Coming Home Today!!

Briana is coming home today!  She has done very well recuperating from brain surgery, is eating well, and although very weak, is walking short distances.  What Bri wanted most was to be in church on Sunday, and that WILL now happen! 

 It has amazed me to see how many hospital personnel Bri has touched.  There are nurses, hospital office clerks, outpatient employees, janitors... the list goes on... these people are  constantly coming to her room to check on her.  Many were in tears when they found out about this latest setback.  One very classy lady that works close with Bri's Oncologist said she will be in church this Sunday Morning.  The Hoffer's have never questioned God as to why any of this has happened to their precious daughter, but what they have done during this whole journey is to try and touch EVERYONE they come in contact with....and I mean EVERYONE.  One of Briana's  visitors while she was in ICU, was a mother of a little boy they met when Bri first was diagnosed.  After a valiant fight, the little boy died a few months back in that same area of the hospital where Bri was, and although it was very difficult for this mother, when she heard about Briana she just had to come and visit her.  With tears in her eyes, and heart wrenching reminders everywhere she looked, she came to bring comfort and support to Bri and her parents.  The sweet sacrifice of this visit just made me cry. 

Bri has so many people that care for her and love her and I just want to mention them because they are so wonderful.  One of these people is her Aunt Angela, whom we all lovingly refer to as 'Tia'.  Tia has been such a blessing to the Hoffer family.  Tia is always there to care for Bri and Morgan, and just do anything that needs to be done.  (She is also real good at helping us all smile and laugh when we need it the most.)  Bri also has incredible grandparents.  Grandpa and Grandma Garrido are the sweetest people you will ever meet, and are so devoted to their family.  (Tia gets her sense of humor from them!)  Last but certainly not least is Grandma Red.  (This is Jeff's mom, and her nick name is derived from her beautiful red hair.)  Grandma Red is a wonderful grandmother.  Although she is also fighting cancer, her focus is Briana.   I also want to mention Auntie Jackie who Bri is SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS NEXT WEEK!!!!  It has been so hard on Aunt Jackie to live so far from Brianna during these times, but she so faithfully is on the phone checking on everyone, and praying...

Tuesday Bri has an appointment with Dr. Soto, her Rhabadomysarcoma specialist at City of Hope.  During this visit we will get direction on how to face our next battle.  Please continue to pray.

THANK YOU JESUS!!!!

French toast, fruit, and cereal.

This was the morning menu for our little 'Bannana' !!(As Chantal so lovingly refers to Briana as.)

Also, 'Bananna' was moved out of ICU and onto the friendly Hemoc floor where all of the nurses and Doctors are like family to her.  Her request last night was a bean burrito from a Taco Shop that is close to the hospital, so we are making sure that today for dinner our little soldier goes 'Mexican'!  Oh how all of this just warms our hearts...to look back at Tuesday evening, with the Doctors reports that were so hopeless and  scary, and look today and see Bannana alive, walking (with help), talking, seeing, a mind that is 'whole', eating....all I can say is THANK YOU JESUS!!!!

Our next step is now chemo and radiation treatments and a lot of rest.  Please continue to pray, as we can see, prayer changes things!

(If anyone would like to send the Hoffers any 'help', please email me, and I will give you their address. connielori@aol.com)

Surgery Done!

Our girl Bri continues to amaze us.....

The surgery was supposed to take up to 4 hours.....1 1/2 hours later we were summoned by the Neurosurgeon!!   All done!  The tumor was the size of a cue ball, but was safely removed.  

Chantal and I were able to be with her immediately, and she made us so happy...(she is going to beat me for telling this, but here goes).... The girl JUST GOT OUT OF MAJOR BRAIN SURGERY...she is supposed to be weak and asleep.....NO!!   She decided she wanted the breathing tube out!  Well, our little Supergirl was trying everything to get at the tubes.  Her strength amazed us and the nurses.  She even got a little 'ghetto', and tried to slyly kick Chantal in the head!!!!  HALLELUJAH!!!!  Our little brave soldier lives on!!  She moves, she fights, she tries to out smart and out maneuver us.  GO BRI!!  The nurses, Chantal, and I, had our mouths open, big grins on our faces, and I'm telling you what, I had to take off my jacket, and was still sweating, trying to keep her from all the yucky tubes.  Thank you Jesus!!

The Hoffers thank you for all your prayers....More updates soon.

Sunday Update

Today Bri is doing great.  She has been chug-a-lugging on Gatorade, and even ate some chicken noodle soup!!!!  Go Bri!  All her church friends came between church services,  so she has had her social time.  (Which is a MUST for Miss Social Butterfly.)  

She has also been telling all of us, AS WELL AS HER NURSES AND DOCTORS..."I'm out of here in a week."  ....Little Miss Priss is once again 'in charge'.

Tuesday night Bri experienced vision problems  and headache that led to seizures.  The Doctors discovered that she had bleeding in her brain, that had caused these other problems.  Emergency surgery was done during the night to release the pressure caused by the bleeding, however, the cause of all this was a tumor.  Surgery tomorrow is to remove that tumor.  The surgery is scheduled for 7:30 a.m.  

Many have asked how they can help the Hoffer's during this time.  Their immediate needs are gas cards and food money.  These can be sent to the Hoffers home. (If you would like their address, email me at connielori@aol.com and I will forward it to you.)  Also, we are currently setting up an account where donations can be sent for their incredibly huge medical expenses.  When we get this set up I will post the information.

The Hoffers have read all of your sweet comments, and really appreciate your thoughts and prayers.    

Saturday Update

Today has made our hearts smile.  Bri is not only talking to us, but her take charge personality has made an appearance.  She is asking questions, keeping track of what we all are wearing, and asking the nurses and doctors how their families are doing!  This girl is amazing!  

She asked me "Momma B, what day is it?"  I told her, "It's Saturday"....she said, "Wow, the last few days sure have passed by fast!"....Then she preceded to warm my heart when she said, "The only thing I remember is you kissing my feet."  (Explanation- When she started responding by answering us with her cute little toes, I just couldn't help myself!!)

Our next step is surgery, Monday morning at 7:30 a.m.  Please continue to pray for Bri.  Your comments and prayers give the Hoffers much comfort.  Thank you.

Update - Briana

Briana is resting well.  They are taking her off the breathing machine this afternoon, which is GREAT because it means she is breathing on her own!  GO BRI!

She is responding to all of us by wiggling her toes, squeezing our hands, and nodding her head.  All these responses are small miracles and make our heart do happy flip flops.  Tonight we should get more information on further treatment.  Please keep praying for Briana, and family.

PLEASE PRAY for our Sweetheart Briana...

Me being goofy w/My Sweet Bri

Many of you know Briana Hoffer.  She is a precious 15 year old girl in our church.  She is not only an extremely talented girl with an incredible personality, but she is a girl that has power with God.  She is an incredible christian.  She is also Chantal's best friend, our boys adopted little sister, and is like a daughter to my husband and I.   She and her parents are some of the spiritual pillars that hold up the foundation of our church.

A year and a half ago, Briana was diagnosed with cancer.  (Rhabadomysarcoma)  She has fought valiantly, and with incredible spirit and attitude.  Her unwavering trust in God, and her joyous spirit has inspired many near and far that know her story.  (caringbridge.org     ourgirlbri)

She has been doing extremely well, but had a very serious setback Tuesday Night.   I am asking everyone who reads my blog to please pray for Briana.  (With her parents permission, I will post updates on her condition here.)

If you would like to leave any comments here for her or her family, I will pass them on to them.

Thank you so much.