Brian’s Blog was created for all of his friends, family, fans, and community members who are cheering him on in his fight against leukemia. Brian graduated from HHS in May of this year. Many people know Brian due to his leadership, sportsmanship, and outstanding athletic achievements including three state championships in wrestling, a state football championship, state discus champion 2011 and varsity track and soccer teams. He had received a call to serve a full-time mission to Uruguay and was planning to start his mission at the end of the month. After completing his mission to Uruguay, Brian planned to play football at SUU where he has already received a full-ride scholarship. Brian was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) on Tuesday October 2nd. That very day he was taken to Salt Lake City for intensive inpatient care. He has been receiving chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and other treatments. We hope and pray that Brian will recover with the help of competent medical care. Doctors say that there is an 80% chance that Brian’s cancer will respond favorably to treatment. Thank you so much for your support. We will keep you updated regularly on Brian’s progress.
Update: On January 14, 2014, Brian passed away after a 15 1/2 month battle with leukemia. He was in remission following the first series of chemotherapy treatments for only 3 months, in spite of earlier optimism. Another harder hitting chemotherapy began in June with the intention of following with a bone marrow transplant but instead, alternative treatments in Colorado Springs and later Atlanta were chosen. Those also were unsuccessful, too little too late. In November he underwent yet more chemotherapy in Denver. The leukemia did not respond. Brian returned home to Southern Utah friends and family on December 12, 2013. Leukemia took his mortal life, but it can't touch his spirit.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

October 14, 2012

Brian slept well last night and no fever this morning.  One mouth sore - .  But he ate really well this morning: eggs, sausage, hash browns, bisquit & gravy, orange juice and milk.  He needs 3,000 calories per day to maintain.  Didn't get that yesterday.  We are trying to keep him eating and drinking lots, plus always keeping his mouth clean.  One of the side effects of chemo are these mouth sores which can turn into problems so serious they end up in the intensive care.  So one more chemo tonight and in the morning tomorrow and the first round will be done.  Takes 3 days to rid the body of the chemo and then the cell counts can come back up.  So, we are learning every day here.  A couple more weeks and should get his first break from the hospital.
We went to the chapel in the hospital this morning for sacrament meeting and there was a wonderful spirit there.  This is a branch is from a married student stake from the University of Utah.  35 couples serve in the hospital.  Then, two brethren came by just now and brought him the sacrament.  That was nice.  Brian of course, cannot attend the meeting because of his depleated immune system.
We also learned today that the blood products they use here come from a company in the SL Valley called ARUP. Brian has B- blood. Blood platelets have been in short supply from negative blood, and they used the positive ones with another drug like the shot they give mothers with the RH factor, so they don't have problems.  But those platelets didn't stay with him very well.  The ones that match better stay with him longer.  Interesting.  So, the platelets only last 3 days after donation, so it looks like some in the family may be giving platelets and blood on their trips up, to help the supply even though there isn't a guarantee that he will get their's but it will help the supply.  He's getting blood right now and smiling and visiting with friends about the whole thing. Of course, anyone can give blood or platelets.  If it wasn't for donors, he would not live through the leukemia.  Humbling.
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