Yesterday, Brenan checked into Arrowhead around 3:00 p.m. and he is there now getting hydrated and doing whatever it takes to pass the time. The doctor wanted him to get a full 24 hours of hydrating IVs going before they begin Course B of the chemotherapy treatment on Friday morning.
Good news - as of yesterday evening, Good Sam had identified 3 more possible matches for Brenan's bone marrow transplant. We are waiting to hear a little more about these possibilities and will let you know!
If you are interested in learning more about donating bone marrow, either for Brenan or for your community, visit marrow.org.
Brenan will most likely find a match within this Donor Registry, thanks to all the generous donors who took the time to get themselves "tissue-typed." Having to go through this voyage we call 'cancer' has made us realize how important it is for everyone to donate blood and marrow for anyone in the world that might be in need.
For intructions on finding out your type, click here. The cost to get "tissue-typed" is $52.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Cheering for Brenan
Brenan's appointment went well yesterday, no news. He is waiting to be admitted to Arrowhead later today.
When we first heard the news of Brenan's diagnosis, I think it made us all stop, catch our breath, and time just seemed to stand still for a few days... we were all a bit frozen with shock. It took a few weeks for us all to feel normal again, to realize that even though our Brenan is ill, we still have jobs to keep, homes to maintain, lives to live, and the earth is still going round, with or without us.
The initial shock was replaced by absentminded worrying, waiting, hoping, which takes a toll on us all, emotionally and physically. Lucky for us, we can take a long hot shower, sit and talk with a friend, go see a movie, immerse ourselves in work, or specifically for me, train my worries away by swimming, biking, or running.
But for Brenan, this is not the case. His life continues to stand still while he undergoes treatment. We have to remember that Brenan lives with cancer. Every. Day. He is dealing with it so well, if you were to see him, you'd never guess he has endured almost 3 months of chemotherapy. But that can almost be deceaving for the rest of us... we think and want to believe - oh he's fine.
Let us not forget the mountain Brenan is climbing right now. He needs us to continue to cheer him on, remind him we've got his back, show him there's a party waiting when he reaches the top.
When we first heard the news of Brenan's diagnosis, I think it made us all stop, catch our breath, and time just seemed to stand still for a few days... we were all a bit frozen with shock. It took a few weeks for us all to feel normal again, to realize that even though our Brenan is ill, we still have jobs to keep, homes to maintain, lives to live, and the earth is still going round, with or without us.
The initial shock was replaced by absentminded worrying, waiting, hoping, which takes a toll on us all, emotionally and physically. Lucky for us, we can take a long hot shower, sit and talk with a friend, go see a movie, immerse ourselves in work, or specifically for me, train my worries away by swimming, biking, or running.
But for Brenan, this is not the case. His life continues to stand still while he undergoes treatment. We have to remember that Brenan lives with cancer. Every. Day. He is dealing with it so well, if you were to see him, you'd never guess he has endured almost 3 months of chemotherapy. But that can almost be deceaving for the rest of us... we think and want to believe - oh he's fine.
Let us not forget the mountain Brenan is climbing right now. He needs us to continue to cheer him on, remind him we've got his back, show him there's a party waiting when he reaches the top.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Training Updates
Brenan is still in good shape these days, thanks to all the positive thoughts and prayers you are sending our way. We are still waiting to hear from Good Sam on a bone marrow match. Tomorrow is Brenan's checkup with the oncologist to prep him for admittance into Arrowhead Hospital on Wednesday. He will be in the hospital again for about 1 week. Last time it was 6 days so we're hoping for the same, if not less, this time around!
Training for the triathlon is going very well! You can see my fundraising progress on my website:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/somatri08/eeiler
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR GENEROSITY! Just a reminder that all these donations go directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for blood cancer research.
It shows that there is a $100 donation from me, Elisabeth Eiler, which is really a donation from a good family friend who wanted to remain anonymous. Thank you! I really don't have the funds to be donating, which is why I'm competing instead! Being a triathlete is expensive - swimsuits, goggles, swim caps, wet suits, racing bikes, biking shoes, running shoes, a waterproof tri-outfit, etc. etc. etc. I think I might have chosen the most expensive sport out there. Oh well, I am really enjoying the training and making some good friends along the way.
This past weekend was my toughest practice yet. We swam in Lake Pleasant, our first open water swim to get used to swimming in a lake as opposed to a pool with lane lines. We also biked a very hilly course for 2 hours and finished off with a 20 minute run. Those hills were killer, I'm feeling it today. Three months to go!
Training for the triathlon is going very well! You can see my fundraising progress on my website:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/somatri08/eeiler
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR GENEROSITY! Just a reminder that all these donations go directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for blood cancer research.
It shows that there is a $100 donation from me, Elisabeth Eiler, which is really a donation from a good family friend who wanted to remain anonymous. Thank you! I really don't have the funds to be donating, which is why I'm competing instead! Being a triathlete is expensive - swimsuits, goggles, swim caps, wet suits, racing bikes, biking shoes, running shoes, a waterproof tri-outfit, etc. etc. etc. I think I might have chosen the most expensive sport out there. Oh well, I am really enjoying the training and making some good friends along the way.
This past weekend was my toughest practice yet. We swam in Lake Pleasant, our first open water swim to get used to swimming in a lake as opposed to a pool with lane lines. We also biked a very hilly course for 2 hours and finished off with a 20 minute run. Those hills were killer, I'm feeling it today. Three months to go!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Working While He Can
Brenan had his intrathcal treatment yesterday and all went well. He is feeling good and went to work today - just light work doing ground instruction at the flight school. He'll have this week to work and relax a bit before he is re-admitted into the hospital for Course B of the Hyper-CVAD treatment.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Outpatient Care
Brenan will go in for his intrathecal chemotherapy treatment on Thursday. This will be an outpatient procedure at 10:30 AM at Boswell Hospital in the West Valley.
Pictures from the camping trip coming soon!
Pictures from the camping trip coming soon!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Good Test Results
Recent blood tests have shown that Brenan's blood count is very good. Because he is showing a healthy blood count, he will be able to undergo another intrathecal treatment very soon. This will be his third intrathecal treatment.
He has an appointment with his oncologist on Tuesday, the 29th, where he will get a check up and a referral into the hospital on Wednesday, the 30th. He will begin Course B of the Hyper-CVAD treatment beginning on the 30th and will most likely remain in the hospital for about a week, just like the last time he was admitted.
In the mean time, Brenan is working at Premier Helicopters a couple times a week doing ground and simulator instruction.
We are still waiting for Good Sam to find his bone marrow match. Currently, 2 people have been scheduled to come in for further testing and they are attempting to get in contact with 2 others.
He has an appointment with his oncologist on Tuesday, the 29th, where he will get a check up and a referral into the hospital on Wednesday, the 30th. He will begin Course B of the Hyper-CVAD treatment beginning on the 30th and will most likely remain in the hospital for about a week, just like the last time he was admitted.
In the mean time, Brenan is working at Premier Helicopters a couple times a week doing ground and simulator instruction.
We are still waiting for Good Sam to find his bone marrow match. Currently, 2 people have been scheduled to come in for further testing and they are attempting to get in contact with 2 others.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Resting
Brenan has been home and resting this week. He goes in for a chemotherapy treatment and check up on Friday morning. Then the Eilers are going on a camping trip for the weekend!
My training is going really well! Nancy Hall, one of my mom's good friends, has loaned her racing bike to me for the next few months so I can train and use it during the triathlon. Thank you, Nancy! It's a great bike and makes my training much more effective. This past week, my training team had a duathlon at Tempe Beach Park. We practiced transitioning from biking to running for a couple of hours, which is tougher than it sounds, as we have to change shoes and many-a-times people forget to remove their biking helmet as they scurry to start their run. Not me, of course. :)
My training is going really well! Nancy Hall, one of my mom's good friends, has loaned her racing bike to me for the next few months so I can train and use it during the triathlon. Thank you, Nancy! It's a great bike and makes my training much more effective. This past week, my training team had a duathlon at Tempe Beach Park. We practiced transitioning from biking to running for a couple of hours, which is tougher than it sounds, as we have to change shoes and many-a-times people forget to remove their biking helmet as they scurry to start their run. Not me, of course. :)
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Released... Again
Brenan was released from the hospital early today! We had a nice lunch over at my parents' house and now he is home again, resting. He has a follow up appointment later this week to run some blood tests and he will probably go in for some outpatient intrathecal chemo treatments over the next few weeks. He will need to return to the hospital in about three weeks for Course B of the Hyper-CVAD regimen.
We are lucky that Brenan is feeling so well after nearly one week of intense treatment. He is wearing his Sea Bands on his wrists which are probably helping a great deal with nausea. He has a bit of peach fuzz growing on his head after shaving it last month. However, the doctor said he will probably lose a lot more of his hair after a few days, as it takes some time for this side effect to occur.
We are lucky that Brenan is feeling so well after nearly one week of intense treatment. He is wearing his Sea Bands on his wrists which are probably helping a great deal with nausea. He has a bit of peach fuzz growing on his head after shaving it last month. However, the doctor said he will probably lose a lot more of his hair after a few days, as it takes some time for this side effect to occur.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Treatment Change
Unfortunately, Brenan's biopsy was malignant, showing the same symptoms as the biopsy of his lymph node back in May. His oncologist has changed his treatment to hyper-cvad chemotherapy.
Click here to read more about the treatment.
There are two courses of the treatment - A & B. He started Course A last night and will receive treatment over the next week. Most likely, after about 7 days, he will be released from the hospital. He will return in 3 weeks to begin Course B. This cycle will take place until a bone marrow match is found and can be admitted to the City of Hope at Good Sam in Phoenix.
Brenan is pretty tired these days. He is experiencing the typical side effects of chemotherapy. We are hoping that this highly aggressive chemo treatment goes by quickly.
Click here to read more about the treatment.
There are two courses of the treatment - A & B. He started Course A last night and will receive treatment over the next week. Most likely, after about 7 days, he will be released from the hospital. He will return in 3 weeks to begin Course B. This cycle will take place until a bone marrow match is found and can be admitted to the City of Hope at Good Sam in Phoenix.
Brenan is pretty tired these days. He is experiencing the typical side effects of chemotherapy. We are hoping that this highly aggressive chemo treatment goes by quickly.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Photo Session
We have not gotten word on Brenan's biopsy yet.
Brenan and Jess had some portraits taken - click here to see: www.CherieChavez.com
Select "Portraits"
Click on "Client Proofing"
Enter "brenan" as the password to view photos.
Brenan and Jess had some portraits taken - click here to see: www.CherieChavez.com
Select "Portraits"
Click on "Client Proofing"
Enter "brenan" as the password to view photos.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Bumps in the Road
Brenan was admitted to Hotel Arrowhead yesterday afternoon and immediately was given a dose of intrathecal chemotherapy. His oncologist stopped by for a visit and was concerned about some small bumps on Brenan's face, particularly his forehead. He scheduled a surgeon to take a biopsy of the lumps this morning and to have results rushed back to him. In the mean time, he put a freeze on any chemotherapy treatments that were scheduled to happen today. The results of the biopsy will determine if he needs to change the current chemotherapy treatment plan.
We will hopefully have results from the biopsy tomorrow, or at least some preliminary results this afternoon.
We will hopefully have results from the biopsy tomorrow, or at least some preliminary results this afternoon.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Preparing for Another Hospital Stay
Hope everyone had a happy 4th! Ours was pretty relaxing as we are preparing ourselves for Brenan's next stint in the hospital.
Brenan should be admitted into Arrowhead sometime this afternoon. Visitors are encouraged - up until Brenan becomes neutropenic, which will probably be in a week or so, but we will alert you when he does. Cards, letters, etc. can be sent to:
Brenan Eiler
7327 W. Grovers Ave
Glendale, AZ 85308
Brenan is expected to be in the hospital for another 3-4 weeks. The hardest part about all this is knowing how busy Brenan typically is when he is healthy and having to see his activity restricted and having him confined to his hospital room.
We were so lucky to have Aunt Viv here for as long as she was and we are sad to see her go back to Minnesota tomorrow. She handled the hot, hot heat of the desert pretty well but I'm sure she's looking forward to the greener pastures of the Midwest.
Training for the triathlon is going strong! I passed the swim test that participants must go through in order to qualify to compete and we had a nice, hilly, 2 hour team bike ride this weekend - during which I didn't fall off my bike. Success!
Brenan should be admitted into Arrowhead sometime this afternoon. Visitors are encouraged - up until Brenan becomes neutropenic, which will probably be in a week or so, but we will alert you when he does. Cards, letters, etc. can be sent to:
Brenan Eiler
7327 W. Grovers Ave
Glendale, AZ 85308
Brenan is expected to be in the hospital for another 3-4 weeks. The hardest part about all this is knowing how busy Brenan typically is when he is healthy and having to see his activity restricted and having him confined to his hospital room.
We were so lucky to have Aunt Viv here for as long as she was and we are sad to see her go back to Minnesota tomorrow. She handled the hot, hot heat of the desert pretty well but I'm sure she's looking forward to the greener pastures of the Midwest.
Training for the triathlon is going strong! I passed the swim test that participants must go through in order to qualify to compete and we had a nice, hilly, 2 hour team bike ride this weekend - during which I didn't fall off my bike. Success!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Consolidation Therapy
On Monday, Brenan will begin consolidation chemotherapy.
Consolidation chemotherapy - Chemotherapy given once a remission is achieved. The goal of this therapy is to sustain a remission. Consolidation chemotherapy may also be called intensification therapy. This term is commonly used in the treatment of acute leukemias.
Although, we have not been formally told that Brenan is in remission, his blood tests are coming back with good and stable results. However, this does not excuse him from having a bone marrow transplant.
Click here to read more about the typical treatment method for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
This article is a great resource to understanding what the steps are to get Brenan healthy!
Consolidation chemotherapy - Chemotherapy given once a remission is achieved. The goal of this therapy is to sustain a remission. Consolidation chemotherapy may also be called intensification therapy. This term is commonly used in the treatment of acute leukemias.
Although, we have not been formally told that Brenan is in remission, his blood tests are coming back with good and stable results. However, this does not excuse him from having a bone marrow transplant.
Click here to read more about the typical treatment method for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
This article is a great resource to understanding what the steps are to get Brenan healthy!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
BMT Preparations
Brenan had an appointment with his regular oncologist today. He went through a physical evaluation and some blood tests. The oncologist's plan for Brenan aligned with that of the doctor at the BMT Center.
He will be admitted into Thunderbird Hospital on Monday undergoing both intrathecal chemotherapy and his second round of IV chemotherapy. He will be in this hospital until his bone marrow match is identified and has the opportunity to donate. When this occurs, he will be moved to Good Samaritan in Phoenix.
He will be admitted into Thunderbird Hospital on Monday undergoing both intrathecal chemotherapy and his second round of IV chemotherapy. He will be in this hospital until his bone marrow match is identified and has the opportunity to donate. When this occurs, he will be moved to Good Samaritan in Phoenix.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
BMT Consultation
Yesterday was very eventful, as Brenan was able to go in for a consultation with a doctor at Good Sam's City of Hope Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Center.
According to the doctor, a BMT is highly necessary at this point in Brenan's treatment and the doctor wants to get things started within the next month, but first a bone marrow match for Brenan must be identified. There are some preliminary matches lined up, so that's the good news, and now an exact match must be narrowed down. In the mean time, Brenan will go through intrathecal chemotherapy treatments, most likely at Thunderbird Hospital. He will also need to go through traditional chemotherapy treatments - because intrathecal treats his central nervous system, the other treats his blood. The goal is to get Brenan ready for his BMT as soon as possible. In order to do this, he must go through very intense chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
The next couple of months will most likely be very difficult and take quite a toll on Brenan physically and mentally. We're hoping they go quickly and Brenan's actual road to recovery can begin.
According to the doctor, a BMT is highly necessary at this point in Brenan's treatment and the doctor wants to get things started within the next month, but first a bone marrow match for Brenan must be identified. There are some preliminary matches lined up, so that's the good news, and now an exact match must be narrowed down. In the mean time, Brenan will go through intrathecal chemotherapy treatments, most likely at Thunderbird Hospital. He will also need to go through traditional chemotherapy treatments - because intrathecal treats his central nervous system, the other treats his blood. The goal is to get Brenan ready for his BMT as soon as possible. In order to do this, he must go through very intense chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
The next couple of months will most likely be very difficult and take quite a toll on Brenan physically and mentally. We're hoping they go quickly and Brenan's actual road to recovery can begin.
A little delayed...
But here are pictures from Brenan's stay in the hospital - his decorated walls. And a photo of he and my dad right after he was released.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
