Today was a hard day.Britney needed a spinal tap done. A spinal tap is basically where they inject chemotherapy into your spinal fluid. At they same time, they also withdraw other spinal fluid to test it to see how much cancer was in there. Normally, this procedure should take about 10 minutes, but for some reason or another it took them around 45 minutes. And let me also mention it is painful.
They also tell you, once the procedure is done, that you shouldn't move for a few hours because it will hurt and give you excruciating headaches. So basically, she had to stay in one position, or be in horrible pain AND have a migraine on top of it.
As they were wheeling her back to her room, she was just in so much pain. She couldn't move. She was crying. Joe was having a hard time too just watching her. I can't even imagine what that must be like. So Britney had Joe give her a priesthood blessing. After the blessing, she fell asleep and was able to sleep for a few hours and wake up feeling better.
This has been a hard week for Britney and unfortunately, it is only the beginning of a long hard road. She really needs our love and support at this time so to end this post, I thought we might end on a more positive note for Brit.
At the hospital, almost all the walls on the eighth floor are covered in white paper and you can write whatever you want on them. You can draw pictures or tell jokes or write inspiring words on them. I think it helps to have those fun words and memories for the patients to see every day. I think it helps lift them up and give them hope.
So in honor of the wall and to continue the fun for those that can't make it to the hospital, I want everyone to post a comment to Britney about memory or inside joke or anything you want to tell her to make her feel better. You could tell about the first time you met her, a funny memory you had together, or just reasons you love and care for her. I will not post mine here, as I will put it in the comment section. Hopefully we can put a smile on that beautiful face!
We love you Brit and Remember to Just Keep Swimming!
pictures were taken by Celeste Grover from Studio C Photography about a week before she shaved her head. I think they fit pretty well into this post about Hope! I love you Britney! ~Mel
Well, we have too many funny memories that I couldn't narrow it down to just one. So I remember when we first met in foods class and we were doing a word search for different foods (I think maybe vegetables) and of course, being cool 8th graders we all decided to take on a name for ourselves. You were lovingly names Eggplant! I think it was because you look so good in that deep purple color! haha. From there on, we remained good friends and if it weren't for you, I wouldn't even be friends with everyone else. You are such a lover to keep me included and be so nice and funny. From there we had such fun time in Madame Harts class and making funny witch videos and whatnot. I say when you get out we all get together and make a funny video together, and I am dead serious about this! I love you Brit, you truly are my inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHey Brit! So I know we only worked together for a little while before you left for your mission, but I just wanted to let you know how amazing I think you are. I always looked up to you at "The Seag". I learned a lot from you...not just about how to sell whatever's on the contest, but about how to be happy in life no matter the circumstance. I don't think there was ever a day that I saw you down. You were always smiling. Thank you Britney for everything you've taught me, and the things you continue to teach me as I read about how you are doing on this blog. You are amazing. I love you!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Stephanie (Grimm) Mitchell
Hey there Britney:
ReplyDeleteI'll never forget how boy crazy you were when I taught you in primary when you were about 11 years old. Oh my GOSH! Do you think I could even get in any of the lesson? It was you and Cas going back and forth about this boy and that. Now lucky Joe is the recipient of all that romance!
Love to you and Joe,
Shauna Ruske
Oh, so many fond memories at the Seag!! Some of my favorites include singing the "Seagull Musical": remember how we sang everything for a day? Also, I remember making up our own versions of songs from the Galdys Knight album. Do you remember the "Donna Nish" song you made up about that rip-roaring mad customer we had one afternoon? So funny! I remember pouring out all the details to you during mine and Adam's courtship (remember how I freaked out the first time he brought flowers into work?!), and making tapes for a certain missionary :). I definitely remember your "A-Man" bracelet that we had made for you before your mission, too. GOOD TIMES!! That was one of the most fun jobs I ever had, and it was all because of you and Traci!
ReplyDeleteIs there a mailing address for Britney at the hospital?
ReplyDeleteOh sestra....there are so many great mission memories- funny, spiritual, etc. I remember when we first met in the Ljub chapel and you kind of did a dance and gave me a big hug - I was a little nervous but I instantly loved you! I think one of my favorite memories is when we were planning one evening and suddenly you said, "wait, sister, hold still. there's a spider in your hair." And then you had to get the spider out of my hair. That was kind of a low moment for me but so hilarious! Thanks for being a wonderful friend and companion and helping me in so many ways. You have such a strong spirit and that was so evident to me during all of the hard/wonderful/funny moments we had. Have a great day.
ReplyDelete~sestra Bate
mailing address:
ReplyDeleteBritney Graham
LDS hospital
8th Ave and C street #E851
Salt Lake City, UT 84143
One of my fav times was when we were very little and would walk back and forth between each other houses. Also how we would each get a turn as to which boy we would like that day. One day would be your day to like Luke and I would get Adam and then the next we would switch. That always makes me smile thinking of how much fun we had running between your house and mine and the boys we would play with.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and Prayers are with you always.
Your childhood friend
Karen
My heart aches for you and Joe and you are in my prayers today as always.
ReplyDeleteI love the picture of you and Joe at the top of this post. It is absolutely tender and gorgeous!
I don't know why you and Joe have to go through this fiery trial, but I promise you that you don't have to go through it alone. Heavenly Father knows and is mindful and He will send angels - heavenly and earthly - to comfort and strengthen you. I pray that you can feel loving arms encircling you today.
The funniest thing I could think of was the time my family was at "The Seag" in Provo. Sierra was walking from the back of the store to the front and her pants were falling down. At each aisle you could look down and see them progressively getting lower until at the front of the store they finally hit the ankles.
ReplyDeleteMeggin's "Mulan Kick" was always entertaining and good for a laugh.
I also watched Will Ferrell for you, I saw him on Conan O'Brien and then again last night on Man VS. Wild so I figured that was a sign and I needed to do that for you.
Good luck Brit, we are praying for you.
Oh man. Where to start? I was thinking about so many different Seag stories... and others.
ReplyDeleteI was remembering that time that you started singing a song from Moulin Rouge and Meggin comes from the back of the store singing the duet with you. I still crack up about that. Customers and all. Like Meggin said, I absolutely loved that job because it was hanging out with you guys!
Then there was the time all us girlies went and saw Phantom. And me and you each saw it like 5 times in the first few weeks it was out. And then we both bought the soundtrack and we were off work, but went in the back and turned the soundtrack on over the stereo system (just kidding Jay. We never did that.)
Then the time you put the life size American Idol Justin G right inside the back office to freak out Jay (or was it Brian?)
However, I have been thinking about the first time I "met" you. And I never told you this before. A few weeks before I started working at the Seag I went in to buy some books. You were working. So we were chatting it up while I was paying (having never met before). As I was walking out you called after me, "You look really cute today!" I thought, "How does she know compared to other days?" but also thought what an awesome person to just say that to somebody she didn't even know.
Man Brit. I miss that job sometimes.
I'm going to be out in Utah towards the end of July and would love to see you if you can fit me in your schedule!
Love you!
I thought of another one. I hope that's okay. Actually, I don't care. Anyway. Right after a friend of mine passed away I was at work and was trying to figure out how I could get off work so I could go to the funeral. Anyway, you knew something was wrong so finally I told you and broke down crying in the front of the store. You just hugged me and then took me to talk to mean ol Jay to get the time off.
ReplyDeleteAnd when you were filling out your mission medical papers and you needed a gynecological exam. And you were on the phone and said something about your Dad checking it for you.... Haha. The box.... Hahahahaha.
And where is my hot Dr. Kovac you were supposed to bring me back from your mission???
Hey Brit- This is Ashley Cardon, Your favorite Seagull South Orem coworker! well i know i didnt get to work with you very much (much to my disappointment) and then you left me... tear! but i really did enjoy all the fun times we had. I am so glad to hear that you got married and all that fun stuff. I am so sorry to hear that you are not feeling well. I will tell you that i had leukemia when i about three years old, although i dont really remember it i know it is hard, and i know that prayer and fasting works! it worked for me! well i hope all is going well, i miss you tons! and i hope to always see that beautiful smile on your face! you are the best! you always made my day better and you deserve the best! love you!
ReplyDeleteP.S. You are such a beautiful girl! and even more, you have one of the best spirits and personalities! you really are beautiful inside and out! I hope that i can be just like you someday!
one of my favorite memories would probaly be at lake powell, dancing in the house boat you lifted me up then I bonked my head on the celine we laughed and laughed at that. I love you brit! And you are so amazing i know you will get through this! I LOVE YOU!
ReplyDelete