Briana Stephen

I had an epiphany today while sitting in the oncologist's office. There's so much talk and paraphernalia about finding cures for cancer. There's bitter talk about why Heavenly Father would allow such suffering. I sat there thinking to myself, No. My heart tells me it's not like that at all! ... Think of the communities and families that have come together to love, serve, and mourn with one another.

Our Father in heaven provides opportunities every day for us to keep his commandments, to follow His ultimate example of serving, loving, caring for His spirit children, our spirit brothers and sisters. I get to experience firsthand on a daily basis how beautiful the hearts of mankind really are.

Turn off the news of contentious politics, crime, and adultery for a bit. You'll find a world of compassion. PLEASE ACCEPT MY GRATITUDE to all those who uplift and show me what leading a Christ-like life is really all about. Loads and loads of LOVE!!!

-Bri, March 2010



Sunday, April 25, 2010

3rd Time's a Charm?

Following are the pictures of what I hope is my last round of radiation, despite my adoration for the doctors and nurses there.

Eric stayed home this round to take care of the kids, allowing one of the greatest individuals on earth, Kim, to accompany me.

After 3-4 attempts of accessing my port, it finally worked with a longer needle.

Check out how swollen my head is where the screws go in. I think most of the swelling is the lidocaine.

Here we go for another ambulance ride to the building next door. LOL

And here we are for radiation.


Of the 5 remaining tumors, 2 shrunk so much that my doctor opted not to radiate them. The other 3 shrunk by almost half, and the previously treated tumors look like scar tissue, meaning not living. In other words, my body is responding beautifully to the chemotherapy – it’s working in the brain!! Dr. Ahn said he does this all the time and doesn’t see this kind of rapid success, not with the number of tumors that I had.

The plan is to continue chemo every two weeks and have another MRI in 2-3 months to check up on things, as well as a full body scan. Things are going well and I think can only get better! Thank you for all the prayers that are obviously being heard!!!! I Love you!

3 comments:

  1. Hooray for Chemo!! And I'm so glad your body is healthy enough to be fighting this thing so well after the last year!! I have no doubt with your faith and prayers the Savior is behind this miracle - FULL ATTACK!

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  2. I'm so glad the treatments are working so well : ).

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  3. That is such wonderful news! And you are the most beautiful bald person I've ever seen! Seriously!!

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