Journal History
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Wednesday, August 23, 2006 12:36 AM CDT
It has been a very long time since I have updated Brittany's site. I thought now would be a good time to do so. Monday Aug. 14th was 3 years since Brittany finished her chemo. She made it pass her relapse date!! I am so happy for her. We had a small party at the house for her. Brittany has an appointment the 19th of next month for her blood work. Please pray all is well.
Update on Brittany. Monday she will be starting her Jr year in high school. That means school ring, homecoming dance, Jr prom, drivers licence!! BIG year for Brittany. This is a year I have been waiting for her to have. I am so excited yet nervous. She is growing up way to fast for me. Monday her first day back to school she will also be taking her test to get her drivers learners. LOOK OUT!! Last year Brittany took her fist Microsoft test and is now certified in Microsoft Word. This year Brittany will be taking several more test through Microsoft that she will be certified in. Very exciting. WoW what else so much... She has the longest hair I have seen have since she was 6 it is wonderful. She loves it and she is not shy to say so. Pics I have to send some to her angel so she can download them for me I am not sure how to. LOL Brittany has a four wheeler and LOVES to ride. She also works at our crab house where she has saved a lot of money to help buy a car. She cant wait!!
While you are checking out her site check out her update that she wrote, it is in the guest book she didnt know how to do it. Get a tissue.
Take care and keep praying for Brittany it is working!!
Sunday, October 16, 2005 9:01 PM CDT
It has been a very long time since I have updated Brittany's site. I thank everyone for stopping in and checking. I have a lot of catching up to do so I will make it as short as I can. CANCER FREE is where I would like to start. Brittany has been off of her therapy for 2 years and 4 months now. She is doing great and looking wonderful. I pics to update. In her 10th grade year attending two different high school's one of them being where she is studing Microsoft Business as a major and a home school where she takes her majors. Memory doing much better. On Novemeber 27 Brittany will be 15 years old yes 15!! I cant beleive it myself. She will be a 9 year cancer servivor Dec 16th. YES 9 YEARS how time goes by. Going to Hopkins every 3 months now for her blood work and check up she just went this month and all is CLEAR!! She is not due back till after the first of the year. This will be our first year in 9 years that we have not spent ANY HOLIDAYS THERE!! Now that is weird!! This summer Brittany kept very busy working next to me as we opened our own Crab House and I have to say she worked very hard both her and her brother. Now that school is back she has been working one day a week, shopping at least one day a week, and just having FUN. Just this weekend Brittany went to her first high school dance with some friends I will be updating pics in the next few days. Wait to see how good she looks!! I am so thankful each day that she gets to have so much fun, and go to school and get an education, and just be a teenager (I take the good with the bad)life is good. There is not a day that goes by that I dont think about everything she has been through and I think I can say the same for Brittany. It is memories that will never go away.... but that is ok it helps me live with much gratefulness. I will soon update with some new pics.
And as always PRAYERS FOR BRITTANY!!
Monday, November 1, 2004 5:25 AM CST
WOW!! I went and checked out Brittany site because I have been so busy lately I finally got the chance and I seen my last update was in Aug. and it is now November!! So here is an update.
December 16th will be 8 years sense Brittany was first dx with her cancer!! 8 YEARS!! So in the cancer world they would say that Brittany is an 8 year cancer survivor!! GO BRITTANY!!!
High school, it is going much better then what I expected. Sending her to Huntington really helped her out. I meet with teachers and councilors and have set her up with extra help when she needs it which is often but that is ok. First quarter ends Friday so I am excited to see a report card in a few weeks. Her interim was really good all A's and B's!! I think they have dropped a bit sense then but that is ok also. Brittany does not do well on her test because of the whole memory thing but now she gets to use notes with her test so next quater that should help her with her grades staying up. She seems to really like high school.
Health, well the second week of school Brittany was blessed with pneumonia and bronchitis again and kept her out of school for that whole week. During this time Brittany would go into her cough fits as I call them and would gasp for air. This was very scary!! The doctors diagnosed her with asthma at that time. Sense then she has seen a specialist and is on several meds to help control it some. Brittany is not happy about having more meds in her life but after the winter they are going to try to take her off of some of them to see what might happen. They said asmtha patients really need their meds in the winter with colds and things. Now just last week two months after the last issue she had she has started again. The asmtha meds seem to be helping some but not a bunch. I have feeling I will be in the doctors office for her cold/who knows what!!
Hopkins. Brittany is due into clinic once every other month and this is her month. I will be taking Brittany for her appointment on Wednesday of this week. Please include Brittany in your thoughts and prayer this week. I hate going there never knowing what might be. Brittany has been doing pretty good with going now that she only has to go once every other month. She seems to really miss Pam her nurse.
Other then all of that Brittany and the family has been trying to four wheel every Sunday we get. She loves to ride!! Vincent is doing well in 11th grade and of course cannot wait for his 12th grade year. Vincent will only need to take 4 classes next year so that will land him getting out of school at 11 next year and he is very excited about that!!
I hope all is well with everyone!! Take care and if I don't update again before Thanksgiving everyone has a wonderful one.
Prayers for Brittany as always!!
Wednesday, August 11, 2004 7:40 PM CDT
WOW! When I looked on Brittany's site and seen I have not updated sense June I couldn't believe it. Time flies!! So hear is what has been happening.
Brittany has been going to Huntington Learning Center sense the first week school let out. She goes on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am till 11:30am. She has completed 46 hours as of today. She will be retested at 50 hours. They estimated it taking 196 hours to bring Brittany up to her grade level. The problem we will be running into is when school starts. I am not sure she is going to be able to handle going to school all day and then going three nights a week for two hours during school up till February. We are going to see what her test scores say after 50 hours and make a decision then. She will be starting high school this year so we don't want to totally overwhelm her.
Health... Brittany has had NO complaints at all. Brittany when in July and had her port removed and her last spinal tap. All went well. July 17th was one year for Brittany being of off chemo. Brittany now will be going to Hopkins every other month so we dont have to go this month YAHOO!! She is due back to clinic early September and I have to say I kinda cant wait in one way. It is really hard to be away this long and not have any blood work done. She looks GREAT!!
Vacation.... we went to Ocean City for a week. Brittany did a lot of swimming, boggie boarding, rides, board walk, go carts, and much more. This is the first vacation we have had in a little over two years. With getting chemo every week it made it hard to go any where. So it was great to be away.
Now back to the real world..... time to go back to school. Brittany starts her new school that her brother attends on the 30th of this month. This school is very big and she is a bit worried about getting lost. They have an open house for 9th graders on the 25th of this month. The school nurse called while we were away on vacation and wants to meet with me before Brittany returns to school.
13 going on 14 and NO boyfriends so far thank goodness for that!! ;0)
Vincent, well he has been driving for almost two months now. No crashes!! He is doing well working for his dad this year and he just bought a new car. He is doing very well he will be going into the 11th grade this year. Vincent's baseball team came in 2nd place in the championship game. He will be playing fall baseball, then running track for the winter then playing high school baseball in the spring. Yes, he has a girlfriend I guess I cant expect it to never happen.
Well, I have to say it has been nice not having to update often now that we are living a much more normal life again.
I hope everyone has enjoyed their summer so far and be sure to sign Brittany's guest book.
Take care everyone and as always PRAYERS FOR BRITTANY
Tuesday, June 15, 2004 1:55 PM CDT
Hello everyone. Sorry it took me so long to update but I have been very busy with the business, Vincent's 16th birthday party, Brittany's 8th grade graduation, and a million of other things. Anyway, Brittany is doing great!! Brittany appointment last week went well. I met with the surgeon and signed papers for her last spinal tap and port removal next month on the 8th. Her counts are good, and Tom said she looks good. After next months appointment Brittany will only have to go for blood work every other month. We are very excited about that. July 17th will be one year sense her last chemo treatment!! Very excited about that also.
So Brittany is off to high school next year. This summer I am sending Brittany to Huntington Learning Center. Brittany will be tested on this coming Monday to find out her grade level in each subject. A few days after the test I will go in and meet with them and they will let me know what she needs to do to be on her level. I am not sure where she is but I do know after missing all that time she is not on the level she needs to be to go to high school. She is not to happy about this but I don't want her to struggle through high school or the teachers just to push her through. She will go 2 days a week 2 hours a day NO homework!! She will thank me later. I will keep everyone updated on how she does this summer in school.
Vincent will be going to take his driving test on the 24 of this month. O MY!! He is off to 11th grade and working this summer!!
I hope everyone is enjoying their spring and getting ready for a hot hot summer!! I love it!!
As always prayers for Brittany to stay cancer free
Saturday, May 22, 2004 8:26 AM CDT
Well, it has been a little over 10 months now. Brittany had her 10 month after chemo appointment two weeks ago. It went well. Her counts are normal!! We are due back in two weeks, I cant beleive it has almost been a year. Were does time go. Brittany has come a long way in the pass 10 months.
Brittany has not had a very good week this week however. She started with your commen cold last week and last weekend it got worse. Brittany went to the doctors on Monday and has a double ear infection, sinus infection, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Good week she has had. She is starting to feel better finally. She has been taking two different antibodics, along with her inhaler, and tylonal with codeine. Brittany has been out of school all week, I am hoping she will return on Monday. They now have just one month of school left, I cant beleive it has been a full year of school already for Brittany. It was really tough for her at the beginning of the school year but now she seems to have adjusted much better. Just in time for high school!!
VACATION VACATION VACATION That is what we all cant wait for around here. We will be going to Ocean City for a week at the end of July!! YAHOO!! We were unable to go away last year with Brittany finishing her chemo so we are all very excited about going away this year cancer and chemo free and PORT free!! Brittany will be having surgery to remove her port and her last spinal tap on July 9th. Cant wait!! Nervous but cant wait!!
Vincent, well he is finishing up his 10th grade year. So we are buying a school ring, getting his licence on June 24 O MY, and working working working!! His wants get more and more as he gets older. So he will be working till he drops this summer. I cant even beleive he will be 16 on Monday May 24th. Time really does fly!!
Work.... well it is time for me to go back. ;0) I will be starting child care in my home again starting this week. I will only be keeping one child this summer then after vacation it is time to really get busy. I am very excited about the child I will be keeping this summer. It is Mason my friend Tabitha's little one. He is to cute!! I will try really hard not to spoil him to much.
I also have other excited NEWS, my friend Tina and her husband are having their first child in October. I cant wait they will be visiting sometime this fall or winter. I cant wait to have another baby to spoil!!
Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful week. I will keep you updated as much as possiable. Months go by and come July Brittany will only have to go to John Hopkins every other month. So I pray that I wont have nothing much to updat on other then her good times!!
Prayers for Brittany :0)
Monday, April 12, 2004 6:56 PM CDT
Hello everyone. I wanted to update on Brittany this month. Each month goes by so fast. Brittany was at Hopkins last week for her 9 months after chemo check up. Yes, NINE months!! Brittany counts are what you would call normal, meaning what they should be for a child her age that is well. After nine months her counts are good finally. Now I just pray they stay that way. Her visit went very well. Brittany was off of school all last week for Spring vacation and will return back to school tomorrow. With not much left in this school year Brittany has been talking a lot about high school. I know I cant believe she will be off to high school next year myself. She was just in elementry school.
I am sorry to say that a friend of Brittany from Hopkins her name is Katie passed away just this month. Katie is Brittany's age with the same type of cancer. Katie relapsed 18 months after her chemo ended. Katie was always so happy and very positive. We were very sad to here about Katie's death. Katie had a bone marrow transplant and came down with an infection that sent her into the ICU and that is were Katie passed.
We all need to wake up each day and be very thankful for what we have, what we can do, and just being able to do what we want to do each day. Not everyone has that. My family and I are just getting use to having our lives back. Knowing that it can be grabbed right from us again at anytime makes us thankful for each day we wake up and we are all well.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. We are hoping to see Spring her in Baltimore real soon!!
Take care.
As always Prayers for Brittany. ;0)
Friday, March 12, 2004 11:35 AM CST
Hello everyone. Well test results are in and another month CANCER FREE!! Yesterday was a long long day.... Brittany was due into the OR at 10am and they did not have enough doctors to put the children to sleep so she did not get the OR till 1:30pm. Now I have no idea why one of the number one hospital in the world did not have enough doctors in the OR, but anyway that is why it took so long for her to get her spinal tap. Brittany went under well but woke up very angry. So angry she was yelling, and crying and I was unable to get her to settle down. After a little bit she did settle and was okay. So Brittany is due back into clinic next month for blood work only. Brittany recovered from shingles very well. I couldnt beleive how good she did with having them. Her counts are pretty good but still have a ways to go to be normal.
After a long day at Hopkins we rushed to the ball field were Vincent was playing his first game of the year. They won 8 to 2 and Vincent had a triple and brought two runs in. Vincent also pitched. He did well. Saturday is game 2 at noon. He finishes drivers ed on Monday thank goodness, he has been running crazy for the last two weeks.
I will update again soon.
Prayers for Brittany.
Wednesday, February 25, 2004 12:41 AM CST
Brittany is now going on her 8th month after chemotherapy. Things have been going pretty good, I guess. Brittany was at the doctors office last week with Bronchitis and pneumonia again, the second time this winter. I had to take Brittany back into the doctors office yesterday for what I thought was just a rash. This rash turned out to be shingles. Yes, SHINGLES. Always something going on but its not CANCER so I cant complain to much. At this point Brittany has two areas of clusters of the shingles. Shingles stay on one side of your body. These areas are under her arm and on her should blade of her left side. They started treating her yesterday hoping this medicine works for her. I have to watch for fever, more clusters, and her breathing. If things get out of control they will admit her to give her meds by IV. So for now that is all I can do is keep a close eye on her. So no school till this is all over with. Brittany is in good spirits but of course is wondering "why me again." I just keep encouraging her to stay strong and don't let it win the fight. Brittany started complaining of more leg pain then she has been lately over the weekend and feeling weird. I don't like when she says she feels weird, I handle it a little better when something hurts but not feeling weird. We are hoping that the shingles is all that is going on in her body at this time. I will be calling Tom later this afternoon to update him on Brittany and see what he has to say at this point.
On a better note... Vincent went and got his learners permit yesterday. Yesterday Vincent turned 15 and 9 months, and that is how old you have to be. He is so excited and doing well. However, Vincent right now is home from school with a stomach bug. If he is not better tomorrow I will be taking him in the doctors to have him looked at. I pray that Brittany doesn't pick this up along with the shingles. It was so funny when Vincent came home with his learners Brittany said "o my, my baby boy is growing up." She it was so funny she is such a mother hen with him. Try outs for high school baseball starts Monday and it is a two week process. I know Vincent is going to be on pins and needles until final try outs are over. He has gotten much stronger in the pass year so he is hoping to be even faster then last year. I cant wait till baseball season starts I love to watch him play. I hope he has not injuries this year like last years accident with his eye.
Spring will be here soon everyone!! So they say it is going to be 60 on Sunday, so that is like 70 to us!! I am so excited for warm weather. On Saturday evening we are supposed to take the kids to the Monster Truck show if everyone is up to it. I sure hope so I spent a lot of money on the tickets.
I will update again soon.
Prayers for Brittany
Tuesday, February 3, 2004 6:45 PM CST
Another CANCER FREE month. Today was Brittany 7 month after chemo check up. It went really well. We had to be at Hopkins at 2:30 which was not big deal since school was closed for RAIN!! Yes, rain Baltimore is going nuts. Anyway, who can ever believe it has been 7 months!!
Brittany's blood counts are really good her ANC is 4200, the highest it has been!! Brittany is really feeling good. Brittany also lost another pound!! Yahoo for Brittany. She did real well getting her port poked for blood, and did really good with the doctors. As you may remember Brittany really could give them doctors the way to go.
After she meet with the doctors she went to the inpatient side and visited with all the nurses there. I was happy to see Brittany do so well today, normally her visits are so stressful and today was totally different and I was so happy for her. So I let her do her thing and we didn't get out of there till 5:30.
I went and sat out in the waiting room to give her her time and space. While I was out there a social worker that was with us when Brittany relapsed came and sat with me. She was wanting to know everything about Brittany, see she had left and just came back to Hopkins. During our conversation she asked if I would like to be a spokes person for the parents. I would speak with the doctors about what we need, expect, want, etc. I asked her to call me in a week or so that I would like to think about it. Boy would I have a lot to say about all of that. Anyway, it was very nice of her to think of me being a good spokes person for parents of children with cancer.
Brittany is due for a spinal tap next month. That will leave her with one spinal tap left which will be in July. In July Brittany will also get her port out. Brittany is not ready to get it out so I told her she could keep it till her last spinal tap. She is nervous about being poked in the arm for blood. I don't know why she did really good with it the last time. I just wanted he to have some visits at Hopkins were she didn't have to worry about something else, like being poked in the arm. If that is what makes her feel better she can keep that port for another year.
School, Brittany is doing much better about going to school. After Christmas break Brittany has only missed one day. That is really good for her. Before break Brittany was wanting to stay home for everything. So during her break I had told her it was her going to school more or she was going to have to be homeschooled. Homeschooling is one thing she does not want to go back to. So she is getting up and going every day, she is even riding the bus to school. Report cards come out soon. Brittany shared with me that she has all C's. Brittany defiantly needs to be in school as much as possible. Her working memory loss is definitely an issue. Missing time will not help at all!!
I hope everyone is keeping warm.
I will be updating her pictures soon. I am not doing well with getting pictures on there, so Angel Jenn to the rescue!! She will have to get some pictures on there for me.
Prayers for Brittany.
Wednesday, January 7, 2004 7:22 PM CST
Yesterday was Brittany's 6 month after chemo appointment. It will not officially be 6 months till the 17th but her appointment just fell a little early that is all.
The appointment went well. Brittany was a little antsy with getting her port accessed. It wont be long before she will not have the port and they will just draw her blood from her arm. In June Brittany will have her last spinal tap and that is when she will have her port removed.
The doctors talked to her a lot about her dietitian appointment it was her first time to see them sense her appointments with them. They seemed very pleased with what Brit had to say and that she has lost 11 pounds. Brittany also told the doctors that her legs felt a bit better and that she is not taking anything for pain, she also told them that she feels so much better now that she is eating better, also she shared with them that she is having a hard time going to sleep at night. Brittany's attitude was good she was very pleasant with them and spoke with them herself. Many times Brit would be nasty and just wont talk with them at all. Cant say I blame her she was really sick of that place once a week.
Her counts are pretty good they still have a ways to go to be normal but they were a bit better after just being sick with bronchitis and pneumonia. I took two rounds of antibiotics to clear all that mess up for her.
Christmas break was great. She had a lot of fun with her friends and family.
Back to school on Monday went awesome. She was up and rode the bus!! Yes, road the bus. I started a winter course on Monday at the college and I told her she had to be up and ready for the next four weeks that I cannot be late for class and she has been great. She has road the bus all week so far.
It has been a different week for me knowing we are just days away from that 6 month mark. As some of you might know the first six months is the important. Most children so they say relapse in the first 6 months if they are going to. However, I am not to sure about that theory. So today in my English class we had to do a reading on a 18 yr. old boy who had Leukemia. It was a bit weird although the only person at this point that knows about Brit is my professor. The first day we had to write an essay on think of an event in your life that has changed you. Well, if that was a topic for me. So she read the essay I had to write and now tomorrow two of my fellow classmates will be ready it. So the secret will be out. Then I will have people tippee toe around me, feel sorry for me, and god only knows what else. That is okay I have learned to deal with all that and I just tell everyone I am fine!
So I am very happy to report Brittany is doing WONDERFUL. Vincent is also doing GREAT himself.
It is very cold here and we will all be happy to see SPRING!!
As always prayers for Brittany. :0)
Saturday, December 20, 2003 11:55 AM CST
Brittany has had a busy month. She has been at the oncologist 3 times, and the pediatrician 2 times, and the dietitian 1 time. This is what has been going on. After finding out that Brittany is very close to being diabetic and having high clorestral we started cutting back and really watching what she is eating. By doing this I am happy to report that Brittany has lost a total of 10 pounds. We just meet with the dietitian on Friday and it went very well. They are very pleased with the new eating habits that Brittany has now. We are due back into the dietitians office the day after Christmas to do a meal plan for Brittany. In the meantime Brittany is counting her calories. She is aloud 1500 calories a day. That is what she burns each day after doing the test that they do. Brittany will be exercising for the next 3 weeks 2 times a day 15 minutes a day. Now that is her minimal so if she does more then great. She will be logging down all her exercise and food.
At the oncologist everything is going well. Her counts are okay not the best but Brittany has been sick for the past 3 weeks.
Pediatrician- Brittany has bronchitis and pneumonia for 2 1/2 weeks now. I just had her back there yesterday and they gave her another round of antibiotics. If she is no better on Tuesday they will be doing a x ray. Brittany's stomach pain is not any better matter of fact right now it is worse. It seems as if she may have a bit of a stomach bug as well. If her stomach is not any better in 14 days after giving her zantac the pediatrician is going to do a sonogram on her stomach and see what might be going on there. I have been telling her oncologist for the pass 5 month now that she has been off of chemo that her stomach has not improved at all and I keep getting it will take time. Well, how much time?????? So I am very happy with her doctor wanting to check it out farther. He said there could be many things wrong so I am glad that we can maybe get to the bottom of this child belly aches.
Brittany has missed a lot of school again so far this year. I am in the process of home and hospital to get this matter resolved.
Brittany's legs are still the same. We are hoping with losing weight and exercise this will help improve her legs.
Brittany's spirits have been wonderful. She is very pleased with her weight lose so far.
We have been very busy at doctors and getting ready for Christmas.
I hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We are very excited about the holidays with Brittany being off of chemo!!
Prayers for Brittany
Thursday, December 4, 2003 8:19 PM CST
Hello. I just thought I would give an update on Brittany. Things are pretty crazy around here to be honest. It just seems as if it never ends. Brittany has been off of chemo for just about 5 months now, and we are still reminded everyday of everything that has happened and still keep's happening.
As I have reported before Brittany has gained a bit of weight from all of her therapy. The pass three months Brittany has been steady gaining weight and we are not sure why. After gaining 6 more pounds in a month they decided to send Brittany to another PA at Hopkins right there in the same clinic. Brittany and I have known this PA for our 7 years there so it was nice not having to go to someone strange. This lady along with Brittany's oncologist run a program for after affect after chemo. They thought Brittany would benefit from this program due to her leg pain, and weight gain. We went and visited with the PA and Brittany's doctor last Tuesday. They did a lot of talking and checking the legs and talking about her diet. With her legs they believe that her blood will not flow back up out of her legs. So what is happening is when we are standing our blood goes right to out legs and goes back up well Brittany's is not doing that. They came up with this conclusion after looking at her blood pressure that was taken when first there. Brit's blood pressure has been low for years now, and no one really said much about it we just thought that was Brittany's normal. Well, they took Brittany's blood pressure when laying down and her blood pressure was normal, then they had her stand and it was low. This leaves them to believe that her blood is going down but not coming back up. So we are now having to try support stockings and see by wearing them if her legs feel better after a day of being up and about. Tomorrow is the day for that so I pray it works and answers what they think is really right this time.
Now with the weight gain they took 10 tubes of blood checking everything under the sun. This is what they came up with. Brittany is borderline of being diabetic, and having high cholesterol. Her cholesterol is 200 and high is 201 so as you see she is to close, and the same with her sugar it is just as close as being a HUGE problem. I was on the phone a good bit today with doctors. This is what I was told today she has maybe 30 days to do something with her weight or she is going to need insulin. This really stinks!!
Now it only gets more interesting. On December 18 at 8am I will be taking Brittany to a dietitian. This is not covered under my insurance, we are fighting it and we are hoping to have answers to this by her appointment or we will have to pay $538.00 for her first visit and she has to return once a week at who knows how much. As you see it only gets better.
So you can only imagine what is going through Brittany's mind. She has not gone to school for two days now. Is worried of course, and is not sure about this whole diet thing. It is going to be far from easy. So we have to do something till we see the dietitian because she could be in big trouble before the 18th of December. So, I have to cut her food down, not let her have it!! I have to make her plate and tell her she cannot have no more. This is another really hard thing for me to do with her. Cancer is not enough now all of this.
I am not sure at this time how I am going to help her manage her time with school, diet, more doctors appointments, exercise, she has a hard enough time just going to school. I am not sure what we are going to do right yet to help Brittany do all this. I will be making some type of decision come Dec. 18th after taking her to this doctor and knowing what all this going to take to make it all happen. Once again it is a struggle between school and health.
Until we go and see this doctor all I can do is do my best and help her as much as I can to get through all of this mess.
We are due into clinic on Tuesday of next week. Brittany is due to get an EKG, and an echo cardiogram. She needs this done for the doctor on the 18th plus she is due for it anyway. I pray that her heart is holding up with all of this. As some of you know Brittany does have a heart condition she was born with.
I wish I could report better news but this is what I have. On December 16 it will be 7 years for Brittany and I wish we could have one year with no worries.
Prayers for Brittany
Tuesday, November 25, 2003 10:47 AM CST
Hello everyone. I just wanted to give everyone a quick update on Brittany. Her legs are still a problem. They have been adjusting her Neurontin up and down trying to get the dose right but it just hasn't worked out yet. I think the Neurontin is doing more harm then good. Some of the side affects from this drug Brittany has been having. Such as an increase of appitite, tiredness, and weight gain. Brittany cannot afford to keep gaining weight at this time for she has to much weight on her from all the steroids so they lowered her dose back down again and it has helped the appetite, tiredness, and we are not sure about the weight until she goes in for her check up and is weighed again. This medicine is not going to heal any nerve damage it is only supposed to help with the pain, so I just don't know if it is worth it. It has helped some with the pain although she is still needing pain medicine as well. Brittany is fighting a nasty cold right now so I am crossing my fingers all goes well and she doesn't spike a fever anytime soon. School is going okay she is having a hard time in some areas. Her report card was really good for being out of school for so long. She got mostly C's and that is great to me!! It is a fight in most mornings getting her up and out of bed for school, I am hating that part.
Today I am taking Brittany out to Hopkins were she is going to be seeing a new nurse that is involved in a program that is ran by Brittany's oncologist. It is for after chemo side affects and damages. I am hoping that this program will help her with her legs, and they are going to send her to another hospital for a pedatric weight loss program to help Brittany get some of this weight off of her. I think that will make a world of difference for her legs as well. I am going to talk with them more about the Neurontin and see what they think. No blood work today just an appointment to find out what they can do for Brittany in this program. I will update with that as soon as I get more information.
BIG NEWS!! Brittany's 13th birthday is on Thanksgiving Day this year. We have planned a nice 13th birthday party for her the day after Thanksgiving. I bought Brittany a really nice gift that I cant say right now just in case she gets online between now and Thanksgiving. Brittany is going to love it!!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.
As always prayers for Brittany!!
Thursday, October 23, 2003 6:31 AM CDT
Good morning everyone. I quick update on Brittany. She is feeling much better. Her legs are still hurting this new drug has not kicked in or it is not going to work one of the two. We won't know anything for a few more days. Today is day 8 and they said 10 to 14 days.
Brittany went back to school on Tuesday, and is hanging in there. I have had to take her pain medication to help her get through the day. Then when she gets home she has been out with her friends walking.
Her blood work came back okay. So now I guess we just wait a bit longer to see what her body does.
I will update again soon.
Prayers for Brittany.
Wednesday, October 15, 2003 3:27 PM CDT
I just wanted to let everyone know that Brittany's chest and back x-rays came back normal. So they are saying that the back pain could be symptoms of the virus she also fighting off at this time.
We are due into clinic tomorrow morning for blood work. They are looking to see if her body is producing to much or not enough steroids. She has signs of withdraw from steroids. I know this all sounds crazy, but this is what they are saying.
Brittany is still feeling pretty nasty today. Still is unable to each much. Brittany started the medication they gave her yesterday for the nervous system. Side affect are tiredness, dizziness, increase of appetite, upset stomach, list kinda goes on. O the best one mood swings I cant hardly wait, can it get worse!!
I will update tomorrow after her clinic visit.
Prayers for Brittany
Friday, September 19, 2003 7:52 PM CDT
Brittany had a clinic appointment and her MRI on Wednesday of this week. Her clinic appointment went well. Her counts are doing good.
Brittany did very well with her MRI. I don't know how many of you have had them but the tub you go into is very small. I was able to stay in the room with her during the test. It took about 45 minutes. She did very well. I told her to just shut her eyes and relax and that is what she did. After the test she was very tired after having two appointment at Hopkins that day. She did not have anything negative to say about the MRI, she did not seem upset at all. I think Brittany was just so ready to find out why her legs have been hurting her still. I am happy to say that Brittany's MRI did not show anything abnormal. So this means that it is going to take time. One thing from all the steroids that Brittany has taken in the pass few years has put some weight on her. So we will be seeing a newtrishonist out at Hopkins. We are going to try to help Brittany lose this steroid weight. I know this is going to be hard for her. As most of us know it is not easy loosing weight, no less being a child loosing weight. I will do everything I can to help her do this. She wants to loose weight, and we know it will help her legs as well. So this is our next challenge.
Brittany is doing a little better in school. The schedule seems to be getting a bit easier for her each week. She does go down the nurses office for one class a day to rest or she would never make it through the day. I am cant wait till her first parent meeting to see how things are going. I do keep contact with her teachers but I am giving it time before asking and wondering. I want them to have the first quater with Brittany and be able to report everything to me at once. They know to call if any real problems and I haven't heard of any!!
I am very excited for Brittany. For the pass two weekends she has had plans with friends and been able to follow through with them!! How nice!! She is at the mall right now with friends.
Vincent is doing well in school as well. He is doing well in football. Hasn't gotten hurt thank goodness. He has a very busy schedule.
Prayers for Brittany
Friday, September 5, 2003 4:31 PM CDT
Hello everyone. I thought it was time to send an update on Brittany. I have a lot of people calling and asking about her. This weeks makes two months off of chemo. I can't believe it has been two months already. We have been very busy within them two months. Real busy with getting ready for school and the last two weeks going to school. This was Brittany's second week of school. It has been an adjustment time for sure. Brittany is having a lot of problems with her legs. I have been giving her Ibuprofen before and during school for pain and it is not helping her at all. I have been giving her Oxycodone at night when needed. If she comes home and puts her legs up for the evening then she does okay without the pain pills but if she goes out with her friends she needs Oxycodone. I have spoke with Tom several times on this and today we decided to put her on Oxycodone during school as well. Brittany is going to the nurse several times a day in pain and it is not time for her medicine. So I am hoping that she gets better control on her pain with the Oxycodone then with just Ibuprofen.
As far as her academics she is hanging. Now with being out of school for so long and missing so much everything is new to her. So everyone's review is all new for her. So she has been working hard. She has the desire to learn and catch up so that really helps. It has been challenging for her as well. I am waiting for an appointment to get Brittany one on one help due to her memory loss. Having the extra help is to go over everything and make sure she is not missing out on anything. Brittany needs a lot of repetition and that is what this one on one will give her. I have been keeping in close contact with the teachers and they are really impressed with her so far.
Vincent is doing well in school so far this year. He is playing high school football this year. He is first string tight end and the punter as well. Yesterday was his first game. Now I am a baseball Mom not football so this is all new for me. So I watch him and know if he does well or not. What all them other guys are doing well who cares!! Vince gets that ball passed to him to run and I just yell "GO VINCE" and wait to see how many guys tackle him. LOL He has ran 20 yards so far with the ball. That is so funny to say because I know nothing, I just watch and see how far he get with the ball before getting taken out!! I hope I don't start yelling things like" that's my boy leave him alone!!" LOL I would never do that he would yell at me at the end of the game. Anyway, he has been very busy with school, football practice till 6pm every night it starts right after school so he doesn't get home till late. Then homework, dinner, shower, and then he hits the bed. He has been very tired at night!!
I started my college classes this week. I am taking 3 classes and I have plenty of work to keep me busy from now till December. I am really enjoying doing what I want to do and taking time for ME. It has been way to long. Manicure, pedicures, hair appointment, what a life!!
Vince is still very busy crabbing. This is the time of the year that I am ready for things to slow down with the whole crabbing business. It burns you out.
Well, I take Brittany to clinic on Tuesday for her second visit after chemo. Yes, of course I am nervous as usual. So please that everything comes back cancer free for Brittany. They are supposed to have her appointment set for her MRI by then. I have been really on them about getting this done. The insurance company wants to do the hips first, then the rest of her legs later. Makes no sense her hips don't hurt her legs hurt from her knees down. I will never understand insurance companies. I cant wait to find out what is going on with her legs. I don't like her being in pain not knowing what is going on. I am hoping that it is nothing more then chemo and it will take time to move out of her system.
I hope everyone is doing well. Enjoy the nice weekend we are about to have.
Prayers for Brittany.
Wednesday, August 20, 2003 5:07 AM CDT
I am happy to inform everyone that Brittany's text results came out CANCER FREE. Brittany did very well with both her spinal tap and her bone marrow. I am very happy that is over for her. Brittany is not due to have anymore bone marrows as long as things are smooth sailing from here.
While I was there I talked with them some more about Brittany's legs. They are not feeling any better at all. They are going to set up a MRI and a bone scan for her. They need to check and make sure that there is no damage that needs attention. That worries me I dont want to let it keep going on, now if it is just something that is going to take time then that is fine. I dont want to keep ignoring the fact that there is still a lot of leg pain. Brittany is having to take something for pain every day for her legs. When she is in school she will not be aloud to take her Oxycodone. Other then the leg pain she is doing great. She just told me last night that every night she is so happy. Brittany went on to say it is because I know I can do what I want to do. She said that is keeping her awake thinking about how happy she is. That makes me feel so good inside.
Vincent started football last week. He is on the JV team at his high school. He has never played football he always was a baseball boy. He is loving it!! They ran a 40 yard dash and Vincent's time being the best. So he is going to be playing corner back (not quarter back) and wide receiver. He has is first practice game on Saturday I cant wait.
Both of the kids are all ready for school on Tuesday of next week. I am not sure what I am going to do with myself. I cant wait!!
Please continue to pray for Brittany's health.
Monday, August 4, 2003 3:42 PM CDT
Finally and update on Brittany. We have been pretty busy around here with having 7 days in our week instead of 6. It is funny the first week was great, the second week was good, and now we are going on the third week and I will be honest it is weird. I am having a hard week this week. I think the biggest problem is Brittany left today for camp, and I am missing her already and she hasn't been gone two hours. We went to the buses this morning and she left around 11:50. I cried like a baby seeing her off. Tom her PA will be out there tomorrow so I am going to call him on Tuesday, and Pam her nurse will be out on Thursday and I will call her on Friday. I am due to pick her up on Saturday at 11. I cant wait!! Although I am very sad I am very happy for her. I think she will have a ball. I cant wait to here all the fun stuff she did while she was away. I have already sent her out a card to the camp. LOL I am hoping she will get it on Tuesday.
As far as her health she has been feeling good. Her legs are still giving her a fit I am hoping that they get better with time. She has had to take pain meds for them in the evenings. Brittany also is having even a harder time falling asleep at night. Camp is either going to but her on a great schedule or kill her one. One of the girls that was there this morning that is in Brittany's cabin said they wake you up at 6:30 and you can go swimming if you want or you can stay asleep. Brittany said real quick "I am not getting up at 6:30 to do nothing". It was funny.
I have her already for school with just a few phone calls left to make. A few meetings before school starts with the nurse, and her teachers. Her schedule is finished and I think it will work out for her. She will not be up and down the steps all day like I had ask them to make sure of that. She would not be able to handle that at all.
I took her out to Mt. Washington for all of her testing. Her IQ is 95, and she is on her age level in everything but spelling. After getting the test result I went to the school to set up almost all her arrangements and I was told that most of their students IQ was 90. So that made me feel good. Although Brittany is on age level that doesn't mean she is on grade level. We know that she has missed a lot of material so it could be a struggle. Time will tell with that as well. Brittany is very bright. As far as her memory she has what is called a working memory loss. This means that things will have to be repeated, and given to her in chunks not all at once. So Brittany will have a one on one teacher an hour a day to make sure she understands everything that is going on. We will see how all this works.
We are due into clinic on August 14 at 9am for a bone marrow, spinal tap, and blood work. They will be checking to make sure that no cancer has returned. I am getting a little nervous about this but trying to not think about it to much. I will feel better when it is over and all test results are in. The first 6 months is the critical time and I am going to be nervous when going there for blood work.
I will update again on Brittany soon.
Vincent is doing well. Getting ready to try out for high school football next week. HELP ME!! He has been working this summer for his dad saving money for his car next summer.
Hope everyone is enjoying their summer.
Prayers for Brittany.
Thursday, July 17, 2003 7:34 PM CDT
Hello everyone. Today was Brittany's last chemo at John Hopkins. She does have to finish taking her 6-MP at night up till Wednesday. We are not due back into clinic for a MONTH!! At that time she will have a bone marrow, spinal tap, and blood work done. Brittany kept saying today "should I be more excited." I dont think she will relize how nice it is going to be till next week when we dont have to go. Shd did very well with todays chemo, and her counts are good.
Last week she had her end of chemo party at Hopkins. It was very nice. Everyone had a lot of nice things to say to Brittany. She was very happy. Look at her photos on this site and you will see one new pic and it was of her and Tom her PA the day of her chemo party.
Then this pass Sunday was her surprise party. She was that SURPRISED!! It was great. She got a lot of nice cards and gifts. My Mom bought Brittany a buetiful diamond ring. Brittany also received a very nice pair of diamond ear rings. We had a lot of fun!! My brother in law wrote a little something for Brittany that was very touching and the tears flowed. I will put it on her site once I receive it from them. They are going to give us a copy. We had a band there and they sang the song "God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You" That was very nice also.
We will be putting more pics up as I have a chance to get them there.
I cant believe it is over and I guess like Brittany I wont until we dont have to keep going there. It will be nice to have 7 days in our week once again.
Thank you to everyone that was able to come to Brittany's party. It helped make the day extra special.
Have a great week. I will update more soon.
Prayers for Brittany
Wednesday, July 9, 2003 8:33 AM CDT
Good morning everyone. I wanted to update on Brittany this week for it is a busy week for Brittany. I took Brittany yesterday out to Mt. Washington for the first half of her testing of the brain. At Mt. Washington they will be testing her memory which we know there is some memory lost going on. They will also be testing her grade levels, looking to see if there is any learning disabilities. Brittany will be going back next Tuesday for the second half of this test. I will then have results the last week of July. Brittany said she had a hard time with the test yesterday. They did a lot of testing of the memory. I don't know what to expect with the results with this test. I am glad we were able to get it done before school starts. They will not only give results but they also give recommendations. Brittany came out asking me right away what did she say to you Mom. I told Brittany all she said to me was could I bring her a bit earlier next week. Brittany then came back with I am stupid I couldn't do it. I reassured her she is far from stupid that what ever these results come up we can help her fix it. They will retest Brittany in six months hoping for better results. We know it is from all the chemo, and hoping that it will fix itself as time goes. We don't know but time will tell.
This Thursday Brittany will be having her end of chemo party at Hopkins even though next week is her last treatment. Pam and Tom leave for vacation and wont be there for her last treatment. (Believe me they need a vacation after putting up with us.) So we are celebrating Thursday while they are here. So we will be taking Pizza Johns pizza, and some munches to celebrate. They supply the cake. Brittany is looking forward to Thursday so I hope chemo goes well.
Brittany is still doing summer school at home for Math that is going well. The teacher definitely sees the memory thing. She will teach Brittany a skill, Brittany will do some problems, then she could be in the middle of the third or fourth problem and forget what she was doing. The teacher will then go back over it with her and Brittany moves on.
Vincent is doing very well. Playing baseball three nights a week, and working for his dad a few days a week right now.
Brittany has been feeling pretty good this week. Normal complaints such as her legs hurting.
I will update how Brittany's end of chemo party goes at Hopkins later this week.
Please send some encouraging words for Brittany.
Prayers for Brittany.
Tuesday, July 1, 2003 11:22 AM CDT
Real quick update on Brittany!! With 3 weeks to go she is doing GREAT!! Very excited. She has been busy with summer school, swimming, and spending time with family and friends. Brittany is due into clinic this week on Thursday for chemo and that will leave her with 2 weeks to go. YAHOO!!
Vincent is back at ball having a great time. Getting ready for high school football!! Report card was good.
I hope everyone is having a great summer.
Thursday, June 19, 2003 8:33 PM CDT
Today was Brittany's last day of her really hard four weeks. Starting next Thursday she has 4 weeks left of 6-Mp at night and Methotrexate as a push. Much easier then the meds she just got today. Brittany is running a low grade temp right now and feeling like crap from todays therapy. We are hoping tomorrow will be better. Her counts are good but she has been complaining of being tired for the pass few days. So we are going to slow her down for a few days for catch up. With 4 weeks to go we are ready!! Brittany has been bringing in special treats the last two weeks at Hopkins for her count down she said.
I take Vincent out to Hopkins tomorrow for his check up with Dr. Carson. Vincent is really hoping for a release he is dieing to play ball again. Now me I would be scared to death after that nasty hit to the face but not him. If this rain would ever stop he may get to play again!!
I will update again on the both of them soon.
Prayers for both of my kids!!
Monday, June 16, 2003 7:53 AM CDT
Brittany is moving right along. With 5 weeks of chemo left she is really getting excited. This week is her last week of Ara-C Yahoo!! She has been having her normal leg pain some belly pain due to chemo but other then that she is doing well. Her last day of school was last Friday. She will be taking Math over the summer so she will be having 2 hours of Math on Tuesday's. I have talked with her school and we will be going in July to make her school schedule.
As some of you know Vincent had a bad accident in baseball a week ago today. He got hit in the eye with the baseball playing 2nd base. He broke his nose and swelled up and bruised badley. Today a week later he is going back to school for finals his week and is looking much better. He went back to his family doctor last Thursday they said his nose is healing well. He will be going to see Dr. Ben Carson on Friday of this week. They are sending him there because there is a high chance that he leaked spinal fluid out his nose. So I am not sure what Dr. Carson may want to do to check on it. I will let you know how that goes on Thursday.
So I am lucky this week I get to go to Hopkins on Thursday and Friday this week!! I cant wait!!
Have a wonderful week.
Prayers for Brittany
Tuesday, June 3, 2003 2:10 PM CDT
Today is Brittany's last day of steroids!! I had to call the doctor yesterday for she was having a lot of rib pain and she was having a hard time breathing. They had me give her 10mg less last night and this morning and she seems to be doing better. To celebrate last weeks last spinal tap with chemo and today's last steroids Brittany and I went to Red Lobster for lunch. She loved all the food in front of her as some of you know a child on steroids there is never enough food around. In the next 7 weeks we will have several things to celebrate having the last of different drugs. We are due into clinic on Thursday for Ara-C which is another nasty drug. Brittany has two doses of that left. This week being one of the two.
Prayers for Brittany
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 5:14 PM CDT
Hello. Tomorrow morning Brittany is due into clinic at 11am and she is due to be put under at noon for her last spinal tap with chemo. Brittany starts her last 5 days of steroids as well. Brittany has been feeling pretty good some stomach pain, and leg pain. She had a very busy weekend carnival, bowling, the mall, spent the night over her aunts, she had a sleep over, cookout and there she paddle boated for hours. So she has been very busy as you see. Brittany is very excited about ending her chemo that is all she talks about. I will give everyone an update after tomorrow's visit. After tomorrow's therapy it will leave her with 7 weeks left!!
Prayers for Brittany.
Thursday, May 22, 2003 5:10 PM CDT
Hello. Well, Brittany now has 8 weeks left to go!! Today was a little rough on her she did not feel so hot so I had to push her up and down the hall in the wheelchair for about 45 minutes. She is feeling fine right now we will see how tonight goes. Her counts are really good and her spirits are wonderful. Brittany really cant wait for this to be over. Next week Brittany has her last spinal tap with chemo, and she starts her last 5 days of steriods!! YAHOO!! Now if we could just get rid of all this rain and allow summer to come it would be perfect!!
Please continue to keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayers.
Saturday, May 10, 2003 12:36 AM CDT
Hello everyone. Pretty much the same old thing going on here. Brittany is getting around pretty good, feeling as good as expected. She did well Wednesday with chemo I think she is just happy knowing there are only 10 weeks left and she is going to suck it up!!
Yes, I said 10 more!!!!!!!!!
Please to continue to keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayers!!
Thursday, May 1, 2003 8:14 AM CDT
Yesterday's visit at Hopkins went well. Brittany did not get sick while getting her medicine, yahoo!! With now 11 weeks to go Brittany is doing well right now. Her counts are really good. Her legs are giving her a fit but we are hoping that they will start feeling better soon. She has been very active outside when her friends get home from school.
I have been writing on paper each day what Brittany needs to do before everyone gets home from school. It has been working well, she knows what she needs to do and there is no excuse why something wasn't done with it being written down for her.
Yesterday while at clinic Brittany talked with Tom about not being able to remember things. Now as you may remember this is something that has come to my attention sometime ago, but it has now come to her attention. She is finding herself going to do something, or say something and forgetting what she was doing or saying. So Tom will be setting up an appointment for Brittany to be tested. They will be testing her IQ, and her memory. I am glad that they are going to set it up now and not wait till we are finished chemo. We are not sure if what is going on is chemo related, or is it her being a 12 year old getting ready to become a teenager having selective memory. Now that is with things I ask of her. As far as her not remembering what she was doing or saying we are not sure of. If there is a problem there then they will work with her and I on how to deal with it. It has been driving me nuts when asking something of her and it not being done, if I don't stay on her about it or write it down for her it doesn't get done.
I will update again next week after her visit at Hopkins.
Prayers for Brittany.
Tuesday, April 29, 2003 8:25 AM CDT
Good morning. I wanted to give a quick update on Brittany. Brittany started feeling better late Friday after Wednesday's chemo. She was able to go to the mall with friends and spend the night with her cousin Christy. Brittany has been very busy sense hanging out with her friends. They walked up to the snow ball stand yesterday for their first snowball of the year. Everyone is really enjoying the nice weather it is so nice to see the sun and feel the warmth.
Now tomorrow we go to clinic at 1pm to start her 4 easier weeks. Now this is he medicine she throws up while getting it but afterwards is fine. This does not mess with her counts really and we are hoping to have a good four weeks.
After these four weeks she starts her last 8 week cycle and then she will be DONE!! So, with 12 week to go we are getting very excited.
So, if everyone could keep Brittany in their thoughts and prayers tomorrow that all goes well and maybe she wont get sick while she is there.
Even with all this stuff going on Brittany is turning into your typical teenage girl. HELP ME!! She has not been really happy with me for a few days now. When Brittany is feeling well I expect the same out of her as I do Vincent. So homework, cleaning up after herself, getting up in the morning, all those normal things. Well, she has not been liking it one bit. No going out with friends until these things happen and BOY is she MAD!! I just don't want her to have a rude awakening when this is all over and she has to go back to a normal life again. It is going to be hard enough on her, so I do try to do the normal things with her when feeling well enough to do these things. Although it is nice to see her being normal it really is for the birds. She told her dad the other night I have been mean!! LOL She has no clue what mean is. I am sure Brittany will get over it and do what is told of her.
Hope everyone is having a great week and enjoying the SUN!!
Prayers for Brittany.
Friday, April 25, 2003 7:13 AM CDT
Good morning everyone. I am updating today because Brittany is need in some extra prayers this week. She is feeling pretty rotten from this weeks chemo. The Ara-C is really giving her stomach the way to go. Her legs are really bothering her as well. So if everyone could say an extra prayer for Brittany today to start feeling better really soon I am hoping that she will. With 12 weeks to go it just seems to be really tough right now. Brittany starts her 4 easier weeks next week thank goodness. She has had a rough 3 weeks.
Prayers for Brittany
Thursday, April 10, 2003 9:20 PM CDT
Hello everyone. I took Brittany to the doctors today. She woke up feeling even worse. Her tongue now has sore and thrush. Brittany's ANC dropped back down to 140. So we sit her and pray that we don't get another fever. They started her on two new medicines and upped a few of her meds she is on now. She is still unable to eat much at all. Drinking has not been a problem till today. Liquid is now burning her mouth. If we make it through the weekend without another ER visit I will be shocked. So I am in high gear making sure all laundry is down, food made, and all that fun stuff. Brittany is taking pain pills every four hours now. The pain pill is a narcotic so she is now doing a lot of scratching, she is very itchy. I feel so bad for her, she is miserable. I really thought when we went in today her ANC would be higher I was shocked when they came back lower. They found infection in her urine culture from Saturday when we were inpatient. The infection that is in the urine is in her mouth and we are hoping it don't go to the blood. Brittany could end up with a major bacteria infection in the blood if this medicine does not get things under control quick. Her doctors are very concerned they made that clear today. I was shocked they let her come home. I think they want her to be home as much as she can for I think they expect her inpatient again. So another stressful day here and I just want to go to bed. I will be up giving her meds at 4am to get as much in her as soon as we can.
Please keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayers.
Monday, April 7, 2003 1:16 PM CDT
Hello everyone. Thought I would send an update and let everyone know that Brittany and I are inpatient. I took Brittany in Saturday evening at 11:30pm with a temperature of 102.9. Her ANC was 370 on Wednesday and was only 134 Saturday night. This morning when laps came back her ANC is 182. She keeps spiking a fever she had one this morning of 103.0. It has been over a year sense we have had to be inpatient. With 14 weeks of chemo left we get hit with this, very disappointing for everyone. I don't think she will be able to get chemo again this week, so I am not sure when we will be finishing up chemo now. Brittany is not very happy about that part. She is feeling pretty good other then her mouth. She does not have mouth sores but her gums are very red and irritated. Brittany is having to take Oxycodone for pain for her mouth. I just got her off of them for her legs and now she is back on pain pills for her mouth.
This is what the doctors said this morning when they came around. If her ANC is what it is today or better she will be able to go home as long as she is still feeling well. They said even if she keeps spiking the fever. They change things so much. I would think that they will have us back into clinic for a check before the end of the week if that is to happen. I will know more tomorrow about that.
I don't know what else to say about all of this other then it really stinks. I will send an update again soon.
Please keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayer!!
We need to get home!!
Thursday, April 3, 2003 9:43 AM CST
Hello. Brittany went into clinic yesterday at 12:40 for her appointment not feeling very well. Her legs are still really bothering her and she has been taking some pain meds sense Sunday.
So arriving she went right in to be weighted and all that good stuff, to getting her blood drawn. While waiting for her counts to come back they started some iv fluids to get her ready for her chemo.
When the counts came back we couldn't believe it. Her ANC is only 307. Her ANC has not been that low for over a year now. Britt's ANC has to be at least 700 for chemo, although her ANC has been well over 1000 for sometime now. Now, this did not upset Brittany one bit, she was so happy to hear NO CHEMO!! It has been a long time sense Brittany did not get a treatment.
Now they believe the low counts are due to Bactrim which is a medicine she take at home 3 times a week to protect her from bacteria. So they stopped that medicine for now until her counts recover. After they recover they will have her taking Bactrim twice a day two days a week for three weeks in a row and off for three weeks. Sounds complicated I know. There are other drugs to give other then Bactrim but Brittany has had side affects to the others. So this being our last resort we have to work with it.
Now they are not going to make Brittany make up what she missed, they said the reason being is she has had so much chemo in the pass 2 yrs. and 2 months that if we have not killed all the cells yet we are not going to. I did not like hearing that but I guess in reality that is so true. With 14 weeks left out of 162 weeks all together I would think we have done the job or not done it. Time will tell with that and I know that.
So leaving Hopkins without chemo was different and a little nice. Now waiting for the counts to recover. I have to watch the whole temperature thing anything over 100.5 we will be inpatient. Last night before bed she was feeling warm so we took her temp. and she was at 100.0!! Close but thank god by 3am it was back to normal. So far today so good. They dont expect it to take long for her counts to recover now that they stopped the Bactrim. So each day we go without a fever the better chance we have with staying out of that place.
Other then her legs she is feeling pretty good. With getting out of Ara-C this week I am hoping she will recover by the weekend as long as the count thing does the right thing for us.
I will update again soon. She is very excited about going to horse therapeutic!! We take her out for her visit next Thursday evening. She will then start the following week.
Prayers for Brittany
Monday, March 31, 2003 3:55 PM CST
Hello everyone. Thought I would give a quick update on Brittany. It has not been a very good week for her so far. She started steroids on Wednesday and it has been down hill every sense. She took her last dose last night. She only has to take steroids one more time thank goodness. Her legs are really bad, and she looks really tired. Her face really swelled up this time from the steroids. She said she feels really angry and just wants to be left alone. So we are giving her her space and hoping it passes soon. All she is doing is eating!!!!
Brittany is due back into clinic on Wednesday at 1pm for Ara-C, cyxton, and VCR. I am hoping she does not get a fever or to sick from the Ara-C. I hope she has a better weekend next weekend then what she did this weekend.
Thanks to a friend from the hospital Brittany will be starting horse back riding lessons the week of April 14th. Brittany seemed pretty excited about that. I just told her today about it I made an appointment to go see the place next Thursday at 6pm. She will be going for 8 Tuesdays at 6:45pm and she will ride for 45 minutes. This is something Brittany has wanted to do for a long time so I am so excited for her.
They have a camp that Brittany is wanting to go to also this summer. This is after chemo ends so we are happy about that. She will go for a week and is hoping that some of her friends from the hospital will go as well. I don't know what I will do with her gone for a week but she really wants to go.
We are trying to plan something's for her this summer to help her celebrate her freedom once again.
I forgot one thing Brittany had her spinal tap last week and everything came out clear so thank goodness for that.
I will update again on Brittany soon.
Prayers for Brittany
Friday, March 14, 2003 7:52 AM CST
Good morning everyone. I am happy to report that Brittany is having another good week. Her counts are good and her liver functions are back to normal. They really recovered quickly. With 17 weeks left Brittany is getting very excited. Many plans for the future. I beleive Brittany has plans to go to the mall this evening with some friends are Dad gave her $50.00!! Is she lucky or what. Brittany has one more week left before she starts her 4 harder weeks, so I am hoping for her to have another great week.
I am sad to report that Vincent was cut from the high school baseball team. I was so worried that if he was cut how he might respond to it, but he is doing ok. I think he was more shocked then upset. He is already making plans to register for reg. ball in hopes to make the high school team next year. Vincent said that it is their lose!! LOL
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
Prayers for Brittany.
Monday, March 10, 2003 6:43 AM CST
Good morning everyone. Just a quick update on Brittany. Her visit on Wednesday went ok. She got sick again while getting her chemo but afterwards she was ok. Her counts are good although her liver functions are high right now. So they had to take her off of on medicine and try a new one. We are going on week 3 of the 4 easier weeks. Brittany now has 18 treatments left!! Brittany stomach has bothering her bit it is from the 6-MP that she is taking at night for the four weeks. She went out yesterday and played tennis for a little bit, not long but it was nice to see her be able to get outside and do something.
Vincent has been trying out for high school baseball this is week two. From what Vincent is saying they will be making final cuts on Wednesday of this week. So far Vincent feels like he will make the team. The coach did say that no 10th grader will sit and Vincent is in 9th. So Vincent said he will go out there and show them what he has and they wont have no choice but to play him. LOL I can’t wait to go see the first game. Vincent has been playing baseball sense 7-8’s and I have only missed two games. I love to watch him play!! Most of his friends that he has played ball with will not be playing due to bad grades, or them getting cut from the team. So I am very proud of him. He is holding up in school great, normally by this time I am on him to keep his grades up. He has a few classes he needs to buckle down in but he has been doing that on his own.
Well, I will update again after this weeks visit. I know she will more then likely get sick during chemo, but I can pray she don’t!!
Have a great week!! I hope the sun comes out soon and stays nice like yesterday.
Prayers for Brittany.
Sunday, March 2, 2003 9:21 AM CST
Hello. Clinic went ok. Brittany ended up throwing up while getting the chemo so it made our visit longer then it needed to be. She felt pretty nasty for the rest of the day but snapped out of it the next day.
Brittany spent the night at her friend Ashley's last night. So it is pretty quite around here this morning, I am the only one home. Vincent is doing community service hours, and Vince is working.
We went bowling Friday night into Saturday morning. 11pm till 1am. They are killing me. I am not a night person. Anyway they had a lot of fun. Brittany bowled the entire time. Vincent brought a friend and Brittany took her cousin Kristina.
So I am hoping for a good being of the week and a better Wed. at clinic.
Prayers for Brittany
Wednesday, February 26, 2003 10:29 AM CST
Hello. I cant beleive it is snowing again!!
We will be going to clinic at 1:00 today. All I have to say about it is this. After today Brittany will have 19 treatments left!! 19 weeks, 19 more treatments. I cant beleive it. We cant wait!! We are finally in the teens. Come on July 2!! No snow storm is going to stop us from getting this chemo done on time. I will fly if I have to, to get her there.
I took Brittany skating last night with her brother and friends. At first Brittany was holding on to me scared of falling. Vincent made me leave her side and toughened her up a bit. Would not hold her made her do it by herself, and she did great. Her legs of course hurt a bit today but she skated slowly but by herself. We have a skating party to go to on Sunday so more practice to come. Vincent is so good with her. As I was nervous he is saying "stay away Mom." LOL Every now and then you would hear Brittany yell MOM!! I think he was making her nervous.
Prayers for Brittany.
Monday, February 24, 2003 5:32 AM CST
Hello. Well it is Monday morning kids are going back to school but it is so cold outside who wants to go out anywhere. This weather is getting really old now, where is spring? I think we will all be ready for it this year, I know my family is.
We went to clinic on Wednesday, Brittany’s counts are good. I think she finally getting rid of the cold she had. Her stomach has been giving her a fit sense the stomach but then chemo. Brittany is feeling a bit better now. I was hoping to get her out of this house this weekend but it didn’t happen. She didn’t feel like going anywhere. The last two weeks the only place she has gone is to the hospital. Now it is Monday and she has to go back again Wednesday. I am hoping she will come around soon and want to get out. She did have her friend Emily come and spend the night on Saturday and she was here all day yesterday. So that was nice for her. Last week was week 105 with 20 weeks left. Come on July 2!!
I hope everyone is getting through all this terrible weather. Be careful and don’t work to hard. My Uncle Paul had a massive heart a tack Thursday night from working to hard in this mess. Please keep him in your prayers. He will be having surgery as soon as he is strong enough.
Take care.
Prayers for Brittany.
Friday, February 21, 2003 1:45 PM CST
"God Is In It"
I used to think of cancer as a curse,
That as an event nothing could be worse.
But when God is in it I now can see,
It's really a privilege that cancer happened to me.
So many kind, loving people that I would never have met--
Encouraging words, cards and letters that I'll never forget.
I'm not saying that having cancer is something fun,
Or that I'd recommend it for each and every one.
Don't live your life with fear and dread,
Just know God's in charge and trust him instead.
Nothing that happens to you takes him by surprise--
What you see as a catastrophe may be a blessing in disguise.
Trust God with your eternal, everlasting soul,
And make pleasing him your every day goal.
Then place in his keeping your body and health,
He'll do much more for you than you can do for yourself.
Whatever happens he'll be by your side--
You'll never find him preoccupied.
He's alert and watchful and you're safe in his care.
You're never alone, he's always there.
So my friend don't you worry and don't pity me,
I'm not under bondage but instead I'm set free.
I'm not without trouble and I may go through pain,
But since God is in it, it's all for my gain.
Bob Hefner 1-1-00
Thursday, February 20, 2003 11:46 AM CST
Hello. Yesterday was Brittany's clinic day. It also was 2 years sense Brittany relapsed. So it was not a very good week for me. Brittany is not feeling well at all she got Ara-C yesterday.
Please keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayers.
Sunday, February 16, 2003 9:08 AM CST
Hello. It has been a long 5 days around here. Brittany went and got chemo on Wednesday. That went as well as it could. Believe it or not they had answers for me this week. Not what I expected but it was all-good. I thought I would get numbers and then have something to compare it with. Well that was not the case at all. They said that Brittany has gotten a lot of chemo at this point. There is an amount they don’t like to get to and she will be fine with what she has gotten and what she has left. So the plan is still the same. All I can do is pray that this is it that they have given her enough and her body will never make new cells.
So after Wednesday’s chemo Thursday Brittany got really sick. I wasn’t sure why. I didn’t think it was the chemo for the stuff she got doesn’t normally make her sick like this. Poor Brittany was throwing up and couldn’t stay out of the bathroom. This went on all night and part of Friday. Then she started feeling a bit better. So after not getting much sleep I was looking forward to some. Friday during the morning time Vince was getting it while he was at work. He worked all day and when he came home he looked bad. So Vincent went skating like he does every Friday, and when I picked him up at 11 he was getting it. So, 2am Sat. morning he started throwing up. So I was up with him throwing up every half hour. Another night with not much sleep. So today is Sunday we are getting three feet of snow, can’t go anywhere and I feel like I may be getting their GERMS now.
I hope everyone is staying in and staying warm. And for all my warm friends and family I hope you are enjoying your sun. We are freezing her in Baltimore. For all the kids have FUN FUN FUN!!
Prayers for Brittany
Wednesday, February 12, 2003 7:53 AM CST
Hello. Brittany is due into clinic today at 1:00. Todays chemo should go ok she is not getting Ara-C this week. It has been a long week for Brittany. She is not going to the bathroom well, and the medicine they have me giving her is no longer working all it is doing is cramping her up. Brittany is also fighting a cold. She is blowing and spitting up green!! She is on an antibiotic, and her inhaler.
I am hoping to have some number from the doctor today for all the chemo Brittany has gotten so far. I will be surprised if they have it done due to other experiences. They are a bit slow, I guess they think we like to wait for such important information. I hope they have them!!
Brittany believe it or not is not complaining much what a amazing child.
I will update again soon.
Please keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayers.
Tueday, February 4, 2003 11:39 AM CST
Brittany is not having a very good week. Her spinal tap test results came back great. Brittany is taking steriods this week and it is not going very well. Her legs hurt, and her stomach is really giving her a fit. She is not sleeping well and is unable to sleep in her bed. Brittany had to sleep in the recliner last night. We are due into clinic tomorrow for Ara-C, and VCR. I spoke with Dr. Savage today about Brittany. She is going to add up all the chemo Brittany has recieved at this point. Once doing that she will be able to see if she has had enough of each drug, and which ones she might not have had enough of. We are hoping that she has had enough steroids that she wont have to take them in her last two cycles. SO next week when I go in I am hoping for answers. I am hoping that Brittany is right on schedule and getting enough of everything. I guess if she hasnt gotten enough of something they will do something about it. I am hoping that Brittany doesnt get very sick from the Ara-C after having such a bad week. I dont want her to have two bad weeks in a row.
Please keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayers.
Wednesday, January 29, 2003 at 06:31 PM (CST)
Today we went for Brittany's appointment. It went pretty good. She is not feeling so good tonight her back is really hurting from her spinal tap. I have not gotten any results yet, I should get them tomorrow morning. I will let everyone know the results when I get them. We are going away this weekend, we are all looking forward to it. They upped Brittany's dose of steriods. Not looking forward to that. I am tired from the long day at Hopkins so will update again soon.
Prayers for Brittany
Saturday, January 25, 2003 at 08:03 PM (CST)
Hello. Brittany did very well at the doctors this week getting her chemo. She wanted to throw up so bad but we just kept talking to her until it passed. We were in and out of clinic in an hour and a half. That is the record I think. Her counts are really good which I am thankful for because I have been sick. We are due back into clinic on Tuesday at 11am due to go to the OR for her spinal tap at noon. Brittany starts a new cycle on Tuesday, with three to go counting this one. So three more spinal taps!! Athought they will do three of them the first year she is off of chemo but she wont get chemo with them. Brittany is very excited and talks about it everyday about when she is done and always asking how much longer!! I cant wait for it to be over for her. She said that once a week she is going to have a party to make up for the clinic visit she wont have to go to. She is so funny, not to mention strong. She has had another good weekend. Went to the mall again this Friday with some friends. She bought herself this tongue ring that is not real and came home and told her dad she got her tongue pierced!! She is spending the night over Emily's house this evening. Tomorrow is the Super Bowl we are all looking forward to the steamed shrimp, crab dip, and what ever gets in our way. I will update after our visit on Tuesday. Please keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayers on Tuesday that all goes well. Most important her test results come back CANCER FREE again. I hate weeks like this I just sit on the edge.
Hope everyone is keeping warm!!
Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 06:20 PM (CST)
Tomorrow is our day for Hopkins. Week 101!! After tomorrow 24 weeks left. Just waiting for it to be over. Brittany has had a pretty good week. Some stomach problems but not as much as last week. She had a busy three days off of school. Friday night her and her girlfriend Emily went to the movies and Emily slept over. Saturday they hung out all day at the house and Emily spent the night again. Sunday Brittany and Emily hung out at the house for awhile and went to their friend Ashley's house. Emily went home! Monday Brittany and her friend Kelly went to the mall and meet David there. Busy weekend for her and she got to see a few friends!! It makes me feel good when she does things like that. That is what she should be doing all the time. Vincent of course is always busy 24/7!! He is doing a lot of skating these days with his new blades that he got for Christmas. He wants to join a skating team that meets three times a week. I told him he would have to see when he has baseball practice. So it has been a pretty normal weekend here. Hoping tomorrow goes well.
Keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayers
Thursday, January 16, 2003 at 05:53 AM (CST)
Hello. Today was Brittany's 100th week of chemo. It's not her 100th chemo treatment for she had some weeks that she got chemo 4 times a week. She has 25 weeks of chemo left. I cant believe it, 100 seems so darn long. Brittany did pretty good today, she gave Dr. Small the way to go. He just wanted to check her out and she had just gotten her chemo and she wanted to be left alone. She let the doctors know it to. They understand they were talking about 100 weeks, 6 years, just everything she has been through. Listening to them really made me think of this whole time. I cant believe it. Brittany has been having a lot of belly pain again and I know it is from the 6-MP so they upped her dose of Zantac in the evening to see if it will help. This was week 3 of the 4 weeks of the "easy stuff." After next week we start the 8 weeks all over again, starting with the 4 hard weeks. Brittany will get a spinal tap not next week but the following.
During all this time I have to find the right time to go get my bottom wisdom teeth cut out. Lucky me I got the wonderful news Monday morning. On Friday my wisdom teeth started hurting, so I went to the dentist to make sure they were not infected. They are not, but he also said they are not out far enough to pull. They will put me to sleep and cut out the bottom ones. I had the top ones pulled about 8 years ago, so after I get these out hopefully I will be good for a while. I dont care for the dentist.
Everyone have a great week.
Keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayers.
Tuesday, January 14, 2003 at 07:20 PM (CST)
Hello everyone. Well, tomorrow is that day already. Brittany has not been feeling her best sense last weeks treatment. Her stomach has been giving her a fit. Tomorrow is her third week of her so called easy weeks. School is going well for Brittany I do have to say. As much as I wish she could go to school, I am glad for homeschooling. Her teachers are really understanding. They do get a bit of homework but that is only because they dont have class everyday. All Brittany talks about is the 4th of July. Brittany has a lot of plans when she finishes her chemo. I hope they all work out for her. It is weird to know that she is going to go back to school for the first time in middles school but yet it is her last year of middle school. I hope that doesnt cause any problems for her. It is just a bit strange to miss so much of middle school. Although Vincent says that no one should ever have to go to middle school, all it does is mess kids up. Unfortually, Vincent was not blessed with many good teachers there. A few but not enough. Well, wish us luck that tomorrow goes better then last week. I will update everyone tomorrow.
Prayers for Brittany
Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 09:07 PM (CST)
Jan. 7, 2003
Hello everyone. Just wanted to give an update on Brittany. Her visit last week went well. Her ANC was 1400 which is the lowest it has been in a while. I was glad to see the drop after Ara-C. We are due into clinic tomorrow morning at 10am. She is not looking forward to it at all. Brittany has to get Pentamindine which takes two hours and makes her feel really bad. She gets a really bad attitude when it is time for this med. I am hoping to get in and out of there for she has a hair appointment at 1:30. I made this appointment for yesterday because we were supposed to go into clinic on Thursday and they called today and changed it. Boy was Brittany really made when they called.
Brittany is looking really good and feeling pretty good. She has been getting some headaches that I am going to question tomorrow. It started about 8 weeks ago and they have been on and off. Her stomach has been bothering her first thing in the morning from the 6-MP pills at night. I am going to give her Kytral tonight and see if that helps.
I will update again later.
Prayers for Brittany
Jan. 8, 2003
I am so glad we are home. It was not a good visit at all. That Pent. med she got today made her so sick. They ended giving her another med to knock her out. Boy is she miserable. It was so bad that they are talking about trying something new. It is a pill she will take once a day she has had it in the past.(the first time she was on chemo) The only thing the first time she was on it, it gave her very high liver functions. So they are going to have to really watch that. I pray it works. She wont have to start that for a month. The one she got today is good for thirty days. Brittany is on the couch mad, and feeling nasty. She was not a very nice patient today. Her counts are good. I hope she starts feeling better soon. I bought her her favorite popcorn at the grocery store in hopes to make friends tonight. Very angry!!
Prayer for Brittany
Wednesday, December 18, 2002 at 10:40 AM (CST)
Hello. Today Brittany has an appointment at 1pm. The chemo she receives today she should do well with. One drug that she does get four weeks in a row does have her legs hurting but not too bad. Some pain med given but not much. After today's dose it could get worse. Today is Brittany's last appointment until after Christmas. We will be going next week on Friday.
Brittany started classes full time on the phone on Monday. So far so good. A lot of homework because they don't have each class every day. They don't have a full day, they take the one to three classes a day depending on the day of the week. At this point Brittany is going to stay full time classes at home. Once Spring comes we will then see what she wants to do. I think she will be ready to go back but I am not sure if that will be best. We will see. I am just glad that we have a schedule that I know it will be the same for months.
Dec. 16th was 6 years sense Brittany was first diagnosed with her cancer. I can't believe it. To think back to 6 years ago I think where has time gone. This Christmas will be our last Christmas with chemo. (I pray) We have spent many holidays with Hopkins and I will be glad when it is over.
Brittany has been talking a lot about "when I am off of chemo." Brittany is feeling really bored and lonely. Let's face it - middle school kids are busy kids. Brittany's friends go skating every week and Brittany is not able to do that. She can't wait to gain her strength back. She has talked a lot about losing weight. Brittany would also like to take some vocal lessons. I hope for Brittany that come July her life starts being what she wants it to be.
I will update everyone again later.
Prayers for Brittany
Tuesday, December 03, 2002 at 08:24 PM (CST)
Hello. Tomorrow is a big day at Hopkins for us. Brittany is due to have a spinal tap at 10am. Along with that, she will get three chemo drugs, start steroids for a week, and get her monthly pentamidene. Long day!! With four more spinal taps to go I am looking forward to this being over. After chemo they did tell me that they will be doing three more spinal taps in a years time with no chemo injected. Just to be safe.
Brittany is fighting a cold right now. Her mouth sores are all healed. Feeling pretty good, just coughing a lot. Tomorrow will end us up with a fever on Thursday with some vomiting. Hopefully she will feel better by Saturday or Sunday.
Brittany will be doing all her classes via the phone till the first of the year. With the really cold weather, and four weeks of hard chemo in front of her I thought it might be best with the holidays. I want to keep her as healthy as I can for the holidays. I want to stay away from Hopkins as much as I can.
Brittany seems to be ok with it. We will see what is best after the four hard weeks with the cold weather and all the germs.
I will update everyone tomorrow.
Prayers for Brittany
Tuesday, November 26, 2002 at 09:47 AM (CST)
***BRITTANY TURNS 12 TOMORROW!!!!***
Hello everyone. Just wanted to let everyone know that Brittany needs some extra prayer this week. She is dealing with mouth sores not only in the mouth but down her throat. She can't eat, and she has been on pain meds for three days now. So much for a good week without Hopkins. I am going to have to go up tomorrow to pick up a script for more pain pills - they can't not call that in. I am waiting for Tom to call now to let me know if he wants to see her or not. There really is nothing you can do but let it pass. Meanwhile, she is miserable. Tomorrow is her birthday and I was really hoping that she would feel better before her birthday. Tonight is her party and I am just crossing my fingers that she does ok. I would never cancel it, she would be upset.
Prayers for Brittany.
Friday, November 01, 2002 at 12:05 PM (CST)
Hello. Friday already. Well, Brittany has had a rough week. She has been out of school all week due to body pain. Yesterday was her first day she didn't have any pain pills. Britt has been very weak and tired. Although she has been out of school all week we were lucky enough that some of the teachers gave us some of her work. Monday starts the second marking period and we are hoping she will be ready to go back to school.
Vincristine is the cause of this week's body pain. On Monday night we took a drive and I didn't bring any pain pills. During this time she started to complain of pain. We were about 45 min. from the house. By the time we got home she couldn't move. I mean couldn't! Vince had to carry her in the house and lay her on the couch. I had to hold her drink to her and give her the pain pill. Brittany could not move one thing on her body. All she could do is move her head back and forth. She said to me "I feel paralyzed." About 20 to 30 min. after taking the pill, Brittany was able to move again. Very strange - this has never happened. So I called Tom the next morning and he said that she most likely was paralyzed for that short time. This is something that can happen, although they don't like this to happen. Tom said her body must be building up some kind tolerance for this drug and they will have to cut it back. This is a drug that stays in your system for four weeks. So right now Brittany get four weeks of it and off four weeks. So the time she is off of it, it is still in her system. Then it is time to start all over with it again.
Then on Wednesday night Brittany had some blur vision in the left eye. So I called Tom the next morning, and I was told the same thing. Vincristine. He said it sounds like it attacked her eye muscles. That did not last too long and she hasn't had anymore since then.
Halloween - well, she went out for a little bit, it seemed to have satisfied her ok. It was very cold and cold makes her hurt worse. So she came in and went to bed pretty much.
So, today Brittany will start four weeks of Methotrexate, and 6-MP at night. This is her so called "easy weeks." We shall see. Pentamadine is also today. It takes two hours to give and it makes her sick. Pentamadine is a drug she gets once a month that helps protect her from bacteria. So today will not be a short day but I am going to try to get her in a bit earlier so we can get out of there. I don't know what to expect from her counts, her gums are red and that normally means low counts for Britt.
I will give everyone an update later about today's visit.
Prayers for Brittany
Monday, October 28, 2002 at 11:41 AM (CST)
Hello. Well, it has been a long weekend for Brittany. Friday evening went ok but when she woke up on Saturday she was not feeling well at all. Her stomach hurt, her legs and arms are hurting. She never got sick but she did get a fever that lasted most of the day on Saturday. Brittany is very weak and tired still today, so she won't be going to school today. Brittany's ANC was 2200 so it recovered quickly. I am hoping sometime today she starts feeling better. The next four weeks are her easier weeks (so they say) and our visits are quicker (at least they are supposed to be). I am hoping they go well for her so she can focus on school a bit more for the next four weeks.
Brittany is looking forward to going trick or treating this year last year she was way to sick for that. She couldn't walk this time last year. So, things have gotten better but just not all the way. This time next year Brittany will be finished her chemo and then we will see what the update says. I bet it will be something like "she is driving me nuts" or something crazy like that - I can't wait!!
Brittany is still taking pain pills - not too many, but some.
I will give an update on Friday to let everyone know how her week went and her visit at Hopkins.
Prayers for Brittany
Friday, October 25, 2002 at 07:15 AM (CST)
Good morning everyone. Well, today is Friday already. I know how some weeks drag but it seems like Friday gets here very quick these days.
Update on last weeks visit. Brittany's ANC was 650, much lower than what it has been. Her ANC has to be at least 750 for the chemo she is getting today. Today's chemo is another round of the stuff that makes her run the fever, and makes her so sick to her stomach. If you remember last time she felt good other than feeling a bit tired. That was the first time ever but I am praying that it happens again for Brittany this weekend. Brittany does not know this yet but her nurse Pam is not going to be there today and that could make today visit a bad one! Brittany made chocolate lolly pops for Halloween for all the kids and she is taking then in today. Maybe there will be something going on to keep her mind off of what she is really there for.
Brittany has been having a lot of joint and muscle pain this week. She has had to take pain meds three days this week. She is getting more of the drug today that does this to her, so I don't think it is over yet with the pain.
School, well Brittany has not been able to make it a full day for sometime now. I had a meeting on Tuesday and this is what we will be doing. Brittany will go in at 10:15 for Math and Reading. She will sometimes have lunch at school or she will come home depending on how she feels. I will then later take her back at 2:00 for Science. I know it sounds like a lot of running but after she is home for a little bit she feels better so she wants to take as many classes as she can in the school. So this leaves Social Studies and English at home. She is not happy about it but at this time this is all she can handle. I will be getting a letter today from the doctor stating Brittany is unable to make it a full day of school and this will excuse her from all her special class like Gym, Music, things like that. Brittany is not happy about this but I told her I gave it as much time as I could and if later she feels like she can do more then fine we will do more. Until then this is what it will have to be.
Brittany's 12th birthday is coming up. November 27 is her birthday, we are trying to get the same hall that we had for Vincent, on November 26. I will let everyone know so maybe you can come out and wish Brittany a happy birthday.
December 16 will make Brittany a cancer survivor for 6 years.
Vincent is doing well. His tooth feels much better. He is in tournament all weekend. First game Saturday at 9am. I am hoping Brittany feels well so we or at least I can go. I love to watch him play ball. He will be trying out for high school baseball in March and he is getting pretty excited about it. Talks about it every evening.
I will update on today as soon as I can. Please keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayers today. Brittany of course is praying for low counts so she doesn't get chemo at all today.
Take care,
Brenda
Saturday, October 19, 2002 at 09:04 AM (CDT)
Hello. Brittany has had a pretty good week. Getting to sleep at night is a little difficult for her but once she is asleep she is ok as long as I dont wake her before 9am. She has a cough but doesn't seem to be getting worse. Brittany did very well with her chemo last week. Usually the drugs Brittany received last week make her run a fever for about 12 hours, and she ends up very sick to her stomach. I would like to report, for the first time ever, other than feeling weak and tired she was ok. We are all excited for Brittany. She went to a dance last Friday, and ran most of the weekend.
We went to the doctors again today for chemo and she seems to be fine other than being weak. She has been weak for a few weeks now. I guess it is all the meds. Her counts were down quit a bit this week from last week. Brittany's ANC has been running around 2000, but today it was only 650. They went ahead and gave her chemo, but I don't expect her to get it next week. I will be surprised if she is ready for another round of chemo like last weeks. Last weeks and this week coming up are her hardest weeks. Hopefully, if she does get chemo next Friday, she does as well with those drugs as she did last week.
Call me crazy but it is late and I am getting ready to take Brittany and a bunch of other kids bowling. Bowling from 11pm till 2am. I am nuts, I know, but Brittany can't wait. I will give you an update on who is the winner!!
Friday, October 11, 2002 at 08:08 AM (CDT)
Hello. This week has been a long week here at our house. Brittany has not been able to go to school this week for she was on steroids, and her legs are hurting. Not as bad as before, she can walk but the steps are hard, and she has been tired. She is also fighting off a cold that she was so kind to give me. Now her dad has it and I am hoping Vincent doesn't get it. We are due into clinic today at 10:30 for the chemo that makes her sick and makes her run a temperature. I am not looking forward to it at all. I hope it rains all weekend so she doesn't feel like she is missing out on anything. I am hoping she can return to school on Tuesday, I think she will just start feeling better on Monday so I doubt she will make it to school on Monday. I am not sure what her counts will be today with fighting off this cold. Of course she hopes they are not good enough to get Ara-C.
Last week's visit was a long one. We got to clinic at 10:30 - she was due for her spinal tap at noon and they didn't get her to the OR till 1:00. Boy was Brittany hungry and angry!! Spinal tap went well and her results once again were CANCER FREE!! Thank you Jesus.
Please keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayer today as she heads for another week of chemo. This is week 87 of chemo. Long time for chemo every week. Let's all pray that this chemo doesn't make her sick.
Take care
Brenda
Tuesday, September 17, 2002 at 12:38 PM (CDT)
Hello. Friday I took Brittany to clinic for chemo and she did not do so well. She was fine before and after but while we were there it was not so good. She was sick - throwing up and refusing her chemo and exam. Of course Brittany got both things and once we left there she was fine. This is Brittany's second week on 6-MP which is a chemo pill that she takes each night for four weeks. This has kept her stomach a little bit upset at different times. This morning she was up at 4:30 with it hurting, I let her sleep in and she went to school late. Brittany couldn't wait to go to school but now she is remembering what it is all about. She has made several statements about not wanting to go. Most kids do!!
I just wanted to give everyone a quick update. Things are going pretty ok so I can't complain. It is much better than this time last year. Brittany goes back to clinic again this Friday and I don't expect it to go any better than last week.
Please keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayers.
Brenda
Tuesday, September 03, 2002 at 08:38 AM (CDT)
Hello everyone.
Brittany had a pretty good day at school Friday. I picked her up at 11:55 to take her to the doctors. She had no real complaints other than her Reading teacher was giving her a hard time about leaving class 5 minutes early. Brittany has a pass to leave 5 minutes early from all of her classes so she doesn't get hung up in all the crowds. I will take care of that Monday morning and again on Wednesday at my meeting with all of her teachers.
So Brittany got all of her chemo yesterday. Her counts are good and her lungs sound better. She still has a little crackling going on, Tom said it is much better than last week. She came home from the hospital and went over a friend's house for a few hours. After coming home for about an hour it hit her. The belly just feeling yelky all over. She slept all night and didn't wake until 10:30 this morning. When waking she was not feeling good at all. It has been a long day, she has been feeling bad all day. She has a temperature of 101.0 and she has thrown up once. Not eating much but drinking. I am hoping this passes sometime tomorrow. She wants to go shopping for some winter clothes. Girl after my own heart!!
We are due back into clinic next Friday at 2:00. The next four weeks is her easier four weeks of chemo so I am hoping she has four good weeks in school.
I will keep everyone posted. Please keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayers. Hopefully this passes soon.
Take care,
Brenda
Tuesday, September 03, 2002 at 08:26 AM (CDT)
Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2002
Hello
Today was a long day but Brittany did well. Brittany's ANC is now 690 which was 240 last week. They gave her chemo and did her spinal tap. I do not have the results this evening so I will have to call tomorrow first thing. If something was wrong I am sure they would have called, I think.... She is doing well this evening, no getting sick, and no complaints of the back hurting. They started her on Claritin D and on another antibiotic. This is a 14 day dose twice a day. They are treating her for a sinus infection a long with serious congestion. Today when they put her under they explained to me that if she started having any problems breathing while under they would have do some extra things to her. I was very nervous althougth they said everything should be fine they didn't feel like they would run into any problems. Well, when they brought her out with a tube in her nose I knew something wasn't right. They said after Tom was done the spinal tap she started coughing really bad and they just wanted an open passage way just incase. I told them that it might be in their best interest to get that thing out of her nose before she wakes or she will have this place rocking. They took my advice and took it out before she woke up. Of course her breathing was just fine. Sometimes I think they do things that could wait, but who am I. Anyway all went well and we are home.
I will give an update with test results as soon as I get them.
I had to take Vincent to open house tonight. He starts high school this year. I can't believe I was pulling up in front of this high school to get him ready to go there!! I was feeling kinda old. I hope all goes well he starts on Monday. Brittany has open house tomorrow evening and starts on Tuesday. Brittany will go to hopkins for a mess of meds on Friday of next week and I made it for 1:30 so she won't miss to much school. She might not be feeling too good but I figure she should feel better by Monday for school.
I am really tired so I will update tomorrow.
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Thursday, Aug. 22, 2002
Hello
Test results are in and no cancer showed up again!!!! Yahoo!! I am so happy.
Brittany is not feeling like herself today. Very tired, weak, and her belly is upset. I am hoping she comes around later so she can go to her open house. She was unable to take all her meds this morning which is not good but when she feels crappy like this she will only throw them up.
I will update everyone again tomorrow.
Thursday, August 08, 2002 at 10:48 AM (CDT)
Hello.
Yesterday we went to clinic for another week of chemo. Brittany did great. No throwing up or anything. Her mood was even good. Tom (her PA) and Pam (her nurse) were both there and I think that made the difference. Pam was on vacation, she came back, then Tom went on vacation.
Anyway, her counts are good. Her swimmer's ear is better. Her cold is the same. She is wheezing, sneezing, coughing (little bit), but her left ear is bad. She has fluid behind the ear drum, and her ear canal is really messed up they said. So she is on an antibiotic for 10 days twice a day. She is not happy about that, but she needs to get better. This is week three with this cold. Her chemo went well. They are going to do her spinal tap in two weeks. I asked them to hold off on it this week so she could enjoy vacation. Brittany also starts Predinose for 5 days today. We are crossing our fingers all goes well with it again this time.
We are leaving Friday morning to go to Ocean City, Maryland for a week. Yahoo!! We are all excited. We are due back home on Thursday and Brittany will go Friday for chemo instead of Wednesday.
48 weeks!! 48 weeks left of chemo. Less than a year!! Very excited about it but yet so darn nervous. I want it to be over once and for all, but I know there are no guarantees. So I will just keep praying for Brittany. I am not counting or anything, but that means I only have 48 more treatments to see her go through - not to mention she has 48 more treatments to deal with. If winter goes smoothly, then I think it will be here in a blink of an eye if we can keep her well.
So, I will update everyone on our vacation when we get back. Pray no rain!!
Lots of thoughts and prayers for Brittany to be healthy down Ocean City.
Brenda
Thursday, July 25, 2002 at 02:29 PM (CDT)
Hello.
Brittany's counts are great, she has a bit of a cold or allergies we are not sure. She is doing well as long as we stay away from Hopkins. Yesterday we were there from 10:30am till 2:00pm and it went a little bit better than the last two weeks. Brittany did end up getting sick again, but once we were out of there she was ok again. It is just the place - it makes everyone feel sick. We are due back again next Wednesday for chemo again. This Wednesday thing is getting old and I think that is Brittany's biggest problem, she is tired of that place.
We just got back from the Baltimore Zoo now we are just relaxing.
I will keep everyone informed if anything goes on between now and next week. No news is good new right?
Hope everyone is enjoying the cool-down.
Take care,
Brenda
Saturday, July 13, 2002 at 11:21 AM (CDT)
What was supposed to be a quick visit in clinic yesterday turned into a long day. Pam, Brittany's nurse, is on vacation for two weeks. So of course Brittany had a nurse that doesn't access her port often at all. When she went in with the needle she missed the rubber of the port and hit the metal part of the port and bent the needle. Brittany screamed - it was terrible. Well, needless to say Brittany wanted another nurse to come and try again. She did really good, I thought she would be really nervous but she relaxed herself and it went well.
So they drew the blood and it goes into a tube like at the bank to go to the lab. Well, it got lost for some time and we didn't get counts back for sometime. While waiting, she got her exam and all went well. Brittany woke up with lower back pain, but we really couldn't find a reason for it, we are just wondering if she slept wrong. I guess I will know more when she wakes up today.
Finally her counts came back and they are still hanging in there from the Ara-C last week. Her ANC is 900 so we will see what they are next week. Sue, her nurse yesterday, gave her chemo which was just a push into her line. Well, Brittany likes it to be pushed in very slowly. Sue did not push it in slow enough and the poor kid felt like she was going to get sick. As you are seeing yesterday was not a very good day at all for her. We finally got the needle out and we left out of that place. I will be happy when Pam comes back from vacation. We have another visit next Wednesday for the same chemo. Hopefully it will go better than yesterday.
I will keep everyone informed throughout the week if anything changes. I don't expect her to be sick (I hope). She started 6-MP which is pills by mouth before bed. Sometimes they can make her wake up feeling nasty so cross your fingers and hope that is not the case this time.
Continue to keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayers and hopefully she will have a good week.
Take care,
Brenda
Monday, July 08, 2002 at 02:53 PM (CDT)
Hello.
I am not sure what day was the last update so I will start with her chemo last Wednesday. The hospital visit went ok, but come Thursday she was sick. On Thursday she had a fever all day it went up as high as 103. She got sick twice, and just started eating again yesterday.
We went to my mother-in-law's for some fireworks where Brittany didn't feel the best but toughed it out for a little bit of fun. On Friday she did a lot of sleeping. Saturday she also took it very easy still having a lot of belly pain also due to constipation. We took her out on the boat on Saturday night for fireworks and she had fun. Although once we got of the boat her legs hurt, her belly, and she was ready for bed. Sunday we had her Aunt Kim come and sit with her while I took Vincent to his baseball game (they lost).
Anyway, she started coming around yesterday. Started eating a little bit. Now today she woke up feeling nasty, but now is feeling much better. She finally went to the bathroom so I think that will help her a lot. We are due back into clinic on Wednesday at 10:30 for more chemo. Yahoo!! Just thrilled about that. I am so sick of chemo, Hopkins, throw up, just all of it. Is it over yet?
Well, I will let everyone know how Wednesday goes. I don't know what to expect from her counts the next two weeks due to the Ara-C she got last week. Brittany is due to start 6-MP for four weeks at night (it is a chemo pill) and she will also get four weeks of Metho. in clinic. Just another chemo drug, this she normally does well with. I am afraid to say that she should have a good four weeks just because every time I think I know what might happen it changes on me.
Take care
Brenda
Monday, July 01, 2002 at 07:55 AM (CDT)
Hello.
Wanted to let everyone know that we had a great time at Wildwood, NJ over the weekend. It was hot so we went to the water park most of the day on Saturday and I spent most of my time in the lazy river. Boy was it nice not to do anything but float. Brittany road on most of the rides, played lots of games and won too many stuffed animals. She is still in bed catching up on her sleep.
Brittany is feeling well. We return to Hopkins on Wednesday for chemo if her counts are not too low. I have a feeling they are going to be too low for chemo on Wednesday. I guess we shall see.
As always keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayers. I will post and let everyone know how she is doing.
Take care,
Brenda
Friday, June 28, 2002 at 09:23 AM (CDT)
Hello everyone,
Brittany has been feeling much better since Saturday. She had two hard days and bounced back really well. Maybe the concert we went to on Sunday had a little to do with it. We went to the concert on Sunday and had a lot of fun. We went backstage and met Tommy Shane Steiner. We had our picture taken with him and got his autograph. He is a really nice guy. I sent everyone Brittany's website again for there is a picture of us there with Tommy. Don't forget to sign the guest book while you are there.
So, Brittany had her Wednesday appointment and all went well. She is having a little jaw pain, but other than that she hasn't complained too much. This could be why: we are leaving today at noon to go to Wildwood, NJ. We are going there with another family that we met in 1996 at Hopkins. Whitney is also 11 years old who also had to fight cancer. Whitney, after a relapse, also is doing well, and we are going to go and have some fun this weekend. This is our second year going to NJ for a program called Plunge for Patients. All benefits go to John Hopkins for families who cannot pay their medical bills. While we are there we will go to the amusement park, water park, beach, boardwalk, and a few special events that they hold for the Plunge for Patients. Brittany is very excited to go!! It will be Brittany, her Aunt Kim, and myself going and we will return on Sunday. Vincent is staying home for he has 4 baseball games this weekend. O and of course Vince will be working.
I will update everyone on how our weekend goes when we get back. Even though Brittany has visits to clinic every week, she really is having a much better summer than last year.
Keep Brittany in all your thoughts and prayers.
Brenda
Wednesday, June 26, 2002 at 06:59 AM (CDT)
Brittany got to go the Tommy Shane Steiner concert on Sunday! Her mom was so thrilled that she felt well enough to go after suffering such bad leg pains during the week. I'll post some new pictures when I get them from Brenda, she got some BACKSTAGE with Tommy, they should be great! I can't wait to see them.
**NEW PICS** Brittany and Brenda with Tommy Shane Steiner!!!! Check out the photo album!!!
My family and I are hoping to visit Brittany and her family when we go on vacation in a couple of weeks. I feel like they are family, and I cannot wait to give them a great big HUG!
Peace & Hugs - Angel Jenn
Friday, June 21, 2002 at 07:20 AM (CDT)
Wednesday, June 19
Hi everyone. Brittany had been doing wonderful with her new steroid up until last night around 9:30 p.m. Her knees locked up on her while standing in the dinning room and it has been down hill since then. She tried taking Tylenol and it didn't do anything so she had to take her pain pills at 1:30 this morning. I called her onc. doctor last night at 10pm and she said to stop the steroids - she only had three pills left to take and next time they are only going to give them to her for 5 days instead of 7. Other than last night's leg pain, she has been great. I was really hoping she would be able to get these steroids done without leg pain. She was so close this time. I still have her wheel chair so that is a good thing, because I have to get her to Hopkins today for chemo. Doesn't matter how they feel - when it is time for more drugs, it is time. I am hoping she wakes up not feeling any worse. I am hoping it will pass in a few days. I guess time will tell.
Today keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayers to try to help today go as well as possible. As usual they will be drawing blood to check her blood counts to make sure they are ok and also as usual to make sure they don't see any cancer cells. So say a prayer that all is well with her blood work.
I will post everyone later today on how today goes and how Brittany's legs are doing.
--------------------------------------------
Thursday, June 20
Wanted everyone to know I am headed to Hopkins with Brittany she is not feeling well at all. She woke up at 7:30 really sick to her stomach and a fever of 101.3. So we are headed to Hopkins for blood cultures and to check her out. We will be home hopefully. I will let everyone know what's up. Please say a prayer for Brittany that everything is ok.
--------------------------------------------
Later on Thursday
Well, we were at Hopkins most of the day today. Brittany is really tired. She has been sleeping for sometime now. By the time I got her to the hospital she was having a lot of jaw pain, rib pain, and nauseation. They did blood cultures and they also sent her down for x rays of her chest. Everything looked good there. So they gave her some fluids and sent us home for now. We are hoping that she will feel better tomorrow. She has not eaten a thing all day. Brittany just keeps saying she is very weak and tired. I told her to rest now because she has a concert to go to on Sunday!! I will let everyone know how she is tomorrow. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.
Brenda
Wednesday, June 12, 2002 at 08:42 PM (CDT)
Today went very well believe it or not. Brittany was so brave in the OR. She went out like a light and woke up pleasant. Test results are in and they all are CANCER FREE!! YAHOO!! She got chemo today and has done well with that also. Her back is sore from the spinal tap but other than that, no complaints. I was very proud of her today. So another week at Hopkins is over and it is time to just be home until next week. I hope everyone is having a great week.
Take care,
Brenda
Friday, June 07, 2002 at 10:03 PM (CDT)
What a day. Brittany was unable to get the MRI done today due to insurance reasons. Hopkins sent over for authorization and the insurance company denied the MRI. Now it is in an appeal process. Really nice thing to happen. I called the insurance company and went off. Of course it didn't matter. Now the MRI is on hold until the insurance decides what they are going to do. So meanwhile Brittany will not be taking the steroids this coming week. I am very upset about it because it could be being held for no reason. If her MRI had come back clear then she would have gotten the steroids, now who knows. The doctors don't want to take the chance so Brittany will not be getting a drug that she needs thanks to the lovely insurance company. I have been on the phone back and forth with the insurance and hospital all day and I am beside myself. I can't believe that they can deny something like this.
So, now I will have this on my mind awhile longer. No sleep last night for no reason. Not happy.
Tomorrow is the ride in honor of Brittany so I am going to get up and try to think positive thoughts and go enjoy my day. Vincent is in a baseball tournament all weekend also. Hope everyone has a good weekend. I will try to do so myself.
Take care,
Brenda
Wednesday, June 05, 2002 at 08:20 AM (CDT)
It is Wednesday already!! We are headed out to Hopkins this morning. We are due there at 10:30. Brittany is due for IV Metho. and another week of 6-mp. Of course they will be checking her counts to make sure they are good enough for chemo today. (and of course pray that no cancer shows up) At Hopkins today Brittany also gets her End of Chemo cake and her I DID IT shirt. No, she is not done chemo it is just that they like to give the kids a little cake for their end of chemo inpatient. She has no more inpatient chemo's left just out patient. The real party is going to be when all of this chemo is over all together.
Brittany has been feeling pretty good. She has been having a lot of leg pain just in her lower legs and one foot. I don't know why but I am going to let them know today. It has been in the past 4 or 5 days now. When she wakes up her legs are really bad. When she wakes in the morning too early after taking the 6-mp at night her stomach is turning a bit. All in all she is doing well. She has been out swimming and playing.
On Friday Brittany is due for her MRI. I am nervous - of course I know it is nothing to the test, it is just another thing she has to do that an 11 year old girl shouldn't have to do. I really can't wait for the results to see if there is any bone density loss there. I don't think I will get results until Monday. Next Wednesday we are due into clinic for a spinal tap, 2 chemo drugs and steroids for a week.
Please keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayers today while she heads to Hopkins for another treatment.
Brenda
Wednesday, May 29, 2002 at 08:45 PM (CDT)
MORNING
-------------
Hello everyone. Well, today we are due into clinic at 11:00. We are hoping her blood counts are up so she can get chemo. She has been without chemo for 3 weeks now. She is feeling good, and having a lot of fun. She has been out playing with friends and even going and visiting friends at their home. It has been great to see her feel so good. She seems to be dreading today, I think she knows her counts will be high enough for chemo. But who knows we thought she would be ready last week.
Please keep Brittany in your thoughts and prayers today that all turns out well. It always makes me have butterflies knowing we are going to Hopkins.
--------------------------------------------
EVENING
-------
Hello everyone. Finally an ANC of 1780!! Yahoo!! She received her chemo today and we will go back next week for some more. She is feeling really well. She is over a friend's house for an hour and I will be picking her up. Brittany now knows about her MRI. It is scheduled for next Friday at 3pm. She is due back into clinic next Wednesday at 10:30 for her chemo.
I explained to her how this MRI will work and she seems OK with it. Brittany had a lot of questions on why they were doing this. I was not going to go so far into detail with her but she is too smart. She knows that she may have bone density in her hips that may be causing the leg pain. I told her if there was she would no longer be able to take her steroids. Believe me, that didn't hurt her feeling one bit. They have decided that if there is no bone density then they will be changing her steroid to Prednisone for sure. She has taken that one before and other than the mood swings she has done well with it. Brittany had a lot of other questions so I just kept if short and easy for her.
Please keep all your thoughts and prayers with Brittany - they are working.
Thanks
Brenda
Friday, May 24, 2002 at 08:07 AM (CDT)
May 21, 2002
Hello everyone. Tomorrow is Brittany's appointment at Hopkins. We are hoping for good counts so Brittany can start her chemo back up. Her ANC is going to have to be 500 or better in order for her to be able to start her chemo. Her ANC last week was only 60 so we are hoping it really climbed over the past week. Brittany has had good energy all week. Her foot is still bothering her, and her legs were hurting this morning. I am hoping someone will know something about this MRI tomorrow. She has 4 weeks before steroids again so they need to get this scheduled. I am nervous but I will be glad to know the results. Brittany still does not know anything about it I am waiting to know a bit more about it myself before telling her.
Everyone be sure to include Brittany in your prayers this evening that all goes well tomorrow. No cancer in blood, and her counts are good. I know I confuse some about this blood work and spinal tap fluid being cancer free. This is how it works. She gets blood work done every week and when they do it if she was to relapse it could show up in her blood at anytime, that is why I always pray that her blood work comes out cancer free each week. The spinal taps are being done every 8 weeks now and again we are looking for her fluid to be clear of cancer also. It is scary to know that last week it all could be clear and tomorrow it could have cancer in it again. That is why I ask for everyone's prayers all the time. Anything could happen at anytime.
I hope everyone is well. Take care.
Brenda
------------------------------------------
May 22, 2002
Hello. Well, no chemo again. Her ANC was only 50 today. All of her other counts are great but her ANC is still very low. So we are now waiting until next Wednesday to see if she will be ready for chemo. This is week three without chemo again. It makes me very nervous when she goes without chemo for weeks in a row. Brittany is feeling great and that is the best part of it all. Once again she was delighted to hear no chemo again. A smile from ear to ear once again. She is now outside riding her scooter.
Brittany also had an appointment for an eye test. Everything looked good there. She has 20/20 vision. That makes me feel good to know that all of this chemo at this point has not affected her eye site.
So I guess it is another week without chemo. Hopefully she continues to stay fever free. Keep Brittany in your prayers.
Tuesday, May 07, 2002 at 06:24 AM (CDT)
May 1
Took Brittany to Hopkins today for chemo. Her counts are still really good. Brittany did very well getting her chemo today, although she is very sleepy so she is napping right now. We are due back at Hopkins next Wes. at 10am. for chemo again.
Brittany's day at school went well. She went until noon and I picked her up. When talking with her fellow Sharon Savage today at Hopkins she said she would like to see Brittany go one or two days a week even if it is only for a few hours. We were just talking about getting Brittany up and moving more. Getting accustomed to the school routine for next year. So I am going to call school tomorrow and talk to her team leader and give them heads up on this. I know she will be lost when it comes to the school work so I am going to ask if she can do her homeschool homework during class that away she is doing something that she understands. Plus she will be able to get her homework done.
After talking about that we got to talking about the steroids and what we are going to do. They are now concerned about bone loss. This is common in people that have been on steroids a lot, and are overweight, Brittany is both of these. So, they are scheduling her for an MRI to check to see if there is any bone loss. If there is, she will not be able to take anymore steroids at all. If there is not any then they are going to either change her to a different steroid or lower her dose of the one she is on now. Now my concern about this bone loss thing is this: can she build bone loss back up? Well, it is not likely that she will while on chemo, but she can still experience some bone loss while on chemo. They want her to start moving around more now that she is on these new drugs. This will help her not lose too much bone. This is going to be really hard for Brittany but we have to start doing something, that is if this is a problem (bone loss). Now, once she is off of chemo they are saying they will check her hormones and she may need a supplement and that will help her with the bone loss. It is all still very new so I don't know everything yet. I am very concerned and will be happy to get this MRI done to see what we are looking at.
Today, has been a long day, needless to say. Found out a lot of new things, some not so good - so I am still just trying to take it all in. I will keep everyone informed as I find out things. Please, if there is anything you think should be asked about any of this, let me know. I know I will have a thousand questions as this all happens but I don't mind having a thousand and one if anyone else has any questions.
I will let you know how she is doing tomorrow. Dont expect anything bad what she got today she has handled so far really well.
May 4
Just wanted to let everyone know that Brittany has been having a pretty good week. She had chemo on Wes. and it hasn't slowed her down other then Wes. Brittany has been out riding her scooter, and hanging out with her brother. Vincent has been so good with her. He has been letting her hang out with him and his friend for the past week. Brittany loves her brother a lot and really looks up to him and him letting her hang out has been really good therapy for her. I feel really good knowing that she has been with him because I know he is not going to let anything happen to her.
Brittany is at a sleep over this evening, the first one in a very long time. I gave her her medicines and sent her on her way. She will be home first thing in the morning so she can take her morning meds. She is not even 5 min. from the house thank goodness. I am just a little bit worried. I guess my biggest concern is her not getting enough sleep. I know she will be up late, and when she gets over-tired her body lets her know about it. I guess all that really matters is that she is with friends and having a good time. Yes, I miss her!! Can you tell?
Brittany is going to try to go to school Monday morning until noon again. We are going to try to get her to school a few days a week for just a few hours a day. We have been trying to get her into the groove of things again. Feeding her animals, putting her clothes away, cleaning her room, things like that. Things she hasn't been able to do for herself for sometime now. It has been hard sometimes because she goes out and plays, then comes in tired and doesn't want to do these things. I am trying to help her fit these things into her schedule so she doesn't drag at night. Brittany just has to find a good routine that her body can handle. She knows that she is not like everyone else, she can't just keep going and going.
Brittany goes again on Wes. for chemo. Hopefully, she will do well and bounce right back. I am sure I will get more information on her MRI and I will then share all of that with her.
Please say special prayers that Brittany's MRI comes back showing there is no bone loss, and as always that she stays cancer free!! Thank you everyone for all of your support.
Wednesday, April 24, 2002 at 08:11 AM (CDT)
Hello everyone
Today is a clinic day for chemo. She will be getting three chemo drugs. One of them taking one hour to get and the other two are just quick pushes into the line. We are due there at 10am.
I had to call Tom yesterday for Brittany is having major back pain. I have been giving her Tylenol and her pain pill and it just isn't helping. I know it is from the steroids. Her legs, arms, well everything is hurting but her back is the worst. Tom told me to stop the steroids. She had 4 pills left. She would have finished them tomorrow morning. I am not sure what they are going to do but she cannot go on taking this for another year and four months. I think they are going to shorten the length of time. It is still going to mess with her but just not as long. She has to take them every 8 weeks for 1 week. If I counted right it will be a total of 7 more times. So 7 more weeks of this. They are going to have to do something.
Brittany is sleeping right now. She had a really rough time getting comfortable last night. She finally had to come down and sleep on the couch. She woke up at 4am ready to eat!! Seemed ok then went right back to sleep. She is going to have to get up at 9 to be ready in time to leave for her appointment.
I will let everyone know how today goes. Please say a prayer that nothing makes Brittany sick today. I am hoping that sometime over the weekend she starts feeling better. It is hard seeing her like this after having two really good weeks. So much for that!! Hopefully she will have a few more good weeks soon.
Take care,
Brenda
Friday, April 19, 2002 at 06:23 AM (CDT)
Hello everyone. It is 6pm and today is over finally. Brittany was very, very brave this morning. She did not stress that much at all. Usually she can be really hard to get along with in the mornings that she has to have these things done. She really was very good. We got into the operating room (that is where they do these things) and she really did well. She did not even cry this time. I could tell she was a bit nervous, but all in all she was really good. No tears!! She was in and out in about 15 minutes. Going down the hall to the recovery room I heard her cry before she ever got to the waiting area, so I jumped up and ran to her. She was, of course, crying for me. I told her I was here and it was all over and that she did a good job. We then went into the recovery room where she started yelling that she wanted her daddy. Well, Vince was working so all I could do is call him on the cell and hope he could hear it ring over the boat motor. He heard it and talked to her. She was crying the whole time, all she was saying was "come right home daddy." She made me cry it was so sad. While I was trying to get a hold of her dad she was yelling at the nurses to leave her alone she wanted her daddy now!! After she talked with her dad she was ok. That was until she started feeling the pain in her back from the bone marrow. Then she started yelling for morphine!! I wouldn't let her have morphine but she took oxycodone. That is what she takes for pain at home. Brittany knows how well morphine works and whenever she feels pain in the hospital that is what she yells for.
She is now on the couch watching a movie eating a little bit. Her belly has been upset some but not to bad. She starts her steroids this evening for 7 days. That is the drug that makes her legs hurt. So I am hoping that it doesn't get too bad this time. Brittany is in her jammies relaxing at this point. She has not asked for anymore pain med yet but I am sure she will soon.
Boy, what a day!! I guess I better go put on my jammies and relax also. I will let everyone know how she is tomorrow. Brittany also got two chemo drugs in the clinic today that I am hoping doesn't start messing with her tonight. Everyone have a good evening. I will fill you in tomorrow.
Take care,
Brenda
LATER SAME DAY:
BONE MARROW AND SPINAL TAP CAME BACK. JUST GOT THE CALL.....
CANCER FREE
YAHOO!!
Thursday, April 11, 2002 at 05:54 AM (CDT)
Hello everyone. We went to clinic the other day and Brittany's counts are going up a little bit at a time. When we went to clinic they took out her needle so she was able to do more. She went outside and played for about 2 hours. She is planning on doing the same when everyone gets home from school, as long as the rain holds out. She complained of a belly ache yesterday morning when she first woke up and last night before bed. Again this morning she said her stomach hurt, so it is getting better. Before it hurt 24/7. We are due back on Thursday.
Just an update date on some things about the Brittany Meyer Fund. Tina has been running her butt off, I don't know how in the world she does it. She is working on the letter that she will be sending about her run, and Brittany. Tabitha also has been working hard getting raffle tickets out, flyers made up for the ride. She is also trying to get donations for door prizes for the day of the ride. So if anyone knows anyone with a business or anything that might want to donate something for a door prize let me know. They both have been wonderful to me, and I thank them both so much.
Take care,
Brenda
Wednesday, April 03, 2002 at 08:46 AM (CST)
Hello everyone. Well, we came home yesterday finally!! We got home at 3pm and her home nurse was here at 4pm. I am giving her meds by iv three times a day. Starting at 7am until 8:30am, then again 3pm till 4:30pm, and the last dose at 11pm till 12:30am. She will be on this schedule till Sunday. She is also taking several oral meds to go with it. We are due back into clinic on Friday, then again on Monday. I talked to her onc. doctors this evening and she is a bit concerned that they never did a stool sable and her stools are very loose. She said she could have an infection there also and it would need to be treated with another drug. So, I am probably going to have to take some up tomorrow if the belly pain is still the same. She still has the belly pain, it is a bit better but it is still there and this is week three. I gave her a nice shower when she got home and she had some Pizza Johns pizza, not that it stayed down. No fever, blood pressure is stable, and I guess everything else will fall into place. I am glad to be home but nervous a little bit. It is always a bit scary to bring them home at first when not feeling well. I will keep everyone updated as the days go by. Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers.
Take care
Brenda
Sunday, March 31, 2002 at 08:23 AM (CST)
Hello to all. I am sitting her at John Hopkins with Brittany. We went into clinic yesterday (Thursday) with a 105.5 temp. They said she was in shock when she got there. Her blood pressure was 70/20. They right away started fluids, and were trying to figure out where the belly pain was on Brittany. When I tried to wake her she was just not herself so I took her temp. As everyone knows she has been having a lot of belly pain for days now.
They sent us down for a cat scan of her chest and stomach looking for what might be going on in there. During this time they had started anti-biotics for bacteria of all kinds. They had to put in an IV line while we were down for the scan for they had to start her on a medicine that would squeeze the heart to help her blood pressure and oxygen level come up. This was very very scary. Her blood pressure just kept dropping but yet they needed the scan to see what was going on. They used her port for the heart medicine and needed a line for anti-biotics, blood transfusions and anything else that might come up. At this point I was scared to death. I had no idea what was going on, and Brittany was lifeless. After doing the scan they sent us right to ICU where were we spent the rest of the day, night, and this morning. Her blood pressure has gotten better since then so they were able to put us on the floor. She is being very closely monitored still at this time. She is getting another blood transfusion.
This is what they found in the scan. Excuse the spelling, and typing I have not been to bed since Wes. evening. They found spots on the lungs. She has pneumonia for sure. They are still waiting for blood cultures to grow. These spots that they found looked like fungus to them. So now we are dealing with pneumonia and fungus which is very hard to treat. So, they have had tests done today on her heart, bladder, and kidneys looking to see if this fungus has grown anywhere else. During all this time they started her on this anti-fungus medicine that is given once a day over 6 hours. There are side effects to this drug and of course Britt had one last night. She had gotten really bad chills and shakes. They gave her some more morphine which they had started her on after the scan. This helped and when running it this evening they are going to try to give it to her slower.
Many of the doctors are very confused about all of this that has happened to Brittany and how fast she went into shock. The blood presure would not drop like this due to fungus they said. So what was causing all these breathing issues? They decided to take this scan to what they say is the world's best scan reader in the world and that he just so happens to be here at Hopkins. This man said that it is not fungus!! It would be much more dense!! So, they have decided to continue her on all the meds they have her on now and wait for her counts to come up before stopping the fungus med. Meanwhile we are waiting for these drugs to kick in and do the job.
Brittany is still very lifeless. She has slept all day other then waking for a drink or to use the bathroom. She is still in a lot of pain and is getting pain meds for it. She has no idea what is going on for she is too out of it to explain.
They are going to watching her closely for she is off the heart med but her blood pressure is still very up and down. They are waiting to see if or what bacteria shows up in the cultures they did.
It has been a very long two days, I have not had any sleep so I am going to go for now and I will update and fill in any wholes tomorrow.
Please pray for Brittany. She is in a lot of pain. It needs to go away so she can start feeling better.
Wednesday, March 27, 2002 at 10:33 AM (CST)
Hello everyone. Just thought I would let everyone know what yesterday brought us. I talked with her Onc. Doctor and she said that Brittany will not be getting her last five shots. So I pray that she has had enough of this medicine. Her body is now refusing it for some reason, and I hope it is because she doesn't need anymore.
They are concerned about her belly pain a bit more than they were the other day. I have to call them when she wakes and if she doesn't feel any better I will be taking her in today for scans on her stomach. Brittany is not happy about that at all. I would rather do the scans and know what is wrong than keep wondering each day. She has no pain when laying still but when she starts moving she is having enough pain to want pain meds.
All she is doing is sleeping for she said she doesn't want to feel the pain. She has made comments like "why me," and "I just want to go to sleep and not wake up." So, now the doctors and I are worried about depression.
We are not sure why her body is doing all of this now, so her doctor will be looking at her proticol today to determine whether or not she will be giving Brittany any more of the drugs on this schedule. So, of course that is a worry of mine. I don't like when they start knocking things away. Although I understand that if her body is not accepting them then there is no real reason to give these drugs. I am hoping to know something by the end of the week for she has an appointment on Monday for chemo, which is the shot that I know she won't be getting.
So, Brittany may be starting the last regiment of drugs sooner than what we thought. Instead of May it may be now. They are worried about her mental state. She is unable to do much of anything anymore, and her mental state is just as important as her health.
I hope this is a sign from God that her body has enough of these drugs and that it is now time to move on. Please everyone pray that whatever happens is for the best. I don't ever want this to happen again because she didn't get enough chemo.
Tuesday, March 19, 2002 at 07:30 PM (CST)
Well, today has not been a very good one. Brittany went and had chemo yesterday, and as a result of the chemo Brittany has been throwing up all day. She is unable to keep anything down, but she has been trying. Every time she gets sick she asks for more food. I have no idea how she does that! This usually lasts five days, and today is only day two. Hopefully she will be feeling better by the weekend.
Nothing new other then her not feeling so hot. On May 24, 2002 Brittany, Vincent (her brother), her Aunt Kim, and I will be going to Deep Creek Lake for the weekend. We were invited there to stay at Sunrise At Fantasy Valley. This is a resort for families dealing with cancer. They are having all kinds of fun things for us to do - horseback riding, fishing, cookout, music, dancing, and other things to be announced. We are excited about going.
As some of you already know, on Sunday Brittany went to the circus with her brother, dad, me (of course), her Aunt Barb, Uncle Rob, cousins Robbie, Kristina, and Troy. She had a lot of fun!!
Thursday, March 14, 2002 at 06:29 PM (CST)
We just came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon. We went inpatient on Monday due to a fever. She was feeling pretty rotten on Monday but by Tuesday she was feeling better. Today - well, today is a different story! She woke up with a cold. She has a runny nose and a sore throat, but is feeling a bit better this afternoon.
We are due back at John Hopkins on Monday to start another round of chemo. I am hoping she is feeling better by then so she can get her chemo without already feeling nasty. In hopes that she will be feeling better she will be going to the circus on Sunday with Vincent, Dad, Aunt Barb, Uncle Rob, her cousins Robbie, Kristina, Troy, and of course me. Looking forward to taking her and having a good time.
A couple of really nice things have happened to me this week to make me feel really fortunate. My girlfriend Tina emailed me on Tuesday to inform me that she would be running in the Rock and Roll Marathon in honor of Brittany again this year. This will be the second time she has ran this marathon for Brittany. Last year she did a fantastic job raising over $6000.00 for the Brittany Meyer Fund. I am so excited and honored that she is doing this again. Tina will be running 26.4 miles!! That is hours and hours of running, I can't imagine.
Then just today my other good friend Tabitha calls me to tell me that her and her husband are setting up a motorcycle ride in honor of Brittany. Funds will also go to the Brittany Meyer Fund. All plans are not final at this time, but as I am informed I will inform everyone. Also, you will find in the near future updates and all information about both events on Brittany's website. Keep checking her site to stay informed about Brittany and the events. As always everyone please keep Brittany in you thoughts and prayers each and every day.
Wednesday, March 13, 2002 at 04:19 PM (CST)
The past year has been crazy. A lot of things have happened. Not all bad things - a lot of positive! There have been a lot of inpatients, doctor visits, procedures, chemo, throwing up, belly aches, headaches, leg pain, leg shots, surgeries, and tests, not to mention the mental part of it.
Brittany wasn't able to start middle school, and she is still not able to go to school. Other things she can't do include things like not being able to go to the movies, Skateland, parties, dances, all those things that 11- year-old girls do. She has lost touch with a lot of friends. It has been really hard for Brittany (and still is!)to live with cancer again. It is a different way of living for her and our family.
On the bright side, we have had a lot of support. Brittany has a Chemo Angel that has been wonderful to her, and also to me. Chemo Angels are for children or adults going through cancer treatment, and ours has been great to our family. My friend Tina ran a marathon in honor of Brittany and raised over $6000.00 dollars!!! I have met a few really good people at the hospital going through the same thing that we are. It's nice to be able to have someone to talk to that totally can relate to you. We have had some really wonderful people stand up and do some really amazing things for us.
I guess those are some of the good things that have come out of the past year -making new friends and having so many people support us. We have had to deal with trying to keep us together even when we are not home. Vincent trying to be a teenage boy, going to school, and having a very busy social life. It has not been the easiest thing, but we have made it through a year of it and we have one and a half years to go. We just have to try to stay focused on the other things in life that are just as important to us, and that is being NORMAL - living that somewhat normal life. Vince trying to work to support us, run a business on his own. I just have not been much help in that department in the past year. He has really been keeping things in order here. Me, well I just wake up each day and hope for the best. I try to make everyone happy. I have tried to jump on every opportunity we have to spend some family time together. It is not easy living each day not being able to plan a thing, and every time you do, it just doesn't work out. So I stopped making plans in the past year, but have promised myself to do so this coming year. To have hope and faith. So, as many of you know, our lives have been turned upside down, and now it is time to try to take some kind of control over it. Cancer has got to stop running our lives.
Saturday February 23, 2002 6:00 PM CST
To be honest the days after that was a blur, all I can say is not long after that we ended up in the Hospital with a fever. We ended up there for 30 days with low blood counts due to the intense chemo she had gotten during the induction. It was very hard being there again as a Mom with a child doing chemo again. Everyone was very friendly, but it didn't make it any easier. During the first 30 days of intense chemo their goal was to get Brittany back into remission. During that time Vince, Vincent, and I were tested to see if Vincent was a match for a bone marrow transplant for Brittany. Waiting for almost two weeks for the results they came back that Vincent was not a match. That was Brittany's best chance for a match. Searching in the bone marrow bank there was no match for Brittany out of thousands of donors. At this time the doctors were talking about retreating Brittany on a very high risk protocol. Without a match, we didn't have any other choice but to retreat. Which was fine with me!! Bone marrow transplants are too final for me, either it works or it doesn't. The end results could be deadly and I wasn't willing to take that chance. The doctors made this choice also by looking at the time Brittany was in remission. She was in remission for so long that they felt like this was a good way to go after her cancer once again. So after the 30 days of intense chemo, Brittany's counts started to recover and we got to come home. Before doing so Brittany was due for her spinal tap and bone marrow to see if she was in remission. Did the 30 days of chemo do the job? Yes, it did. I was so relieved that her body was responding to chemo therapy once again. So Brittany was in remission once again, thank God.
Wednesday February 20, 2002 7:53 PM CST
Brittany Meyer is an 11-year-old patient at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on December 16, 1996 - what turned out to be the worst day of my life (or so I thought). What we thought was just the flu was really cancer. Brittany was put on a low risk protocol after doing all the tests they needed to do. With this protocol, she did 2 1/2 years of chemo. Brittany was only in first grade at the time, and she was amazing! She went to school, played soccer, and basically did what everyone else did most of the time during her 2 1/2 years of chemo. She went to school everyday she could unless we had to go to John Hopkins for chemo. Like I said - and I am sure I will say it even more during this - "she is amazing!"
To back up a bit - on December 16 at 9:00 p.m. I got a phone call from Brittany's doctor, after having brought her in three times in one week not knowing what was wrong with her. They had drawn blood from Brittany earlier that day, and now she said to me, “I need you to take Brittany to the John Hopkins ER right away. We are not sure exactly what kind of cancer Brittany has but we know she has something going on with her.” She then told me they were waiting for us at that moment. I couldn't believe what she was saying to me, I got sick and couldn't breathe. Once I was able to get it together enough to tell my husband what was going on, we got her together and took her out to John Hopkins. That is where we have spent a lot of our time in the past six years. Brittany did remarkably during her chemotherapy in 1996-1998. She started fourth grade cancer- free and chemo- free, it was great!! After fourth grade she of course went to fifth grade, her last year in elementary school. It was her first year not missing any days at all since she got sick in 1996. Her grades were great, she was going to dances, skating with friends, all the things that 10-year-old girls do - until we went for her usual every-other-month check up. On February 19, 2001 I took Brittany to see her oncologist for her check up. The doctors were saying how good she looked, and I was agreeing, telling them she was indeed doing great! So after a delightful visit Brittany and I left to go shopping. It was very busy there and her counts were not back yet, so they told us to go enjoy ourselves and they would call us with her blood counts later. So we did, we went shopping, and got a movie. At 4 p.m. Brittany and I were sitting watching our movie when Tom her PA called us. He then told me the worst thing ever - after being in remission for 5 years, and off of therapy for just about 3 years, it was back. Yes, the cancer had returned!!! I couldn’t believe it once again. The nightmare was back, but this time I knew it was much worse. Relapse!! Not knowing anything other than the fact that we needed to be back at Hopkins the next morning for more blood work, a spinal tap, and bone marrow, I knew nothing else. I didn’t have the heart to tell Brittany anything other than the blood work was messed up and we had to go back in the morning. I just wanted her to sleep one more night thinking she was cancer free. Although I tried making her think it was OK, I think she knew it wasn’t OK.
So we go into John Hopkins the following day, I told them as soon as I got there that I hadn’t been able to tell her what was going on. They were all very supportive. With Brittany's nurse, doctor, and PA, I sat down and told her what was going on. She was amazing once again!! She stood so brave and strong listening to what I was telling her. With the support of everyone, we told her what little bit we knew at that point, which really wasn’t much. All I could tell her was that the cancer was back, and she needed to get a spinal tap, a bone marrow, and start chemotherapy today!! Yes, that day she started chemotherapy. It broke my heart when I saw them doing all of this to my baby again. She did this once, was a fighter, didn’t let the cancer rule her life, but what was it going to be like this time? When we finished there I took her home not knowing much more than what I already knew. NOTHING!!
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