Round 3 for the Win: Brian v.s. Cancer (A.L.L.)
Donation protected
#Brianforthewin
This GoFundMe campaign has been created by friends and family of Brian Speers who was recently diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (A.L.L.). This is the 3rd time Brian has had to battle cancer in the last 10 years and he is only 38 years old!
(Brian was feeling especially down this day in the hospital, but was quickly cheered up by David the therapy dog!)
Brian was first diagnosed with leukemia almost 10 years ago when he was 29 where he had to undergo grueling chemotherapy, radiation, and a stem cell transplant. 5 years after that, Brian was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma where he required more chemotherapy and radiation. Now 5 years later, this summer, we received the devastating news that the leukemia was back. All of his family and friends were devastated to hear this news as he has gone through so much treatment and pain already!
Brian is an unusual case, as leukemia usually relapses within a year or two, so the doctors aren't sure exactly how things will work out but we are praying for the best. Since he has had so much chemo and radiation treatment in the past they are trying to keep it to a minimum and we hope that he finds an anonymous stem cell donor soon to start his transplant possibly by the end of October.
(Brian trying to stay upbeat during his first weeklong stay at the hospital. This was before his picc line was inserted but they wanted to start the chemo right away)
He has had his 1st round of chemo where he had to stay in the hospital for a week. During his stay he also had bone marrow biopsy's, spinal taps, blood transfusions, and many more painful procedures. Brian had to stay in the hospital a little longer than expected as he couldn't get out of bed from extreme back pain after the lumbar puncture procedures.
He is now at home waiting for his blood levels to improve to start the 2nd round of chemo. He has been going back to the hospital 2 to 3 times a week for testing and blood and platelet transfusions.
Round 2 of chemo will involve another hospital stay and more follow up visits similar to round 1. To prepare his body to accept the stem cell transplant, he will receive very high doses of chemo/radiation to lower his immune system to a critically low level so that his body will not reject the new donated stem cells. He will be quarantined for around a month at the hospital. During this time as he is so susceptible to common illnesses that he would not be able to recover from. The stem cells have to reach him within 72 hours of donation or he will die. After the stem cell transplant, it will be a year (or more) long cycle of rejection medications and chemotherapy pills to prevent his body rejecting the new cells and leukemia coming back.
They are currently looking for an anonymous stem cell donor for Brian since no one in his family is a match. Please keep him in your prayers!
(Paula has missed a lot of work so that she could be by Brian's side. This photo was during the 1st hospital stay)
Earlier this summer, by fate, he reconnected with his high school crush after 21 years and they quickly fell in love. They had a short 2 weeks of bliss before he started experiencing health issues and then was diagnosed with leukemia shortly after that.
This news didn't stop their love though. This past weekend Brian and Paula tied the knot and had a small wedding with their families by their sides.
(We were lucky that Brian was able to get a blood transfusion shortly before so that he had the energy to attend his own wedding and that he still had his hair (well facial hair). Three days later he has lost most of his beard.)
Brian has been unable to work since July and it is unlikely that he will be able to return to work for another 6 months to a year from now. The regular expenses of living (rent, car payments, phone bills) along with the extra medical expenses, travel, and hospital parking bills are adding up as he lives more than an hour away from the hospital. He suffered financially during the last two cancers but didn't ask any one for help but now he is asking for your help!
(Brian's mom, sister, niece and nephew came to visit him in the hospital)
Please help with any donation possible and prayers! We are so thankful for the help, prayers, and kind words from all of you already. We are very grateful to his wife’s work as they have been so accommodating as Paula has been taking time off work as well to be by Brian’s side during this difficult time. We are very grateful and thankful to you all!
We are also asking you to share Brian's story which will spread the word on the need of stem cell donors which can save someone's life! Stem cell donors have to be healthy individuals between the ages of 17 to 35 years old. Please visit the Canadian Blood Services website to learn more about stem cell donation. www.blood.ca/en/stem-cells/donating-stem-cells
(Brian with his nephew after he shaved his beard off since it was rapidly falling out)
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
#Brianforthewin
This GoFundMe campaign has been created by friends and family of Brian Speers who was recently diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (A.L.L.). This is the 3rd time Brian has had to battle cancer in the last 10 years and he is only 38 years old!
(Brian was feeling especially down this day in the hospital, but was quickly cheered up by David the therapy dog!)Brian was first diagnosed with leukemia almost 10 years ago when he was 29 where he had to undergo grueling chemotherapy, radiation, and a stem cell transplant. 5 years after that, Brian was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma where he required more chemotherapy and radiation. Now 5 years later, this summer, we received the devastating news that the leukemia was back. All of his family and friends were devastated to hear this news as he has gone through so much treatment and pain already!
Brian is an unusual case, as leukemia usually relapses within a year or two, so the doctors aren't sure exactly how things will work out but we are praying for the best. Since he has had so much chemo and radiation treatment in the past they are trying to keep it to a minimum and we hope that he finds an anonymous stem cell donor soon to start his transplant possibly by the end of October.
(Brian trying to stay upbeat during his first weeklong stay at the hospital. This was before his picc line was inserted but they wanted to start the chemo right away)He has had his 1st round of chemo where he had to stay in the hospital for a week. During his stay he also had bone marrow biopsy's, spinal taps, blood transfusions, and many more painful procedures. Brian had to stay in the hospital a little longer than expected as he couldn't get out of bed from extreme back pain after the lumbar puncture procedures.
He is now at home waiting for his blood levels to improve to start the 2nd round of chemo. He has been going back to the hospital 2 to 3 times a week for testing and blood and platelet transfusions.
Round 2 of chemo will involve another hospital stay and more follow up visits similar to round 1. To prepare his body to accept the stem cell transplant, he will receive very high doses of chemo/radiation to lower his immune system to a critically low level so that his body will not reject the new donated stem cells. He will be quarantined for around a month at the hospital. During this time as he is so susceptible to common illnesses that he would not be able to recover from. The stem cells have to reach him within 72 hours of donation or he will die. After the stem cell transplant, it will be a year (or more) long cycle of rejection medications and chemotherapy pills to prevent his body rejecting the new cells and leukemia coming back.
They are currently looking for an anonymous stem cell donor for Brian since no one in his family is a match. Please keep him in your prayers!
(Paula has missed a lot of work so that she could be by Brian's side. This photo was during the 1st hospital stay)Earlier this summer, by fate, he reconnected with his high school crush after 21 years and they quickly fell in love. They had a short 2 weeks of bliss before he started experiencing health issues and then was diagnosed with leukemia shortly after that.
This news didn't stop their love though. This past weekend Brian and Paula tied the knot and had a small wedding with their families by their sides.
(We were lucky that Brian was able to get a blood transfusion shortly before so that he had the energy to attend his own wedding and that he still had his hair (well facial hair). Three days later he has lost most of his beard.) Brian has been unable to work since July and it is unlikely that he will be able to return to work for another 6 months to a year from now. The regular expenses of living (rent, car payments, phone bills) along with the extra medical expenses, travel, and hospital parking bills are adding up as he lives more than an hour away from the hospital. He suffered financially during the last two cancers but didn't ask any one for help but now he is asking for your help!
(Brian's mom, sister, niece and nephew came to visit him in the hospital)Please help with any donation possible and prayers! We are so thankful for the help, prayers, and kind words from all of you already. We are very grateful to his wife’s work as they have been so accommodating as Paula has been taking time off work as well to be by Brian’s side during this difficult time. We are very grateful and thankful to you all!
We are also asking you to share Brian's story which will spread the word on the need of stem cell donors which can save someone's life! Stem cell donors have to be healthy individuals between the ages of 17 to 35 years old. Please visit the Canadian Blood Services website to learn more about stem cell donation. www.blood.ca/en/stem-cells/donating-stem-cells
(Brian with his nephew after he shaved his beard off since it was rapidly falling out)Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
#Brianforthewin
Organiser
Paula Carpenter Speers
Organiser
Waterford, ON