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.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Surgery Today

Today Brian must undergo surgery to remove an infection that is not going away with any of the medicines they've been pumping into him. We wished we could avoid it, but even though there are risks involved, it is a worse risk going another three weeks with this infection which could spread throughout his body if not stopped, keeping in mind that his immune system is down due to  chemo therapy and leukemia.They are removing the upper lobe of his right lung. We were hoping and praying to avoid this, but given all the risk, just have to go there. It is expected that the other two lobes will take over the space and he will live a normal life, maybe not do the marathon. They are also going to clean up the infection in his throat. Brian says it will be all right, and is keeping a good attitude. He'll be at least a night in the ICU.  It will be painful. Just gotta take this one day at a time,  I don't like writing bad news on the blog or sharing it period.  But I know you want to know, so I decided to post this. I hope to have a good report in a couple of days.
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2 comments:

  1. champyNovember 19, 2013 at 4:04 PM

    Thanks for continuing to share with all of us Jane. We're all still praying for Brian and for you.

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  2. SummerNovember 20, 2013 at 1:00 PM

    Yes, thanks for sharing. There are LOTS of people wondering how Brian is doing, and any report (good and bad) is appreciated. We are praying for him, and your family. Hang in there.

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