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Tampa Starbucks lovers - Thank you! You know who you are . . .

By
Real Estate Agent with Charles Rutenberg Rlty- More than 5,000 agents(813) 777-1196 SL3130026

renee & brianRemember when I was telling you about little Brian and telling you about Renee's story?   This blog post is for all of you that Gave up your cup of Starbucks coffee and Donated that $5 to Brian, and the ones that prayed as much as I did!  I saw this video on FOX 13 News and read this article, but the Video, just put things into place for me.  

After a 20 hour day myself, it's 4 am and I am heading to bed only to get back up in just 4 hours.  It's hard NOT to think about how I can make tomorrow different with my children.

hope for brian.comThe thank you's I got from this family & their friends were amazing.  You Active Rain Folks ROCK!! (readers and bloggers alike)!

While the main focus of my blog is Real Estate and Tampa Bay Area Related topics, it is SO important to not only give back to my clients that have supported me, but to really reconnect with my own personal thoughts of my family, and remind others how what you have just read / saw / heard, can be a learning experience for you.

People often ask me, "what makes you different?", Let's start with how much I care, and revert back to Human Life Value! 

* * * * * Updated this Blog entry today April 28th 2008 * * * * * *

                                                            Brian Update 04/26/08

Hi everyone.  I have been avoiding the sobering facts surrounding Brian's horrible brain tumor. I knew that the over all possibility for a full recovery is about 10%. However, we have reached the time for Renee and Myron to make a decision about the next phase of treatment. It is much easier to take this day by day than to look at the overall symptoms that Brian could suffer as this disease progresses.  At Renee's request I did the research necessary to obtain the facts and make an educated choice. All treatment protocols for this type of tumor include the initial round of chemo and radiation five days a week for 33 days.  After that there are several choices that include some experimental drugs as a possibility. The information was shocking and felt like I had been punched in the stomach.  The entry below are facts regarding a Brain Stem Glioma directly from the St. Jude's website:

 Clinical Features and Symptoms

Pontine brain stem tumors affect the cranial nerves, causing symptoms related to the nerves that supply the muscles of the eye and face, and muscles involved in swallowing. These symptoms include double vision, inability to close the eyelids completely, dropping one side of the face, and difficulty chewing and swallowing. The tumor also affects the "long tracks" of the brain, with resultant weakness of the arms or legs and difficulty with speech and walking. Symptoms usually worsen rapidly because the tumor is rapidly growing.  Tumors arising in the midbrain usually affect only the nerves supplying the eye muscles. They also block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, causing increased pressure with headaches and vomiting. Tumors involving the medulla usually cause swallowing problems and weakness of the arms and legs.

Survival Rates

Pontine Gliomas - The patients' symptoms often improve dramatically during or after six weeks of irradiation. Unfortunately, problems usually recur after six to nine months, and progress rapidly. Survival past 12 to 14 months is uncommon, and new approaches to treating these tumors are urgently needed.

 

Lately Brian has been unable to walk, dizzy and not hungry. He doesn't want to eat due to nausea and painful sores in his mouth, even with the prescription strength antiseptic that Renee uses to swab his mouth, he still says it hurts. He has also had decreased mobility of his right side.  Sometimes Brian just cries.  When Renee and Myron ask him if something hurts he bravely says ‘no'.  I can only begin to imagine how helpless they must feel as his parents. 

 

Among many other prescriptions, Brian has been on a medication called decadron (a type of steroid).  When Brian was first diagnosed he started taking this medication and we saw an almost immediate improvement of his symptoms.  As the protocol of treatment continued, it called for a decrease and finally a discontinuing of the decadron.  Brian started to feel worse quickly.  Long term use of decadron is not recommended because it causes destruction of the liver and kidneys.  After ten days of watching Brian suffering, Renee decided to try giving Brian a small dose of decadron on Tuesday evening.  She was praying that this might help him to feel better.  Within hours Brian was feeling better! The change in Brian's comfort level was amazing. When we went to see Dr. Tebby on Wednesday (04/23/08) for a regularly scheduled appointment, he did a great job of explaining the details of this tumor to us.  Dr. Tebby also said that Brian should remain on decadron to continue to relieve these horrible symptoms.  That day Brian began what is called Phase II of the protocol.  This is an enormous, aggressive dose of chemo for the next five days.  The cost of this chemo was $150.00.   It has been said more than once that a catastrophic illness can destroy a family.  As many of us close to them, I feel so sad and helpless that there is not much I can do to help them and change the situation.

 

As if things could be any worse, Renee and Myron are also struggling incredibly financially.  Myron may still need surgery for his serious hand injury and does not have a firm date when he will be able to return to work.  Just months ago this family was like most other families, thanking God for each moment together, working hard, and focusing on their children. 

 

Please continue to pray that God will give this family the strength that each of them need to face each new day.

 

I can't tell you much your emails, thoughts, prayers and notes left in Brian's guest book mean to the family.  They feel so grateful for all the community support!

 

lisa jo burke

Comments (3)

Jennifer Hillegas
Sign Your Deed Realty - Rome, GA
Every Seller Does It!
that is an awesome story giving back is always the best way to live your life!
Mar 24, 2008 09:25 PM
Dionne Bass
Ask The Underwriter - Atlanta, GA
Blog: Ask The Underwriter
What an awesome thing to do. Your right; it is important to actually care about people if your going to help them.  We don't have to "like" everyone.  But we can at least care about their well being!
Mar 25, 2008 01:30 AM
* Rate A Home
Rate A Home - Saugatuck, MI
Katrina, to cool and thanks for sharing this touching story.
Mar 26, 2008 04:20 AM