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, November 18, 2012

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.

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3 comments:

  1. Carol HennessyNovember 18, 2012 at 6:39 PM

    AWESOME!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. kamfamNovember 19, 2012 at 11:05 AM

    Jane, Thanks for sharing! You are an amazing mother! Mary Lu

    ReplyDelete
  3. LizNovember 20, 2012 at 10:32 AM

    That is very cool! I'm glad to hear that he is responding well to treatment as well.

    ReplyDelete

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