Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Hello everyone and thank you so much for all of your support at the fun run on Saturday! It was such a fun event and truly inspiring for Katie and I to see. I can't even begin to express the gratitude I feel for all the love, friendship, and dedication to help from every single person who participated in one way or another. We were totally shocked by the number of people who turned up to run, walk, and just be there to show how much they cared. Many people came up to me after the run and said how they were thinking if Brandon can do this, I can do this race. My response to that is how I keep thinking, if there are this many people out there praying and thinking of Katie and me then I can definitely get through one more round of chemo, no matter how bad it is. Just to give you the update on our next chemo schedule: I go in for tests on August 17 to do a bone marrow biopsy, PET scan (that gives us an idea how much cancer is left), and some blood work in preparation for chemo. Then after the test results come back I go in to see my oncologist, Dr. Tricot on Thursday and begin chemo on Friday, August 21. I am not sure just yet whether it will be an inpatient or outpatient procedure this time around but we are hoping for outpatient, but that is up to the Dr. at this point. The chemo will last for four days and I will have my transplant on August 25. In the following two or three weeks I will have my immune system go to zero until I am "neutropenic", and then slowly build itself back up again. During this period I will be very susceptible to disease just like before and won't be able to see any visitors. It is very nice knowing what to expect, having been through it now once before, and also knowing how many people out there are thinking of and praying for us. It really does make a difference, and we are so very grateful for everything that everyone has done for us. It makes those few weeks of discomfort and sickness seem more bearable, and much less daunting. After that, depending on how I respond to the treatment we may have one more round of a lighter chemo referred to as "depace" but other than that I should be primarily on chemo pills for the rest of the ordeal if everything goes as planned.
As many of you I am sure already realized I am doing much better as far as health and strength go. I have gained about 22 lbs. back of the 45 total that I have lost throughout my hospital stay, and my back although still sore is much stronger and not nearly as painful. Unfortunately I will never regain the 5 inches of height I lost when my spine collapsed, but I figure as long as I am still taller than Katie (which isn't too hard considering she is 5'2'') I am happy just being able to walk again. The path to walking has been a long and slow one, but it has taught me great patience. First, was the challenge of sitting up in bed, then standing up next to the bed. Next came the walker, the crutches, and now the cane! Hopefully soon I will be walking on my own.
I am constantly in awe from all of the overwhelming support we have continued to see over and over again throughout this struggle. We especially want to thank Jessica and Randy for all the work they put into planning the fun run. There were also many others who donated their time and their talents to help everything come together. It was such a wonderful day and reflection of how great everyone has been from the beginning. With the end in sight it is so comforting to remember all the strong arms willing to catch us if we ever stumble or fall, ready to help us get back up and keep fighting. We will never forget this special day, in this unique time in our lives to help us get through whatever lies ahead.

No News = Good News

So, these days, no news is good news! Brandon continues to be doing well. He has successfully put on 20 lbs. and is still packing down the calories each day with ease. He has been getting out of the house to go swimming, and going up and down stairs is becoming less and less of a challenge. Doan has moved on from the walker and is just using the crutches to walk. Hopefully, he'll be able to do some walking on his own in the next couple weeks. Rumor has it that he and Katie have even been able to get out and go on a few dates, just the two of them! YEAH!

The FUN RUN is coming up this weekend!! Come one, come all to Sugarhouse Park on Saturday at 10:00am! Check out the registration page and enjoy a fun day at the park in support of both Brandon and Katie and their courageous fight against multiple myeloma.

All things considered, Brandon is doing really well, but he still has a ways to go. He will be having another heavy round of chemo as well as another bone marrow transplant at the end of August. So, we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers.

Updates

Hello everyone.  It has been a little while since there was an update on Brandon's progress and I realized that is because our sister in-law, Laurel, has been out of town, so I guess it's up to me.

Brandon is doing so well.  We have had so much fun over the past couple of weeks because he is now strong enough and well enough to go out and do stuff.  Over 4th of July we spent the weekend up in Park City with my family.  It was so nice to get out of the house and have a change in scenery.  We went to baseball games, restaurants and to the pool.  Brandon did everything we did and we really didn't have to hold back on any of the activities we wanted to do.   

Brandon goes to the pool almost everyday with his mom to do some exercises.  He walks around the shallow end and even swims a little in the deep end.  I feel like this has really strengthened his back muscles and has made walking much easier.  He only walks with crutches now and is so close to being able to walk on his own with no assistance.

Brandon and I have been able to go on drives, get treats, go out with friends and go to church!  It has been so nice to feel like life is becoming a little more normal.  Of course we still have to be careful about who Brandon is around.  If a restaurant is busy we just don't go and it is imperative that he is not around sick people.  His immune system is still very weak.  

The next step in Brandon's treatment is the next round of chemo in mid August and then shortly after his second transplant.  He did very well after his last transplant so we are hoping the same goes for the second one.

Again, thank you all for your amazing support.  It is an amazing feeling to have everyone rally around us to get us through this.  We love you all.

Love,

Katie

Run for Fun for Brandon -- Sat, Aug. 1st ($25)

-------------------------------------------------------
************************************************
Run for Fun for Brandon!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2009
10:00 am @ Sugarhouse Park
-------------------------------------------------------
************************************************

.... Registration preferred; Visit website below to register ....

http://race.brandonplewe.com/

We can’t go through chemo for him and we definitely can’t take care of him as well as Katie does - so lets run for fun for Brandon! As his friends, family, and loved ones we are holding a fun run event in our neighbor Brandons Plewe’s honor. We are asking for a $25 donation to register and we are also selling t-shirts for $12 each, with all proceeds going to the newly created not-for-profit incorporation benefiting Katie and Brandon to help them fight this cancer, BP's Multiple Myeloma Fund. Make sure to check out the fun run website for more details!!

Back on Top!

So, after a week or so in the hospital, the doctors figured out the right medication to get the pneumonia under control. Brandon's infamous fever has stayed away for a couple days now, so...BRANDON IS GOING HOME!!! What a great Father's Day present!

We Spoke too Soon!

Well everyone, unfortunately, over the weekend Brandon was re-admitted to the hospital. His fever continues to come and go, and the Dr.'s want to be able to keep a closer eye on things. A few days ago, they found some fluid in his lungs indicating the beginnings of pneumonia, so they had him taking antibiotics for it. His fever went down a bit, but when they took him off the meds, his fever came right back. So, they're trying to figure out how to get rid of this pesky fever once and for all.

There are 2 good things to look at though. One, Brandon has an excellent team of Dr.'s who are problem solving and working with him to get him feeling better as soon as possible. Two, after his kyphoplasty surgery last week, his back feels more stable.

Now that it has been a couple months since Brandon's diagnosis, it is really easy to lapse into thoughts that this is so terrible and to be angry and sad and upset that all of this is happening. All very valid emotions of course. I'm sure many of us feel like with all of our fasting and praying that Brandon should be cured by now! However, it is important for us all to remember to be positive and optimistic. The Lord is in control and has been very mindful of Doan's situation from the beginning. We need to rely on our Savior to give us strength, compassion, patience, and whatever else we may stand in need of. The reality is, cancer does not have a quick fix button (as much as we wish it did). So, we need to be patient, focus on and be grateful for the many blessings we have received so far since his diagnosis...

- Being able to be at Huntsman where Brandon is getting the best possible care
- Successful kyphoplasty surgeries that have strengthened his back and decreased his pain
- 2 successful chemotherapy treatments that have effectively killed off many, if not all, of the cancer cells
- A successful bone marrow transplant where the cells have continued to engraft and essentially begun to re-program Brandon's body
- Having such an amazing support system
- Having access to the Priesthood for blessings

Those are just a few of the many, many blessings we have to be grateful for. Please continue to sign up to fast, and of course, keep both Brandon, Katie, and their families in your prayers. We all need to continue to demonstrate our faith and trust that the Lord will make this all for our good. We appreciate you all so very much.

Finally Feeling Better

So, to be honest, the past few weeks have been particularly challenging. Even after Brandon came home from the hospital, he continued to fight a fever and just didn't feel good. It has been really hard for him to keep food down, and consequently has had very little energy. HOWEVER...as of Sunday, his appetite has been getting better and today, I'm proud to report that Doan said he is feeling really good! He had another kyphoplasty (the back cement procedure) today, and it was successful in that more of his back pain has been alleviated.

Please keep the fasting and praying going folks! For the most part, Brandon's treatment has gone very smoothly, but it isn't over yet. While it has been, and continues to be, quite a journey, we have all felt strengthened and uplifted because of the Lord's care which is a result of everyone's efforts to show their faith through action. Thank you so much. You will never really know the difference your thoughts, prayers, fasting, emails, phone calls, texts, and every other act of service and kindness has made. We truly feel so blessed.

He's Home!

We are so, so, so excited that Brandon gets to go home to the Crockett's today! His fever has been down for the past few days, and he is ready for some R & R in a home environment rather than in the hospital. The doctors are happy with the way things are going thus far. They might do another kyphoplasty (the back cement procedure) in another month or so, but we won't know for sure for a few weeks. That's about it. We're so grateful that he gets some home time to gain strength and weight before the next round of treatment. Thanks for your continued support!

Happy Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
WONDER WOMAN!!!

AKA: KATIE PLEWE

Thank you for setting such an amazing example of love and faith. You have been and continue to be so strong. We are all learning from you and are here to support both you and Brandon through this difficult time. You're truly a remarkable person, and we all feel so blessed to have you in our lives. Your birth is a great reason to celebrate and we're so glad you're you!