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.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Endurance Test

There is this period of time between the relief from the last chemo and going home that has grown to be somewhat of an endurance test. When the counts hit bottom, it is good, because they have to go there before they can come up again. But - there is that space of an unknown quantity of time that increasingly with each chemo, becomes more of an issue, and that is what Brian is dealing with now. At the present, he is fighting fevers, headaches, mouth sores, etc., this is all part of what goes on and is to be expected. It is wonderful that they have medicines that modify if not resolve these temporarily...and then one day the counts come back, or at least to a minimum and the difficult times become history. I am thankful that this is all we have to complain about, and pray that Brian doesn't get sick from anything else while going through this. He is hanging in there, is alert and on top of his care and being a patient- patient. He is after all, ALMOST FINISHED!
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  1. BarbaraFebruary 8, 2013 at 7:09 AM

    Brian: I am sorry you have to go through these difficulties when we would expect easier times at this stage of the game! But you have been a prize patient all along and it sounds like this setback will be short and you will be on your way home!!!! We all will be so happy for that day - for you and for your faithful Mom. It has been a frightful time but you weathered the storm with a spirit to win just as you did at football and wrestling! SEE YOU AT HOME SOON! Grandma Barbara

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