Together....

It's been a while.....

I realize that it has been a while for any updates. I figured people weren't all that interested but I have been told otherwise. First things first, Brianna is doing well. She has gone through 4 weeks of Radiation. She only has two more weeks! She is very excited to be done with it. She goes everyday Monday-Friday to the Cancer Center for treatment. She still doesn't feel any pain but the radiation makes her really tired. She tends to go to bed around 8-9 and just feels tired all the time. The treatment is pretty quick. She puts on a tight mask a the machine does its job for about 10 minutes. Everyday she comes to the Cancer Center and typically my mom brings her. It is nice because I am able to walk over and see her and often we end up having lunch together with my dad as well. 

Recently we noticed that some of her symptoms have gotten a little worse. She has started having some issues with her cognitive functions. She has a harder time trying to explain what she is thinking. It is often difficult for her to finish her train of thought. This has been very difficult for her as she feels a little embarrassed by it but she also feels it is difficult to talk and say what is on her mind because she can't. I constantly remind her that she is wonderful and that she can take her time to talk. Sometimes she chooses not to talk because it is easier for her to just not talk but I continue to encourage her to talk as she has so much to say :) We have also noticed that her right eye, her good eye, or rather her right eyelid has started to droop. We are hoping that this is due to inflammation or swelling but we really aren't sure. The doctor started her on some steroids to try and help with these symptoms so we are hoping that it is swelling and not the tumor spreading. I know what you are thinking, can't they just do imaging to know for sure? That is what I thought. The answer I was given was no, as they would not be able to determine for sure even if they did do the imaging. 

We obtained a little more information regarding the pathology results. I will do my best to sum it up and explain it simply. As expected, this is an Anaplastic Astrocytoma or Grade 3 Astrocytoma. The mutations were observed and it was found that she does not have an IDH1 or IDH2 mutation. Typically this proves to be a better prognosis if these mutations are found within the cancer. However, the worst prognosis with the K27 mutation was not there either. She does have a mutation H3F3A G34. My dad and I were talking about these results and we discussed that these results don't change anything as the treatment is the same regardless. This is also true because the cancer that she has is the cancer she has and the genetics don't really change that. This is a pretty tough cancer and it is pretty intrusive. The doctor explained the most cancers expand like a balloon being filled with air. Brianna's cancer is more like a tree with different limbs and the roots are at the brain stem. This is one of the main reasons why she can't have surgery. Although it doesn't look perfect, we continue to have faith and believe in God. 

Moving Forward:

I just wanted to give you an idea of what we are looking at moving forward. Brianna has 8 more days of Radiation. Her parents will arrive next Wednesday which will be a great help but more importantly a great support for Brianna at this time. Brianna will be given two weeks off following Radiation to rest and relax. She will then have a C-Section scheduled for January 3rd 2018. The baby will be delivered at 32 weeks, 8 weeks early, and thus will stay in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) for at least a month and a half. Luckily we know the best Neonatalogist (my dad) who will care for the baby. Two weeks after the C-Section, Brianna will begin her Chemotherapy. Although this is the most wonderful time of the year, it will be the most busy time of year for the Geddie's. 

A lot of you have asked how I am doing. To be honest, I am pretty tired. I has taken a lot to care for Watson and Brianna, keep the house clean, take care of the meals, attempt to attend as many appointments as I can, work, and all the other many things that I do. In essence I attempt to keep things as "normal" as I can which helps us relax and feel like things will be okay. I know that as difficult as it can feel for me at times, I know that Brianna is having such a harder time and I focus on uplifting and encouraging her. We both continue to keep our heads up and strive to find the peace and happiness we seek. 

To those of you that continually support and lift us up; THANK YOU! We would not be able to do all this without your faith, love and prayers. There have been many near and far that continually find ways to serve our precious family. We will never be able to thank each of you enough but know that we feel your prayers, we feel your strength and we feel your love. Thank you for who you are and for all the many ways you find to serve us. 

A couple of weeks ago, Brianna started loosing some her hair. It has gradually gotten worse as time has gone on. Last week our family had the flu and it was pretty rough. Brianna didn't feel like tending to her hair during that time and after she was feeling better, she asked me to tend to her hair. This was a difficult task as it was extremely messy and as I attempted to clean it all up, handfuls of hair fell out. This was pretty emotional for her but honestly she was just more annoyed with the fact that hair was constantly EVERYWHERE! A week later, she decided that she was done with watching her hair fall out and decided that she had had enough. She asked me to shave her head. I did just that and a little more. She never asked for all of this and shouldn't have to walk alone. I have attempted to be there every step of the way and this is not different so yesterday, we both shaved our heads. Its a bit drafty, but we are loving every minute of it, together. Pics are below :)

As we look back on all that we have been given this Christmas season, we are reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. A Savior was born and through Him and His Atoning Sacrifice, we can overcome this mortal world and return to live eternally with our Father in Heaven. It is easy to look inward but this Christmas season we strive to find ways to serve and find ways to thank Heavenly Father for this gift. Although times are tough right now, we are growing closer as a family and we are becoming more united. We are also each gaining in our testimony and love for the gospel. We testify to each of you that God lives. He knows each of you individually by name because you are His child. He loves you and His desire is that you return to live with Him as a united family. God loves us so much that He sent His son, Jesus Christ, so that we could have a Savior to overcome our shortcomings. It is by and through Him that we can overcome this frail mortal existence and return to live with God. We testify that God has a living prophet on this Earth today and Christ leads His church on the Earth today through Him. We know the Book of Mormon is true and is indeed the word of God. We invite each of you to learn more and read for yourself so you too may know. We know that our Family is Forever and no matter what may come in the future, we will always be together. 

We wish you a Merry Christmas from our Family to yours. May you feel the Love of God this merry season and know how grateful we are for each of you and for who you are. May you know that our lives have been strengthened because of you and we hope that we will be able to pay it forward. Please reach out to me if you have any other questions or would like to know more.

~The Geddie's