Hello all. I am sorry that it has been such a long time since I've posted. I really have slacked off here lately. I just returned from a two day trip to NC. I loved every second of my visit. Joshua drove me up to Sylva (aka James's and Judy's) on Monday and then on Wednesday night after youth group (8:30 pm) we left and drove back here to Macon. I got to see some very wonderful and special people while I was up there and it reminded me how much I missed living up in NC. I can't wait till this is all behind me and I can go back home. :) This trip was very different from my previous NC trip b/c I simply got to visit. No fussing with IHS (Indian Health Services). :) Hooray! The doctor's have said that March 19th is the big day for my transplant. Everyday that passes I seem to get more and more anxious. I really don't know how to react to everything that has happened over the past several months. It seems as though it has all gone by so quickly that I haven't had time to figure anything out. Thank you again for all your continued prayers and thoughts.

Update

Joshua reporting:

So it's been about 2 weeks since our last update. Sorry about the lack of updates and information.

They've scheduled Brianne for a bone marrow transplant on March 10th and the donor is a 10 out of 10 match which is really good. They're working on finalizing all the details with the donor and will be running a bunch of tests on Brianne in preparation for the transplant. The doctors have stopped giving Brianne chemo. so she can gain some strength and stamina in preparation for the transplant as it should be pretty grueling. She's also taken the last of the steroids she had been given which will give her a better mood as the steroids tend to make her irritable (I don't know if she wanted me to say that, but it's true). Getting off both chemo and steroids is really good b/c of her mood and strength.

In other good news, Brianne was approved by Emory's charity care program which will help to cover most of the expenses of the hospitalization and treatments.

So we have two big praises: date for transplant and money so that's great, but keep her in your prayers as anticipation, fear, and apprehension build before the transplant day. Also pray that she'll be gaining physical strength and continuing to remain strong emotionally and spiritually. We're excited about having a transplant date and on the 14th of February we'll be meeting with the transplant team to discuss the transplant and "aftermath."

Joshua checking out

Is it actually happening?

As some of you may know, I am back up at Emory right now. I have spent the last 5 days here receiving even more chemo. (For those keeping track: Part 3A of the Hyper-CVAD) I was sitting here today thinking about how different life is for me now. I just could bring myself to believe that all of this is actually happening. Early this week I received a phone call from the transplant coordinator, Cheryl. She wanted to tell me that everything had been approved and after she found out what my doctors had planed for the rest of my treatment that she could set up all the appointments and dates for the bone marrow transplant, but until we have specifics all she could give me was an estimation. The tentative date for transplant will be March 10th. It is later than we were told originally, but we trust that God has a purpose for having us wait. I have to be honest. I don't think I've ever been so afraid in my life. When the doctors first told me that transplant will be my only option for a cure I was confused and unsure of what that really meant. Now that I've had time to mull that over in my head it seems to be all I can think about. This is it. This is my last chance. I am so scared right now. I want to say that I trust God through this all, but sometimes I just can't see Him. I just feel so alone. In my heart I know that truth, but isn't it okay to want the feelings too? Please continue praying. I need it now so very much.

It's been awhile...

I haven't posted in awhile and I'm sorry. :( This week has been really hard. This last round of chemo made 5 rounds and the medications build up in my system. My body is having trouble recovering. I've had to have whole blood and platelets about every third day since I got out of the hospital. These kind of things really discourage me. My white blood cell count still isn't rising. Hopefully the bone marrow transplant will be soon. We asked about it the last time I was in Atlanta with the doctor, he said we should be getting some answers soon. I hope that your new year has been wonderful. Thank you so much for your prayers and support.

A happy evening

A Happy evening in NC having dinner with Christopher and my dear mountain friends

Nose Bleed and Fatigue

Joshua reporting (again):

Brianne had a pretty bad nose bleed yesterday and spent most of the day at the hospital (after just getting out). The ordeal made her very tired and down. After the nose bleed, Brianne began feeling sad and thinking more about leukemia, the side effects, and the general state of her being which was a bit depressing. Keep her in your prayers for the physical, spiritual, and emotional side effects of this entire affair. She has a doctor's appointment on Thursday and maybe we'll get some good news and a possible date for transplant.

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).