Wed. 1/4/98
Dear Friends and Family,

Many of you have written to say how much you have enjoyed the Web Site.  If
you have not been able to get on, perhaps you were trying to get on when it
was being updated.  Please try again.  The address is:
                http://www-d0.fnal.gov/~hanlet/Brian/brian.html   
(The 0 is the number not the letter.)

Brian got his wish today to speak to all his doctors.  When they made there
rounds today he asked that come in so he could tell them something.  They came
in and he said, " You are killing me.  I am going to kill you."  They said the
medicine is yucky but it will help you.  He said, " No, you are wrong.  The
medicine is killing me."  When they started talking about killing the cancer
cells, he covered his ears.

Brett talked with him late yesterday and a play therapist came in to see him
today.  They unhooked him from the IV today and let him ride the tricycle a
"free man"!  This was very good.  He got to go to the cafeteria and buy
Cheetos and to the gift store to buy a lizard.  He got to go to the second
level of the play room where the blocks are.  He can't get to this area when
he is attached to the IV.  He moved around and got to feel "normal" for a
brief time.

The bone marrow biopsy initial results (complete results will be available
later this week) look good.  Good enough for him to be randomized.  Well, he
got put in the "Bad" arm.  "Bad" meaning the one with the higher doses of
chemo, more possible side effects and longer treatment time. It is a random
draw and Sara says she feels a bit unlucky right now.  But maybe this is
better, because this arm is the one that is proven to be 80% successful.  The
other arm has less chemo, because it is felt that the same results can be
achieved with less chemo.  That is what this research project is trying to
prove.

Chemo starts tomorrow with an LP (spinal tap).  Sara is concerned because
Brian is not emotionally ready to face this painful procedure.  They do not
put him out.  He is still feeling very angry and sad.

Please pray that Brian is able to find a way to calmly face his LP tomorrow.
Pray that Sara is able to talk with Brian prior to treatment and help him
switch the anger to the cancer.  Pray that God gives her the right words to
say to Brian.  Pray that the doctors increase their sensitivity to Brian's
feelings and find a way to make this treatment easier on him.

Thank you for your prayers regarding the tests.  It does appear that the chemo
is working and his tumors are shrinking all over his body.  Your prayers are
very powerful and they are helping us to face these days.

Love,
Susan