Happy Memorial Weekend! All is good in the Brierley household. My CT scan came out fine. I did have a small area where the colon inverted, but so small the UCSF doctor wasn't concerned. He also mentioned a very small (size of a dot from a pen) in my lung but said it could be anything. Most radiologist wouldn't even see it but UCSF goes through it with a fine tooth comb. He said it's very unlikely anything would grow while I was in treatment so not to worry. They'll just keep an eye on me. Ct every 3 months with more meds since I broke out again from the contrast. Also, I have the barium pelvic Xray and all is clear and no leakage or blockage. So I'm good to go for surgery to remove my bag and my port! June 20th 7:30am is the magic time!! Yes, I'm looking forward to it, however, after the barium Xray, I decided that having a bag wasn't so bad after all! My bone density test came out fine. I have nice strong bones so far. I will eat my calcium. Also, my Oncologist at UCSF said that there have been studies that suggest taking a baby aspirin (50 and older) not only helps with blood, but it helps to ward off breast and colon cancer. So I will be taking my baby aspirin as soon as I'm done with my surgery and healed. If any of you have friends or family that are going through cancer there is a good blog site http://www.cancercompass.com/ Click on message board to pick the cancer you want to discuss. It's been helpful and interesting to me.
This past week we have had my nephew Ryan and his friend Brian build our new deck so it's been pretty busy and dirty around here. We've had Sean, Kyle and Casey pitch in as well. A real family affair!
I hope everyone has a nice and restful Memorial Weekend and please remember to keep our young men and women who are serving in your prayers. They all need our support and prayers. God bless all of you and thank you so much for the prayers and concern that continue to uplift me and keep me strong. God does listen to prayers. He is there if you ever need Him.
Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.

Good morning to all my friends and family,
I am feeling really good these days. It will be three weeks this Thursday since the end of my last chemo treatment. The side effects are slowly going away and I'm looking forward to having a margarita to celebrate! Last week on Tuesday I went in for a CT at UCSF and once again I broke out from the contrast they put in me. I even took prednizone and benidrill to help with the reaction but it didn't help. I don't know what they'll do next. Then Thursday I got a call from UCSF that they saw something of concern. The nurse said it wasn't cancer but if I had any severe abdominal cramps to go to the emergence right away. That's all she said. I asked if someone put a time bomb in my stomach! On Friday, I saw my regular oncologist in Concord and he clarified what they saw. They think my colon may have inverted in itself. That is why it would give so much pain. My oncologist doesn't think that is the case. He thinks it just spasmed while I was having the Ct and it looked strange. I'll know for sure on Wednesday when I have a pelvic barium Xray. Tomorrow I'll have a bone density test for a base line. I hope all goes well. Please pray that it does and all is clear. They also had a few concerns of some spots in the lung, but they think it's non-calcified nodules so they want to watch and see. They don't seem to worried about those, mostly the colon and if it started to invert. They can fix it if it did. I am still scheduled for Surgery June 20th. I'm looking forward to it just so I can get back to my old self again. I am also looking forward to getting my energy back up to par since I have such a busy summer coming up. Tonight is Brigitte's Lacrosse banquet that I am in charge of. Tomorrow is Bonnie's 26th B-day and then June 2nd is Bonnie's bridal shower and Brigitte's Senior Ball. Graduation on the 15th and party on the 17th and finally surgery on the 20th. Through all this God has been so good to me. I was able to walk through all my chemo and I continue to feel better and better. Plus, He has put me in touch with so many wonderful and loving people. I do feel I am blessed in so many ways. Thank you again for your needed prayers and all you encouragement. Your love and encouragement give me strength. Thank you.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. That you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. I know God has a plan for me and I am not going through all this just for the fun of it. His plan is always perfect even though we many not always understand it. He sees the big picture where we only see here and now. Trusting Gods plan is the best thing I can do for myself.

Good morning! I had my last treatment of chemo last Thursday, yea!!! I am feeling good and am looking forward to having surgery in June. Next week I have my CT and then the following my pelvic x-ray and bone density test. I am really looking forward to getting all my strength, energy and life back this summer. God has been so great and I have had so many blessing through this entire experience. I truly hope and pray that if anyone finds themself in a dire situation, to please call on the Lord. I promise He won't let you down and He will be there every step with you.
The picture attached is of Brigitte and me last night at her last home game of her high school career. And for me it was the last home game with my own child after 13 consecutive years of high school sports. Time sure travels fast!
Isaiah 30:19 He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you.
I like this verse because I know He has heard me many times and He always answers, in His time; I just have to listen. God bless you all and thank you for all your prayers through this journey. You have given me such encouragement, strength, and hope. Thank you

Good morning bloggers! I hope everyone had a nice Easter and had the opportunity to visit with friends and family, and reflect on the gift that Christ gave us through his death. Eternal life with Him. I am very grateful and bless for that. I hope you are too. After Easter Sunday, we went to LA to visit family and enjoy the beach. We celebrated Brigitte's 18th B-day, went prom dress shopping, and just enjoyed looking at the beautiful ocean waves. Then last week I had my 7th chemo cycle. I have one more to go!!! Everything went OK. My blood counts are still holding up, so I feel very fortunate. I did manage to get a cold when I got back, but I seem to be fighting it so far. After my last cycle next week, I will have a Ct scan with non-ionic contrast with meds at UCSF on May 16th. Non-ionic because I am allergic to the regular contrast. The meds are benedrill, Zantack and cortisone to help with reaction. The scan is to check the liver and make sure it's OK and to get a baseline for future scans. Then the following week I will have a pelvic X-ray with contrast to make sure all is healed inside before surgery. Then June 20Th I am scheduled for the "take down" which means I will have my iliostomy and port removed....YEA! The surgery should take about 1-2 hours and the average stay is 2 days. Hopefully I'll be good to go by Bonnie's wedding in July. Thank goodness I have great sisters and friends to help with the last minute details.
Last week was very special. I had the elders of my church lay their hands on my and pray for healing. What a wonderful and loving experience. I truly felt the Lords peace and comfort surround me. I have been so blessed through my cancer experience. I can't imaging going through this without Him.
James 5:14 Is an one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

Good morning! I hope everyone had a wonderful, loving and happy Easter. I know our family did. We celebrated by going to church in the morning and then having friends over for a nice Easter dinner in the evening. Today Casey and I, with Brigitte and her friend Morgan, are going to LA for the week to visit Casey's parents. We plan to spend a little time on the beach inbetween shopping for prom dresses for the girls and celebrating Brigitte's 18th B-day.
As for me, I am doing well with the treatments. I have two more cycles left. YEA! I usually don't feel so well a few days after treatment but do manage to continue to walk most days. It seems like some cycles are easier than others on my body. I have been very fortunate that my white cells, red cells and platlets are holding up so I don't have to be delayed in treatment, which is common. I try to drink Odwalla Blueberry juice most days and on some days carrot juice (yuck!) as well. I do feel that eating healthy, drinking lots of juices, taking a Flinstone multi vitamin every day and exercise has helped. My nutritionist said Flinstone vitamins are very good since it has everything in the right amount. The neuropathy in the hands continue to be uncomfortable but manageable. I just try to keep extra warm and wear gloves when reaching in the freezer. The picture is of my new hobby I started while I'm having treatment. I was inspired by the beautiful prayer shawl my sister-in-law, Leslie, made for me. I want to learn to knit or crochet so I bought a learning loom that makes it very easy to make scarves. It takes a long time to make a scarf so I can't imagine how many hours went into my shawl!
I have my appointment with UCSF for my first CT scan after treatment for a baseline. I'm in the process of scheduling my "take down" surgery, (close the iliostomy) for sometime in the early summer I hope. It will be hard to schedule inbetween the weddings, family reunions, bridal showers and graduations all this summer. How blessed we are to have so many happy occasions to get together with friends and family. God has been so good to me and to our family. He continues to give us peace and encouragement through all our trials. We are never alone. This Easter I hope and pray that everyone one of you get to know Him deeper, and accept His beautiful gift of eternal life with him through his son Jesus.
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through Him.
Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement. I feel so blessed by all of you who continue to pray and encourage me. Thank you for sharing your love with me and my family.

Hello Blogger Buddies. This is what Brigitte has been doing lately. She can't get enough of Lacrosse, she loves it. I just finished my 5th cycle and I'm so glad. I usually feel tired and a little nausea for a few days after treatment, but nothing compared to what others had to go through in the past. I still manage to walk at least 3 miles every day so I can't complain. The mole that was removed from my stomace came out clear and the polyp was fine as well. Thank God!! And thank you for your prayers. Speaking of prayers, last week at church I spoke with a friend about how I feel blanket by prayers. Then two days later I received from my sister-in-law a beautiful shawl that she crocheted for me. She said that as she was working on the the shawl, she was prayer for me. When I use the shawl, I feel the love and prayers that went into it. It seems like God is showing me in a very physical way that I am covered in prayers. He is with me every step of the journey. He is amazing and I hope that if any of you ever find that you are facing a cul-de-sack in life, please let Him guide you. He won't let you down and you won't go through the valleys alone.
Did you get scoped yet (a sigmoidoscopy doesn't count)!??? Did you know that when you go for you colonoscopy, you don't have to drink a gallon of the fluid any more?? They now have pills instead, or you can opt for the 4oz bottle and drink lots of water. It really isn't as bad as you think, so please make your appointment! Also, remember to get a copy of the pathology report and if you do have a polyp, please ask as to what kind. Some turn to cancer and some do not. Important to know what you have and keep records. God bless you all and thank you for all your encouraging words, prayers, thoughts and love that continue to come my way.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our afflication so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any afflication with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

March is Colorectal awareness month. If you haven't had the pleasure of having a colonoscopy yet, (not just sigmoid) and you are 50 or more, or have had some type of symptoms like IBS or other issues, please go for the easy test. It is not as bad as you think.
I just finished my 4th cycle of chemo and am doing OK. Today I felt a little tired and had a little nausea but pills are wonderful! I still plan on walking my 3 miles tonight. Yesterday I had a sonogram to check my ovaries and uterus. The doctor wants to see what damage if any was caused by radiation and the fact that I went from not even close to menopause to post menopause in 5 months. No wonder I have trouble sleeping! Too many "personal summer days and nights!" There was also a polyp in the cervix which will have to be removed. I went to my dermatologist last week since I hadn't been in 3 years. She didn't like a mole on my stomach, which I though was a freckle, so two more stitches in my belly. I will have the results in about a week. Thank God for all the prayers that continue to lift me up. I know I'll be fine because I am not going through all this alone. I have God hearing all your prayers and He does listen. He continues to give my family and me peace each day. I hope and pray that if or when you find yourself in need of Gods grace, you too will feel His presence and know He is with you. Thank you for you continual uplifting notes, cards, e-mails, prayers and love. God bless you all
Psalms 34:4 I sought the Lord, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.

Hi blogger buddies! All is well in Pleasanton. Brigitte is at her soccer game, Kyle is working at Snug Harbor (my sisters marina), Sean is at work, Bonnie and Ricky are on their way up to visit and Casey is in LA with his parents. so it's a nice quiet day to do some blogging. The pic was taken in Tahoe last weekend when we were looking for Bonnie and Ricky's wedding venue. I had my third cycle of Folfox 6 last Wednesday. All went well. I now feel the neuropathy in my hands most of the time, but it should only last about a week and then subside until the next treatment in two weeks. My energy is still pretty good. I try to walk most days at least 3 miles. I do skip it when it's raining though. Yesterday I took a 3 hour nap in the middle of the day! That is unheard of for me. I have never taken a 3 hour nap in my life so I guess I must be getting tired once in a while. Today I feel back up to speed. As for my weight, I actually gained 3 lbs last week. I was challanged because the nurse told me I wouldn't gain wait with the chemo and the bag. I do like my food and challanges!!! I'm sure I'll lose it this week so I'm not worried. Next week I have an appointment with a dermatologist, OBGYN, and my Oncologist. I do feel like I have been living at the doctor's office lately. Thank you to all who continue to keep me in their prayers. Everyday I feel the Lords blessing in my family and in my life. He does listen to prayers and He continues to bring comfort, peace and hope each and every day.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.

Good morning bloggers. I am doing really well today. I had my first folfox 6 treatment on Tuesday and all went well except my red and white blood counts are pretty low. I now get a weekly shot of Procrit which helps stimulate the body to produce more red blood cells. It has to be watched carefully due to high risk of blood clots. Yikes! Also my white cell count is 1.8 which is low; 4-10 is average. If it gets below 1 then I'll probably have to have another type of shot or hold off on the next round of chemo. So everyone who comes in the house has to wash their hands. I do feel fine though. Still walking daily, unless it's raining, and my appitite is good. I'm not losing any more weight. I can eat anything I want and I still don't gain weight. It's amazing!! What a way to diet!!!
The picture is of Brigitte and her friend Scott, (who is the pilot) about ready to go in the glider. What fun!! She flew over the delta out of Livermore.
Well, thank you again to all who continue to encourage, strengthen, and pray for me and my family. It is truly amazing how prayers work. God listens and he continues to give my family so much peace. We are so blessed!!!
Psalm 37:4-7 Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your hearts desire. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. And He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgement as the noonday

It's another beautiful moring in blogger land! The picture of my very happy dog Kiwi shows how I am feeling as I blog, because I went to UCSF for my second opinion yesterday. I had many questions answered about my chemo regimine and am very happy about the new change. It is recommended that I switch from using Folfox 4 for 6 months to Folfox 6 for 4 months. That means that I only have 7 more cycles of treatment to go, and I'll be done with it by May if all goes well! The difference from Folfox 4 to folfox 6 is that I only have to go to treatment every other week for two days instead of three, I get less 5-FU each cycle but a little more Oxaliplatin, and since it's for 8 cycles instead of the 12, it gives less toxicity to the body overall. The data shows no difference in outcome, so less is better. Also, it is recommended I do not take Avastin because of all the unknown and unanswered questions that Avastin carries for stage III cancer. Finally, the doctor also recommended that once I am through with treatement, I get a CT scan every 3 months for the next 3 years due to the 25% risk factor of it re-occuring. I will have my scans done at UCSF. It's amazing to me how each time I have been to UCSF, my course of treatment has changed. I can't stress to you how important it is to get a second opinion and even a third if need be. When you are talking about a life, it is well worth the time and effort. It's pretty scary not knowing what to do when each decision is so important and life threating, but knowing that God is with me, guiding me and showing me each step or path to take is what keeps me at peace. I know God is in control and He will continue to watch over my family and me each and every day.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.

Good morning blogger buddies. Well, I'm into my first of 12 chemo series treatments. Yesterday I was there from 9:30-3:45 and today it should be only about 3 hours. Tomorrow will be about 1/2 hr to remove the buddy pack until the next series in two weeks. Yesterday took a little longer than expected because my port in my chest would not work right. It took just under 2 hours to get it working. It would allow drugs into the body but not allow for removal of blood. It's a two-way port and only one way was working. Apparently, sometimes the body produces a film inside that blocks the exit of fluid from the port. The nurse gave me a med that disolved it enough to allow full usage of the port...for the day. It will probaby happen again, but at least I was able to start the series. I didn't have too much trouble after that. Of the three types of chemo I received, I had a slight reaction to the Oxaliplatin. It sped up my heart rate from 60 to about 80 within the first hour. So next time I get it I will be given more bennidrill (I had 12.5mg instead of the usual 25mg) Today I will have Leuccvorin and 5FU bolus or booster like yesterday but without the Oxaliplatin. I am carring around my buddy pack again for 3 days each series. I Think over all I did pretty well, except my dear husband Casey gave me a bad head cold that came out the day before treatment. I had to take Sudafed during treatment to breath. They weren't concerned about me being sick at the start because it's not an infection...yet. I hope it doesn't go to my chest. As for nausea, I haven't experienced that yet and hopefully I won't. They gave me an anti-nausea drip, steriod drip, (are you jealous Barry?) and a few othet drips to help boost up the body. I did not start the Avastin drug yet because I was not 4 weeks out from surgery, whick is a must. I will start that on the next series in two weeks. In the meantime, I will see a doctor at UCSF for a second opinon on the drug regimine. I thought it was interesting that of the 6 patients in the room, 4 to 5 of us were dealing with colorectal cancer. You can tell by the buddy packs around the room, and the nurse mentioned a few. I hope you all are getting your colonoscopy !! Thank you all for your continual prayers and encouragement. Sometimes I get comments about being so positive and srtong, and that comes from not only knowing that God is with me every step of the way, but also from all of you who are praying for me, and encouraging me in so many ways. As I said before, I am truly blessed by each one of you in my life. Thank you
Mark 11:23,24
Truly I say to you, whoever says to the mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him. Therefore, I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted to you.

HI everyone and happy January. I am doing really well these days. I have been out walking almost every day up to 5 miles (in two outings). I have my energy back and am now ready for chemo. Monday I talked with my Oncologist and he wants me to take Folfox 4 with Avastin for the next 6 months every two weeks. It will be administered over 3 days, the first day for 5 hours, the next day for 3, and the third day just for about an hour or so to remove the bed buddy pack. Yes, I will have my bed buddy back for two nights every two weeks. I can't say I've missed her but we'll get reaquainted. The folfox treatment is a mixture of 3 different drugs. 5-FU (what I previously had in the pack), leucovorin (folinic acid)and oxaliplatin. This is standard treatment for stage III cancer. Avastin is a drug that is currently used and approved for stage IV cancer but not stage III. Which means, my insurance will not cover it and we will have to pay for it. It is quite expensice but my doctor feels it may have good results. It's used by cutting of the blood supply to the tumor. Since I no longer have a tumor, we are not sure if it will help or not, but I have talk to a few different doctors and they agree with the use. It's been a hard decision but we are going to go for it. The doctors hope is it will give better odds that the cancer will not return at a future date. So Monday I go in for a "teach" class about the drugs. Tuesday I will start my first treatment. Please keep me in your prayers that all goes well.
Hebrews 10:23,24
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful: and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.

Happy New year!! I am feeling really good after a week of recuperation. I'm up to walking again and feeling my energy increase each day thanks to all the wonderful people who have been bringing in great dinners!!! My appetite is back in full force!! The picture is of my very special "healing Hands" blanket from my Foothill Family. It keeps me warm and loved every minute!
The first few days home were a little rough for me having to get used to a new addition to my body...an ileostomy. It's an "off ramp", as Casey calls it, between my small and large intestines. I will have it through chemo and until my colon heals completely. I was supposed to have a home health nurse come three days a week starting right away to help me out, but as I was leaving the hospital, the nurse informed me that they couldn't find anyone to come to my home. To say the least, I was upset, scared, and had a million questions on how to care for this new thing. But once again, God provided. My neighbor came over and offered her help. She is a retired nurse who used to work with patients and ostomys. She even drove me up to John Muir the next day for a visit with the ostomy nurse. I am feeling much more at ease now and am learning to adjust. As for the next round of treatment, I should be starting chemo in about 3 more weeks. I do have a second opinion appointment at UCSF for chemo on the 29th of January. Since there were so many lymph nodes involved, they want to go heavy on the drugs and wipe any hidden cells. I say go for it!. I have always said that God gives you only what you can handle. Now I realize that when there is more than you can handle, He comes along and helps carry part of the load. He also helps you find your way. A dear friend told me that when He brings you to your knees it's only because He wants you to see His path more clearly. I know that as I go through this next phase of treatment, God will be right there with me. I won't be carrying it alone. I pray if one of you go through trials or tribulations, you remember that God is with you and He will help you each and every step if you let Him.
Jeremiah 29:11-12
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

I'm back!!!!! It's New years Eve and am sitting down stairs after a wonderful dinner. Thank you to all who have been bringing us dinners. It is such a help to all of us and we love the food. Thank you. I am doing ok. I'm taking Darvocet and that seems to help. The pathology results came back. They took out 15 lymph nodes and 11 were positive. I was pretty disappointed and a little shocked. We thought only one may have been involved, but 11?? I was disappointed for a while but then I try to remember to trust God. He knew already the results and He knows how I'll be in the future. I just have to trust Him. The surgery was very sucessful according to the doctor. Very clean margins, and he got everything. He wants me to start chemo in 4 weeks instead of the usual 6 weeks so he can blast any remaining cells that may be present. I'll be making a lot of calls on Tuesday to set up appointments and try to get a second opinion for chemo at UCSF before I start.
Thank you so much for all your continued prayers and support. My family and I appreciate each and everyone one. No words can express the gratitude and love I have for all of you. Here is a poem my friend passed on to me that I want to share. Happy New Year to all and God bless you in 2007

New year's Prayer by Helen Steiner Rice
You are ushering in another year,
untouched and freshly new,
So here I am to ask you, God, if
you'll renew me, too.
but, Father, I am well aware
I can't make it on my own,
So take my hand and hold it tight,
for I can't walk alone.

Jill is home now and resting. She needs to slowly recuperate. She is feeling pain now that the epidural has worn off. Keep her in your prayers and thank you for the continued support. When Jill gets a chance she will give a more detailed update.

Hello everyone in Bloggerland. Jill is doing great. I am sorry it took so long for me to get to an internet connection and let you all get an update. She feels great for someone having had a major operation as she has had. This morning she was up by 5 am, and at 6:00 the nurses took out most of her IV lines. Then she took a walk of 6 rounds on her floor -- all before 7 am. You just can't keep this girl down!! But as her big sister, and I guess I have always known this. Back in Burbank growing up, she was the one jumping on the beds in the morning. Wake up... Wake up!
Anyway, the doctor said she is looking so good, but he wants her to REST! Doctor says she is healing very quickly. It looks like if all is well tomorrow, she could be home at some point on Saturday. Thanks for checking in and sending up so many prayers for her. She sends her love and happy cheer to everyone! Jill will be back to updating this blogger site hopefully by Sunday.
Have Blessed New Year!
Updates have been by Big Sis- Lorette

Good Morning Everyone! Jill is feeling so much better. Its really amazing. That epidural drip is great. She really doesn't feel any pain. As a result she is alert and talking, and just her regular self. She had breakfast with Casey -- liquid style-- and today it stayed down. That's a good sign. She was waiting for lunch at 12:30 when I left and actually feeling hungry. She will take a nap this afternoon. Jill said to let people know that its okay to call her cell phone or the hospital. I would suggest between 8 am and 8 pm. Know that she will probably be taking naps after lunch though. Thank you for the ecards that have come in already. She recieved twelve this morning!! from everywhere!!
Here is a picture from yesterday to share. I want to tell you the story behind the picture. Jill calls it a "God thing", a real blessing in so many ways. Yesterday morning Casey and Jill left for the hospital at 5:00 am or so. The night before she had said good night to the kids, all but Sean. He wasnt' there--working or something like that. She missed him but thought" oh well???" Anyway, all the kids showed up at the hospital to wait with Casey during the operation. (Except Sean who was working) Nicki, Linda were here also, and I showed up later after my drive up from SB. The family was waiting in the Lobby in the afternoon by then. Then in walks Sean in his AMT uniform. He sees Bonnie first and then the rest of the family. The "what-are-you-doing-here" begin. It turns out Sean, who works for Alameda county AMT had to deliver an emergency patient to Contra Costa County -- right to John Muir Concord. Then his ambulance breaks down as they are pulling in. He has to wait for a towtruck. Sooooo while waiting, he goes inside to get something to eat. And there is his family!! He was shocked because he thought his Mom was over in John Muir Walnut Creek. Anyway, Jill was coming out of recovery and being sent up to her room 6213-1. The picture is the family together Greeting Jill, Sean included.

OOPS!! For those of you paying attention! I got the wrong room number below. Jill is in room 6213-1 at the John Muir Medical in Concord. You can send her a ecard at this link -- https://www.johnmuirhealth.com/index.php/greeting.html?src=homepage
It would be better not to call, as she is resting a lot right now. But Cards are great!!!

Hello everyone out there who has been waiting for an update on Jill. Jill is out of surgery. She went in around 7:30 and came out sometime around 1:30. She was then in recovery for 2 hours. Casey and the kids, Nicki and myself ( Lorette) were able to finally see her around 3:30. Jill looks great and is feeling pretty good. She has an epidural (sp?) drip that is very comfortable for her at least right now. The doctor wants her to rest and take it easy. Casey will be staying with her tonight. The doctors update as I understand it-- a lymph node and other tissue was also removed in the area of the tumor. He thought it looked good but until the results of the biopsy, we don't know for sure the actual stage. Jill is in good spirits, as always, and Casey keeps her laughing. Keep them in your prayers. Jill sends her love to everyone. She is soooooo lifted up by everyone's concern and love and FUNNY cards!!!. She is at the John Muir Hospital ??? in Concord and you can send ecards through their hospital site. I will keep you posted as best as I can. You can call the Brierley household and leave your number. One of us will try to get back to you. Her room is 6013 if you want to send her an ecard. She gave you the address in the blog below. Please don't call the room because she will be resting A LOT!!

Merry Christmas! Are you ready?? One more day to shop! These last few weeks have been great. My strength and appetite have all come back and I feel almost as good as new. I'm very grateful that I have this time to get ready for Christmas. This week I went for my pre-op with the doctor and the hospital, and had all the blood work, chest x-rays and EKG done. I am almost ready for surgery on Wednesday. I still have to drink the wonderful gallon of mixture on the 26th. The surgery should last about 4 hours and I should be in the hospital for about 4-5 days. If interested, John Muir Hospital, Concord campus, has a website where people can send e-cards and volunteers will print out and bring to the patient. https://www.johnmuirhealth.com/index.php/greeting.html?src=homepage
I will have one of my sisters update my blogger site for me so all my friends and family will know how the surgery went. Please keep me and my family in your prayers on the 26th at 7:30am.
Words can not express how grateful and appreciative my family and I are for all the love, support, prayers and concerns that have been raining down on us since I was first diagnosed. To everyone, Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Please have a very Merry Christmas and remember to invite Jesus to your celebration! God bless you all and have a safe and loving 2007

And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord".
Luke 2:10-11