Brian's Story
Type of Sarcoma: Ewings Sarcoma
Tumor Site: Pelvic/Spine
Age at time of Diagnosis: 17 years
Date of Diagnosis: May 23, 2008
Location: Georgia, USA
Hospital:
Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA
Oncologist:
Dr. Gina D'Amato
His Story:
A very influential young-man who touched, inspired and even changed many lives during his
journey with cancer, An avid baseball fan, had the potential to play Division I baseball
in college before diagnosis. Was a fighter, and battled this disease with the utmost dignity
and kept a positive and humorous attitude throughout, especially where it came to helping
other children affected by cancer.
Cancer Experience:
Surgery was not possible. Traditional front line chemo for Ewing's with radiation in between.
Pleasant experience with Drs and hospital.
Brian's Legacy:
To continue to help other children and their families going through the trials of cancer and
it's treatments and the roller coaster ride of emotions. This is the very thing Brian wanted to
do was to help other children and especially their families deal with the day-to-day trials of
cancer and cancer treatments. He also wanted me (his mother) to write a book about his experience
to hopefully inspire others and help with the everyday emotions, etc, in what can seem like an
isolated world.
Life Now:
We are brand new into the journey of loss, It has only been 2 months since we lost Brian. The loss
is still very fresh and raw, I cannot imagine getting to a restful state with this for a very long time,
if ever. It will take a lot of work and patience.
Advice:
Take one day at a time, and if that seems overwhelming, try hour to hour. There will be days like
that and you have to know that no 2 days will ever be the same. Expect the unexpected. Be patient
with yourselves and with each other. it will help in keeping emotions in check during the 'unknown'
and stressful times.
My dear sweet son Brian, If love alone could have
kept you alive, I would not be writing this right now. You are so loved and will forever be in our hearts
and souls forever. You are half of me as your mother. The loss I fell not having you here with me physically
every day is tremendous. I will always feel you with me. There will not be a day that passes that I do
not think of your sweet spirit and bright smile. You are forever with me and forever a part of me.
Diagnosis Experience:
Saw Dr. due to back pain April 2008; CT scan 5-0-08 pelvic mass; discovered malignancy 5-23-08; chemo begun 5-28-08
Treatment:
No surgery due to tumor site, 17 months of chemo and radiation chemo-VAC alter w/Ifosfamide & Etoposide, Given good prognosis, Dr. and hospital experience great
Recovery:
No chance for therapy-less than one month out of treatment-recurrance tumors grew at alarming rate From Dec 09 (ned) to 1-7-10; metastisis to multiple sites/large tumors
Life Now:
Passed away 3-16-10
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