A Small Bump In Our Journey. Dad Update 4/20/2016

MRI days are always difficult, and today's MRI results left us with lots of questions, a heavy heart, and a request for prayer in Dad's cancer battle.

Our MRI results today weren't great, but they weren't terrible. Let me attempt to explain the news we received. 

Dad's MRI showed increased enhancement where the tumor was removed. Which means there is blood flow to this area- and in the cancer world, blood flow is a source of growth for a tumor, and growth is the last thing we want. The amount of enhancement, compared to our last MRI, is small, yet there is still an increase. We do not know if this means we were lucky enough to catch the initial growth of the tumor, or if this enhancement is really nothing and just how the contrast was flowing at the time the MRI was taken. 

After a long discussion with Dr. Fleener, we felt as though our best option was to in fact wait four more weeks and re-perform the MRI again, while continuing on chemotherapy and Avastin. The waiting game is so incredibly difficult! But, taking Dad's current MRI to another doctor would result in the exact same outcome: waiting. 

This morning I came to my office to find my favorite "stress" drink (Diet Dr. Pepper) with a note that said: "Thinking of you this morning and hope that whatever the day may bring, you feel HIS presence with you..." Not to mention another co-worker brought me Starbucks this morning- have I mentioned I have the absolute BEST co-workers? 

But that note. What a wonderful reminder for this morning- HIS presence! And then I turned to my devotional that read:

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Hear Me saying, "Peace, be still," to your restless heart. No matter what happens, I will never leave you or forsake you. Let this assurance soak into your mind and heart until you overflow with Joy. Though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, you need not fear!"

Talk about another wonderful reminder!

So we wait. Waiting is not fun. But we wait, not fearful of bad news, instead we wait confidently trusting the Lord to care for us, to care for Dad. 

This is not the news that we wanted to hear this morning. And this is not the news that I wanted to share. But it is what God has so perfectly placed on our path. It is part of this plan that I do not always know the reason why we have faced trouble, disappointment, and discouragement- but what I do know is it is all part of this amazing plan- that there is purpose to our suffering. 

We take the next four weeks and we pray, each day we pray that the treatments will work on Dad and the next MRI will look better- and we also pray that if it is God's will to help heal my Dad that he will do just that!

Dad is so incredibly strong. He's faced so many moments of suffering, and instead of turning away he's been able to fight through it all with faith, family and friends. I can't share how truly blessed we are to have such an amazing support group of friends and family throughout this all. 

I would be lying if I said we weren't saddened by this news we received today, but I would also be lying if I said we weren't HOPEFUL that the treatments will work and God's hand will help in healing Dad. 

When hope and hopelessness are both an option, we will always choose hope.

Asking for continued prayers throughout Dad's journey, especially in these next four weeks, as we continue our fight to BTHO Brain Cancer. 

Run For The Rose & Dad Update. 4/14/2016

I apologize, it feels like it's been forever since I've written any sort of update on Dad- but life has been a bit crazy lately (crazy in a good way!). 

This last Sunday we experienced our 3rd trip to Run For The Rose, and what an experience it was! We brought 98 people on team 'BTHO Brain Cancer- Lar's Fight', and raised $4,425- which means in the last 3 years we've helped raise over $21,000 to be donated to brain cancer research through the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation. Our hearts are so incredibly full. 

We are so thankful that Dad got to experience another amazing trip to 'Run For The Rose' and see all those who are loving and supporting him on this journey! Thank you all who joined us for the run, came out to support us, bought a t-shirt, made a donation, or prayed for us on that day. We are so blessed!

To make this day even more memorable for us all, one of our team members won the 5k and then presented Dad with his award. And don't worry, we found the perfect place for this award to sit, right next to the article in the local paper focusing on Dad's battle. 

I wanted to make sure our team member, who won the race and presented Dad with the award, Kris Bartles, and his family knew how much that award meant to us, so I sent them the picture above and thanked them once again for being there with us on Sunday. And the response I received brought tears to not only my eyes, but Mom and Dad's eyes as well- we are absolutely so blessed with amazing people loving and supporting us on this journey:

"Kris told me driving to NRG Sunday that if he placed, he wanted to give the award to your dad. He is really touched by the fight your dad (and family) has led against brain cancer. He actually had an infection in his foot last Friday and when he came home from the doctor with his toes all bandaged up I asked how he was going to run. He pointed out how Larry doesn't get to take 'bad' days off...he has to fight through them.

I know you all never chose to have this ongoing battle against cancer, but your entire family inspires so many. Even on y'alls tough days, you keep the faith, dig deeper and continue to fight. We can only imagine the challenges and obstacles you face, but we see a family that is in the battle together. Keep your heads up and we will continue to pray for you all especially your dad. One day there will be a cure! And I pray your dad is able to be a part of it!"

Tears are filling my eyes as I read that response once again. 

To see the sea of maroon on Sunday, as we prepared for the Run For The Rose, gave me an extra boost, gave Dad an extra boost, and it gave my entire family an extra boost to continue to fight this disease. Some of our days are so incredibly difficult, but to know we have a support group filled with friends and family that continue to pray for us, love us, and care for us throughout it all makes this journey one that is not filled with sadness, but instead hope and love.

Dad starts another round of chemotherapy next week, followed by another MRI. These weeks of treatment and MRI results are always so incredibly stressful for Dad, and for our entire family. We continue to pray that the treatments are working for Dad and he continues to feel well throughout it all. 

Our journey fighting against brain cancer would not be the same without each of you following us every step of the way. You all help turn bad days into good days, you help make the stress quietly disappear, and you help take moments of hopelessness and turn them into moments of hope. 

Thank you all, and thanks for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!