^^Angel^^ Briannah-Grace O. - Quilt Finished in 2007

Born: October 11, 2005 - Passed: January 24, 2009

Illness: Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma (brain tumor), Hydrocephalus/Diencephalic Syndrome

Briannah-Grace's Story

Written by Briannah's mom Tammy in August 2006

On October 11, 2005 at 8 in the morning, I delivered Briannah, all natural and in 38 minutes! She weighed 7 pounds and looked very healthy at her birth – everything seemed normal for that first month. Prior to all of this, I was on bed rest for almost 7 months because of a condition called placenta previa. I had experienced some light bleeding in the beginning of the pregnancy, made a trip to the emergency room and then was diagnosed with the condition. That was not fun. My husband had just accepted a wonderful job opportunity in Arizona and had already taken the position leaving the girls and I behind in Texas with me on bed rest.

I was in and out of the hospital several times, due to many contractions, usually. During my 8th month we had to evacuate because Hurricane Rita was headed for the Houston area. The hospital I was to deliver at was making alternate plans, and was planning for a potential closing. Per my doctor advice, I was told to leave Houston and get to another hospital because of my condition.  Briannah was born in Wichita Falls, Texas!  Yes, we were in all that horrible traffic that was on the news. During the journey we actually stayed in a Red Cross shelter because there were NO hotel rooms anywhere. I remember feeling so hot as if I were going to pass out during the drive. Yes, I was out in NOWHERE, with NO gas stations - and NO hospitals… and God was always with me no matter how serious or how desperate everything seemed… God always took care of us and provided us a way of escape from danger. By the time we reached Wichita Falls my legs and feet were so swollen I had to be carried out of the car and put into bed. I remained in Wichita Falls until I had our beautiful Briannah. The placenta had migrated up to a safe place by then and I was finally released from bed rest.

We December 2005 moved from Texas to Arizona. The girls and I arrived Thanksgiving Day. About a week before Christmas I noticed that Briannah was not gaining weight like she should. Briannah is my 4th child and I knew something wasn’t right. She looked very underweight. She had no muscle mass and was not gaining weight. She had only gained 1 pound in 4 months. We went from doctor to doctor for 2 months until I decided that it was time to go to the emergency room. We ended up at Phoenix Children's Hospital where we spent 5 weeks in PICU and another month of recovery on the oncology floor. 

In the month of February 2006 and at 4 months of age Briannah was diagnosed with a juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma - inoperable brain tumor with hydrocephalus, located in the hypothalamic mid-brain area. This kind of tumor caused her to have what is called diencephalic syndrome as well. She under went several procedures while in the hospital; including biopsy, the tumor and cysts where debaulked as much as possible.  An internal shunt and broviac catheter were surgically placed.  We just recently decided to do the low dose chemotherapy regiment that was recommended for her but because she was so small and under weight we wanted to wait as long as possible before doing so.  Briannah received her 2nd dose of chemotherapy on August the 8, 2006.  We will be going back every week to get out patient treatment.  God has been our source of strength through out all of this. Our confession is that Briannah is the healed of the Lord!

Update:

January 24, 2009

Briannah graduated into glory on the evening of Saturday, January 24th, 2009, at 6:30 p.m.

With Pastor David Wright with us, the room filled with the sweet presence of the Lord, and Tammy's ear to her chest, her little heart slowed and then stopped. While her dad and mom were holding her tight and smothering her with kisses, her spirit and soul escaped captivity into the vast glory of the Lord's presence, and the wonders of heaven.