Update on Britt

Update by Stephanie Riordan, sister, and family

Please don't reach out to Brittany or Tom directly. Please contact Stephanie, if needed at Stephanie.riordan23@gmail.com

It has been almost 4 months since Brittany has provided an update and we wanted to provide all her amazing friends, colleagues and beyond with a brief update.

In April, after her LMD diagnosis, Brittany transferred all her treatment to UTSW. Her team here decided to do full brain and spine radiation in May to treat the LMD as well as put in a cranial port to administer chemo directly. Two weeks ago, Brittany had her first brain and spine MRI, and shows no evidence of LMD. The decision was made at that point to reduce the chemo directly to her brain, which was very good news.

However, on the rest of her body, the cancer continues to progress. Brittany switched to a new chemo at the recommendation of her head oncologist about 6 weeks ago that he was hopeful might help. While we recently learned from him there is a glimmer of positive movement in her bloodwork with this latest chemo, it has been very difficult on Brittany and she has not been able to receive an additional dose since she has been very weak.

Over the last 6 weeks, Brittany has been in and out of the hospital several times, seemingly getting worse every time she goes in. It has been very hard on her. This brings us to today.

Brittany was admitted to ICU after a brief visit with her oncology PA on Friday, August 1 due to very poor initial lab work and low BP. Brittany has continued to decline since being admitted. Her kidney and liver function is poor, and declining, and we have learned the cancer mets on her liver continue to grow. We spoke with her head oncologist yesterday and he feels she will be too weak to continue treatment, and that we are constantly running a step behind how fast it continues to grow. Tom and family, alongside Brittany, have elected to move to hospice care.

Please keep your thoughts and prayers with Brittany, Tom, their kids, family and friends during this time. We appreciate everyone who has surrounded her and her family and friends during this time.