Brenan's temperature exceeded 101 degrees yesterday evening but they were able to bring it back down to 99 with ice packs and Tylenol. Fever is just one of the many risks that come with the territory. He also received 2 units of blood on Tuesday, and 2 more units on Wednesday. During these next few weeks we are waiting for engraftment. I pasted a bit of information below to help us understand what Brenan is going through because reading it is like reading a page right out of Brenan's biography.
ENGRAFTMENT
The two to four weeks immediately following transplant are the most critical. The high-dose chemotherapy and/or radiation given to the patient during conditioning will have destroyed the patient's bone marrow, crippling the body's "immune" or defense system. As the patient waits for the transplanted bone marrow to migrate to the cavities of the large bones, set up housekeeping or "engraft," and begin producing normal blood cells, he or she will be very susceptible to infection and excessive bleeding. Multiple antibiotics and blood transfusions will be administered to the patient to help prevent and fight infection. Transfusions of platelets will be given to prevent bleeding. Allogeneic patients will receive additional medications to prevent and control graft-versus-host disease.
Extraordinary precautions will be taken to minimize the patient's exposure to viruses and bacteria. Visitors and hospital personnel will wash their hands with antiseptic soap and, in some cases, wear protective gowns, gloves and/or masks while in the patient's room. Fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and cut flowers will be prohibited in the patient's room since they often carry fungi and bacteria that pose a risk of infection. When leaving the room, the patient may wear a mask, gown and gloves as a barrier against bacteria and virus, and as a reminder to others that he or she is susceptible to infection. Blood samples will be taken daily to determine whether or not engraftment has occurred and to monitor organ function. When the transplanted bone marrow finally engrafts and begins producing normal blood cells, the patient will gradually be taken off the antibiotics, and blood and platelet transfusions will generally no longer be required. once the bone marrow is producing a sufficient number of healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, the patient will be discharged from the hospital, provided no other complications have developed. BMT patients typically spend four to eight weeks in the hospital.
WHAT A PATIENT FEELS DURING THE TRANSPLANT
A bone marrow transplant is a physically, emotionally, and psychologically taxing procedure for both the patient and family. A patient needs and should seek as much help as possible to cope with the experience. "Toughing it out" on your own is not the smartest way to cope with the transplant experience.
The bone marrow transplant is a debilitating experience. Imagine the symptoms of a severe case of the flu - nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, extreme weakness. Now imagine what it's like to cope with the symptoms not just for several days, but for several weeks. That approximates what a BMT patient experiences during hospitalization.
During this period the patient will feel very sick and weak. Walking, sitting up in bed for long periods of time, reading books, talking on the phone, visiting with friends or even watching TV may require more energy than the patient has to spare.
Complications can develop after a bone marrow transplant such as infection, bleeding, graft-versus-host disease, or liver disease, which can create additional discomfort. The pain, however, is usually controllable by medication. In addition, mouth sores can develop that make eating and swallowing uncomfortable. Temporary mental confusion sometimes occurs and can be quite frightening for the patient who may not realize it's only temporary. The medical staff will help the patient deal with these problems.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tough Recovery
Sadly, I had to take Aunt Viv and Uncle Rich to the airport yesterday. We will miss them! But I got to spend a couple hours with Brenan yesterday and considering his circumstances, he was in a pretty darn good mood. We watched a few episodes of "The Office," which can always make us laugh.
It has been a very tough week for Brenan, and the challenges that come with chemotherapy, radiation, and new stem cells are expected to last for the next 3 weeks or so. It's as if we've climbed a very steep mountain and have reached a rocky, unsafe plateau that we must cross before we can slide down the other side to the valley of health.
It has been a very tough week for Brenan, and the challenges that come with chemotherapy, radiation, and new stem cells are expected to last for the next 3 weeks or so. It's as if we've climbed a very steep mountain and have reached a rocky, unsafe plateau that we must cross before we can slide down the other side to the valley of health.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tri-Hard
Phew! I made it! I completed the triathlon in 3 hours and 22 minutes. I feel great and I am so happy I made it through without any flat tires or pulled muscles.
Swimming through Tempe Town Lake went by in just 24 minutes and 25 seconds, and was rather uneventful except for a right hook to the jaw by a very aggressive passing swimmer. Couldn't take me down though! I jumped out of the lake and raced to my bike in the transition area and was off for the bike ride in just under 3 minutes.
Winding through Tempe's streets on my bike took the longest and I finished the route in 1 hour and 44 minutes. There were times when I didn't think my legs could peddle any further, but my trusty bike, Purple Thunder, and I pushed to the very end. I was off my bike and ready to run in 2 minutes and 11 seconds.
The run was actually a relief to me - to feel solid ground under my feet and my lungs burning with life! The 6.55 mile run took me 1 hour and 8 minutes, just enough time to process the goal I was about to reach, focus on the finish line, and think about Brenan. Now it's time that we plow ahead towards his swift recovery! I made it through my challenge, and Brenan will make it through his.
Pictures of the event and mine and Brenan's supporters:
Swimming through Tempe Town Lake went by in just 24 minutes and 25 seconds, and was rather uneventful except for a right hook to the jaw by a very aggressive passing swimmer. Couldn't take me down though! I jumped out of the lake and raced to my bike in the transition area and was off for the bike ride in just under 3 minutes.
Winding through Tempe's streets on my bike took the longest and I finished the route in 1 hour and 44 minutes. There were times when I didn't think my legs could peddle any further, but my trusty bike, Purple Thunder, and I pushed to the very end. I was off my bike and ready to run in 2 minutes and 11 seconds.
The run was actually a relief to me - to feel solid ground under my feet and my lungs burning with life! The 6.55 mile run took me 1 hour and 8 minutes, just enough time to process the goal I was about to reach, focus on the finish line, and think about Brenan. Now it's time that we plow ahead towards his swift recovery! I made it through my challenge, and Brenan will make it through his.
Pictures of the event and mine and Brenan's supporters:
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Saturday
Keep those prayers coming ten-fold!
Elisa's big day is tomorrow! She is running in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's triathlon tomorrow at Tempe Town Lake. She plans to get there around 5 am to get PUMPED before the race--and the event should be over around 9 or 10. She has to run, bike, and swim! Geez! Please keep her in your thoughts! (More info about all of this in her previous posts if you are a newcomer to blog)
Brenan is probably going through the hardest part of the transplant process right now (and for the next week). Your extra prayers. cards, and blog posts would be so appreciated. After the process of chemo and radiation to destroy bone marrow--it takes awhile for the new bone marrow to start making cells. In the meantime, a person develops extremely painful sores in their mouth, body aches, extreme fatigue, and many other kinds of painful side effects. Even a superhero like Brenan has to go through all these painful symptoms. (It is part of the expected process--so the doctors say). He is doing his best to crack a smile here and there--and the doctors/nursing staff has been very helpful with offering different solutions and pain medicine. The unfortunate part is that these symptoms are expected to last for at least another week to ten days. It will be awhile until he starts to feel better each day.
Please pray for Brenan's strength in spirit--his determination to get better--and for some restful, healing nights of sleep. Please pray that his doctors ask the right questions and think of the right solutions to help him be as comfortable as possible in these difficult times.
(PS: We have internet here so we can read the blog posts often. Post him messages as often as you would like. Or, if you would like to send him a more personal message--that you'd prefer to post more discretely--feel free to send it to my email address and I will make sure that he gets it. Doremi2u@hotmail.com)
Lots of love from Jess, Brenan, and the whole family!
Elisa's big day is tomorrow! She is running in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's triathlon tomorrow at Tempe Town Lake. She plans to get there around 5 am to get PUMPED before the race--and the event should be over around 9 or 10. She has to run, bike, and swim! Geez! Please keep her in your thoughts! (More info about all of this in her previous posts if you are a newcomer to blog)
Brenan is probably going through the hardest part of the transplant process right now (and for the next week). Your extra prayers. cards, and blog posts would be so appreciated. After the process of chemo and radiation to destroy bone marrow--it takes awhile for the new bone marrow to start making cells. In the meantime, a person develops extremely painful sores in their mouth, body aches, extreme fatigue, and many other kinds of painful side effects. Even a superhero like Brenan has to go through all these painful symptoms. (It is part of the expected process--so the doctors say). He is doing his best to crack a smile here and there--and the doctors/nursing staff has been very helpful with offering different solutions and pain medicine. The unfortunate part is that these symptoms are expected to last for at least another week to ten days. It will be awhile until he starts to feel better each day.
Please pray for Brenan's strength in spirit--his determination to get better--and for some restful, healing nights of sleep. Please pray that his doctors ask the right questions and think of the right solutions to help him be as comfortable as possible in these difficult times.
(PS: We have internet here so we can read the blog posts often. Post him messages as often as you would like. Or, if you would like to send him a more personal message--that you'd prefer to post more discretely--feel free to send it to my email address and I will make sure that he gets it. Doremi2u@hotmail.com)
Lots of love from Jess, Brenan, and the whole family!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Recovering After Transplant
As expected, Brenan is extremely tired after the transplant on Wednesday. He is resting in his room with plenty of fluids and medication, and the nurses are attending to him, as well as Jess. :)
We love having Aunt Viv and Uncle Rich here! They visit Brenan as often as they can - they must hold an awful lot of love for him to fly all the way down from Minnesota to sit in a hospital.
Two days until the big race! What an eventful week we are having in the Eiler family.
We love having Aunt Viv and Uncle Rich here! They visit Brenan as often as they can - they must hold an awful lot of love for him to fly all the way down from Minnesota to sit in a hospital.
Two days until the big race! What an eventful week we are having in the Eiler family.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Let the Healing Begin...
Brenan received his new stem cells last night at 9:30. It took a full hour for that little bag of pinkish red liquid to empty into his veins. Now those stem cells need to travel to their destined spot and begin producing new marrow. This little bag of life, traveling all the way from Germany, arrived at about 8:30 into the bone marrow transplant unit in a green and white cooler. They gave Brenan a few different medicines to prepare him for the stem cells, which helped to relax him, then hung the bag on his IV pole at about 9:30. Jess, Mom, Dave, and I circled around Brenan, said a little prayer, and watched as the cells began to flow into Brenan, bringing along with them the hope of a cure.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
BMT Prayer
Dear God,
Today is the day. Brenan receives his new stem cells tonight around 8:00 pm. We have continuously prayed for you to walk with us through this journey towards Brenan's recovery, and are so thankful for a successful treatment process thus far. But today we ask a little bit more. Today, we need hope, love, and positive energy sent to us and inspired in us tenfold. Today, we need Brenan in good spirits, strong in mind and body. Today, we need a cure.
We have all the faith in your power, the doctors, and Brenan.
With love and devotion we pray,
Brenan's Family and Friends
Today is the day. Brenan receives his new stem cells tonight around 8:00 pm. We have continuously prayed for you to walk with us through this journey towards Brenan's recovery, and are so thankful for a successful treatment process thus far. But today we ask a little bit more. Today, we need hope, love, and positive energy sent to us and inspired in us tenfold. Today, we need Brenan in good spirits, strong in mind and body. Today, we need a cure.
We have all the faith in your power, the doctors, and Brenan.
With love and devotion we pray,
Brenan's Family and Friends
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Care During and After BMT
Brenan is getting set for his BMT. He looks good and is in high spirits. It's easier for him to eat liquids right now because his stomach and esophagus are a bit sensitive from the radiation. He is not allowed to consume any foods outside the hospital though - so no Dairy Queen milkshakes, sorry! My mom, dad, and I learned a ton about what Brenan can and cannot eat while he is recovering from his transplant, and many other facets of the recovery process. It was a bit overwhelming for me to take in all the information.
He will receive the donated marrow on Wednesday but we're not sure of an exact time yet. Tomorrow, he has to get his blood "scrubbed," meaning they need to rid his blood of any typing so that his body does not reject the donated bone marrow which comes from a donor with a different blood type. I don't think "scrubbing" is the technical term, but that's how I think of it. :)
Here's a little bit more information about what the next few weeks will be like for Brenan:
The Transplant & Recovery
Physicians usually transplant the harvested marrow or stem cells intravenously, in the same way that they would administer a blood transfusion. Over the following days and weeks, the transplanted stem cells in the graft migrate to the marrow space in the patient's bones, where they gradually begin to produce blood and immune system cells.
Between two and three weeks after the transplant, physicians should begin to detect cells of the donor's type in the patient's bloodstream. As time passes, a successful graft is able to produce the full range of blood components including red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes, including polys or neutrophils), and platelets.
During the days just after transplantation, patients need a great deal of medical support including transfusions of irradiated blood products like platelets and red cells. Patients also receive antibiotics to prevent and treat infections. These include bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, which are most likely to occur in the first three months after transplantation. Patients are also vulnerable to complications of the preparative regimen, which may require specific treatment.
Patients generally remain in the hospital for several weeks after the transplant. During this time precautionary measures protect the patient from infection by requiring people who enter the room to wear protective gloves and masks, and to wash their hands with antiseptic soap. Sometimes people entering the room need to cover their clothing with clean, disposable gowns. Fresh fruit, flowers, plants, or cut flowers are barred from the patient's room, as these can carry disease-causing molds and bacteria.
So our hope is that a few weeks after the transplant, successful grafting will occur and his body will fully accept the new marrow
He will receive the donated marrow on Wednesday but we're not sure of an exact time yet. Tomorrow, he has to get his blood "scrubbed," meaning they need to rid his blood of any typing so that his body does not reject the donated bone marrow which comes from a donor with a different blood type. I don't think "scrubbing" is the technical term, but that's how I think of it. :)
Here's a little bit more information about what the next few weeks will be like for Brenan:
The Transplant & Recovery
Physicians usually transplant the harvested marrow or stem cells intravenously, in the same way that they would administer a blood transfusion. Over the following days and weeks, the transplanted stem cells in the graft migrate to the marrow space in the patient's bones, where they gradually begin to produce blood and immune system cells.
Between two and three weeks after the transplant, physicians should begin to detect cells of the donor's type in the patient's bloodstream. As time passes, a successful graft is able to produce the full range of blood components including red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes, including polys or neutrophils), and platelets.
During the days just after transplantation, patients need a great deal of medical support including transfusions of irradiated blood products like platelets and red cells. Patients also receive antibiotics to prevent and treat infections. These include bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, which are most likely to occur in the first three months after transplantation. Patients are also vulnerable to complications of the preparative regimen, which may require specific treatment.
Patients generally remain in the hospital for several weeks after the transplant. During this time precautionary measures protect the patient from infection by requiring people who enter the room to wear protective gloves and masks, and to wash their hands with antiseptic soap. Sometimes people entering the room need to cover their clothing with clean, disposable gowns. Fresh fruit, flowers, plants, or cut flowers are barred from the patient's room, as these can carry disease-causing molds and bacteria.
So our hope is that a few weeks after the transplant, successful grafting will occur and his body will fully accept the new marrow
A bit about Brenan's room
I thought that it might make some of you feel more at ease to see some photos of Brenan’s room. Our room is nice and spacious. The mural in the room was painted be the nursing staff and many of the rooms here have special murals. Your photos and cards have also really helped to keep everything cheerful. But—don’t think we’re getting too comfortable! We’re counting down days to be out of here in no time!
--helicopter outside our window--
Elisa is busy preparing for her triathlon on Sunday! Please keep her in your loving thoughts. Brenan is getting lots of sleep but is cheerful and lots of fun (always!) to be around. Please keep praying for his endurance and strong faith that we can make it through all this!
Please also include Brenan’s donor in your prayers the next few days. From what I know, this anonymous 30-year old man will be donating his cells today or tomorrow so that they can arrive for Brenan by Wednesday or Thursday. What an amazing gift from someone that has never met us!
Thanks for all the love, thoughts and prayers, and the pictures.
Lots of love from Jess and Brenan!
-----------------------------------------------------------
We have a wonderful view from our window, looking out over Phoenix, the mountains, and Sky Harbor…where you can see planes come and go all day. Not only that—but we look right out at the helipad! We have gotten to see lots of helicopters come and go as well. At night, the city lights are absolutely beautiful.
-----view of the mountains-----
--helicopter outside our window--
--------Phoenix at night------------
Elisa is busy preparing for her triathlon on Sunday! Please keep her in your loving thoughts. Brenan is getting lots of sleep but is cheerful and lots of fun (always!) to be around. Please keep praying for his endurance and strong faith that we can make it through all this!
Please also include Brenan’s donor in your prayers the next few days. From what I know, this anonymous 30-year old man will be donating his cells today or tomorrow so that they can arrive for Brenan by Wednesday or Thursday. What an amazing gift from someone that has never met us!
Thanks for all the love, thoughts and prayers, and the pictures.
Lots of love from Jess and Brenan!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Photos!!!
Haven't sent photos yet? What's your excuse?!?
Please send your photos! Even if you happen to be someone (wonderful) that doesn't even know Brenan--but is reading the post because a friend of a friend of a friend told you....that's so cool! Please send us your photo, too! We want photos from EVERYBODY!
And if you're close friends or family--you have no excuse! Send your photo!!! (I'm still waiting for photos from some very important people!)
Brenan loves to see the special messages! It makes him smile everytime. If you need ideas, see my previous posts ("collage update" and "send your photos") OR just email me a photo of you/your family and tell me what caption to add. I have one more collage to make--probably soon--in about a week.
Thanks! Jess (email to: doremi2u@hotmail.com)
Please send your photos! Even if you happen to be someone (wonderful) that doesn't even know Brenan--but is reading the post because a friend of a friend of a friend told you....that's so cool! Please send us your photo, too! We want photos from EVERYBODY!
And if you're close friends or family--you have no excuse! Send your photo!!! (I'm still waiting for photos from some very important people!)
Brenan loves to see the special messages! It makes him smile everytime. If you need ideas, see my previous posts ("collage update" and "send your photos") OR just email me a photo of you/your family and tell me what caption to add. I have one more collage to make--probably soon--in about a week.
Thanks! Jess (email to: doremi2u@hotmail.com)
Friday, October 17, 2008
Feeling the Effects
Just heading to the hospital now to visit Brenan and the family. He is all finished with radiation and has been officially admitted into City of Hope at Good Sam in Phoenix. He is extremely tired and has been sleeping a lot these past few days. He also has experienced a big reduction in appetite. Those are his only major side effects right now.
I will post again after visiting with him today and let you know how he's feeling and the exact date of the BMT.
I will post again after visiting with him today and let you know how he's feeling and the exact date of the BMT.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
First Day OK
Brenan completed his first day of radiation therapy yesterday with no major incidents or reactions quite yet. Last night, when I asked him how he felt on a scale of 1 to 8.5, he rated himself an 8.5. So all is well! He just looked a little tired, inevitably.
He has three more sessions of radiation today and tomorrow, and he is staying in Guest Lodging at Good Sam in Phoenix for the time being.
He has three more sessions of radiation today and tomorrow, and he is staying in Guest Lodging at Good Sam in Phoenix for the time being.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Beginning Radiation
Brenan got through all his testing last week and according to the results from his bone marrow biopsy, he is officially in his first REMISSION. That's a great word to type. So I'll type it again - REMISSION. This is great news because doctors prefer that bone marrow transplants take place during a REMISSION. :)
Today, Brenan was admitted to Good Sam's City of Hope in order to have a second portacath put into his chest - on the opposite side of his initial portacath - which will be used to administer chemotherapy and eventually the donated bone marrow.
For the next few days, Brenan will be receiving radiation therapy. He will not be officially admitted into the hospital but will stay in what is like a hotel for outpatient care. This way, he can be monitored by a family member and if needed, can be immediately admitted to the hospital depending on his reaction to the radiation.
He will be officially admitted to City of Hope on Friday, if he is not already admitted sometime during the week. His BMT will probably happen Wednesday or Thursday of next week.
Today, Brenan was admitted to Good Sam's City of Hope in order to have a second portacath put into his chest - on the opposite side of his initial portacath - which will be used to administer chemotherapy and eventually the donated bone marrow.
For the next few days, Brenan will be receiving radiation therapy. He will not be officially admitted into the hospital but will stay in what is like a hotel for outpatient care. This way, he can be monitored by a family member and if needed, can be immediately admitted to the hospital depending on his reaction to the radiation.
He will be officially admitted to City of Hope on Friday, if he is not already admitted sometime during the week. His BMT will probably happen Wednesday or Thursday of next week.
Collage Update...
Thanks to everyone who has been sending photos! The collages are turning out so cool! I am really excited for Brenan to see them. (I think that I might give them to him tonight). I know that he will be so touched that you have taken that extra time to do something special for him!Here are some pictures of how they are turning out--in case anyone needs some inspiration. Keep the pictures coming! I will keep making collages as stuff comes in. I have supplies for at least two more!
If you are having trouble finding time/creativity to make the picture message, just send something else. I'd like to have pictures of as many people as possible! You can also email me photos and tell me to add a caption. I have pretty good photo editing freeware, so I can add whatever you want it to say. Just send the photos and the message to my email.
Here's my email again: doremi2u@hotmail.com
No need to worry about mailing them. The emailing is working out fine and I will just go print them whenever I find time.
We are heading into a tough week, starting with surgery today (to install the port-a-cath that will be used for the bone marrow transplant). Brenan will also be getting radiation about three times a day from Tuesday through Friday. Most people feel extreme fatigue and some nausea related to radiation, but we are hoping to be among the lucky few that go through easily.
Specific prayers: Please pray for Brenan's strength and healing during radiation. We are hoping for limited nausea and mild fatigue.
Please pray for Brenan's doctors this week, specifically Adrienne Briggs and his radiologist (whose name is slipping my tired mind at the moment). Please pray that his doctors are making sound decisions, consulting the right people, and getting enough of their own sleep in the next few days.
Lots of love! Jess
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Please send your photos!!
Hi, everybody! I don’t post much but I have two purposes…First, I wanted to THANK YOU ALL so much for all of your love and support! Second, I wanted to tell everyone that I am putting together a photo collage to put in Brenan’s room during the transplant. Would you all please help!
Take a photo of yourself or a group that is like a “message photo” (see my examples below). You can make them funny, wear your orange shirts, or do whatever you like….basically, I want it to be full of your faces—people who love him, that will help him smile on the tough days. Also looking for any additional photos that you might want to send (especially ones that have Brenan in them, too). You can either mail them or email them (mailing them would be best if you haven’t emailed by Saturday, October 11th because I might not be able to go and print them out after that date).
I'll probably work on this a lot on Sunday--so anything by Sunday would be awesome. After that, I will continue to add anything that I get as it comes in...so keep it coming. Thanks in advance for anything you can send!
Jess Powell: 8058 W Caron Drive/Peoria, Arizona 85345
Email: doremi2u@hotmail.com
Examples:
Take a photo of yourself or a group that is like a “message photo” (see my examples below). You can make them funny, wear your orange shirts, or do whatever you like….basically, I want it to be full of your faces—people who love him, that will help him smile on the tough days. Also looking for any additional photos that you might want to send (especially ones that have Brenan in them, too). You can either mail them or email them (mailing them would be best if you haven’t emailed by Saturday, October 11th because I might not be able to go and print them out after that date).
I'll probably work on this a lot on Sunday--so anything by Sunday would be awesome. After that, I will continue to add anything that I get as it comes in...so keep it coming. Thanks in advance for anything you can send!
Jess Powell: 8058 W Caron Drive/Peoria, Arizona 85345
Email: doremi2u@hotmail.com
Examples:
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Steps to BMT
Brenan is just a few steps away from getting his bone marrow transplant, which is scheduled to occur on Oct 22nd or 23rd. This week he will go through quite a bit of testing which includes an MRI, an EKG, a CT Scan, a bone marrow biopsy, a kidney function test, and many other tests to make sure he's set to go.
Beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 14, he will be administered radiation therapy three times a day for three days. On Friday, Oct. 17, he will receive only two sessions of radiation and will then be admitted into Good Sam in Phoenix to undergo chemotherapy until the bone marrow transplant.
During the time he is going through radiation, he will not be officially admitted into the hospital, but he will be required to stay in a special outpatient room at the hospital so he can be monitored throughout the treatment.
Once the transplant occurs, he is expected to be at Good Sam for about 3 - 4 weeks.
Beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 14, he will be administered radiation therapy three times a day for three days. On Friday, Oct. 17, he will receive only two sessions of radiation and will then be admitted into Good Sam in Phoenix to undergo chemotherapy until the bone marrow transplant.
During the time he is going through radiation, he will not be officially admitted into the hospital, but he will be required to stay in a special outpatient room at the hospital so he can be monitored throughout the treatment.
Once the transplant occurs, he is expected to be at Good Sam for about 3 - 4 weeks.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
T-Shirt Fundraiser
Thank you to everyone who ordered a t-shirt through the Accel fundraiser! And a special thanks to Kathy Orton for organizing the event. She asked me to give a little "shout out" to everyone who bought Peace Love Cure t-shirts. Brenan received a check for over $1,600. That's amazing!! Much needed assistance for Brenan while he is out of work and going through treatment. Staff on all 3 campuses wore their orange t-shirts this past week as a big show of support. Also, a big 'thank you' goes to Michael's Garden who printed the shirts at cost so the remaining money could go to Brenan.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
I'm number 1!
Thanks to everyone's unsurpassed generosity, I am now the number 1 fundraiser on my Triathlon training team!
5. Jones, Bruce - 2375.00
4. Taylor, Audra - 2575.00
3. Coffman, Renee - 2590.00
2. Duvall, Brian - 2995.00
1. Eiler, Elisabeth - 3065.00
Special thanks to Aunt Lavonne and Aunt Viv for being my number 1 fans. I love you.
5. Jones, Bruce - 2375.00
4. Taylor, Audra - 2575.00
3. Coffman, Renee - 2590.00
2. Duvall, Brian - 2995.00
1. Eiler, Elisabeth - 3065.00
Special thanks to Aunt Lavonne and Aunt Viv for being my number 1 fans. I love you.
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