Update: Brian's family informed us that Brian lost his battle with mesothelioma, August 2, 2015. He was 54. his family hopes his story will inspire others.
Brian H. had so many people praying for him that God himself must have been impressed.
his pleural mesothelioma cancer is gone. At least for now.
Brian adopted survival one year mark in March with another clean sweep, crediting the treatment he received and the power of faith that grew stronger every day.
"I've been blessed. You can see divine intervention throughout the process, one thing after another, "said Brian his home in Memphis. "I had incredible support from so many places, everyone to pray for me. This disease is difficult, both mentally and physically, but I really think that God will lead me out. "
Prayer that began with his immediate family ?? his wife, Nina, and their two daughters moved quickly ?? dozens of parents. The congregation at her Baptist church began praying, too, and n 'so everyone at the Methodist church across the street. Those in the Catholic church nearby also joined in.
the outpouring of support has left him both humble and in awe .
"I am a local Walmart a month or two after mE was diagnosed, and a man walked in front of me that I had never met or seen before, and he said," we are all praying for you. "things like that stick with you," said Brian. "I work with a young man from India, and he spoke from a prayer chain for me there. So yes, I believe in the power of prayer. "
Brian, 54, was floored by his initial diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma in March 2014. He had undergone various tests and procedures for nearly a year as doctors searched for answers and kept evacuate the fluid around his lungs.
thoracic surgeon Dr. Edmund Owen, the Methodist Hospital North in Memphis, finally realized the thoracotomy which confirmed cancer and removed all visible tumors.
"I am amazed, shocked when they told me. it was scary, frightening real. I do not even want to ask how long I had to live," he said. "But I wondered. I started thinking about all the things I'll miss."
pleural mesothelioma typically comes with a prognosis of 6-12 months. The standard multidisciplinary approach to the treatment may prolong survival, but not by much.
Walking Both girls Down the Aisle
His eldest daughter, Brandi, was married a month after her diagnosis and surgery, and he was there to the walk down the aisle in a wedding in the traditional church. The participants, however, did a double take when they saw him walking younger sister, Kelsey, in the first aisle, thinking he had made a mistake.
"I tell my wife that I was afraid that I would not be around always walk my youngest in the driveway, and this could be my last chance, so it meant a lot for me to walk to the once that day, "he said. "Yes, I was scared."
As the support and prayers poured his fear eroded. Brian returned to work as an analyst for a large company based in Memphis. He started eight weeks of chemotherapy. And after consulting many doctors, he and Nina went to New York for a six-week innovative radiation treatment plan to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital.
Almost by accident, they ended up living in a small apartment in St. James Episcopal Church in New York, which included a congregation also began to pray for his family.
Family Brian had never met or spoken to anyone at church before walking in that first day, but they were treated like family. And they still are today. They are often invited to dinner with the members of the congregation.
In fact, the whole church recently celebrated the news that Brian was cancer free.
Support overwhelmed
While in New York last fall, there was one good thing after another during the six weeks of radiation treatment. Brian and Nina, both sports fans, were invited to watch the iconic Derek Jeter in his baseball game to last at Yankee Stadium.
They received tickets to see famous quarterback Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos play against the New York Jets.
The family turned a very difficult period of treatment in a very positive time in their lives.
"We met a lot of great, wonderful people through this," Brian said. "I really feel like," My cup runneth over. "
Brian took over much of his pre-cancer routine. His work week is back to normal, but he works from home two days a week. His pace slowed a step but remains stable. he returned to the baseball field, where he helped the team to the Little League his brother. the husband and wife are both very involved in their church.
Do not Walk alone
"as long support made me realize that I am not alone in this fight. And what is important. This is a path you do not want to try to walk alone. You have to let others in your life, "he said." I tried to stay busy, too. It keeps me focused, and it keeps me from worrying. I pray that [mesothelioma] comes back not. "
Her younger daughter is the transfer of a college out of state at the University of Memphis to be closer to home ?? a move that Brian initially discouraged. He did not want his diagnosis to change the routine of someone else, even if it has touched so many people.
He donated his time to talk with patients with newly diagnosed mesothelioma, offering support to help guide them through the process.
"My daughter, a baseball player, this sentence, she uses all the time '. I Got This "Well, when we talked about this disease, I said 'do not worry. I Got This, "Brian recalled," She paused and said:. "No dad, God Got This One 'She was right.."
