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, November 8, 2013

GOOD NEWS!

Brian's oncologist/hematologist, Dr. Smith, came in this morning around 7am thinking that Brian should not have the tongue/throat surgery, and we were on the same page having realized that the reason for much of the inflammation in his throat over the past month+ was the hydroxyurea, a low dose chemo drug that he was on to suppress white cells (mostly all cancerous),  We realized also that the times the swelling and pain in the throat subsided were when this medicine was cut back or temporarily stopped.  We had thought it was other things that may have caused the improvement, but late yesterday were able to put the pieces of the puzzle together.  Now they say he may not have to have the surgery at all, and that the fungus they thought it looked like following the biopsy a couple days ago may not be what it is exactly, though they are treating with anti-fungal drugs.  We feel a huge relief, all of your prayers and ours have been answered again!
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3 comments:

  1. PennyNovember 8, 2013 at 3:12 PM

    Wonderful news!

    ReplyDelete
  2. CRUSADERNovember 11, 2013 at 5:27 AM

    I expect you might know this already, but go here:

    http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/cancer-killing-dandelion-tea-gets-157k-research-grant-1.1248382

    http://newcmldrug.com/cmlforums/cml-talk/1155-dandelion-extract-trials-re-only-killing-cancer-cells.html

    An oncologist in Canada noticed that some of her patients who were not doing well with their leukemia, seemed to improve using dandelion root tea. They have got a grant to do some studies ... "One of Hamm’s patients has been in remission for three years, she said, after a steady intake of dandelion root tea."

    Because it is easy to access and cheap -- might be worth a shot. I drink it just for general health -- not the greatest taste. Might want to contact the researchers for more feedback ... nothing ventured, nothing gained.

    Best of luck to Brian - from Canada



    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownNovember 11, 2013 at 9:23 AM

    I am hoping the best for Brian, and his family. I know Randy Scott from high school, and have heard wonderful things about Jane. I know Brian is loved.

    Mary Cottam Ewell

    ReplyDelete

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