A Very Long Day - June 2

Today was really hard so Mom is going to tell you what happened.
Love,
Bree

Note from Mom Jennifer:

Today consisted of Brianna’s radiation treatment (7 AM) and her weekly visit to Children’s Memorial (left at 9 AM). We did not return home until 8 PM! Kyle, the reporter from WCIU, joined us today at Children’s to continue working on Brianna’s story.

The visit to Children’s was for her normal check-up (blood work, exam, and meeting with Dr. Jason) and she was going to receive an antibiotic through an IV as a preventive treatment. We didn’t know it at the time but our day would prove to be a tough one. If her blood work came back with decent counts she was going to start up on the IV chemo infusion (Avastin). Last week we learned that her platelets dropped from 331 down to 85 (Normal range is 150-450, too low can lead to excessive bleeding since platelets help with clotting; too high and dangerous blood clots result). Today her platelets dropped down to 35 so they decided to do a platelet transfusion. She will be tested again in a couple of days. Since she is undergoing radiation treatment to the spine her ability to produce platelets and maintain levels is hindered.

After Brianna was infused with the antibiotic they set up the platelet transfusion. We were told that there was a chance of an allergic reaction or other reaction and it could range from mild to severe. It is standard of care for patients to receive platelets without any pre-medication. The nurses and doctors wait to see how the patient will tolerate, or if they can tolerate the transfusion, and adjust accordingly. In Brianna’s case, it only took about 5-10 minutes to learn she had a severe reaction to the platelets. I called a nurse when she began to have difficulty breathing. Within 1-2 minutes there were 3 nurses and a doctor giving her various medications and oxygen. This experience scared Brianna so much she began to panic and it took Bob and I, along with the constant presence of the doctor and nurses, over an hour to calm her down. Dr. Jason was called immediately. Our goal is to avoid any more attempts at platelet transfusion (20 or below leaves us no option) but if we must, she will be pre-medicated with steroids, Benadryl, etc. in order to avoid any similar reaction. We are holding her chemo medication for the next few evenings to see if her number goes up. I should add that Bob and I were very impressed with the reaction and response by the nurses and doctors….it definitely left us feeling she is in great hands!

After a long day and very scary experience, Bob and I decided to take Brianna to Greektown for dinner. She thanked us profusely and was in no hurry to leave as she continued sketching in her journal. I believe she is on her 4th large notebook for journaling, sketching, etc.

If anyone happens to be in the Naperville area (Neuqua Valley H.S.) on Friday night, feel free to stop by and say hello! Brianna’s Brigade is participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event. Our theme is golf because coloring/labeling cancer golf balls and driving the golf balls seems to be a big hit. Our two phrases: “Driving Out Cancer” & “PUTTing An End To Cancer” focuses our attention on allowing individuals to purchase golf balls that they can decorate or label for any cancer they wish to PUTT an end to, or DRIVE away…it is a huge stress reliever and we hope others will think so too!!
THANK YOU---For your unending support and prayers! We are incredibly grateful to you all!!

Brianna's Family