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.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

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.

2 comments:

  1. Thanks for the update, we're all rooting for Brian's full recovery.
    Know that you're in our prayers....we love you tons!
    Britta, Barratt & Kids

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  2. Glad to hear things are going well. Hope he gets another trip home soon.

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