Brian postgame interview, 2011 HHS Championship Win

A Tiger Poem for Brian, by Trujillo Amy, brother-in-law

Brian

A sunny day in his youth,

a tiger was locked in a cage.

He kept pacing about with determination

looking for a way out;

even though there was none.

There is something unique

about the heart of a champion:

A quiet strength, a resolve,

a state of mind;

something about his approach to everything;

doing the right thing.

Winning is the only option.

Brian is that tiger.

Brian is that champion.

His determined pace.

His heart.

His approach to everything.

He is a champion.

He is a tiger.

Cancer caged his body,

but it never conquered his soul.

Brian's spirit is not locked up.

He is free forever.

A tiger.

A champion.

A warrior.

A missionary.

Cheering us on.

Brian will enjoy a sunny day in his youth forever.

Love, Trujillo

"Brian's Scott's 8 Life Lessons" from Tim, Brian's brother

A Message from Randy and Jane

We would like to thank so many people for all of their financial support and prayers.  Some of our well-meaning family and friends have put on the internet requests for funds to help us with money to help pay for Brian's many medical bills. We have not authorized any Facebook fundraiser. The "Brawl For Brian", on January 30th, will be the final fundraiser. We, as Brian's mother and father, feel that Southern Utahns have been reaching into their pockets long enough for us.  Thank you for everything you all have done for us.  You have helped us immensely, and we have been blessed.  We hope in the future to establish a scholarship fund for deserving athletes in Brian's behalf.
In the meantime, thanks for being such special friends to us and to Brian. We love you.
Randy and Jane Scott

 

A Few Final Thoughts

I couldn't even post the funeral here a week ago.  It was more than I could do.  I tried, and just walked away.

Losing Brian was tough. Oh, how we miss him! But how thankful we are to know that he is released from all he had to endure, and is in a much happier state.  I have to say, it was a learning experience. I learned how kind and wonderful so many, many people are.  I learned how much stronger Brian was in character than I ever knew before, seeing him endure so much. He did some funny stuff from time to time, that lightened the moments.  He liked to tease and would fake a startle to the nurses from time to time when they stuck a thermometer in his ear, or things like that. Sometimes he grew impatient, because he wasn't one who liked to wait around.  After one round of chemo in Salt Lake, Brian was tired of waiting for all the paperwork and this and that before they would let us go home.  I was waiting at the nurses desk and finally Brian said he was going... and he walked out!  The nurses' eyes popped out and jaws dropped.  "Where is he going?"  "He's gone...to the car. No point in stopping him." Later, while waiting in line at the hospital pharmacy, I got a call from Brian. "Moma, what level did you park the car on?"

In Denver, the CT scan transport and Pre-OP people showed up at his door both wanting to take him at the same time.  I really wanted him to get the CT first.  We talked, and they talked and I thought and time was wasting.  Brian popped out of bed, grabbed his IV pole and walked to the service elevator and proceeded to walk to CT.  I quickly followed and so did transport.  Don't you want a wheelchair?  No.  He walked all the way to CT.  His nurse waited with me outside the door.  Then, when that was done, he walked to Pre-OP.  The nurse there was so flustered, she didn't know what to do.  He was still in his t-shirt and gym shorts! When the CT results arrived to the Pre-OP confirming he needed to have the right lobe of his lung removed, I got emotional.  He stayed calm, assuring me that it would be all right.  And he went through it, patiently, making friends with the surgical team along the way.

When we got back to St. George, he was not in the best shape. In time he actually got better for a while, and even got to do a little walking in the halls again. He insisted on taking the IV pole in one hand and dragging the oxygen tank in the other, himself.  The day he finally got to go home, tired of waiting on paperwork and whatever, he did it again.  He walked out of the hospital...all the way, clear out across the parking lot to the truck. He insisted. It wouldn't be so unusual, if he hadn't been in such bad shape.  What a joy it was when we got home to see him poking around the kitchen looking for food.  Like the old days.  One day he put his arm around my shoulders and had me walk with him into the kitchen...just to check the cupboard and the fridge!  Sweet memories.

This has been a long, hard journey, mostly for Brian, but I was blessed to make it with him and even though there were tough times, I am thankful I could spend it with him. Coming home to St. George was the most amazing experience.  The love coming from so many friends and family was just amazing. We were so glad to be home. Our family shared an experience that we will never forget.  I thought we were close, but now we are that much closer.

The support after his passing was so comforting.  We were and continue to be deeply touched by the many people who offered their support and condolences, prayers and love. What an experience it has been! Thank you so very, very much! You held me up through some very hard days.  We will be together with Brian again, and we know that he is doing well now.

Obituary For: Brian Christopher Scott | Metcalf Mortuary

Obituary For: Brian Christopher Scott | Metcalf Mortuary

Blood Drive Response Was Wonderful

Just want to say thank you to you wonderful, faithful friends and supporters for coming through for the blood drive yesterday.  Randy tried to warn the Red Cross that you were coming, but they had no idea how much love and outpouring would be forthcoming.  We are overwhelmed by your generous gifts of life (blood donations) given in Brian's behalf!  We love you guys.  What a great community we live in.  Thank you for your continued prayers after so many, many months.  You are the best.♥

Blood drive tomorrow honoring Brian.

Coming Home, We Hope

Thank you all for your many prayers. The white cells have begun to recover, but they have not changed. They are largely leukemia cells. The doctors here have no more help. Transplants require a very minimal percentage of leukemia cells. Thus, we are trying to get Brian back to Dixie Medical where he can receive life sustaining transfusions while he can survive. That isn't to say we have given up hope, but it is the next step in this journey. We hope that Brian will be able to see those he loves and has missed very soon.  He understands what is happening, and has not given up the fight nor the hope.  We pray for a miracle, not knowing of course the will of our Creator, who has not left us alone, but has comforted and guided us through this most challenging experience.

WANTED: White Blood Cell Recovery

It will be 3 weeks since the last chemo, and longer than that since Brian has had healthy white blood cells. Fungus has attacked his body, and while meds have gotten it under control, some traces still remain...in his lung.  That is what today's CT scan revealed. Ugly news. However, we are hopeful that the white blood cells will come back and put up a fight.  Earlier this week they were up to .6 for a day, but dropped clear down a couple days later to .1 . Today was .3, which is better. They say when the marrow wakes up there are fluctuations and then it takes off. Totally ready for take off.  Tonight he has to go in for another MRI, to check up on the tongue, throat and neck area to make sure nothing has grown there either. I hope there are no surprises reports from them, the lung report today was not expected and so not looking for any more disturbing news. Regardless, Brian is going to pull through this trial, and he is doing better today. He recovered this week from an allergic reaction which swelled up his tongue, then started swelling the cheeks, ran him fevers just about round the clock, and gave him a royal rash from head to toe, which still remains, but is fading as it should.  He has met his caloric intake the last 3 days now, and even though it is a liquid diet, just the fact that he has avoided TPN (IV nutrition) is a great accomplishment, which he did manage to do even when it drove him to tears for the pain. He didn't want to do the damage to his body that he had last time with the TPN, which took quite a while to recover from.  When you don't eat normally, the internal organs that usually are busy processing food and nutrients tend to die out, shrivel. He still takes extra pain meds prior to drinking his supplements but it isn't hurting to swallow as bad as it was, and he actually enjoyed a banana blended in his smoothie this morning. When he sees an ad for pizza on TV, he groans a little and says he wants to eat a whole pizza!  

He has recovered nicely from the lung surgery, also, by the way. That is good.

So, if we all can pray for those white cells to come back surely things will be looking up soon! Thanks for checking in and for your love and prayers.

Moving Out of the ICU Today

Brian has been making progress each day in the ICU.  Brian got the drain tube out from his surgery yesterday, and is doing well with breathing exercises.  He is sleeping a lot better lately, making up for a month of little sleep, and  bad sleep at that because the meds would give him nightmares again and again.  His tongue is swollen, and throat still very painful, but he manages to get liquid supplements down. Anything by mouth takes a major effort, but his mind is clear, and while he is sleepy from the meds, he "gets" it... and does what he has to do to get better.  Every day is a day closer to recovery.

This afternoon they are moving him back to the BMT unit, to a regular room. They said room 1124.  I think it has a south facing window ...more sun!

Surgery Report

Brian had his surgery this afternoon- evening.  It was about 4 hours from the time they took him in. Everything went well, I am relieved and happy to report. They were able to remove the infected lobe laparoscopically so that will make it a little easier  recovery-wise, though it will be painful. Brian went in positive and ready to get it done and move on.  Whatever his obstacles are, he is ready to take them on.  He has demonstrated the heart and soul of a champion. I am amazed by his inner strength in the face of so much adversity.

POSTPONED AGAIN!

One of the surgeons just came in...it's 5 p.m., surgery postponed again. They had such a busy day, it couldn't  be done until. 8 pm, and they felt like that would be too risky after a long day. I agree, and I just am thankful, still hoping that by divine intervention, this either won't have to happen, or at least not until everything is just right for it to go smoothly.

Horrocks Men 11/17/2013

Tim & Charlotte

Surgery Postponed For A Day

Yesterday's surgery was postponed after waiting for six hours, which actually worked out better because Robert, Brian's oldest brother, just happened to have a layover at Denver Int'l. Airport, which also had problems with flights being cancelled, so he ended up having to spend the night in Denver, not 10 minutes away, so Brian and I got to visit with him late last night. Haha That's a long sentence. If he had had the surgery, he wouldn't have felt like much of a visit, so it worked out better.

So today, fortunately or unfortunately, is the surgery at 4 pm. Yeah, I'm dreading it. Thank you for all your prayers. This is a risky surgery, especially considering Brian's immune system, but the risk is worse they say to leave the infection. Hard to take. I feel like he'll be all right, but I'll be praying. I wish he didn't have to go through so much. He s willing to do whatever it takes to get well. Hoping for the best...will keep you posted.

On a happier note, we had Brian's brother, Tim and sister, Charlotte visit us last weekend. It was great having them and they were wonderful support. On Sunday morning, we had a surprise visit from the men of the Horrocks family- Ron & sons, and grandson, Carter. When I woke Brian up to tell him he had company, he saw Carter and smiled...so happy to see his little friend.  It was good to see them all and their smiling familiar faces!

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.

Time For A Good Laugh

Want to Share A Favorite Joke?

Brian could use a good laugh now and then. If you know a joke that Brian would like, could you post it on the blog?  Thanks. This should be fun.  

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!

Update on Brian

Brian is currently being treated at University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Colorado (Denver). After all we have tried, the dreaded transplant is the only reasonable choice left given his present condition.  The past month has been extremely hard on him, and we are lucky and blessed that he pulled through the infections he had,  one from his central line and the other a relapse of sorts from an infection he had in the hospital in July.  Having a suppressed immune system  finally caught up with him. He spent over a week in the ICU in Atlanta and been inpatient ever since, except for the transfer here. Yes, it is crazy.  But we fell into the hands of some outstanding doctors, and feel that Heavenly Father has opened our eyes, and opened doors, and we pray that  He will continue to bless and guide Brian through this experience.

Over the last month he has also developed a fungal infection in his throat or back of the tongue which will require surgery tomorrow morning. We thought it was the return of mucositis, but it isn't. It has been and will be rugged to go through, but it could have been worse. After the surgery, they will begin chemotherapy which hopefully will be effective in bringing the AML into remission.  It is expected that he will be a month in the hospital, have a break for a week or so, then return for the transplant, another month inpatient, and  if all goes well, have another 2 - 3 months receiving outpatient care here. Just pray that he can have all the strength he needs to fight the fight of his life.

     (He is in the white building,11th floor on the back, windows look to the north.)

    Brian up and decided to do some squats today, monitor wires tucked in and IV lines dangling.

I think it freaked the nurse a little when the heart rate shot up.

He misses everybody so much. We hear about so many of you still praying for Brian. Thank you so much for your continued prayers for Brian!!!  

He has a cousin, Johnny Graham, same age, who lives in the area who helped us when we arrived Monday night and has lifted Brian's spirits so much!  Here Brian has escaped the hospital bed and is relaxing while Johnny looks up a good movie to watch on Tuesday. The address for Brian is below the picture.

 Address:  (Updated 11/24/2013)

University of Colorado Hospital, 

Brian Scott, Room 1124

Anschutz inpatient Pavillion

12605 E. 16th Avenue

Aurora, CO 80045