Santa's Elf!

Becky, our very special Christmas elf! Santa Claus came last night! There is a big tub of gifts for Brian, and another even for me-Jane, and a very cool fiber optic light in the window. She even decorated the IV tree!

Christmas Update

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas Eve and we just feasted on delicious salads from Costa Vida, a special treat from Jaron and Caitlin Ewell! Brian is finished with the major chemos this round, and finally felt like he could handle a big meal, which he sure did. The neighbors provided the sparkling cider. We have a beautiful white Christmas and don't have to drive in it. Miss the family, but we'll make it a good night. Maybe do a little Skype...

A Good Night

Last night, the 3rd night, was a good night. Our nurse did a really good job of keeping on top of it all for Brian. He did have some minor pressure in his upper chest, but they brought in an EKG and it didn't appear to be a heart problem. Maybe soreness or (just) the drugs. He's sleeping in, but he was awake pretty late texting, which is nothing new! He was pretty sore yesterday from all the nausea from the 2nd night, and that should be better today. Over half way now! :)

We have some Christmas here too!

This is Brian's room, (minus the bed and couch), the parts we get to look at. Thought you might like to see. It doesn't show the view of the mountain, maybe I will take a picture tonight.

Thanks Isaiah. You have a BIG heart!

Back for Round 3

Following Brian's brother Dennis's homecoming from the North Carolina Charlotte Mission the night before, Brian is back in the hospital as of Wednesday the 19th for round 3 of chemo. The roads were pretty icy for the first hour or so of the drive up, but thankfully we didn't end up in the median like a few we saw...and the ice cleared up past Paragonah. We got a pretty cool room, a little larger than the last one, and I decorated it for Christmas and brought a little tree from home to put in the window. It looks like Christmas, and we have a view to the north that is pretty with snow topped mountains and homes with Christmas lights on them :) The first night was un-eventful but last night was not too much fun. We were told the dose would be twice as much for the drug, Ara-C... But make that 10x as strong as before. That is not an opinion. But he is better this afternoon, and has had a great visit with Isaiah Harris, and now they're breaking into some video games. Isaiah's visit has been a great break and good medicine for Brian after last night. This is night 3 of 5 basically so we are about half way done with chemo for this round. Gotta look at it this way. The hospital is spoiling us with Christmas good will... There are some seriously nice things that go on here at Christmas, thanks to many people who are most kind and generous.

December Update

December 8, 2012
Time has a way of flying by.  I thought I'd update briefly.  The second round of chemo went very well. We're still waiting for the counts to come back up but the lab reports we get are good, and everything is coming up like it should.  We're going to be able to be home for Dennis's (that's Brian's brother on an LDS mission in North Carolina) return from his mission, which we are thankful for but we'll be back in the hospital the following day for Brian's 3rd round of chemo. It is expected to be a hard hit, just two drugs, fewer days but double dose,  plus the study drug. Should get the last dose on Christmas day or the day after.  The recovery period is longer on average by about a week. Brian was ahead of average on the last recovery...so we'll see.  He's feeling fine at the time, and has been doing well. Everybody says Christmas at Primary Children's Hospital is really cool. I hope Brian can enjoy it a little. Then, come New Year's we'll celebrate the completion of the 3rd round of chemo! 2012 was a wild ride for our family. You never know.  On a brighter note, we're following the Wright brothers at the NFR and they're doing great!  10 days till Dennis comes home. :)