Lifting Beyond Cancer - Bry’s Journey to Kicking Lymphoma to the Curb

10/13/2025

Two years ago today, Bry received his bone marrow transplant, a day that gave him a second chance at life. I will forever be grateful for his incredible donor, who lives clear across the world on another continent. 🌍

Bry is now attending Madison College part-time, working part-time, and continuing to get stronger. Some days are better than others, but every step forward is a blessing.

Cancer has taken a toll on our family, but it’s also shown us the depth of resilience, love, and hope we carry within us. Here’s to continued healing and gratitude for the gift of life.

And in the midst of it all, new life and joy...on August 29th, Bry became an uncle! Grandma can’t wait for him to meet his precious little nephew, Romeo.

12/16/2024

CNS Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma w/tumors in his brain, chest and neck.
30+ Rounds of Chemo.
Several Months of Oral Chemo.
Full Body Radiation.
Failed Stem Cell Transplant.
Bone Marrow Transplant.

Doing what he loves.
Supporting a cause near and dear to his heart - Tap Cancer Out.

10/14/2024

They say the day you receive your new bone marrow, is your new birthday.

Bry turned 1 year old today. 😉 Looking back it’s been the most challenging and difficult time of my life as a parent. I imagine it has been for Bry as well. He’s never given up and attacked this beast with everything he’s had.

I’m so grateful for the 30 year old young lady from Europe, who choose to donate her stem cells/bone marrow and in return allowed us to celebrate this huge milestone!!!

I’m just as thankful for the entire oncology team at UW Health l Carbone Cancer Center for all they have done and continue to do for Bry. The nurses, lab techs, inpatient staff, on-call….every.single.person!!!!

To each of you who have followed Bry’s journey, prayed for our family and who have supported us in any shape or form…..there are not enough words to express our gratitude for you!!!

💚 I am forever grateful. 💚

~Gala

09/15/2024

Cancer changes people and their families. It sculpts us into someone who understands more deeply, hurts more often, appreciates more quickly, cries more easily, hopes more desperately, loves more openly, and lives more passionately.

To all the warriors and families fighting this battle, to the families left behind because of this dreaded disease or any other cancer..we got this! My love heart goes to you and your family!! 💚
~Gala

09/02/2024

Strongest FIGHTER I know….

September 2, 2022 will forever be imprinted in my brain as one of the hardest days of being a mom I’ve ever had.

At 8am sharp we received a phone call from the hospital asking us how soon James and I could come to the hospital to meet w/team of specialists. James was given the preliminary findings from the MRI of Bry’s brain the night before. It wasn't good and the team wanted to meet with right away.

Exactly two years later, countless hours spent at UW Cabone Cancer, approximately 2-3 months spent inpatient, 30+ rounds of chemo, full body radiation, 1 stem cell transplant, 1 bone marrow transplant, several months of oral chemotherapy AND Bry will have his port removed this week!!

We are so incredibly thankful for each and every person who has shown their love and support to our family these last 24 months. We couldn’t have gotten this far w/out your support.

08/12/2024

Happy 22nd Birthday Bry!!!
Here's hoping the next year will be much better than the last!!
We love you!!

08/11/2024

The forgotten victims of cancer are the siblings. Siblings watching their loved ones fight this dreaded beast is incredibly hard. I imagine it's even harder when you live 4.5-5 yrs hours away.

Today is Bry's older sisters birthday. Help us wish Abi from Abi Jane Photography a very happy birthday!!!

06/22/2024

It’s been a year since we were knocked down and our hearts were shattered again…

We will forever be thankful for the 30 year old young lady from half way across the world who so selflessly donated her bone marrow to Bry. There were many days I’m certain he felt like giving up. I know there were days he cussed the whole time….I know I did for him.

There is hope and healing on the horizon. Updates are few and far between these days. Little by little Bry is regaining his strength.

We anxiously wait the next set of scans at the end of summer and look forward to the next step….for Bry to be able to have his port removed!!!

On September 2, 2022 I (Gala) posted the following on my FB Status:
As parents James and I’ve endured many hard days over the last 24 yrs of being parents. Days where we thought it could not get any harder.

Today we got knocked down. Our spirits were broken. Our faith was tested. Our lives changed.

Tomorrow we will get back up and join our son in a battle that we never saw coming. Our spirits will not be broken. We will lean on our faith, family and love for our children to pull us through this next chapter in our lives…”

The last 9.5 months have been pure hell for Bry. Our faith has been tested and as his parents are hearts have been broken over and over as we watch from sidelines.

We’ve waited for this “day” for 106 days. Hopeful we could rejoice in this huge milestone. Today we did not hear the news we were hoping for. Our sweet boy is sick. Our hearts are broken all over again. Our family needs all the prayers, good vibes, dance moves, whatever you freeking believe….we need it.

We’re not giving up.
We might cuss the entire time.
We will not give up.


Thank you for loving and supporting our boy and our family.
~James & Gala

06/03/2024

Yesterday was World Cancer Survivor Day!! Never in a trillion years did I ever think as a mom I would be be 'thankful' for a day set aside to acknowledge those who have survived this beast but here I am at midnight thinking about my boy and all the others who recovering from the impacts of cancer!!

Here's to many more years to the most important cancer survivors in my life. My son, Bryant and my dad, Brian.

I pray that one day soon EVERYONE is a survivor of cancer!! ❤️🎗️👊💪🗣️

Pic of Bry in 2018 after lacrosse game. Bry played as a goalie first a few years. Yesterday he attended the Youth Lacrosse Tournament here in Deforest. He volunteers as Deforest youth goalie coach.

Pic of my dad on his Harley.

05/20/2024

The days, weeks and months have been long, grueling and incredibly hard for this young man.

7 months post bone marrow transplant.
14 months post stem cell transplant.
3 months shy of two years since diagnosis.
30+ rounds of chemo and 2 transplants have taken a toll on his body.

One foot in front of the other.
Slowly but surely Bry's regaining his strength.

My momma heart needed to see this pic and Bry's amazing smile!!!

Thank you Ketchum's Got Your Six / Ketchum's RIDE and Custom Canines Service Dog Academy!!!