In the life of me.

Now there are two little girls in my husband’s old unit with the disease. Here is more info on the first child we know of. The other one was recently diagnosed, within the past week.

These words were written by Briarra’s mother, Angel, as she sat with her five year old daughter at Walter Reed medical center:

“Briarra Niquole Manis, born January 3, 2002, is as unique as her name. She brightens up the darkest room with just a smile. Her laughter and the twinkle in her eyes soften the hardest of hearts.
At the ripe old age of five, she has shown more strength than many 25 year olds. She is, and has always been, a child that wants to do everything on her own. She is adventurous,which scares the day lights out of me, and loving. She makes new friends everywhere she goes but does not dismiss her old ones. That in itself is spectacular.
There is also another side of her. As adventurous and outgoing as she is, she does get scared. Knowing that her Mommy and Daddy are there, not to mention her “rainbow monkey and blanket”, she feels safe and secure. I always hear her say, “I can do it”! And I know that whatever life throws at her she will be able to handle it and overcome. God is with her and she knows it.”

May 11, 2007 Briarra was diagnosed with Mature B Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), a fast-growing cancer of the white blood cells by German doctors in the Mainz University Clinic.

May 12, 2007 Military doctors in Landstuhl, Germany confirmed her diagnosis and flew Briarra and her mother to Walter Reed Medical Center were, once again, she was tested her for Leukemia on Mothers Day, May 13, 2007.

May 15, 2007 Briarra underwent surgery to receive a Broviac Divice which is a long term, tunneled catheter placed into a vein to her heart. It is used for patients that require frequent blood tests and medications. Amazingly, Briarra does not fear her new extensions, she playfully calls the silicon tubing that protrudes from her chest, “Tubies” and is active in helping the nurses clean them. She plays with them when she has the chance.

James, her father, explained what Leukemia is to his daughter. He said she understands that she is very, very sick. Leukemia has become a new word for Briarra and her entire family. James’ oldest son, Marlowe, asked, “Are you sure this isn’t like a divorce thing?” James admitted that this experience has been as educational as it is frightening, but the more he understands about his daughter’s illness, the more accepting he and his family are of what has happened to the youngest member in their family.

For the next nine to twelve months Briarra will be an in-patient at Walter Reed for one week and then have three weeks of home care. By the sound of it and the twinkle in her father’s eye when he talks about Briarra’s bravery, that as long as she still can have her “Dunky” Donuts and McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets, this cheerleading, karate chopping, pink puppy loving, soon to be Kindergartener isn’t going to let a funny sounding thing like Leukemia slow her down.
Everyone here in Wiesbaden, Germany is so proud of you, Briarra! You go girl and kick this thing in the bottom!

Want more information on donating bone marrow? Check out these links:

http://www.marrow.org/DONOR/ABCs/Myths_&_Facts_about_Marrow_Don/index.html

http://www.marrow.org/HELP/Join_the_Registry/Join_in_Person/Health_History_Questionnaire/index.html

*hugs*
~Jen