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