Monday - December 8

Note from Brianna's Dad and Stepmom:



As I drove home from Memphis with Kaitlyn, my mind had gone back over the journey from day one when we had recieved the diagnosis. This diagnosis had us really thrown us for a loop and was something that we were certainly not prepared for. And as I thought about what got us through this time during her radiation treatment and being so far away from home I was reminded again that it was all of you that had kept us in your thoughts and prayers that helped get us through it all. We thank you for that as it was comforting to see how many people that Brianna has touched through this difficult time in our lives.
I would like to take the time to thank some people that were instrumental in helping Maria and I (as well as Brianna) get through these tough times. I would especially like to thank my parents. My mom and Mike found the time to make the trip down to Memphis to visit Brianna and take her to Corky's which has some phenomenal Memphis BBQ. And in the evening the kids were able to swim at their hotel. Thanks Mom and Mike for coming down!
My Dad and my stepmother Sue and my sister's also found time in their busy schedules to come down and visit Brianna a couple of times. Grandma and Grandpa Sharp brought Brianna her first IPOD and she was in love with that thing from day 1. She still listens to it everyday! My sisters Faith and Julie each came down and brought Brianna some things to help her pass her time. Brianna and Kaitlyn love spending time with them as they have their "nerd academy" which I am told I am a member of (its an inside joke I won't understand I am sure).
I would also like to thank my Aunt Michelle for her love and support and sending Brianna and Kaitlyn things to help them through this difficult time as well as sending Jennifer some great inspirational books to read as those helped her through some hard times while in Memphis as well. Also a shout out to my Aunt Kate and Aunt Shiela who have also helped us through a very difficult time by sending some gift cards and such to help get through this rough time as well. My cousin Kelly also sent Bree some iTunes gift cards and Bree put those to good use! My sister in law Lisa and her husband Brad have also helped tremendously as well, without them I would not be able to take my girls to Florida next month! They bought us airplane tickets so we could watch Madison compete in Disney World!! I am fortunate to have the family that I have and I can't really put into words how grateful I am but hopefully I can get the chance to see you all over the holidays so that I can!
I also want to thank my work family! From the time I recieved the diagnosis, they have been a great help in getting through the first few days. The "Brianna" team has been nothing short of amazing. They created the www.curebrianna.com website, the content and picture uploads to the website. They also helped with the Christine Magnuson visit which was really cool and coordinated the Olympic flag and other things Bree got from many Olympic athletes! So thanks!
I would also like to thank my wife's parents as they have really helped with some painting and home improvements in the home, including a little renovation and redoing of the girls' room here at my house as well! And finally I want to thank my wife for holding down the fort here in Chicago while I was down in Memphis. She is a tremendous partner and is my rock and support on a daily basis and I could not possibly get through this without her.
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season! We are preparing for Christmas just as you all are but find this holiday season especially unique because we have the great gift of all of our family and friends and we could not thank you all enough for what you have done for our families and especially for Brianna. I hope to put a holiday video clip of Brianna on the www.curebrianna.com website sometime soon here for everyone to see!
Have a great holiday and we will keep you updated on everything with Brianna throughout the holiday season!
Love,
Matt and Maria