Subject: Brian never got to go home

Wed. 2/11
Dear Friends and Family,

Sadly Brian did not get to go home yesterday.  Sara and Stan emptied the
hospital room, dressed Brian in his clothes and got him to the hospital lobby
in a wagon.  While Brian, Sara and Steven were waiting for Stan to drive up in
the car, Brian vomited blood in the lobby.  George, Brian's nurse, came to the
lobby and after Brian rested a while, they had to return to his room.

Brian was looking forward to going to McDonald's to get a Happy Meal toy.
George went to McDonald's when he got off work and got Brian a toy and brought
it to him in the hospital.  Unfortunately, George locked his keys in his car
when he rushed up to Brian's room.  He had to call AAA.  George is an amazing
person who has been an enormous support to the entire family.

Brian vomited last night and all today--sometimes blood and sometimes just
bile.  He is being given anti-nausea medications, but they are not working.
He is very weak from all the vomiting.  He is in no condition to go home right
now.  His blood counts are good, but he has to be able to keep down food and
medications before he can go home.

Stan had to go home with Steven last night.  Stan is torn as a father.  He
wants so much to be with Brian and Sara all the time, but his business is
suffering and he must spend more time in Santa Rosa taking care of his
construction business.  He is a devoted father and husband and he is having
trouble trying to meet all the demands on his time.

Sara is handling this set-back calmly.  She knows that Brian needs to continue
to be in the hospital.  He is a very sick child.  Brian is so weak that he is
not begging to go home.  He is napping between vomiting.  This takes a lot out
of him.  He is not on morphine.  They are trying to avoid giving him
medications that cannot be given at home.  Everyone wants Brian to get a
chance to go home for a few days.  He's been in the hospital 32 straight days
now! 

Please pray that Brian's nausea gets under control.  Pray that his blood
counts stay up and he is able to go home for a day or two.  Pray that Stan can
be given a sense of peace regarding his responsibilities during this crisis.
He is working so hard to care for Steven and Sara AND do his job, but foremost
in his mind is the fragile health of his youngest son.  Pray that Sara
continues to be strong and brave as Brian struggles to fight this cancer.

Love,
Susan