Briana Update

It has been 1 week since Briana got out of the hospital.   (Although it seems like so much longer.) 

Briana's Week:

Briana got out of the hospital Valentines Day, and that evening was partying with my husband and I, Jonathan and Cynthia, Chantal, the Casias's and her sweet family.  We had a great time!

Bri's biggest wish was to be in church on Sunday......Briana had good church Sunday morning AND Sunday night.  (When people give wimpy excuses why they can't go to church, hit them with this...2 brain surgeries and days later in church - BOTH services!!!!)  It was so moving just watching her being wheeled into the doors.  God moved so strong, and I know He gave Bri more strength, meanwhile she inspired and blessed all of us who were just weeping and dancing with thankfulness and new found inspiration and faith.  What a day that was!!  

Between services, Jonathan and Cynthia spent the day with Briana, making sure she ate well, and got some rest...the Hoffer's were entertaining another house full...everyone loves the Hoffers!

On Monday evening, Amanda (a sweetie from church) was having a birthday party at a local restaurant for all the 'girls'....Chantal and I planned to go, (Amanda is my baby in the Lord - won her to God when she lived across the street from us.)...well, Monday afternoon, I get this call from our little Angel (who knows I can't say no to her).  She asks me if she can go with us to the party!!  It had been pouring down rain, and I was a little nervous, but WE DID IT!  Took the wheelchair, a big blanket, took meds with us, partied, and made some precious memories.  Bri was determined to be there for Amanda.  It was so cute to watch our brave little soldier, or should I say our brave little actress pretend like everything was just peachy....you know she didn't just have TWO brain surgeries days ago or anything!   Her vision is temporarily affected, and a lot of the time she sees double, but far be it from her to say a word.   Miss Independent DOESN'T ask for help. She was knocking stuff around, getting her sleeve in ranch dressing, and trying to camouflage the fact that she was covering one eye so that she didn't have to endure more than one of all of us--or make too big of a wreck of the table!  (We later had a huge giggle, when I told her I saw EVERYTHING, and was trying myself to be sneaky and intercept the carnage!  LOL  With Chantal on one side, and myself on the other, we managed to have a great time and EAT EVERYTHING IN SIGHT!!!!  I am SO not kidding!  The girl was an eating machine....and I was just so thrilled and beside myself excited to see her eat so heartily, I  was keeping right up with her and loving every minute of it!!!!

Tuesday morning Jeanette, Briana, and I made our way up the freeway to City of Hope to find out our next step in this journey.  We spent the day together and had a great time.  I will say this...I put my foot down, and told Miss Independent that it was time to not be so independent!!  (I did this when I found out that little Missy had fallen on her face the previous night getting ready for bed.)...So at lunch Bri let Jeanette and I escort her down the stairs at Spaghetti Factory....WHAT A GIRL!!!!  We met with Briana's Rhabdo Specialist Dr. Soto, and planned our next steps, and got back into town about 10pm.

On Wednesday Bri got to see her Aunt Jackie.  What a great reunion this has been...how happy she has been to have her two Tia's around.  I might add that Chantal has not missed a minute of 'Bri time'.  I panicked  on Wednesday night when I called to check on them... just in time to hear 'Dr. Chantal (with an Australian accent I might add) talking to her 'patient', as she administered the antibiotic ointment to her head staples...YIKES!!!!  All I heard on the other end of the phone was an Australian accent, and tons of giggles.  Jeanette also taught Jonathan how to flush Bri's pic line....Jeanette is so CRAZY!!!!  Doesn't she know that these Bertram Doctors can't be trusted?!  Actually Momma Jeanette is making their day...

Currently:

Bri was admitted to City of Hope on Thursday morning, as Dr. Soto decided at our Tuesday meeting would be the best way to coordinate our next step.  Dr. Soto ordered another MRI and evaluation, and has met with the Neurosurgeons that specialize with cancerous tumors.  What they have discovered, is that there is still a small piece of tumor left (almost an inch big), and because these tumors can be very aggressive, and have the ability to grow quickly, they have scheduled surgery to remove it this coming Monday.

Through all of this Briana's spirits continue to be UP.  She hasn't wavered for one minute.  She has an incredible example in her dear parents.  Jeff and Jeanette are extraordinary in the way they have put their faith and total trust in God.  It is so beautiful to see them worship their way through this journey.  To watch them despite what they are going through, reaching out to the new ones in the church, praying with others, dancing, running the aisles, and saying with big grins on their faces..."We've got the victory".  What a family!!!!

Thank you for your continued prayers.