Free At Last!

Joshua reporting:

Brianne got out today and was very happy to be freed. She was hoping to get out yesterday, but had to remain b/c the levels of chemo were still too high, so they kept her an extra day and gave her some more medicine to lower the levels. She was feeling lonely and sad after being in the hospital for the week - it's not too much fun to be cooped up in the hospital. She also didn't eat anything all week as she was nauseas and sick most of the time. We're happy she's home and starting to feel better - both physically and emotionally. She has an appointment Tuesday and maybe we'll find out more about the Stem Cell Transplant (specifically when).

Back in the Hospital

Happy New Year!!! I'm back up here at Emory getting the second round of the "b" part of my Hyper-CVAD chemo treatment. I'll be here until Saturday. I talked with my doctor today and since the holidays they haven't been having regular meetings but starting back on Monday they will be discussing setting a date for my transplant. Hopefully we will be getting answers soon about exactly when everything will be starting. I find it harder to keep posting. Things don't really change much these days. When I get out of the hospital I go home and just hang out. Mom says I could clean my room. (ha! Like that's going to happen.) Nothing exciting going on in my life. I have really started to miss working. :( Mom has been telling me about how this is good for me. Learning how to be still, but it has been hard. I hope that every one's holidays were fun. Thanks for your continuing prayers.

Good News?

I have good news. Right before I went into the hospital last Monday I had a Bone Marrow Biopsy ("loads of fun," I bled on the resident), and yesterday we got those results back. I am technically in remission! :) We are so excited. If you have been reading and keeping up with this blog you may know that my cancer isn't curable with chemo only. So, we know that the cancer will be returning as it did in the past (unless there is a miracle). But the good news is that, as I continue with chemo, if the cancer stays like it is right now my body is in a perfect place for the transplant. I'm sure there is a better way to say that, but I'm really tired right now, so I guess that will do. :) I'm really happy about the results, but it still sucks that I have to keep doing the chemo. I go very early tomorrow morning to Atlanta to have more chemo and another doctors appointment. Thanks so much for your continuing support and prayers. Happy Christmas!!!!

My Rickman Reservoir

Sick and Tired

It's Friday December 14th and Bri has been at Emory five days now. She is very nauseated and just plain ole sick. She talked her PA into talking her Dr. into letting her out early so.....she will be able to go home tonight! She had a few days of feeling very lonely, angry and depressed but she is coming out of it now (A season for everything). We have a good couple of weeks ahead of us with all the family at home and the celebration of "Festivus".
We have some meetings next week and will hopefully know more regarding plans for transplant. I forgot to let everyone know that we found a kind soul in the Indian Health Service, a Dr. who is supportive, now if we can policy makers to comply we may get a little help. The decision is in the process with a few more decisions to follow. Mercy and Grace is what we need.
Great songs that have been encouraging us lately Rich Mullins "Hold Me Jesus" and "Ready for the Storm". Take a listen as they are comforting.
Until later..... Bless You

Back from NC

On Saturday my oldest brother Christopher and I returned from our hometown of Sylva NC. I spent the week with Chris in Western North Carolina trying to take care of some business with contract health at Indian Health Services in Cherokee. It was frustrating to say the least. On Wednesday night we went to First Pres. (my church) for family night supper and prayer. It was so wonderful to see all of my church family and my dearest friends (minus a few). Then on Thursday we were back in Cherokee for my doctor apt. After that we went to dinner with Lisa Lefler (our god-mother) at Nick and Nate's. If you have never been there, you are truly missing out on wonderful pizza. We had the Nanatahala!!! Yummm. After putting up with me for several days Chris finally collapsed. :) Poor kid, he had been fighting an ear infection and sore throat all week. So Friday we spent chillin' out at Diane's house watching a Monk marathon. Then we went out to 553 in downtown Sylva for dinner with James, Judy, Eric, Bryan, and Amanda. I wish Donna and Katherine could have come. :( We all listened to Jeff and Micheal's gig. They were awesome by the way. :) All in all I had such a wonderful time. I miss my family up there so much. Chris and I came back to Georgia on Saturday afternoon. I had a great weekend at home with my family. But I had to prepare for another week in Emory. On Monday morning I was scheduled for a bone marrow biopsy (which was preformed by some intern/resident who didn't know what he was doing, he was being supervised, but still...it was soooo painful) and then I was to be admitted back into 6E. So, here I am. Back at the hospital for the 2A round of my Hyper-CVAD chemo treatment. My mom spent the night with me last night and is spending today with me. :) It is nice so I'm not so lonely. If you get the urge give me a call I'll be here until about Saturday morning. Then I'll be home for Christmas!!!! :) I can't wait. Thanks again for your prayers and support. Happy Christmas!

The Looooooonnnnggg Day

This is Brenda, Bri's Mom

Tuesday began for Bri and Chris at 5:30 am traveling to Emory for doctors appt's, lab, staple removal, blood transfusion and medical records. They left Winship Cancer center at 5:45 pm. A long twelve hour day at the clinic and then they drove to Cherokee, NC to take care of the needed requests for medical assistance from the tribe. Chris and Bri got to NC around 9:30 pm and needless to say they were exhausted. Bri feels better today after getting blood and platelets. She had to get five units with one week! No wonder she was tired.
In addition to the medical needs and doctors appt. in Cherokee other business matters needed to addressing. We are working towards efforts in assembling support from her Wal Mart group. We have so much work ahead and lots of appeal writing in addition to fund raising (we will discuss more later). We do need special prayer for favor!
Today we participated in a teleconference call re: Step One, Bone marrow/stem cell transplant. It was informative and is helping us to prepare for transplant. More will be coming up and again we have lots to do!
Thank goodness for my family. Chris, Joshua and Dallas have been so very helpful and supportive on a daily basis. We could not and cannot do all this without them.
We go back in to the hospital Monday the 10th for a week of treatment and get to be home for Christmas. Brianne and Chris should be back from NC late Friday. They will need a weekend of rest. Take care everyone and thanks again for the prayers.