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, December 8, 2012

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. :)

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