The Bresnyan Family Story

I can remember when Lance Armstrong had cancer and it was all the buzz. The last thing anyone would want is to be all the buzz because they are stricken with cancer.

Unfortunately our family has been thrust into a situation that we don’t want to be in. Family members that have cancer. Of our four children, ages 31, 30, 26 , and 19, our two youngest children now have cancer.

First Nick, was diagnosed with malignant brain tumors and two tumors in his spine. His cancer is reoccurring cancer as he had the same cancer nine years ago and it just laid dormant. He works for the Rocklin School District as a custodian and has been on long term disability since August 2007. The treatment He receives is terrible but the doctors are reasonably sure that it will cause his cancer to go into remission long term. Nick is very determined to beat this and get back to work and life.

To occupy his time he is making jewelry and giving it to those that cross his path to encourage them that life is awesome despite the suffering that we sometimes encounter. Nick has touched many people during his struggle with cancer. Nick greatly appreciates any who will keep him in their thoughts and prayers as he knows that it makes a difference in the outcome.
  
Our daughter Melana, 19 years old and a graduate of Rocklin High School in 2007 was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma February 8, 2008. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments twice monthly and will continue for four to six months. Unfortunately Melana had to drop out of her classes at Sierra College because the doctor appointments and treatments and loss of energy has demanded her focus on her health. Melana has a great attitude about her cancer.

I think internally she is a little frightened but she has focused on all the positive about the prognosis.

Before Melana’s hair began to fall out a local hair stylist in Rocklin ( Hues Salon) took Melana and cut and styled her hair very nicely. The cut hair was donated to Locks of Love for a wig. As her hair began falling out she decided to have some fun and have a hair cutting party at her Sister’s home (Laurie) with some friends and cut her hair into a Mohawk. Melana made it fun and has a great attitude.

The Church Melana attends ( Community Covenant Church) sent her to a wig shop and purchased her a wig that looks very much like her own hair. Melana’s goal is to become a grade school teacher as she loves little children.

Our family is going through some pretty deep and turbulent waters right now and even though modern medicine has come a long ways in cancer cures, much of it is still a best guess. So we are mostly encouraged by our creator God, who stills the tempest waters swirling around us and gives a a calm that is just miraculous.

Our other daughter Laurie has been a preserver for us as she has many connections that help us find our way around the medical profession and has also been our faithful communicator.

I am grateful for my Wife Jan , the kids care taker. She is an inspiration to any mother who has a compassionate heart for their family.
 
Our family continuously thanks all who have ministered to our family through gifts of money, food, prayers and encouragement. Thank you so much for all that our community , church , family and friends have done in partnering with us during this epic struggle in our lives.

God Bless All of You.

Dave Bresnyan