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.

Friday, October 19, 2012

October 19, 2012
So, here we are.  Progressing nicely and hoping it continues to go smoothly.  Today Brian is adjusting to the fact that he is losing his hair.  Not that he's a "high maintenance" kind of a guy.  ha ha.  But I suppose he is worried about how he will look.  We're trying to assure him it's not a big deal, but I suppose it's easier when you aren't the one losing your hair!  I am even wondering if it's psychologically like when you lose something more permanently, even though for him it won't be.  I reminded him of our friends Shay and Lane, and how they pulled through it.  He's got a couple beanies already and his ball cap from home.  He'll be fine.  It's just a hard reality check.  You can't tell he's lost any yet, it's just shedding a lot.  He wants to just cut it off and keep from getting hair all over his pillow! I reminded him of all the people who are pulling for him... and now he's napping.  Probably needs that nap.
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1 comment:

  1. kamfamOctober 19, 2012 at 6:43 PM

    Jane, Thanks for the updates. You stay strong yourself - you are an aMaZing person. Give Brian a punch in the arm from me. Tell him that Andy has sent in his papers for his mission. Mary Lu

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