This is a different kind of post for me, but something very dear to my heart. Please take the time to read it.
As some of you may know my cousin Brianne was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in November. Brianne is only 29 years old and a mother to two small children, Danika 3 and Bryce 1 (who was only 6 months old at the time of her diagnoses).
As you can imagine cancer changed her life dramatically over night. In November, she had emergency surgery to remove a large mass that was crushing her airways. After the initial surgery, she was transferred to ICU to start chemo treatment. She spent most of December in the hospital separated from her kids (I can only imagine how difficult that must have been for her). Just before Christmas the she was told her tumour had shrunk considerably- so she was able to be home for the holidays while they decided what to do next.
In February, Brianne had a seizure and needed to go back into the hospital for a bit. They decided to do a stem cell transplant and found out the Brianne's brother Ryan was a 10/10 match for her. On March 5th, Brianne went back to the Cancer Center after being given her new stem cells and waited for positive results. After 17 days, things looked positive and she was released from the Cancer Centre but still had to return twice a week for check ups.
To cope financially with their new situation Brianne's family had to sell their house and move into a smaller more affordable condo. With Brianne still being very sick, her husband and family were responsible for helping them move. Brianne has had to close her day home, a job she loved more than anything and has been forced to rely on her husband and immediate family for care of herself and her children while she battles this disease.
Today, Brianne is considered to be in remission. She still goes for regular doctors appointments but is gaining more and more strength everyday. She is fighting hard to regain her independence which was lost to Leukemia. She is so happy when she is able to do even the smallest chore like lift Danika into her chair or change Bryce's diaper herself (which she hasn't been able to do).
The Light the Night Walk is a fundraising event to help raise money to help doctors understand blood cancers more. Ironically enough it is an event Brianne has been a part of for a few years now since Brett's cousin was diagnosed with Leukemia. This year the event is even more near and dear to her and her family and friend's hearts given the fight Brianne herself has gone through this past year.
This September, my family and I will be going down to Calgary to walk with Brianne and to show our support. I have joined Brianne's team and ask for your help to reach my fundraising goal.
You can visit my site here:
http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=897233
Thank you for your help.
May this post find you and your loved ones healthly and happy.
Happy Monday!
