Fun State Rivalry!

Today Shaun and Brendan were able to go to the Utah State vs. BYU football game in Logan.  With the cold, we weren't sure Brendan was up for it, but he insisted he was.  

 Brendan made it through the first half before his feet turned to icicles, so they watched the second half of the game from the warmth of Grandpa Swan's couch.

Throughout Brendan's stay at Primary Children's Hospital, it has been fun to see the in-state rivalries at work at the hospital.  Being part of the University of Utah campus, there are obviously a lot of Ute fans there.  But there are also plenty of of BYU fans and a few Aggie's there too.

Brendan got his first BYU blanket from one of the nurses in the neurotrauma unit.  The hospital receives U of U, BYU, and USU blankets from all of the schools and pass them out to patients as they come in.  The nurses and techs always asked Brendan what school he cheered for.  They would either give him a high 5, or scowl and tease him.  

Brendan received this U of U token from Brynne Lindstrom, a friend attending the University of Utah.

 One of the techs in the NTU wore a U of U pin on his scrubs.  He and Brendan teased each other constantly.  Brendan kept his BYU blanket on whenever Michael worked, and Michael always made comments about it.  One day, when Brendan needed a new toothbrush, Michael brought in two -- a red one and a white one!

Last night, Dennis (Brendan's bus driver) brought over this USU Game Day shirt.  He told Brendan he knew he would need it today :)

 Brendan wore his Utah State shirt that Nate Alder brought him to Thanksgiving Dinner.

Brendan's grandparents are all big BYU fans, even though Shaun's dad was a professor at USU, and Kerry's parents both graduated from USU.  Kerry and Shaun were both brought up on a steady diet of BYU football games, even though they both graduated from USU.  

With all of the hard things at the hospital, it has been fun for Brendan to have something to joke about, tease the nurses and techs with, and have instant friends with other fans!

It's been a great weekend for Brendan with family and friends and games.  His blood cell counts are now at their lowest level of this chemo cycle, and the sores have begun appearing in his mouth from the radiation.  This long weekend with its many distractions has been just what Brendan needed.  He has even gained a pound back.  We'll have a day of rest tomorrow and then we're back to treatment on Monday.