April 27th Update

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend! We appreciate all those who continue to follow the blog and inquire on Bri's current condition.

We have a decorative statement in our living room that says "Don't count the days but make the days count." Unfortunately we feel our days grow short in having Mom around the house with us and we fight to bring her comfort and peace each day. We have been successful in stabilizing her pain through the care of hospice and her Mom Teri, who has been a stalwart caretaker in even the most difficult days. There are many undesirable errands and preparations we have been working through and Teri has not hesitated to carry out many of these tasks for me and the family, along with many other responsibilities.

Last Sunday we decided to place Bri on a scale to monitor her weight loss. She tipped the scales at 76 lbs. She is now 100% bedridden, heavily sedated, and her favorite past time is dreaming. I just put her in bed from a bathroom break and she said, “Why are the cops after us?” We get a lot of good laughs at some of the things she says. However her speech and mental processing are heavily degraded at this point and conversations are something that have found their horizons. Her communications are limited to pain and bathroom breaks. She also has no appetite and is no longer eating any food, just water.

One trait that caught my eye when I met Bri is her unrivaled ‘resolve.’ Only Leyna can match it! With the stroke spasticity and muscle weakness she cannot get herself out of bed or ambulate, yet she refuses to accept this fact. For example, yesterday she tried to get out of bed on her own and took a tumble that resulted in a cut to the bridge of her nose. We try to explain that she cannot get up due to her weakness but her resolve and will are two character traits she has not given up … and in a weird way it makes me proud of her.

This journey has been equally long for our family and friends as it has been for the Stephen Family. Monday, November 3rd, 2008 is when this story began. Thank YOU for enduring this story of faith with us. If you stand against your measuring stick, Bri and I hope you find yourself a little taller after knowing her story.

The Stephens

Bri Update

Hello friends and family! We continue to receive overwhelming support and well wishes in all different ways from so many people. The past couple weeks we have focussed on addressing Bri's pain management, nausea, and constipation in order to find her the most comfort as possible. We could probably open a small pharmacy with all the product we have in the home. Somehow Bri's Marinol seems to be a 'guest favorite' and disappears quicker than the rest of her drugs (Dad is not guilty!).

Bri sleeps most of the day while laying in bed or the couch due to the pelvic pain and sedation from pain medications. Though her speech and vision are slowly deteriorating, we still find some good times during the day where we can spend quality time with her.

Losing some of her independency has been one of her biggest challenges, and for those of you that know her feisty personality, you can certainly understand this. She overestimates her physical and cognitive abilities and we have to keep a close eye on her. But the kids, Teri, and other wonderful friends have all been fantastic caretakers with love and patience for the situation. We carry on and thank everyone for their continued support and well wishes.

(Photo below: 4/4 Kami's B-Day with Mom)

Kids Go to Reno to Win Big!!

Last weekend Dad took the kids to Reno to play for the weekend at the Sierra Grand Resort. Though the pool was still closed for the season, on the agenda was bowling, outdoor slick track cars, RC dirt cars, bull riding, arcade, laser tag, etc. Kids did not appreciate when Dad wanted to head back to the room for a Saturday nap as Leyna proclaimed that as "boring." Exactly Leyna! Sometimes boring is exactly what is needed. Nonetheless, everyone survived and had a good time.