On August 1st Bryanna got miserably ill and we immediately made an appointment to get her checked out by the pediatrician. Our pediatricians thought it was meningitis, so they sent us to Holy Cross hospital where a whole battery of tests were conducted. She was then transported to Children's National. Her one of many spinal taps came back positive for viral meningitis of which they were sure tick born. However, her symptoms were not consistent with any known illnesses. On day 4 at Childrens, they were increasingly worried because she could no longer even lift her hand. They had oncology look at her labs once again and further conducted additional tests and biopsies on what we had thought was a bug bite on her face and conclusively determined that she had Acute Leukemia.  The genotype of leukemia provided to be a difficult one to determine, and the team here at Childrens reached out to the experts in the Childrens Oncology Group and ultimately at St. Judes to get answers.  After over a week of cultures and tests, St. Judes confirmed that Bryanna has one of the most rare and difficult forms of Leukemia to treat. She has Early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ETP-ALL).   They also knew that the leukemia had already spread to her brain. The team here at Childrens started an agressive chemo therapy regime that very next day.  Because of the agressive nature of her leukemia, she will have to undergo over 2 years of chemo therapy as well as radiation to her brain.  The initial induction therapy has ended and terrifingly, she still has more leukemia cells in her bone marrow and spinal fluid than what the doctors had wanted to see.  This leukemia is proving to standup to the difficult reputation that it has.  In addition to this awful disease that Bryanna has fighting, she got Septic Shock and was rushed to the PICU and put on a ventilator for almost a week. She now is unable to move her legs, move her arms freely, or move her head. She is unable to sit in a regular wheel chair and requires one with head, side and feet support with restraints. She is now having to do extensive and painful PT and OT sessions just for her to get her basic functions back. At only 9 years old she has had to relearn how to hold a spoon, learn how to sit up (which she cannot do unassisted), learn how to use her arms to pull herself up, place her hands next to her to support her body when she is sitting.  Bryanna has to get her fight back. We have been in the hospital for 36 days. During that time, we almost lost her twice.  The doctors are afraid that if they don't attack the leukemia with even more toxic and potent chemo drugs that we won't win this battle. Leukemia is smart. But Bryanna is a fighter. Bryanna cannot go to school, cannot be around anyone with a cold, cannot go in public places any time soon (including grocery stores) and sadly cannot be a care free 9 year old who should have just started the 4th grade with her friends. She has to focus on surviving.

 With the support of our village, both Mike and I have been by her side every single day and night since she was admitted. We have been alternating nights so one of us can not only get rest, but be there for Evey and Liam.  We are not able to work much because it is critical that we be there for Bryanna, to encourge her, to care for her, to ease her fears...ultimately to make sure she doesn't lose her fight.  We know that without the support of our village we cannot get through this. We appreciate any and all support during this time.

We are already seeing mounting medical bills and our day to day bills still go on. Life must go on but the cost of living at the hospital alone (gas, food, parking) is mounting.  We appreciate even the littlest donation and assure you that it will be used for bills (Medical etc.) and expenses which in turn makes it possible for us to be with Bryanna during this tough time.  From the bottom of our hearts, both Mike and I sincerely thank you for every moment you spend reading our updates, every thought and prayer you are offering and any other support you have provided our family.  Bryanna is still very sick. But she will win this battle.  We won't give up until she all the leukemia is gone for good.

Please feel free to check our caringbridge page for additional updates
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bryannasteam