Subject: Back in the hospital

Saturday, April 25, 1998

Brian's website:  http://www-d0.fnal.gov/~hanlet/Brian/brian.html

Dear Friends and Family,

Brian became neutropenic--low blood count- on Thursday.  He was feeling
healthy enough to remain at home until late that evening when he spiked a
fever.  He had to return to the hospital in San Francisco that night.  We knew
that he would eventually begin to get sick.  It is wonderful that he was able
to be home for a full week.

Friday he felt well enough to play in the playroom.  Since he is neutropenic,
they had to schedule time for him to be there alone.  Contact with other
people at this time is dangerous for him.  His immune system is too low and he
could get an infection.  He had fun painting and playing during his special
scheduled time in the playroom.

Today he started feeling really sick.  The mucousitis has gotten very bad and
his throat hurts.  He drools and spits.  He is on morphine for pain and kitryl
for nauseau.  His feels like he has to vomit, but he has not started yet.  He
was too sick today to go to the playroom.  His blood counts are continuing to
go down.  He must stay in the hospital until they come back up.  This could
take a week or two.  Hopefully he will start to recover quickly.  He is
scheduled to resume chemo on May 10th.  We would like to see him able to go
home the week prior to that treatment.

Brian is upset to be back in the hospital.  He's been feeling good for almost
2 weeks now and it is hard to see him begin the cycle of suffering again.  We
all started getting use to seeing him acting like himself---laughing, joking
and playing like a four year old.  He has a delightful sense of humor.

Please pray that Brian's pain can be controlled with medication and that his
blood counts start to go up quickly.  

Love,
Susan