Bryan’s Story

Site created on July 13, 2022



******NOTICE***** DO NOT DONATE to this site. We are not receiving ANY of the $$ donated. And we don’t want anyone to be deceived!!!

UPDATE: Bryan is battling cancer again, I will post updates to this page. August 2023


Some of you already know what’s been going on, but my life drastically changed on July 8th of this year. That’s the date that I went to the ER for some abdominal pain that had gotten pretty intense. They ran a CT scan and found a mass blocking part of my large intestine, and were about 99% sure that it was cancer.
I’ll never forget hearing those words for the first time.
And it’s crazy how quickly priorities align based on true priority. All those little things that we tell ourselves are important in our everyday lives just fall away. Because when it comes down to it, faith, family and friends are all we really have.

So on July 10th the doctors tried to perform a colonoscopy, but they couldn’t get the camera around the mass due to the size. So about 20 minutes after coming out of the colonoscopy, they wheeled me into surgery and removed about two thirds of my large intestine. Luckily, the surgeon was able to reconnect the two ends and it seems to be healing well.
Let me say that everyone at Mercy has been absolutely wonderful, they truly saved my life!

I’ve now started chemotherapy at Highlands Oncology. A special thank you to Christy Cox Whillock for pointing me in the right direction and answering so many questions about the process.
I’m currently sitting in a recliner having my second chemo therapy, which I’ll be doing every two weeks, for the next five months. The side effects are no joke folks. From neuropathy in the fingers and toes, nausea, cold sensitivity, mouth soreness, etc. it’s no bueno. But my prognosis is good and all should be good once treatment has ended.
I know I’ve had a lot of folks praying for me, and a big thank you to everyone because every prayer is greatly appreciated!!
God is great and he’s been with me every step of the way, and he’s blessed me with a sense of peace that I’ve been carrying with me. All glory and credit to my Heavenly Father!!

Brooklyn has been so patient and understanding during this whole process, and I don’t think I could love her any more than I already do. She is so wise and smart beyond her years sometimes.

My Mom, Sharon Rose has also been right there every step of the way. It amazes me sometimes how much she loves me. There’s nothing that Mom’s love and a bowl of watermelon can’t fix.
She was such a trooper and didn’t complain one time when she stayed a couple nights with me in the hospital, even though I know her bed wasn’t very comfortable.

And my absolute rock, Terri Shipley Rose.
When I say rock, I mean it. Terri has been by my side in the hospital, and for every appointment and treatment. She’s seen me go through this whole process and has supported me without fail. Terri has a real inner strength, and I appreciate and love her more than I can say.

So I guess the message that I want to communicate is this, don’t ignore persistent aches and pains because you never know how serious it can be. I ignored the abdominal pain for about a year because it would come and go, but it almost cost me my life. Please get those things checked out, and get a colonoscopy!!!
It may just save your life!
Ya’ll take care and God bless!

Newest Update

Journal entry by

We are headed home today with a lot of info to digest. But most importantly, Bryan was cleared for surgery on Monday. We also learned from the testing and scans yesterday that there is no other reoccurrence of cancer anywhere else in his body. This was the BEST news!! The tumor that is present in his ureter duct (the duct between bladder and kidney), has attached to the small intestine, so there will be some work done there to resection the intestine. We met with Urology (since it’s in his urinary tract), and Colon surgeons, and we’re so impressed and blown away with all the options that are available. We both feel confident that the care and consideration taken for the surgery is top notch, and it’s put our minds at ease. His surgery will be done robotically. 

We will return to Rochester on Sunday, and surgery is early Monday morning. And we expect to be there till the following weekend. 

We both are feeling so blessed and favored by God! God is in control and guiding us. Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts. 

I will update again on Monday afternoon after surgery.

We still have some openings for a meal train after we return from Minnesota. Here is the link to sign up:  https://mealtrain.com/zkl7mo

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