From Angel Brianna's family:
Please post the announcement on your websites / facebook / email / everywhere!
A piece of Brianna's artwork is included in a set of Christmas cards through The Cure Starts Now. Last year she made a painting for Matt. The scene is a blue background with a snowman and Christmas tree. Other children also contributed artwork for this cause...please consider ordering your holiday cards through this organization and help fight pediatric brain cancer at the same time! Contact information is listed below and you will find an order form on the site.
Twelve wonderful kids helped us to create an amazing assortment for the Cure Starts Now holiday cards this year . All of these brave kids have battled, or are currently battling brain cancer. Help us honor them, and all children fighting brain cancer, by purchasing these holiday cards. Each pack includes 15 cards (5x7 size) with one of each of the designs. The inside includes a message "May the spirit of the holidays bring you hope and happiness." Envelopes lined with silver foil are included. Proceeds go directly towards The Cure Starts Now which helps families battling brain cancer and funds pediatric brain cancer research. Know of a business who would like to use a customized version of the cards? Please have them contact us at cards@thecurestartsnow.org . Interested in selling these for us? Please email us at groupsales@thecurestartsnow.org . Help a worthy cause and spread holiday cheer! Go to www.thecurestartsnow.org and click on Holiday Cards.
Thank you so much for your support!! We are so proud of Brianna's artwork and hope you wil enjoy sharing it with others!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Needed Prayers & Best Wishes - Oct. 16, 2009
From Angel Brianna's Family:
Kaitlyn has a very rough time last week as she learned that one of her good friends (Emma Novotny)had a mother who was suffering from brain cancer and was not likely to make it past the weekend. Emma's mother Sue passed away last Saturday. Emma and Kaitlyn have become very close as they each share a tragic loss. Please pray for Emma, her dad, and little brother during this difficult time.
Also, Brianna had a very dear friend, Katrina Gerber. Katrina, her sister Molly (sophomore), and their family just learned that their cousin was diagnosed with salivary gland cancer. The Gerber family are absolutely amazing and have shown so much love and support for Brianna and our family. We would like to ask for your prayers so that their cousin Jessica McNamara can remain strong and win her battle against cancer! Please feel free to follow Jessica's journey through the carepage site set up by Molly: click on the link below, or cut and paste it in your browser.
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/JessicaMcNamara
Molly Gerber is on the Neuqua Valley swimteam and competed last night in the Passionately Pink Swim Meet. She decorated her pink swim cap in memory of Brianna, Emma's mom Sue, and also in support of her cousin Jessica. Molly informed me today that Brianna and her motto inspired her to "finish strong," which she did by beating her personal bests!! AWESOME job Molly, we are so touched by the wonderful way you honored Brianna's memory.
Finally, Brianna's friends from Gregory Middle Schools cross country team will be running in the Naperville Conference meet on Tuesday, October 20th. We know Brianna will be there in spirit, cheering them on to victory, and reminding them to "finish fast, and finish strong!" If anyone who lives in the area would like to cheer them on in person, the race will be held at the DuPage River Park. If you have a Brianna's Brigade shirt and wear it to the meet, I know the team will beat their best times!! Best of luck ladies, you have a lot of people cheering you on to victory!
Best of Luck and God Bless!!
Angel Brianna's Family
Kaitlyn has a very rough time last week as she learned that one of her good friends (Emma Novotny)had a mother who was suffering from brain cancer and was not likely to make it past the weekend. Emma's mother Sue passed away last Saturday. Emma and Kaitlyn have become very close as they each share a tragic loss. Please pray for Emma, her dad, and little brother during this difficult time.
Also, Brianna had a very dear friend, Katrina Gerber. Katrina, her sister Molly (sophomore), and their family just learned that their cousin was diagnosed with salivary gland cancer. The Gerber family are absolutely amazing and have shown so much love and support for Brianna and our family. We would like to ask for your prayers so that their cousin Jessica McNamara can remain strong and win her battle against cancer! Please feel free to follow Jessica's journey through the carepage site set up by Molly: click on the link below, or cut and paste it in your browser.
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/JessicaMcNamara
Molly Gerber is on the Neuqua Valley swimteam and competed last night in the Passionately Pink Swim Meet. She decorated her pink swim cap in memory of Brianna, Emma's mom Sue, and also in support of her cousin Jessica. Molly informed me today that Brianna and her motto inspired her to "finish strong," which she did by beating her personal bests!! AWESOME job Molly, we are so touched by the wonderful way you honored Brianna's memory.
Finally, Brianna's friends from Gregory Middle Schools cross country team will be running in the Naperville Conference meet on Tuesday, October 20th. We know Brianna will be there in spirit, cheering them on to victory, and reminding them to "finish fast, and finish strong!" If anyone who lives in the area would like to cheer them on in person, the race will be held at the DuPage River Park. If you have a Brianna's Brigade shirt and wear it to the meet, I know the team will beat their best times!! Best of luck ladies, you have a lot of people cheering you on to victory!
Best of Luck and God Bless!!
Angel Brianna's Family
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Finding Hope When You Feel Hopeless - Sept. 29, 2009
One year ago today I rushed Brianna to Edward Hospital (September 28th, 2008) as she was crying and screaming from a headache, a headache that became increasingly severe over the past few weeks and left her with little to no relief. On Sunday evening last year we finally decided this is not a normal headache. Brianna underwent a CT scan and the end result was good news, “looks good.” The diagnosis was severe migraines (family history) likely brought on by certain triggers so we would have to keep a diary to figure out what sets off her headaches. Brianna could find no relief from any remedy and was now waking up in the middle of the night screaming and now vomiting. Brianna said to me, “Why can’t they figure out what’s wrong with me? Something’s wrong, this pain is so bad I can’t take it anymore!”
The only symptom Brianna experienced was very severe headaches. Looking back, I also remember her snapping at me with a look of anger. This was NOT Brianna speaking, it was not in her nature and she frightened me with this change in behavior/attitude. The morning of Saturday, October 4th, 2008, Brianna was diagnosed with DIPG after Central DuPage Hospital did an MRI. Her tumor was much larger than others with this type of tumor. Her tumor was also pressing on the Medulla Oblongata, which explains the anger and aggressiveness we witnessed over the past couple of weeks. My advice to parents is to always go with your gut, listen to your kids, and push doctors for more tests and answers if something doesn’t seem right. Central DuPage was going to send us home Friday night confirming Edward’s diagnosis, but I asked what else they could do, are there any other tests? I think they only admitted us because it was approaching midnight…I can’t imagine what we would have done if we were sent home. Now, with the anniversary of the diagnosis approaching, we still find ourselves living in a surreal world and wonder, “Where did the past year go?”
Last August (2008), Bob and I had a discussion wondering how to break the news to our kids… great-grandma had lung cancer. The doctors would do radiation therapy, but decided she would not be able to tolerate chemotherapy. Given grandma’s age and health the news was not a surprise, but cancer was not something our family had experienced. We didn’t even know if we should use the “C” word because we did not want the children to be afraid. We explained that many years ago cancer was a scary word and left little hope for individuals and families, but now people are winning their cancer battles every day. We told the kids they could pray for great-grandma while she goes through treatment, but also talked about how blessed great-grandma was to be married for 67 years, have three children, six grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. We told the kids that even if great-grandma got really sick, it’s comforting to know she would have lived a very long, blessed life.
Who would have believed that less than two months later we would have to find a way to tell our 12 year old daughter that she herself, had cancer. This was an altogether different story. Brianna’s type of cancer had a very grim prognosis and left us in disbelief. A surreal experience which leaves parents lost in an inescapable nightmare for an indefinite period of time. The doctor told us there’s no effective treatment and our only option would be six weeks of radiation therapy to shrink the tumor, and it would only be a matter of time before it would come back with a vengeance. The doctor left us feeling helpless. The doctors words (“There’s no effective treatment,” “It’s only a matter of time,” etc.) was impossible to absorb, much less accept when they are talking about your child! He may have left us feeling helpless, but it was up to us to look deep within and find the strength and courage to fight not only a physical battle, but also an emotional and spiritual battle as well.
I will never forget the discussion with Bob, Matt, and Maria about how to tell Brianna. “Should we use the “C” word?” “Don’t say anything about the statistics!” “Tell her we will be seeing a lot of doctors…” “Let her know she is getting medicine to help her headaches feel better, but she might feel a little worse before she feels better.” We were all shocked, then relieved that she took the news better than expected. Eighteen months, maybe two years, “That’s long enough for a miracle!” we told ourselves. As we began making our calls to break the news, all we asked was for people to pray for a miracle healing, and in the meantime we are going to do whatever we can to fight this battle. Matt and I, along with numerous family and friends, began immediate research deciding that we were NOT going to be told there is no hope, BUT…how do you find hope when you are feeling hopeless?My faith has been tested many times, but losing a young child is a test no one should ever have to be put through. I lost my dad when he passed unexpectedly (I was 13) and faced a serious illness (staph infection) where I could have lost my life. My right leg was paralyzed and I experienced excruciating pain, though after Brianna’s experience I have a new scale for measuring pain. I’m a total wimp compared to Brianna!! I remember how Bob, Brianna, Kaitlyn, and many other family members helped me through pain I never thought was possible. I fought a 3-4 month battle, but completely recovered and gained a new perspective on life. It was a huge sigh of relief to know I would be around for my kids as my biggest fear was leaving them too soon. I dreamed of a life like my grandparents and looked to them as a model, praying that I could have been just as blessed in my life.
What a remarkable life to be able to celebrate a 68th wedding anniversary! It’s truly a blessed life when you live to see all of your children raise their families, BUT to be blessed to witness your grandchildren raise their families, “What a wonderful life!” Leaving three generations with many years of fond memories is remarkable. Great-grandma’s house was almost a daily event in the summers. Swimming, baking, shopping, walking to parks…ranging from age 22 down to 7 years old, she experienced so many joyous celebrations.
One evening this past spring, Brianna told me she had, “a face to face conversation with God.” She said, “God told me to be close to great-grandma and great-grandpa.” She was often more concerned about great-grandma than herself. She always focused on how others felt and often apologized to us for having to watch her battle cancer. I believe Brianna, who was once the biggest drama queen, built an unbelievable tolerance for pain knowing that when she suffered we suffered. Brianna would apologize to us for having to watch her suffer in pain and we could do nothing to take it away! As Brianna battled cancer along with her great-grandma, and as hard as it was to watch my grandparents kiss my daughter good-bye, I try to remind myself that it must all be part of God’s plan.
Brianna passed on July 25th, 2009 and was reunited with her great-grandma on September 14th, 2009. Great -grandma lost her battle to lung cancer late that afternoon. It is difficult to endure the loss of two people you love and care for so deeply, but we find comfort knowing they are together watching over us, no longer in pain, and finally at peace.Both Brianna and Grandma declined rapidly. After Brianna died, grandma would kiss Brianna’s picture every night before bed. She told us how Brianna was visiting her and even touched her arm one night. When grandma passed away I felt an overwhelming sense of peace because I knew Brianna was there to greet her and they were both over their pain and suffering. My grandmother loved all of her children, grand-children and great-grandchildren so much, that God made sure she had one of each to greet her in Heaven! My dad was considered a son and surely he greeted her with his typical line, “So where did you leave your broom?” My cousin Scott and Brianna must have greeted her with their big hugs and beautiful smiles.
Again, I did not want to relive the memeories of last year's diagnosis, but hopefully share another part of Brianna’s journey and let everyone know how we are doing 2 months after Brianna's passing. I know a lot of people were not part of our journey from beginning to end, so as we approach the one year anniversary of Brianna’s diagnosis (shockingly surreal that Brianna is no longer with us), we wonder how we ever found hope when feeling hopeless. People continue to tell us how our journey has changed their lives. Some say they have no idea how they would handle a similar situation and are amazed/inspired by our strength and courage (Which came from all of your encouragement and continued support). However, when you are put in a situation where your child’s life is on the line and doctors are leaving you feeling hopeless, remind yourself to have faith in God’s ability to heal and know His plan is perfect …our faith allowed us to find hope when we felt hopeless. We now find hope and peace in the knowledge that by sharing our story Brianna inspired people to fight pediatric cancer, deepen their faith, and count their blessings more than ever!!
God Bless You All!
Jennifer (Angel Brianna's Mom)
The only symptom Brianna experienced was very severe headaches. Looking back, I also remember her snapping at me with a look of anger. This was NOT Brianna speaking, it was not in her nature and she frightened me with this change in behavior/attitude. The morning of Saturday, October 4th, 2008, Brianna was diagnosed with DIPG after Central DuPage Hospital did an MRI. Her tumor was much larger than others with this type of tumor. Her tumor was also pressing on the Medulla Oblongata, which explains the anger and aggressiveness we witnessed over the past couple of weeks. My advice to parents is to always go with your gut, listen to your kids, and push doctors for more tests and answers if something doesn’t seem right. Central DuPage was going to send us home Friday night confirming Edward’s diagnosis, but I asked what else they could do, are there any other tests? I think they only admitted us because it was approaching midnight…I can’t imagine what we would have done if we were sent home. Now, with the anniversary of the diagnosis approaching, we still find ourselves living in a surreal world and wonder, “Where did the past year go?”
Last August (2008), Bob and I had a discussion wondering how to break the news to our kids… great-grandma had lung cancer. The doctors would do radiation therapy, but decided she would not be able to tolerate chemotherapy. Given grandma’s age and health the news was not a surprise, but cancer was not something our family had experienced. We didn’t even know if we should use the “C” word because we did not want the children to be afraid. We explained that many years ago cancer was a scary word and left little hope for individuals and families, but now people are winning their cancer battles every day. We told the kids they could pray for great-grandma while she goes through treatment, but also talked about how blessed great-grandma was to be married for 67 years, have three children, six grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. We told the kids that even if great-grandma got really sick, it’s comforting to know she would have lived a very long, blessed life.
Who would have believed that less than two months later we would have to find a way to tell our 12 year old daughter that she herself, had cancer. This was an altogether different story. Brianna’s type of cancer had a very grim prognosis and left us in disbelief. A surreal experience which leaves parents lost in an inescapable nightmare for an indefinite period of time. The doctor told us there’s no effective treatment and our only option would be six weeks of radiation therapy to shrink the tumor, and it would only be a matter of time before it would come back with a vengeance. The doctor left us feeling helpless. The doctors words (“There’s no effective treatment,” “It’s only a matter of time,” etc.) was impossible to absorb, much less accept when they are talking about your child! He may have left us feeling helpless, but it was up to us to look deep within and find the strength and courage to fight not only a physical battle, but also an emotional and spiritual battle as well.
I will never forget the discussion with Bob, Matt, and Maria about how to tell Brianna. “Should we use the “C” word?” “Don’t say anything about the statistics!” “Tell her we will be seeing a lot of doctors…” “Let her know she is getting medicine to help her headaches feel better, but she might feel a little worse before she feels better.” We were all shocked, then relieved that she took the news better than expected. Eighteen months, maybe two years, “That’s long enough for a miracle!” we told ourselves. As we began making our calls to break the news, all we asked was for people to pray for a miracle healing, and in the meantime we are going to do whatever we can to fight this battle. Matt and I, along with numerous family and friends, began immediate research deciding that we were NOT going to be told there is no hope, BUT…how do you find hope when you are feeling hopeless?My faith has been tested many times, but losing a young child is a test no one should ever have to be put through. I lost my dad when he passed unexpectedly (I was 13) and faced a serious illness (staph infection) where I could have lost my life. My right leg was paralyzed and I experienced excruciating pain, though after Brianna’s experience I have a new scale for measuring pain. I’m a total wimp compared to Brianna!! I remember how Bob, Brianna, Kaitlyn, and many other family members helped me through pain I never thought was possible. I fought a 3-4 month battle, but completely recovered and gained a new perspective on life. It was a huge sigh of relief to know I would be around for my kids as my biggest fear was leaving them too soon. I dreamed of a life like my grandparents and looked to them as a model, praying that I could have been just as blessed in my life.
What a remarkable life to be able to celebrate a 68th wedding anniversary! It’s truly a blessed life when you live to see all of your children raise their families, BUT to be blessed to witness your grandchildren raise their families, “What a wonderful life!” Leaving three generations with many years of fond memories is remarkable. Great-grandma’s house was almost a daily event in the summers. Swimming, baking, shopping, walking to parks…ranging from age 22 down to 7 years old, she experienced so many joyous celebrations.
One evening this past spring, Brianna told me she had, “a face to face conversation with God.” She said, “God told me to be close to great-grandma and great-grandpa.” She was often more concerned about great-grandma than herself. She always focused on how others felt and often apologized to us for having to watch her battle cancer. I believe Brianna, who was once the biggest drama queen, built an unbelievable tolerance for pain knowing that when she suffered we suffered. Brianna would apologize to us for having to watch her suffer in pain and we could do nothing to take it away! As Brianna battled cancer along with her great-grandma, and as hard as it was to watch my grandparents kiss my daughter good-bye, I try to remind myself that it must all be part of God’s plan.
Brianna passed on July 25th, 2009 and was reunited with her great-grandma on September 14th, 2009. Great -grandma lost her battle to lung cancer late that afternoon. It is difficult to endure the loss of two people you love and care for so deeply, but we find comfort knowing they are together watching over us, no longer in pain, and finally at peace.Both Brianna and Grandma declined rapidly. After Brianna died, grandma would kiss Brianna’s picture every night before bed. She told us how Brianna was visiting her and even touched her arm one night. When grandma passed away I felt an overwhelming sense of peace because I knew Brianna was there to greet her and they were both over their pain and suffering. My grandmother loved all of her children, grand-children and great-grandchildren so much, that God made sure she had one of each to greet her in Heaven! My dad was considered a son and surely he greeted her with his typical line, “So where did you leave your broom?” My cousin Scott and Brianna must have greeted her with their big hugs and beautiful smiles.
Again, I did not want to relive the memeories of last year's diagnosis, but hopefully share another part of Brianna’s journey and let everyone know how we are doing 2 months after Brianna's passing. I know a lot of people were not part of our journey from beginning to end, so as we approach the one year anniversary of Brianna’s diagnosis (shockingly surreal that Brianna is no longer with us), we wonder how we ever found hope when feeling hopeless. People continue to tell us how our journey has changed their lives. Some say they have no idea how they would handle a similar situation and are amazed/inspired by our strength and courage (Which came from all of your encouragement and continued support). However, when you are put in a situation where your child’s life is on the line and doctors are leaving you feeling hopeless, remind yourself to have faith in God’s ability to heal and know His plan is perfect …our faith allowed us to find hope when we felt hopeless. We now find hope and peace in the knowledge that by sharing our story Brianna inspired people to fight pediatric cancer, deepen their faith, and count their blessings more than ever!!
God Bless You All!
Jennifer (Angel Brianna's Mom)
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Remembering Brianna... in Her Dad's Words - Sept. 1
From Brianna's Father Matt:
It's been a while since I have posted an update and Jennifer has done such a remarkable job writing that I felt it was best to have her handle the writing duties, but I wanted to just include my words about Brianna from what I spoke at the beginning of the eulogy.
Losing Brianna has definitely become the single most difficult thing I have had to endure and to be quite honest it makes most other day to day problems seem quite trivial in comparison. She brought a lot of joy to all those who met her and I only wish that her youngest sister Gianna got more time to spend with her. Gianna says good night to Brianna every evening as she goes to bed and tells her she loves her.
Seeing Kaitlyn's growth as a person over this last year has been remarkable. Her caregiving of Brianna was really something to see. I am glad that Kaitlyn will be able to share stories of Brianna with Gianna so that she will be able to remember and know more about her oldest sister. As her parents and step-parents we are really proud of Kaitlyn and will look forward to seeing her grow into an exceptional young lady.
The difficulty of dealing with Brianna's loss is just beginning but it will really hit home even more as we get into the various milestones (anniversary of her diagnosis, first Thanksgiving and Christmas without Brianna, what would have been her 14th birthday, anniversary of her passing). It's difficult to comprehend the fact that all the hopes and dreams that we had for her won't come true.
We can't begin to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and deeds that they have done for all of us through this ordeal. I wish I could express to you how comforting you all have been. Just know that it will never be forgotten.
Now I will include the words that I spoke at the beginning of the visitation and wake.
"Brianna was a beautiful, bright, intelligent young woman that gave all of us so many great memories to carry with us for the rest of our days. Brianna’s strength and resilience is something that did not go unnoticed as she was growing into the young woman that she was becoming and held strong until her last breath on this earth.
As parents we are charged with the responsibility of teaching our children right and wrong, good and bad, and yet I found myself learning more from this gentle and quiet spoken young woman than I ever would have imagined. Strength and resilience are traits are usually handed down from parent to child but in this case it was the other way around.
Many of you have had the chance to look over Brianna’s artwork and can see the grace and creativity that she had and it shows through her art. That was most certainly a trait that she didn’t get handed down from me as it was her mother that was the artist.
Brianna’s battle against her cancer made me even more proud of her than I already was but it is not the last nine months that I will remember her most for. I will remember her most for her gentle and kind generosity to absolutely everyone she met. Her ability to make me smile and laugh with her many pointless stories (and I believe she might have gotten that trait from me!) or her attempts at telling me a joke when she would forget the punch line in the end. Not really what you would expect from someone with the last name of Sharp!
I can’t even count how many times when she was really little when she would say “Knock Knock!” and I would say “ who is there!?” and she would say…. Wait a minute let me try and remember! Brianna wanted so much to crack jokes just like her Uncle Dave and Uncle Jeff but couldn’t quite seem to catch on.
I look back on my time with Brianna and I am grateful that God chose Jennifer and I to be her parents. I will do my best to remember the lessons of strength and courage that I learned from her as I live out the rest of my days here in earth. And I will not take for granted one moment of my time with anyone as I have learned that it can be taken away anytime, anywhere and even without any warning.
Brianna was blessed to have many family and friends and it has comforted us to hear how she has touched so many lives in so many ways. We would like to thank you for coming to help us celebrate a life filled with a lot of love, laughter and so much positive attitude. We all have a lot to learn from her and I hope as time goes on that we can make her proud to have us as her parents.
I received many wishes of condolence and support of the past few days but it is one post I received on Facebook that really made me smile…
“Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones shines down to let us know they are with us”
I have found myself looking up at those very starts every night ever since her passing and smile.
I love you so much Brianna and I will miss you. You have been and always will be my bright shining star.
From your dad, Matt
It's been a while since I have posted an update and Jennifer has done such a remarkable job writing that I felt it was best to have her handle the writing duties, but I wanted to just include my words about Brianna from what I spoke at the beginning of the eulogy.
Losing Brianna has definitely become the single most difficult thing I have had to endure and to be quite honest it makes most other day to day problems seem quite trivial in comparison. She brought a lot of joy to all those who met her and I only wish that her youngest sister Gianna got more time to spend with her. Gianna says good night to Brianna every evening as she goes to bed and tells her she loves her.
Seeing Kaitlyn's growth as a person over this last year has been remarkable. Her caregiving of Brianna was really something to see. I am glad that Kaitlyn will be able to share stories of Brianna with Gianna so that she will be able to remember and know more about her oldest sister. As her parents and step-parents we are really proud of Kaitlyn and will look forward to seeing her grow into an exceptional young lady.
The difficulty of dealing with Brianna's loss is just beginning but it will really hit home even more as we get into the various milestones (anniversary of her diagnosis, first Thanksgiving and Christmas without Brianna, what would have been her 14th birthday, anniversary of her passing). It's difficult to comprehend the fact that all the hopes and dreams that we had for her won't come true.
We can't begin to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and deeds that they have done for all of us through this ordeal. I wish I could express to you how comforting you all have been. Just know that it will never be forgotten.
Now I will include the words that I spoke at the beginning of the visitation and wake.
"Brianna was a beautiful, bright, intelligent young woman that gave all of us so many great memories to carry with us for the rest of our days. Brianna’s strength and resilience is something that did not go unnoticed as she was growing into the young woman that she was becoming and held strong until her last breath on this earth.
As parents we are charged with the responsibility of teaching our children right and wrong, good and bad, and yet I found myself learning more from this gentle and quiet spoken young woman than I ever would have imagined. Strength and resilience are traits are usually handed down from parent to child but in this case it was the other way around.
Many of you have had the chance to look over Brianna’s artwork and can see the grace and creativity that she had and it shows through her art. That was most certainly a trait that she didn’t get handed down from me as it was her mother that was the artist.
Brianna’s battle against her cancer made me even more proud of her than I already was but it is not the last nine months that I will remember her most for. I will remember her most for her gentle and kind generosity to absolutely everyone she met. Her ability to make me smile and laugh with her many pointless stories (and I believe she might have gotten that trait from me!) or her attempts at telling me a joke when she would forget the punch line in the end. Not really what you would expect from someone with the last name of Sharp!
I can’t even count how many times when she was really little when she would say “Knock Knock!” and I would say “ who is there!?” and she would say…. Wait a minute let me try and remember! Brianna wanted so much to crack jokes just like her Uncle Dave and Uncle Jeff but couldn’t quite seem to catch on.
I look back on my time with Brianna and I am grateful that God chose Jennifer and I to be her parents. I will do my best to remember the lessons of strength and courage that I learned from her as I live out the rest of my days here in earth. And I will not take for granted one moment of my time with anyone as I have learned that it can be taken away anytime, anywhere and even without any warning.
Brianna was blessed to have many family and friends and it has comforted us to hear how she has touched so many lives in so many ways. We would like to thank you for coming to help us celebrate a life filled with a lot of love, laughter and so much positive attitude. We all have a lot to learn from her and I hope as time goes on that we can make her proud to have us as her parents.
I received many wishes of condolence and support of the past few days but it is one post I received on Facebook that really made me smile…
“Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones shines down to let us know they are with us”
I have found myself looking up at those very starts every night ever since her passing and smile.
I love you so much Brianna and I will miss you. You have been and always will be my bright shining star.
From your dad, Matt
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Back to School - August 26, 2009
From Brianna's mom Jennifer:
Kaitlyn started middle school (6th grade) last week and she loves it! She handled the first day just fine while I was the one wishing the girls would have had at least 1 more bus ride together. Brianna's friends (8th graders) have taken Kaitlyn under their wings and made it a smooth transition. Kaitlyn was so excited she packed, unpacked, and repacked her bag several times. She also surprised me with her three year plan...FOR DATING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL!!! Something tells me that the first phone call I receive from her school will be discipline related (nothing too terrible---my bet is on cell phone or talking in class), especially considering that my first "non-scheduled" parent/teacher conference happened when Kaitlyn was 3 years old. She refused to take a nap so instead she was supposed to sit quietly and was given a book. When the teacher told me, "Kaitlyn had a bad day," she proceeded to show me a book with every page ripped out! In elementary school, I received a call that Kaitlyn and another student were not getting along. I told Kaitlyn to write a letter of apology to the other student, but when I read the letter Kaitlyn said, "even though you made me very mad," putting the blame back on the other student! Ugh... Kaitlyn is the complete opposite of Brianna. Loud/Quiet, Hyper/Calm, etc. Even when Brianna was very sick she would make people laugh by stating, "Kaitlyn has issues!"
I told Kaitlyn that Bob and I know EVERYONE at Gregory M.S. and will know everything that goes on...she has no idea just how many people are keeping tabs on her to make sure she is o.k. On the first day of school, I recieved a couple of text messages letting me know she was doing great. Being the youngest of four to go through Gregory, we know almost every staff member at Gregory.
Kyle Porter filmed the last segment of the "Brianna's Battle" news story last week. WCIU-Chicago will be airing the story in September/October, but I will post a link for all to view as soon as Kyle finishes the final product. Though we hoped and prayed for a different ending, we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Kyle as his compassion and professionalism left us with a precious keepsake, one we can watch over and over. It is wonderful to hear her voice and her laugh.
Hopefully, her story will help build DIPG awareness. A pediatric cancer with a horrible prognosis where doctors remind parents there is no hope. Finding hope in a "hopeless" situation is hard enough without the added knowledge that time is very limited. We were hoping to be the 1 out of 10 to live at least 18-24 months. Never would we have imagined that our time would be limited to just over 9 months. We need a breakthrough, even if it's only to give families a longer "honeymoon" period.
The first day of school was a difficult one and we will be facing many more difficult days as we near the anniversary of the diagnosis date. This date is in the back of my mind as I mourn our loss, return to work, help Kaitlyn adjust to middle school, & my grandmother's health (she is now on hospice and we are blessed to have Nurse Jane taking care of her.) There are numerous other things to worry about and my ability to compartmentalize and multi-task are lacking...the stress has caused me to break out with shingles!! It's a mild case but still enough to make me crazy!
We continue to pray for those battling DIPG and other illnesses. We are grateful and ver blessed to have your continued support. Please support the families currently fighting this battle by visiting their carepages/caringbridge sites. For every message we received we gained strength and courage to continue the fight. Brianna was amazed when I told her how many people were praying for he. I took time to read many cards to her and a majority started with, "You don't know us, but..." and included, "You are such an inspiration and amaze us with your strong will and deep faith...." It must have been a huge comfort to her as I read those cards when she was bedridden. Thank you everyone for letting Brianna know she made a difference in so many lives!
Kaitlyn started middle school (6th grade) last week and she loves it! She handled the first day just fine while I was the one wishing the girls would have had at least 1 more bus ride together. Brianna's friends (8th graders) have taken Kaitlyn under their wings and made it a smooth transition. Kaitlyn was so excited she packed, unpacked, and repacked her bag several times. She also surprised me with her three year plan...FOR DATING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL!!! Something tells me that the first phone call I receive from her school will be discipline related (nothing too terrible---my bet is on cell phone or talking in class), especially considering that my first "non-scheduled" parent/teacher conference happened when Kaitlyn was 3 years old. She refused to take a nap so instead she was supposed to sit quietly and was given a book. When the teacher told me, "Kaitlyn had a bad day," she proceeded to show me a book with every page ripped out! In elementary school, I received a call that Kaitlyn and another student were not getting along. I told Kaitlyn to write a letter of apology to the other student, but when I read the letter Kaitlyn said, "even though you made me very mad," putting the blame back on the other student! Ugh... Kaitlyn is the complete opposite of Brianna. Loud/Quiet, Hyper/Calm, etc. Even when Brianna was very sick she would make people laugh by stating, "Kaitlyn has issues!"
I told Kaitlyn that Bob and I know EVERYONE at Gregory M.S. and will know everything that goes on...she has no idea just how many people are keeping tabs on her to make sure she is o.k. On the first day of school, I recieved a couple of text messages letting me know she was doing great. Being the youngest of four to go through Gregory, we know almost every staff member at Gregory.
Kyle Porter filmed the last segment of the "Brianna's Battle" news story last week. WCIU-Chicago will be airing the story in September/October, but I will post a link for all to view as soon as Kyle finishes the final product. Though we hoped and prayed for a different ending, we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Kyle as his compassion and professionalism left us with a precious keepsake, one we can watch over and over. It is wonderful to hear her voice and her laugh.
Hopefully, her story will help build DIPG awareness. A pediatric cancer with a horrible prognosis where doctors remind parents there is no hope. Finding hope in a "hopeless" situation is hard enough without the added knowledge that time is very limited. We were hoping to be the 1 out of 10 to live at least 18-24 months. Never would we have imagined that our time would be limited to just over 9 months. We need a breakthrough, even if it's only to give families a longer "honeymoon" period.
The first day of school was a difficult one and we will be facing many more difficult days as we near the anniversary of the diagnosis date. This date is in the back of my mind as I mourn our loss, return to work, help Kaitlyn adjust to middle school, & my grandmother's health (she is now on hospice and we are blessed to have Nurse Jane taking care of her.) There are numerous other things to worry about and my ability to compartmentalize and multi-task are lacking...the stress has caused me to break out with shingles!! It's a mild case but still enough to make me crazy!
We continue to pray for those battling DIPG and other illnesses. We are grateful and ver blessed to have your continued support. Please support the families currently fighting this battle by visiting their carepages/caringbridge sites. For every message we received we gained strength and courage to continue the fight. Brianna was amazed when I told her how many people were praying for he. I took time to read many cards to her and a majority started with, "You don't know us, but..." and included, "You are such an inspiration and amaze us with your strong will and deep faith...." It must have been a huge comfort to her as I read those cards when she was bedridden. Thank you everyone for letting Brianna know she made a difference in so many lives!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Brianna Tribute Video - August 15
Please cut and paste the youtube link (at the end of this update) into your browser bar in order to view a tribute video for Brianna. A 17 year old girl from the U.K. made the video along with hundreds of other videos for DIPG, pediatric cancer, memorials/tributes. Stories that have happy and sad endings, but also shows hope and a desire to build awareness. If you go to www.youtube.com you can type her name in the search box. "lilliesha" and video many more videos. After viewing Brianna's video you can click on the creator's name and go to her other videos.
One in particular sends a strong message about DIPG. It states facts and statistics and also shows numerous angels and each one looks like the other. Cancer kids are not just children with bald heads! Watch the video and know we are desperate to have doctors help find way for children to avoid the negative effects of steriods! I would have taken Brianna with a bald head, just to have any other type of cancer because almost every other pediatric cancer at least gives you better odds.
I remember listening to some other parents stories during a prayer service at the Ronald McDonald House. Listening to the parents say doctors say she has a 95% chance, 50/50, 30% chance.....then they came to me and I said Brianna has a 1 in 10 chance of living past 18 months and survival is not likely...I was there to pray for a miracle! I felt terrible looking at the hand prints on the walls of the Ronald McDonald House, just wishing Brianna could have any other type of cancer listed on the walls. We also tried to keep her from looking at the hands labeled DIPG as they were not going to help Brianna keep the faith.I told doctors to do everything they could to at least give us the 2 years we "might" get...never, ever would I have thought we wouldn't even get a year. I wanted her to ride the bus to middle school with Kaitlyn because they both talked about being excited to go to the same school together again. Plus, Bob and I were looking forward to the three girls all being in school together (Brianna 8th, Haley 7th, Kaitlyn 6th). Haley and Kaitlyn will return to school on Thursday...wi'thout Brianna. Please pray for them to adjust well to returning to school and their normal routines.
I will return to school/work this Monday. I know I will have a very strong support system in place. I hope that work proves to be theraputic and gets me back to feeling "normal." The last 10 months feels like it took a lifetime, but I also find my myself asking, "Where did the time go?" It seems like we just blinked our eyes and Brianna is gone. I don't know if anyone can relate to this feeling, but certainly those who have had shared this journey with us can have some sense of the feeling I am trying to express.
We hope you view Brianna's video and others produced by "lilliesha" on www.youtube.com
Brianna's Tribute Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s7V3ULFFJg
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
One in particular sends a strong message about DIPG. It states facts and statistics and also shows numerous angels and each one looks like the other. Cancer kids are not just children with bald heads! Watch the video and know we are desperate to have doctors help find way for children to avoid the negative effects of steriods! I would have taken Brianna with a bald head, just to have any other type of cancer because almost every other pediatric cancer at least gives you better odds.
I remember listening to some other parents stories during a prayer service at the Ronald McDonald House. Listening to the parents say doctors say she has a 95% chance, 50/50, 30% chance.....then they came to me and I said Brianna has a 1 in 10 chance of living past 18 months and survival is not likely...I was there to pray for a miracle! I felt terrible looking at the hand prints on the walls of the Ronald McDonald House, just wishing Brianna could have any other type of cancer listed on the walls. We also tried to keep her from looking at the hands labeled DIPG as they were not going to help Brianna keep the faith.I told doctors to do everything they could to at least give us the 2 years we "might" get...never, ever would I have thought we wouldn't even get a year. I wanted her to ride the bus to middle school with Kaitlyn because they both talked about being excited to go to the same school together again. Plus, Bob and I were looking forward to the three girls all being in school together (Brianna 8th, Haley 7th, Kaitlyn 6th). Haley and Kaitlyn will return to school on Thursday...wi'thout Brianna. Please pray for them to adjust well to returning to school and their normal routines.
I will return to school/work this Monday. I know I will have a very strong support system in place. I hope that work proves to be theraputic and gets me back to feeling "normal." The last 10 months feels like it took a lifetime, but I also find my myself asking, "Where did the time go?" It seems like we just blinked our eyes and Brianna is gone. I don't know if anyone can relate to this feeling, but certainly those who have had shared this journey with us can have some sense of the feeling I am trying to express.
We hope you view Brianna's video and others produced by "lilliesha" on www.youtube.com
Brianna's Tribute Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s7V3ULFFJg
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
Monday, August 10, 2009
In Bob's Words - Brianna Remembered - August 7
Good morning...for those of you who do not know me, I’m Brianna’s step dad, Bob. In my time I have given many speeches and presentations, but I have never had to do one on such a personal level so I too ask that you bear with me. I’m not as eloquent of a writer as Jen, but I hope I can covey how the both of us feel here today.
We would first like to thank all of Brianna’s friends, our friends and our community for your unyielding support during our journey. From cards, to gifts to meals, phone calls and just chit chat out front…your actions and words of comfort gave us the strength to go on and has restored our faith in humanity. We stand before you humbled individuals.
To the medical community we say thank you. Your never ending pursuit of Brianna’s well being will always be remembered and appreciated. Your professionalism and care make you all very special caregivers to us.
To Brianna’s dad, Matt, we say thank you. After Bri’s diagnosis, you became our “minister of research.” We were always informed and knew that we could ask you a question and get a solid answer…good or bad. Your love for Bri showed and she loved you…and always will.
To our family…thank you from the bottom of our hearts. From the first day of Brianna’s diagnosis you have been there with your enduring and unwavering love and support. Know how much that has meant to us and Brianna. She was always amazed with the love and support received due to her!
To all of Brianna’s siblings…Kaitlyn, Eric, Haley, Zachary, Madison and Gianna… know that Brianna is in a much better place and is no longer in pain. Though she is not with us in the physical sense, she is always with us in our thoughts and prayers and will live forever in our hearts. Know that she loved each and everyone of you so much.
To Jen…what can I say? A women of unbelievable character and love. A woman with a laugh that warms my heart every time I hear it. You have redefined the word “mom” in many books. Your un-relentless ability to care for Bri 24/7, maintain your composure and be her rock was just amazing. You have touched so many lives with your eloquent words and yourself, brought peace and happiness into this world without even knowing it. Bri loved you so much that she had to make sure you were going to be ok. This was a promise I made to her. Once she knew this, I believe she found peace. You will forever share an unbreakable bond, an unbreakable love with Brianna. Know she loved you with her every fiber and will be with you always.
Today we send our angel back to Heaven. Brianna was destined for greatness with God. Brianna was always the first to offer a hug, offer to help or just give you attention…whether you wanted it or not! She had a beautiful smile, a wonderful laugh and the most subtle rose colored cheeks. Brianna was a story teller, sometimes telling stories that would never seem to end. When Brianna would be telling on of these stories, I would chime in with my standard “land the plane Bri”. I can just see her now talking with God and God turning to her saying…”land the plane Bri”.
Brianna was also a very loving child. Always with a hug and a kiss, always saying good morning and good night. Over the last month or so of her journey I loved helping her get out of bed and tell her this was my favorite part because I knew I was going to get a hug. What I wouldn’t do for just one more hug from her.
Brianna had a very strong love for family. Always asking when the next family party was, who was coming over, when Eric and Haley were coming, when her next time was to see her dad and Maria, and just a general excitement for the next gathering. She was also so polite. Always saying thank you, and yes, please. Even in her worst moments, she found it necessary to say thank you. I always said to her, “Bri, you don’t have to thank me…I should be thanking you.” And of course, that would get the standard, “whatever” response.
Before Brianna’s illness made her bed ridden, she would insist on going up the stairs to her room. I would always help her up the steps standing behind her and bearing her weight and listen to her apologize to me all the way up. Yesterday, as I walked up the steps at the funeral home I couldn’t help but smile as I know she is now running up and down stairs with the greatest of ease.
Brianna was also a very caring child towards others who where less fortunate than us. As part of our family ministry we deliver food to a local homeless shelter. We felt it important to involve the kids when we could so they would develop a sense of appreciation for what they have and an appreciation for helping those less fortunate. When Brianna finished with her last round of radiation, she asked when our next food delivery to Hessed house would be. I told her the date, and she replied “good, I can’t wait to go.” Unfortunately, she did not make the run do to her progression, but even in her moment of greatest pain, she was thinking of others…truly amazing.
Bri was also extremely artistic. I’m sure most of you have seen her work and have come to know her as a budding artist. We look forward to the day to see what she has painted in Heaven for us. I’m sure she having fun and keeping many angels and saints busy by showing them her work! I would also have to believe that she is rearranging all the paintings in heaven so they look just right!
This journey has changed our perspective on life. We used to think ones life was measured in the number of years that you lived. Now we say ones life is measured not in how many years you live, but how many lives you touch. As we look out here today, we can say that Brianna, though her years were short, lived one full life!
Brianna taught us the simple things. Enjoy a sunny day. Look up at the moon at night. Stop and listen to the birds. Say hello to a neighbor. Tell a loved on how you feel. Mend broken friendships and relationships and look at each day as a blank canvas. Imagine the possibilities if each of us did just one of those things…and all due to her.
As we say goodbye, we take comfort in knowing that Brianna has received her salvation. Though cancer took her body from us, it did not take her soul. We take comfort in knowing that she is in the hands of God and that we will be rejoined, as a family, together one day in God’s kingdom.
Thank you and God bless.
We would first like to thank all of Brianna’s friends, our friends and our community for your unyielding support during our journey. From cards, to gifts to meals, phone calls and just chit chat out front…your actions and words of comfort gave us the strength to go on and has restored our faith in humanity. We stand before you humbled individuals.
To the medical community we say thank you. Your never ending pursuit of Brianna’s well being will always be remembered and appreciated. Your professionalism and care make you all very special caregivers to us.
To Brianna’s dad, Matt, we say thank you. After Bri’s diagnosis, you became our “minister of research.” We were always informed and knew that we could ask you a question and get a solid answer…good or bad. Your love for Bri showed and she loved you…and always will.
To our family…thank you from the bottom of our hearts. From the first day of Brianna’s diagnosis you have been there with your enduring and unwavering love and support. Know how much that has meant to us and Brianna. She was always amazed with the love and support received due to her!
To all of Brianna’s siblings…Kaitlyn, Eric, Haley, Zachary, Madison and Gianna… know that Brianna is in a much better place and is no longer in pain. Though she is not with us in the physical sense, she is always with us in our thoughts and prayers and will live forever in our hearts. Know that she loved each and everyone of you so much.
To Jen…what can I say? A women of unbelievable character and love. A woman with a laugh that warms my heart every time I hear it. You have redefined the word “mom” in many books. Your un-relentless ability to care for Bri 24/7, maintain your composure and be her rock was just amazing. You have touched so many lives with your eloquent words and yourself, brought peace and happiness into this world without even knowing it. Bri loved you so much that she had to make sure you were going to be ok. This was a promise I made to her. Once she knew this, I believe she found peace. You will forever share an unbreakable bond, an unbreakable love with Brianna. Know she loved you with her every fiber and will be with you always.
Today we send our angel back to Heaven. Brianna was destined for greatness with God. Brianna was always the first to offer a hug, offer to help or just give you attention…whether you wanted it or not! She had a beautiful smile, a wonderful laugh and the most subtle rose colored cheeks. Brianna was a story teller, sometimes telling stories that would never seem to end. When Brianna would be telling on of these stories, I would chime in with my standard “land the plane Bri”. I can just see her now talking with God and God turning to her saying…”land the plane Bri”.
Brianna was also a very loving child. Always with a hug and a kiss, always saying good morning and good night. Over the last month or so of her journey I loved helping her get out of bed and tell her this was my favorite part because I knew I was going to get a hug. What I wouldn’t do for just one more hug from her.
Brianna had a very strong love for family. Always asking when the next family party was, who was coming over, when Eric and Haley were coming, when her next time was to see her dad and Maria, and just a general excitement for the next gathering. She was also so polite. Always saying thank you, and yes, please. Even in her worst moments, she found it necessary to say thank you. I always said to her, “Bri, you don’t have to thank me…I should be thanking you.” And of course, that would get the standard, “whatever” response.
Before Brianna’s illness made her bed ridden, she would insist on going up the stairs to her room. I would always help her up the steps standing behind her and bearing her weight and listen to her apologize to me all the way up. Yesterday, as I walked up the steps at the funeral home I couldn’t help but smile as I know she is now running up and down stairs with the greatest of ease.
Brianna was also a very caring child towards others who where less fortunate than us. As part of our family ministry we deliver food to a local homeless shelter. We felt it important to involve the kids when we could so they would develop a sense of appreciation for what they have and an appreciation for helping those less fortunate. When Brianna finished with her last round of radiation, she asked when our next food delivery to Hessed house would be. I told her the date, and she replied “good, I can’t wait to go.” Unfortunately, she did not make the run do to her progression, but even in her moment of greatest pain, she was thinking of others…truly amazing.
Bri was also extremely artistic. I’m sure most of you have seen her work and have come to know her as a budding artist. We look forward to the day to see what she has painted in Heaven for us. I’m sure she having fun and keeping many angels and saints busy by showing them her work! I would also have to believe that she is rearranging all the paintings in heaven so they look just right!
This journey has changed our perspective on life. We used to think ones life was measured in the number of years that you lived. Now we say ones life is measured not in how many years you live, but how many lives you touch. As we look out here today, we can say that Brianna, though her years were short, lived one full life!
Brianna taught us the simple things. Enjoy a sunny day. Look up at the moon at night. Stop and listen to the birds. Say hello to a neighbor. Tell a loved on how you feel. Mend broken friendships and relationships and look at each day as a blank canvas. Imagine the possibilities if each of us did just one of those things…and all due to her.
As we say goodbye, we take comfort in knowing that Brianna has received her salvation. Though cancer took her body from us, it did not take her soul. We take comfort in knowing that she is in the hands of God and that we will be rejoined, as a family, together one day in God’s kingdom.
Thank you and God bless.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
