Dad Update: Almost 11 Months Post-Diagnosis

It is absolutely crazy to think that we are 11 months post-diagnosis. 11 months! What a true gift these 11 months have been for myself, and my family. We've grown closer, found a new and improved faith in our God, and have been able to shine a light on the fight against brain cancer. 

If you google Glioblastoma Multiforme you see the statistics, the average life expectancy of someone diagnosed, and you cringe. I don't want to share these statistics to make anyone feel sorry for my family fighting against this disease, but I want to share these statistics so you see how far we've come and how BLESSED we've been through it all.
-Without treatment, the average life expectancy is 4.5 months.
-With treatment, the average life expectancy is 15 months. 

We've had 11 amazing months with Dad, as he has never lost his ability to know ANY of us, his sense of humor, his strength or his determination. Brain cancer is extremely underfunded and under recognized in the cancer community, which is why I think many people do not know what to expect when they talk to Dad or ask me how Dad is doing. I first want to share that it puts a huge smile on my face when someone asks about Dad, so please continue to ask, continue to pray and continue to think of him daily! 

Let me share what cancer has done to Dad:
-Cancer has taken away some of Dad's vocabulary. This is EXTREMELY frustrating to Dad, as he knows what word he wants to say, but his ability to say that word is difficult for him (at times). 

-Cancer has taken away some of his strength. I'm not sure if it's the cancer or the treatment, but Dad gets tired much more easily now, although each day I see him regaining his strength more and more. 

-Cancer has taken away his ability to work. Work was such a huge part of Dad's life and his identity, and each day we are working towards understanding and accepting our "new normal."

So sure, cancer has done some things that I don't appreciate, I don't care for, and to be honest, I hate. But let me share what cancer has not done to Dad:
-Cancer has not taken away his faith. In fact, cancer has given him even more strength in his faith and his ability to trust in a much higher power. 

-Cancer has not taken away his ability to recognize his girls. He knows my name, my mom's name, and my sister's names. He has always been able to recognize us, and for that I am so incredibly grateful. 

-Cancer has not taken away his hair. You would think a man wouldn't be too concerned about his hair, although Dad was so happy that his hair remained after his radiation treatment.

-Cancer has not taken away his sense of humor. 

-Cancer has not brought our family down. I quote Dana Hurst, another cancer-caregiver, all the time, and her quote is just perfect: "My fight. To not let suffering win! To not let it take away the joy in my faith. To not let it affect the relationships in my life. To instead, take it for its own run and use it to make me better. To allow it to show me when I am weak. To embrace those weaknesses when they are near and become stronger for it."

Dad continues with his treatment, with another MRI coming in our future right after the Washington County Fair- which was always something Dad took such great pride in being part of. But we continue to take it all one day at a time, one treatment at a time, and one MRI at a time. We continue to pray the MRI shows no additional growth, and we continue to pray that Dad's time with us is filled with faith, love and strength. 

Continue to pray, as we continue our fight to BTHO Brain Cancer!