Update on Briana

02/25/10 - 2:30 p.m. AZ time

Bri just called. She and Eric were driving home after they had stopped to get something to eat. She sounded great and was in very good spirits.

The radiation treatment went well today. Bri reported the dr. had successfully treated the 4 largest tumors. He confirmed she had a total of 13 tumors. Because she has so many small tumors, the dr. is concerned about more becoming evident over time. He’d like to stop the formation of any additional tumors so tomorrow, 10:00 a.m., Bri will consult with her chemotherapy dr. to discuss possible chemo treatments that might stop the formation of any additional tumors in the brain. She’ll let us know the outcome of that consultation tomorrow.

After treatment, the halo was removed. Next time the halo will be installed in new penetration points. She said the halo has sharp pins that penetrate the skin and enter the skull only enough to ensure the halo and head are secured. When the halo is removed she has some marks like pinholes in the skin . . . not large screw holes. The dr. gave her some Tylenol to relieve any discomfort she might feel.

Bri is understandably nervous about more chemotherapy treatments of any kind. Last year’s treatments made her very weak and ill for several days following each session. Supposedly, the chemo dr. will discuss some newer options that might include the possibility of an oral treatment. We’ll update you as we learn more tomorrow.

Keep the faith. He lives! If faith the size of a mustard seed can move a mountain, it can certainly kill some rogue cancer cells.

Rick