12/2/08 – Brian flew home! A good friend of Cristina’s, Rae Thompson, drove back with Cristina and the girls. It took them nine hours to get home! She was a tremendous blessing having her stay with us for a couple days.
12/8/08 – Brian went for his chemo treatment. They had to check his blood work before they could administer the chemo. His white blood count was too low to do chemo. It was postponed for next Monday, (12/15). That evening Cristina shaved Brian’s head because his hair was falling out.
Brian’s Aunt Missy came to stay with the family to watch the girls and help with the house. She was a huge blessing getting their house back in order and taking care of their girls. The girls just love their Aunt Mellie!
12/15/08: Brian’s blood work showed that his white blood count was high enough to go ahead with chemo. Brian had his usual nurse Christine. Every other nurse had a problem getting the needle into Brian’s veins except for Christine. God is faithful to give him the best nurse.
From Cristina: I worked on Julia’s baby book while Brian got Chemo. I am trying to take advantage of every quiet moment I have with not having three little ones around. On our way down the elevator this gentleman got in. As he walked in he looked at each one of us standing in the elevator and gave us all a smile. It made such an impression on me. I want to make a point to be a light to each person I come in contact with. We just never know what a smile, kind word or act of love can do for someone.
When we got home we were surprised with a room full of Christmas presents and LOTS of diapers! Two of our dear friends arranged for this to take place. My heart was filled with joy and peace. God surely continues to bless us in so many different ways.
Brian’s Aunt Missy has returned to help us while Brian is doing Chemo. It is very nice to come home and have her there to help with dinner, clean up and our precious girls. We have such a wonderful time making memories together.
From Brian and Cristina: We are believing God to remove the cancer from Brian’s body, to be pain free and for cancer to never return.
12/16/08: Brian got his second dose of Chemo and a dose of zometa to help strengthen his bones. It took a while to find a vein that would cooperate to get the needle in.
From Cristina: Each day I ask God to bring people across our path that need a touch of His love. Today I was able to minister to an 87-year-old woman sitting next to Brian. On the way home we got stuck in a snowstorm. After it taking us over two hours to go six blocks we decided to have dinner and hang tight at Starbucks. I pretended we were on a date as we sat by a window and watched the snowfall! I am learning to make the most of every opportunity. We got home around 11:00 pm!
12/17/08: Brian and Cristina are starting to have their routine of what they do each time they go to the hospital. Brian checks in and they start making his chemo, which takes a good 45 minutes. They walk to Au bon pain to get a little something to eat. Then they sit and wait in the crowded waiting room for his name to be called to get his chemo. Brian warms up his veins prior to getting treatment with hot packs. It takes a while to get the needle in so Cristina sits next to him and prays for God to guide the nurse’s hands. Once Brian is hooked up they either talk, read or work on the laptop. Cristina then drives her handsome husband home
12/18/08: Brian was very tired from the chemo. He managed to get enough strength to work for a couple of hours. Chloe’s Christmas performance was that evening. He was in no shape to go. Cristina told Brian that he should stay home. He said to Cristina, “I am going for the sake of my daughter. She would be heart broken if I were not there.” He is such an incredible father as he endured the excruciating pain of getting in and out of the vehicle. His love for his family and for God is unfathomable.
From Cristina: It is very hard for me to see Brian go through so much pain. The worst is when he yells out because of the amount of pain he is in. Tonight Brian was up in the loft worshiping God and crying out saying, “You are all I want God. You are all I need.” He never, not once has let the symptoms in his body stop him from praising God. Last night I woke up in the middle of the night and he was sitting in the loft reading his Bible. He is madly in love with our Savior. He shall and he will get a breakthrough. I just know it. God is so faithful.
12/19/08: Brian is scheduled to get a CAT Scan in a few weeks to see how the chemo is doing. They will keep you posted.
From Cristina: Thank you for all of your prayers and support. We have been extremely blessed by your love. It means so much to us.
12/24/08: One of Brian’s co-workers dressed up as Santa and brought the girls presents. The presents were from Brian’s co-workers. It was very generous of them. Angelica wasn’t sure of Santa. She kept closing her eyes as if he would disappear! It was precious. Chloe hid from him, but eventually gave him a high five and sat on his lap. Julia loved playing with his beard! We went to church and then came home. We snuggled by the fire and drank hot chocolate. It was very special.
12/25/08: We had a wonderful Christmas with just the five of us! Chloe was very excited for Santa to bring her presents and fill her stocking! She even left him cookies and milk. The look on her face was priceless when she saw all of the presents under the tree! She gasped and put her hands over her mouth. The girls had a fun time opening up all of their presents. I want to thank my dear friend Kathleen for all that she did to make our Christmas extra special.