November 24, 2012
Brian has been doing fine the last few days with only a few very minor issues. (Like a couple dull headaches, and a little acid reflux last night.) Most of the time he has felt fine.  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal here in the hospital and he ate it all basically, except for he couldn't finish both pieces of pie they gave him because he was full! He had finished the last bit of chemo the morning before, and was still on the anti-nausea meds so felt just fine.  Now he is just waiting for the counts to go down, and then back up. The time factor is basically a guess. Maybe two weeks to go here before he goes home or three.  Chemo was a lot easier this time because he came in healthy.  One of the senior doctors who has come around, Dr. Yaish, is very pleased with his blood counts and how his body responds to chemo.  Physical therapy brought in a nice large mat for him to work out on, and yesterday put him through a good workout, which  he enjoyed, although he does some of that anyway on his own. They don't want him to waste away laying in bed! He has been able to eat every day, though not the biggest appetite for a couple days or so, so he has not lost weight this time.  The hair that fell out last time has grown back a tiny bit, but I expect it will fall out any time. I heard that they don't always lose the eyebrows. Wouldn't that be nice? Right now the important thing is to keep him from being exposed to cold, viruses or any other illnesses. I am pleased that things are going so well and appreciate the excellent care received here at Primary's.

November 18, 2012
Time sure flies by quickly in the hospital. (Speaking of time, it's only one month until Brian's brother, Dennis, comes home from his mission in the North Carolina Charlotte Mission.)  Chemo has gone well the last few days, and not too much nausea. Yesterday he didn't feel wonderful, but not miserable either.  Most of the time Brian has felt like eating when it was time to eat, and he is maintaining his weight also.  This morning he was about 206 pounds. Just fine. Tonight starts day #6 of 8 chemo's. Fewer drugs now. :)
Yesterday Brian had some very special visitors, Elder and Sister Oaks.  They had been down to Uruguay (the mission where Brian was going to serve before he got sick), and had met with the missionaries there, who were fasting and praying for Brian.  They told us what a special experience that was. The mission president and his wife had some things for Brian which they asked the Oaks to bring to Brian for them.  So they came and visited with Brian, and us.  It was great having them here.  Here is a picture from their visit.

October 16, 2012 - 3:25 p.m.
Things have been going smoothly here for Brian.  The chemo is going fine, with good coverage for the nausea so much so that he has been able to eat his meals, though maybe not as big of meals as he might normally have.  The Benadryl still makes him sleepy, but no harm in that. He just got a nice afternoon nap out of it.  How I hope we can keep on this smooth road...At the moment, he's playing an X-Box game and feels good. We watched the Dixie/Spanish Fork game on TV and that was fun.   Brian thought they both were good teams. So close by to us, we can see the lights and part of the stadium. Good for Dixie!! Just last year it all happened for Hurricane. Unforgettable.

October 14, 2012
Brian is sleeping the day away, but he is comfortable...so what better way to pass the time in the hospital?  With the reaction to phenergan last night, they gave him so much Benedryl and with all the other drugs that he's just wiped out. It gave him restless leg syndrome, but from head to toe.  He was pretty frustrated by the experience. It went on for a couple hours off and on. Finally got better.  NO more of that medicine for him! But he's OK.  He actually had a very big breakfast and kept it down around 10 a.m. this morning. I'm hoping to talk him into another meal in an hour or so. Now he's starting to text a little on his phone, so I think he's beginning to wake up. :)

October 13, 2012
Brian is back up at Primary Children's Medical Center tonight, and already had his first chemo this evening and is feeling fine...they knew what he needed and he knew when he needed it...so the whole med thing worked out well.  One more dose of Ara-C at 6 a.m. and the first day (of 8 days of chemo) will be done.  The rest of the night will be just IV anti-nausea drugs (hopefully) and a couple interruptions for vitals.  Should be good.  I hope so.
We also got the good news that the bone marrow test from Thursday was negative, which means there were "0" leukemia cells found, thus he is in remission. That was the plan.  The continuation of the chemotherapy is the method used to insure it does not come back. So, everything is going well and working for Brian at this time. Brian is coming into chemotherapy a lot healthier than he was a little over a month ago. In a few days, it will probably be harder as the cells are killed off again. But for now, I am thinking it should be a good night.
Halloween was a pretty fun holiday here in the hospital, but they say Christmas is really neat here.  If I have my calculations right, we should be here for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Should be interesting!  We could easily have a white Christmas.  They already had 2 days of snow here and there's 10 inches of snow on the ground around the hospital.

November 12, 2012

Tomorrow we head back up to Salt Lake for round 2 of chemo.  Haven't heard the results of the tests yet. I'm hopeful that the results will be favorable and that this round goes at least as well as the last, if not better.

Nov. 8, 2012
Today Brian had an LP, bone marrow aspiration and a new central line put in - minor surgery, and the pick line removed. It all went fine. Made it home before the rain and snow tomorrow.  Chemo starts again on Tuesday now, the 13th.  8 days of chemo this time.  This weekend we are supposed to be getting a very important report from the bone marrow test today that will show how effective the first round of chemo did, and what adjustments will/will not be needed to be made in his care.  Hoping for a good report, which would mean the 1st round of chemo was very effective.  Also learned today the subtype of AML that Brian has, which is referred to as CEPBA.  This is known to be a form of AML with greater chances of survival.  Doctor prefers not to give out %'s, as everyone is going to be different... I'm OK with that.  We are totally focused on winning this, regardless.  Brian continues to be in good spirits.  That's Brian, so you know he's doing all right.

Brian got a special greeting today from family in Oak Harbor, WA.  Adults pictured (L-R) Uncle Dennis & Aunt Kathy (Doll), cousin Denice & Joel (Saxman) and their children in front, Melina and Evan.  What a special picture!!! Thank you!!!

November 3, 2012
Brian is doing well, and enjoying the "time-off" at home.  He's feeling like normal.  Got to sit outside and sun his bald head today...  :)  It was a beautiful fall day here.

November 1, 2012
Brian is doing well, and I hope it stays this way.  He's taking good care of himself also, which makes it easier on me.  He is happy and wishes he could go to at least one of the football games.  I doubt if that will be possible.  But we'll be watching.  GO TIGERS!!