Orange County Register Article on Brian & Anna

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/brian-220090-anna-says.html

Money Raised to Date

As of October 2009, we have collectively raised over $17,000 in Brian's memory for melanoma research!

Thanks everyone and here's to welcoming Baby Hogan in March 2010!

Melanoma Fundraiser/Brian's 40th Birthday

For those of you who still check-in here, I wanted to let you all know that we are organizing a melanoma fundraiser for Brian's Foundation at The Angeles Clinic on his 40th birthday. 

It will be in conjunction with a dedication of a 1-mile trail in Crystal Cove (Newport Coast) on Saturday, July 25th that is currently being planned. 

The Hogan Family thanks everyone for their continued support during the past months.

May God bless you and always wear sunscreen!

Anna Hogan

Video from the Memorial - by popular demand

$14,500+!!!

To date, Brian's Melanoma Foundation has raised over $14,500!

Thank you everyone for your donations

http://theangelesclinic.org/ (click on foundation link)

Happy Birthday Brian

Toast a glass in the air today for Brian's 39th birthday!

Brian's Memorial/Celebration of Life Information

A memorial and celebration of the life of Brian Hogan will be held on Monday, July 14th at 5:30pm in the afternoon. 

We ask that everyone plan accordingly that time of the day due to traffic. 

Norman P. Murray Community Center

24932 Veterans Way

Mission Viejo, CA 92692

(949)470-3062

I-5 Freeway

Exit La Paz

Head East towards Saddleback Mountain

Drive approximately 1.5 miles (past Marguerite Parkway)

Turn left on Veterans Way

A celebration reception to follow for Brian's family, friends and colleagues

Brian requested that everyone wear comfortable clothing

Suggested hotel nearby: 

Holiday Inn Laguna Hills off La Paz Road

(949)586-5000

http://theangelesclinic.org

For anyone interested in making a donation in Brian's name, please contact:

The Angeles Clinic Foundation

2001 Santa Monica Blvd.

Suite 560W

Santa Monica, CA 90404

http://theangelesclinic.org

(310)582-7900

There is a PayPal place to donate in Brian Hogan's name

The Angeles Clinic is a cutting-edge research clinic dedicated to late-stage melanoma which if we can save anyone from going through the disease would be a blessing and mean a lot to Brian. 

July 6th 2008

With great sadness, Brian Robert Hogan, 38 passed away today at 2:35pm at our home on Sunday, July 6th. He was surrounded by his loving wife, parents, brother, best friend and favorite cousin. 

His favorite Bob Marley song "Waiting in Vain" was playing softly in the background which also happens to be his and Anna's wedding song and song they danced to on their first date. 

Tragically, Brian was diagnosed with melanoma cancer on May 6th 2008 so he fought a courageous battle but short-lived 2 month battle with the will and determination that could only be Brian Hogan's. 

He is forever in our hearts and the memories of his existence will never escape our minds. 

Memorial Celebration to be held Monday, July 14th at 5:30pm at the Norman P Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo. 

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