Tough News

Hello All,

I type this blog with a heavy heart. Yesterday we found out that Brian's melanoma cancer has completely overtaken his liver. After a sobering talk with our oncologist, he suggested we make Brian as comfortable and out of pain as possible. 

In saying that, Brian is back home. He's got a great set-up with his own room, flatscreen TV and adjustable bed. And he's accepted the news remarkably well. 

We ask that everyone give us time and not bombard us with calls and house visits. We will be setting up visiting hours and contacting people on an individual basis. 

This cancer from the get-go has been a complete tragedy but look at the silver lining: Brian doesn't have to endure the radiation, chemo, hospital stays and just all in all feeling terrible anymore.

We have a wonderful group of professionals keeping him content, out of pain and relaxed.

Thank you to everyone who loves Brian (so much!) and supported his fight.

Future blog posts are not likely unless he feels like getting on.....

Anna Hogan

Big B on the Blog!

All,

Amazing what a good night sleep will do.  I had my treatment Monday followed by a blood transfusion on Tuesday and feel surprisingly good today. Everyday I get a little stronger now that I have been out of the hospital for more than a week. 

There is an account set up in my name at the Hoag blood donor services for those of you who want to donate blood like my brave wife did. 

I thank you all for your support.

Big B

Round #3

Its been a long day for our favorite cancer patient.....

He (we) had a less than diserable night's sleep last night so we both started off on a tired foot....but he got to chemo, they got him all set-up with a craftmatic adjustable bed and his IV in place. They drew his blood and the levels were ok but his hemoglobin had dropped since late last week so they recommended he get a blood transfusion after his chemo today! 

So, being the super-duper trooper that Big B is, he rallied through chemo, ate the lunch I packed him (PB&J, chocolate pudding and Sun Chips) and went down to Hoag to do an out-patient transfusion. Because they closed tonight at 6pm, he needs to go back tomorrow AM and get one more bag of blood. Not to fear, it makes him feel better and brings back a nice healthy color in his face. 

So, today's lesson is this: Giving blood is free. It saves lives. It helps people. Big B has B negative blood if you're curious to know!

I have an appt at Hoag tomorrow to donate while he gets his transfusion. Yes, I hate needles. Yes, I passed out at the cookie table in high school after giving blood, but I am going to do it and I encourage all of you to do the same. 

My dad (Mike Nelson) has been giving blood every 6-8 weeks since he was 18 and I want to publicly thank him for his selflessness to people he doesn't even know!

That's it from Team Hogan!

Anna & Big B

http://www.hoaghospital.org/services/Blood-Donor.aspx

Hogan Pool Photos

What a warm weekend!

Thanks Judy & Skip for a relaxing time......great seeing Tim and his girlfriend Lisa too!

blood test ok

Brian's blood test this AM was consistent to the one he took on Wednesday so we're set for chemo on Monday. The Dr said the chemo will help with some of the pain he's experiencing as it will break-down this sucky cancer. 

We're scheduled to spend the night down in Rancho Santa Fe this weekend at Casa Hogan. The Dr said a swim the pool will help loosen him up and cool off in this heat. I bought him a cute long-sleeved Quicksilver rash guard for the pool.

Two months ago today we flew home from Paris & Ireland without a clue of what was brewing inside of Brian. Its crazy what life throws at you.

Sobering a message to everyone: Never take your health for granted!

Love, Team Hogan

Weekend off!

We met with the oncologist yesterday and Brian got his blood work done. Everything looked good and they want to check it once more on Friday and then he'll do Round #3 of chemo on Monday. I know, poor guy!

He'll be doing two types of chemo again like his did for Round #1 (taxol and carboplatin) so the session should take 4-5 hours.

The bright spot in this is that he gets the weekend to relax, gain his strength back and celebrate Father's Day. The plan is to drive down to Rancho Santa Fe and stay with his parents. Maybe even take a dip in the pool.

Have a great weekend and wear plenty of sunscreen

Anna & Big B

p.s. here is some promising news from ABC shown last night on television...be patient, they run a quick 30-sec commercial before the actual video
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5198202

Big B back on the Blog

All,

Well I survived my first major complications due to chemotherapy treatments and it was a lot worse than I could have ever imagined but its all part of the journey. As Anna says, it just makes you appreciate the good times that much more.

I'm finally back at home feeling pretty good again and got my first good night's sleep in a week. Today we will regroup as tomorrow I have another appointment with doctor and we will see where that takes us next. Each day brings on new challenges. I can't begin to tell you how things like fresh air, your own bed, a little privacy, not being connected to an IV machine etc... give you a since of life that is much cherished and often taken for granted.

Its a wild ride emotionally, spiritually, physically I had more different bags of liquid pumped through me than there are states in in Mexico. Bags of fluids, bags to make you pee them out, bags for nausea, bags to flush calcium, bags of iron, blood transfusions, steroids, antacids, bags to flush Potassium to name a few.  

Thank you all for your support and it is much appreciated. Contrary to what some may believe I am hardly bored and every day is a challenge and you want to stop by that is great just call me and I would love to schedule a visit. I don't need anymore books or DVD' s etc... trying keep everything organized the additional items are starting overwhelm me. If you have something you really want to show me bring it by and show me please as there is a lot more to this Cancer stuff than meets the eye. 

I wish I could say I felt like getting online everyday to let everyone know what going on but that just isn't the case. I love you all and will continue to fight with all I have. 

Enjoy all that have and don't let worrying about other things get in the way of that.

Love All,

Brian (Big B) 

He's Home!!

Big B got released today at 4:30 and is home...

I think checking out of "Hotel Hoag" was just what the doctor ordered!

Monday update (as of 2pm)

We haven't gotten the green light yet on Brian's release from Hoag (good thing we have a fantastic PPO!) 

In the meantime, here is a photo taken this afternoon for your viewing pleasure....we'll find out more from the doctor later this afternoon but overall, he's doing great as you can see. 

Not quiet yet....

Good Afternoon from Team Hogan,

Looks like Big B's calcium levels are all back to normal! He does have some other readings on his blood work-up that they'd like to monitor for one more day.....so, he's still at Hoag. 

This morning he told me that he's anxious to get home but would rather have everything back to normal (as possible) before he does. Plus, he's under excellent care. He's made friends with several of the staff on the floor and he's still eating well. 

He's busy watching the US Open, the Angel's game and later on the Laker game. Plus, laps around the 8th floor. 

That's it from here. Let's hope he gets released soon. 

Happy Father's Day to our fathers Skip and Mike.....your love and support is greatly appreciated. 

Anna & Brian

Friday the 13th

Everything at Hoag is status quo for Big B. He's up and walking around the floor, eating his meals and most importantly getting (yet) another sponge bath from Anna Banana. 

As I left the hospital tonight, no word on whether he'd be released Saturday AM or Sunday AM. His Dr. was still doing his rounds at 10pm on a Friday night (...and I thought Big B's pre-cancer work schedule was crazy?!?!?)

Anyway, he's in great spirits and if anything changes I will let y'all know. 

Have a great Father's Day Weekend. Hobie Cat and Mei-Mei are anxious to have their Papa home. 

Anna Hogan

Thursday, June 12th

Everything is going well for Brian at Hoag. His calcium levels are down from earlier this week and he's pee'ing up a storm and eating 3 healthy meals a day!

I would say the highlight of Brian's day was getting a sponge bath from me (whoo wooo!) and getting a good report from his oncologist saying he's pleased with his progress. Brian also got his kidney's checked out and they were clear with no stones (which high calcium levels can cause)

The plan is still to keep Brian at Hoag until Saturday or until his calcium levels are normal again. He's very comfortable and has a whole staff catering to him. 

Thanks for all the support. I'll get Brian back on the blog once he's home as Hoag doesn't have Wi-Fi (der!!!??)

Anna Hogan

Wednesday, June 11th

Good evening. Team Hogan had a bit of a set-back today but this blog ends on a happy note so keep reading.....

After a long (long) night of Brian not being able to even keep a sip of water in his system, we called his oncologist at 6am and asked that I bring Brian immediately to his office to get some IVs going of nausea medication, a steroid medication and fluids. The doctor was concerned that Brian's brain maybe experiencing some swelling and also ordered a MRI. 

So....yeah......REALLY scary stuff. But this blog isn't sugar-coated, its to keep everyone informed. 

After getting some fluids in him and laying on a hard table for 30 min doing an MRI, it was discovered that Brian has high levels of calcium in his system. Which is causing his extreme nausea. Not the brain. 

So, Brian was admitted today to Hoag Hospital and will be there for 3 days while they "flush" the calcium out of his system.

When I left tonight, he was doing amazingly well. Eating fruit, drinking apple juice and watching an evening broadcast of the Price is Right. 

The doctor came by to check on Brian and said that he was also very pleased on the preliminary results he saw today on Brian's brain MRI. Which is good news because he was going to read them at 6 weeks instead of 2 weeks so that means the results on that are expected to get better.

The bottom line is that this calcium problem is fixable and he's got the best of the best looking out for him, including you're truly :-)

Brian is expected to leave Hoag on Saturday or Sunday and he's got his trusted blackberry so give him a call or send him an email!

Much love to all,

Anna Hogan

Tuesday, June 10th - Part II

Big B last Saturday

Tuesday, June 10th

Overall, the 2nd round of chemo was easier than the first. Aside from a few side effects, I was eating well this weekend, riding my exercise bike and even went out for a ride in my father in law's red 356 Porsche.

Today, I see my oncologist and they are going to check my blood to see how I am reacting to the chemo. Later, the Laker game at home.

Yesterday, I received an amazing bouquet of flowers from Frank McCourt and his family. For those of you unfamiliar with the McCourts, they are owners of the LA Dodgers.

Thanks for all the great replies on this blog, I read each and every one of them.

Big B

**P.S. ** Just got back from meeting with Brian's oncologist and he said that he's extremely impressed on how well Brian has been handling everything....from the oral chemotherapy pills, 3 weeks of radiation, chemotherapy and the oral steroid pills he's been taking. He was surprised to hear that Brian is only taking Tylenol for his pain and that he's able to ride his exercise bike each day for a 1/2 hour....so that was good to hear. He said we will find out the results of Brian's radiation in a few weeks so if anyone is looking for something to pray for, please pour your energy into that!

Friday, June 6th

Today's blog is about selflessness. 

This morning, I can honestly say that Brian just didn't feel very good. With this cancer, everyday is a new day and some are better than others.....anyway, we got to chemotherapy and he just wasn't having a good morning......until this really sweet woman came over to us and said she volunteers her time rubbing the feet of cancer patients while they get chemotherapy. I thought to myself "Wow, do I have a patient here who is owed a few massages!"

So this volunteer probably spent 10 minutes on each foot and immediately Brian felt relaxed and calm. And to think while we all spend our free time doing things for ourselves, while this woman spends her time rubbing the feet of strangers who are fighting this terrible disease. 

Anyway, after the "foot fairy" left, Brian was so relaxed that he slept in the Lazyboy chair and serenaded the nurses with a sweet lullabye of snoring!

Have a good weekend. Think of something nice you can do for others!

Anna & Brian

Wednesday, June 4th

Well, Brian powered through days #2 and #3 of chemo pretty well so days #4 and #5 have been a breeze. He's riding his stationary bike each day for 30 min to keep his stamina up and so far so good. He goes back Friday for round #2 but it should be fairly manageable seeing that they are only giving Brian one type of chemo instead of two like last week....

Today, my company approved for me to scale-back on my work hours a bit so I can be home more and be more available for Dr's appts. Thank you TCA!

Brian commited to buying 1/2 of his season tickets to the Oakland Raiders today (my brother bought the other 1/2) so that gives him a true goal for September - opening game against the Broncos (yeah...good luck on that!!)

All in all, we are so blessed with all the people who love Brian!!

Anna Hogan

Monday June 2nd

All Support Team Members,

Thanks you all for  your comments of encouragement, comedy and prayers. I am starting to feel better from last Friday's chemo treatment. 

I bought Lazyboy recliner Saturday and Glen from my office took me for a ride in his Hot Rod which was a lot of fun. I just finished my last radiation treatment and will find out the results in 6 - 8 weeks when I get another MRI. 

Thank all of you for your support.

Big B