Thinking of Brian Home Page

May 31, 2007 - Thursday, May 31, 2007
I am greatly saddened to report that Brian passed away yesterday afternoon at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte. After a courageous 16 month battle with this terrible cancer, he slipped into a coma early Tuesday morning and took his last breath at about 12:30pm. He died peacefully, surrounded by both friends and family alike. He kept his sense of humor until the very end, as well as his fighting spirit. WE WILL FOREVER MISS YOU AND THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR LIVES! WE LOVE YOU SUPERMAN!

May 30, 2007 - Wednesday, May 30, 2007
I have some unfortunate news to report. After doing so well (with the occaisonal setback) for the past 16 months, Brian was admitted to a local Charlotte hospital this past Sunday afternoon. He had experienced a minor seizure. As of late last night, he quietly slipped into a coma. The local oncologist had an MRI performed. The results showed that the tumor is rapidly progressing across his brain. Brian had started a new treatment protocol last Friday that his doctors had hoped would help shrink his tumor. Unfortunately, the cancer is continuing to grow rapidly and his prognosis is poor. Please continue to keep him in your prayers as he continues his battle with his cancer. I will keep updating this website as much as possible to keep everyone informed of his condition.

February 5, 2007 - Monday, February 05, 2007
Brian had an MRI on Decmber 8th and again on January 17th. Both MRI's showed that the tumor area is solidly stable with no signs of growth. Brian is feeling great and is continuing on the CPT-11/Avastin protocol. He is still working full time and excercising regularly. His atitude, as always, is positive and upbeat. He has also just been cleared to have his chemotherapy treatments done here in Charlotte as opposed to commuting to Duke every other Friday. It's hard to believe that today is the one year anniversary of his brain surgery! As always, please continue to keep him in your prayers.

November 13, 2006 - Monday, November 13, 2006
It's been quite awhile since the last update. Brian was taken off the Phase 1 Study at Duke in mid October. The doctors were not sure that it was generating the results that they wanted to see. He has started a new treatment plan that involves the use of a chemotherapy drug called CPT-11, and a blood vessel restrictor drug called Avastin. In recent case studies, this treatment protocol has been quite successful in treating cancers of the brain, as well as colon and lung cancers. Brian has been tolerating the treatments very well, with little to no side effects. He is feeling fine and continues to work full time as well as excercise. He will have his next MRI on December 6. Please continue to keep him in your prayers!

August 17, 2006 - Thursday, August 17, 2006

Brian had another MRI here in Charlotte and went to Duke University Medical Center yesterday to have the results reviewed. He met with Dr. Henry Friedman, who is the lead doctor of Brian's oncology team at Duke. He is also one of the nation's foremost authorities on cancers of the brain. After reviewing Brian's MRI, he was happy to report that everything was fine, and that the area around the tumor site was stable. He encouraged Brian to start excercising again and seemed pleased with his progress so far. Brian is currently on a Phase 1 trial study for chemotherapy drug treatments. The study could last up to a year or more. After a bit of queasiness and fatigue in the beginning of the treatment, he is feeling fine and doing well. He will have his next MRI sometime in mid to late September. Thank you again for all your prayers and support! Please continue to keep Brian and his family in your prayers. We'll keep you posted on Brian's progress...

Friday, June 30, 2006 - Friday, June 30, 2006
Brian went to Duke University Medical Center yesterday to have his MRI evaluated. While it wasn't quite as 'perfect' as his previous MRI, it wasn't bad. The MRI showed signs of some brain swelling and additional fluid around the tumor site. Brian will be starting a different type of chemotherapy treatment beginning next week. He is still feeling fine and asks for your continued prayers.

June 19, 2006 - Monday, June 19, 2006
It's been quite awhile since the last update. Brian is still doing amazingly well and has even begun working out again. On Wednesday, June 28th, he will have his third MRI done in Charlotte. On Thursday, June 29th, he will take a copy of the MRI to Duke University Hospital in Durham for evaluation. Please continue to keep Brian and his family in your prayers! We'll post an update after his Duke visit.

Thursday, April 27, 2006 - Thursday, April 27, 2006

Brian had an MRI done yesterday at CMC Medical Center in Charlotte. He took a copy of the MRI to Duke University Medical Center today. Upon reviewing the MRI, the neurosurgeon said that the results were "exactly what they were hoping for" and also used the word "perfect" to describe the findings! The tumor site is healing extremely well, and there are no visible signs of the tumor or any other malignancies in the brain!

Brian will begin another 3 months of chemotherapy on Monday, May 1st. He will once again be taking Temadar, although at a much higher concentration. His new schedule will be 5 days a month on Temadar with 3 weeks off, for the next 3 months. On or about July 20th, he will have another MRI and a new course of chemo will be discussed.

Brian and his family are extremely happy and relieved with the medical findings. He is feeling good and is keeping a positive attitude. He has crossed hurdle number 2 in his treatment (the first being the surgery), but he still has a full year of treatments ahead of him. Thanks again for all your prayers and support! Please keep them coming!

April 7, 2006 - Sunday, April 09, 2006
Finally, the last day of radiation and chemotherapy (at least for the present)! Brian is feeling good but is definitely feeling the fatigue of the past 6 weeks of treatments. He will now get a bit of a break. He is scheduled for an MRI on April 26th in Charlotte. He will take the results to Duke Medical Center on April 27th and a more definitive game plan will be put together for his cancer treatment. He is continuing to work full time and enjoy being with his family and friends. Thank you all so much for your continued support and prayers!

Thursday March 23, 2006 - Thursday, March 23, 2006
Brian has completed 4 weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatments while continuing to work full time. Fortunately, his side effects have been minimal. He has experienced some minor fatigue and some major hair loss. Once his radiation treatments are completed, the energy level should pick up and the hair should start to come back. His appetite is still good and he and his family truly appreciate all the great dinners that are being prepared for them. We will be posting a current picture of him over the next few days.

March 2, 2006 - Thursday, March 02, 2006
Brian just completed his first week of chemotherapy and radiation. So far so good. He still has all his hair (minus what small amount was shaved off for surgery) and his sense of humor. The chemo is every day for 6 weeks and the radiation is done Monday thru Friday for 6 weeks. Luckily, he has experienced little to no side effects as of yet. He went back to work yesterday and is ready to move forward with daily life.

February 20 - Monday, February 20, 2006
Brian is back home and doing well. He is getting out a bit and is enjoying time with family and friends. After having a little time to recover from the brain surgery, he will be starting an intensive six week session of chemotherapy and radiation treatments beginning on Wednesday, February 22nd. He will be able to have these treatments done locally in Charlotte as oppossed to having to drive to Duke Medical Center in Durham.

Here's Brian's latest post from the discussion board... - Friday, February 17, 2006

Just wanted to move this to the front page, in case some of you may have not checked the discussion board lately. Brian's latest post:

I cannot begin to express how grateful we are to have such wonderful family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. In the past 2 & 1/2 weeks, we have been shocked a couple of times. The first was the diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor. Since that day, we have been amazed by the amount of support we have received from eveyone. The first part of this battle went extremely well. Dr. Allen Friedman from Duke Hospital worked his magic with help from the good lord on Monday, 2/5. I was out of the hospital a day and and a half later and home in Charlotte by Saturday. So f ar, so good. I feel great. The next step will be radiation and chemotherapy, which will begin shortly. I know the battle will be difficult, but I've got a lot of fight in me and a lot to fight for! I know that with all of your thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement, we will get through this challenging time. On behalf of the entire Corrigan family, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for everything!

Wednesday, February 8, 2006
Brian was discharged from the hospital earlier today, and will be staying in Durham until Saturday.

Tuesday, February 7, 2006

Brian is recovery well after the surgery. He has been moved from ICU to a private room at Duke University Hospital. He is walking around, carrying on conversations, and avidly watching ESPN. He may be released from the hospital as early as tomorrow, but he will have to stay in Durham until Sunday or Monday. He truly appreciates all the prayers and assistance that everyone has been providing. He is overwhelmed by all the love and support of his family, friends, and neighbors!

Monday, February 6, 2006

Lynn and Brian's oldest brother, Frank, just walked in on Brian cracking jokes with the nurse in the ICU. He is feeling great. Even the Dr. was impressed. He is watching a movie right now.

Sunday, February 5, 2006
Brian had surgery at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. The surgery was preformed by Dr. Allan H. Friedman. He checked into the hospital on Sunday, February 5, 2006. He will remain in the hospital for a few days, and may be released as early as Wednesday, February 8, 2006. Afterwards, Brian and Lynn will stay near the hospital for a few days. Brian's father, brother, Kevin and sister in-law, Lisa are in town and staying at the Corrigan house. Don't hesitate to say HI!.