daniel Kelly, MD, neurosurgeon and director of Pacific Neuroscience Institute®, where removal and biopsy of the mass diagnosed him with glioblastoma.

A difficult diagnosis

James recalls the fear of hearing glioblastoma.  “Everyone was lined up in that room, and my heart just sank,” he said. “I knew I was in a serious situation.” He was introduced to Pacific Neuroscience Institute’s neuro-oncology team, Dr. Naveed Wagle, Dr. Akanksha Sharma, and PA-C Emmaline Mauritson, to manage the next step of treatment: daily oral chemotherapy, called temozolomide, with radiation for six weeks. James chose to participate in a clinical trial at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, which is studying the effect of an 18-week ketogenic diet on overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, along with his treatment with chemotherapy and radiation.

Building a life in Santa Monica

James and Lynette met in Miami, where they were both attending vocational school. They moved to Santa Monica in 1989 and have lived in the same home since then. James worked as a teacher at Santa Monica Community College. He describes his love for the community and gratitude for living in such a welcoming city, including how much he enjoyed his daily walk to work. “Walking around here, it feels like heaven,” he shares.

Trial by fire

He was in his third week of treatment when the Palisades fire erupted on January 7^th, 2025. The following morning, Lynette rushed to gather their belongings into an evacuation bag while getting ready to drive them to James’s radiation appointment. “The show must go on,” James exclaimed. “If we had to evacuate, we would find our way here [to keep up with glioblastoma treatment].” They describe the hospital as eerily quiet, the radiation department mostly empty. Despite the ongoing threat to their neighborhood, James continued daily radiation, with their evacuation bag still at-the-ready by their front door.

Living and loving in the present

Watching James and Lynette, their adoration for each other is plain to see. They try to live each moment in the present. “I don’t think I have accepted it, but I’m working with it,” Lynette says. “I hold onto the hope that we have many more years ahead of us. Something good will come out of this.” James adds, “It can be hard to find the lighter side of glioblastoma, but you realize how important it is to live and appreciate what you have. You have to find the joy.” They turn to look at each other. “If I can add just one more thing,” Lynette said with a smile, “Love each other. Love each other more than before.”

Clinic location

Pacific Neuroscience Institute
2125 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica CA 90404
Neuro-oncology: 310-829-8265
Neurosurgery: 310-582-7450

Useful Links

• Brain Tumor Center
• Glioblastoma
• Neuro-oncology Treatment