Second Day Back at School - January 7

Going back to school is better than I expected! When Mom picked me up on Wednesday I told her I had a fun day and that was true! I decided I would take the bus on Thursday. At night I was still a little nervous but I woke up on Thursday all by myself and rode the bus to school and back home too. I had my friend Kylie come home with me to hang out for a while. I'm getting more energy and it's good to get things back to normal!

Love,
Bree

Note from Parents:
While Brianna was at school yesterday I (Jennifer) had to go to Whole Foods to do some shopping. Brianna's very strict diet makes it very difficult to shop as I need to read every single ingredient on every package. Hopefully, I will soon learn what brands and types of food are acceptable and through trial and error learn her likes and dislikes. Though we have not yet had our consultation with the nutritionist we have started her diet based on what other DIPG families have turned to from the recommendations from a particuluar nutritionist. Brianna's diet is completely organic but it goes beyond that as she also has to avoid sugar (organic sugar, organic brown sugar, artificial, etc.), dairy is very limited (Soy milk is o.k., Organic milk in very limited quantities), and she can only have 100% grass fed, free range beef. Other meats must be grass fed and of course all must be raised free of hormones, steroids, antibiotics, etc. The only acceptable "sugars" are Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Agave Syrup, and Stevia. Not that you are interested in knowing these details but hopefully it gives you and understanding of how difficult it is to force a kid to make such a drastic change in their diet....AND why it takes me over 2 hours to pick up groceries for Brianna at Whole Foods!!
Through this process we are learning that there are healthy alternatives to every kind of food that Bri loves...however, it definitely comes at a price!!! It is too bad that ALL people can't afford to eat this healthy!! Brianna's diet has changed but it would be impossible do this for the entire family!! Anyways, hopefully Brianna's anxiety over the change in diet and feeling deprived will be relieved when she realizes that I was able to find acceptable alternatives to some of her favorite foods like chocolate "pop-tarts," spaghettio's, cookies, ice cream, etc. She still needs to keep those as special treats and continue to focus on loading up on vegetables, fruits, nuts, etc. We are lucky in that she has always loved vegetables, especially spinach and broccoli! I could not imagine making a change in a younger patients diet who does not enjoy fruits and vegetables. I admit I am quite concerned as to what she will eat when she travels back to St. Jude for her follow up visits and when she travels to Disney World with her dad in a couple of weeks!! Eating out is a huge obstacle, if not impossible when on her type of diet.
I will be returning to work on January 20 and must admit that I am experiencing the same anxiety as Brianna. However, I know that I have an unbelievable support system at Lincoln-Way and look forward to seeing my students and all of the staff after my 3 month absence! I am nervous about getting back into a routine after 3 months focusing my attention on taking care of Brianna full-time. Her return to school made me quite anxious and reminded me of dropping her off at her first day of kindergarten. I was proud and excited for her, but at the same time dreaded leaving her, wondering how she would do, and also missing her terribly! It's always harder on the parents than the children...isn't it?
We would like to thank everyone for their continued support and also let everyone know that not a day goes by where we are not reminded of how truly blessed we are to have you in our lives! Please continue to pray for Brianna, Max, Kole and all the DIPG Warriors as well as for all pediatric cancer patients. We pray for their healing and that their families find strength in their faith to see them through such a difficult journey. God bless!!

Love,
Brianna's Family