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.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Yesterday was Brian's 3 month mark.  He has done so well, it was wonderful, like he was his normal healthy happy self. However,  in the last week or two, things have been going a bit downhill, but we were hoping that it wasn't serious. He had an appointment Thursday (June 6) in Salt Lake with the doctors anyway, so  we were anxious to see what was up.  So, it is with sadness that I have to report to you that the Leukemia has returned.  While the white and red blood cell counts were still good,  the platelets were down to 11 (down from 70, 90 and 120 on previous monthly checks).  They gave him a transfusion and set an appointment to return inpatient on Monday, June 10, for the first chemotherapy in preparation for a bone marrow transplant.  This is the option.  His siblings (6 of them) will have blood samples sent to the hospital and evaluated to see if any match 10 of 10 things they match up.  Hopefully, we will find that for him.  This experience will take fewer months but be more intense.  It is well - scary. You have been a great support through all of this, and I hope you will unite with us again in your faith and prayers in Brian's behalf.  Thank you all.
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3 comments:

  1. kimpope08June 7, 2013 at 1:45 PM

    Jane should others be tested to see if they are by chance a match just in case? You are all in my prayers. This trial is one I cannot comprehend. You are such an example to so many!

    Kim

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  2. BeckyJune 8, 2013 at 1:49 AM

    Jane... so sorry to hear! You all will be in our prayers....

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  3. UnknownJune 8, 2013 at 12:05 PM

    So sorry to read this. I am Brad Gardner's mother-in-law and have followed Brian's awesome progress all these months from here in So. Calif. Our prayers are with your family. I will begin putting his name in the temple each time I go. Brian has provided us many happy and breath taking moments as a football player. Now, he can do it again as a survivor!

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