MGMT Methylation Promotor. Say What? 6/15/2016

Almost any article you read regarding Glioblastoma talks about "MGMT promoter methylation". Which apparently, if you're going to have Glioblastoma, that's the type of promoter you want to have. I guess it's like having the best of the worst? 

Yesterday we met with Dr. Fleener to schedule our next MRI and discuss any issues from the treatment. And then, we had a little discussion on this MGMT promoter methylation thing. Apparently, Dad's tumor was never tested for this initially- and there are a lot of reasons behind that- but now, there have been some new studies specifically about this MGMT promoter methylation. 

"The study demonstrated MGMT promoter methylation is a favorable prognostic factor in patients with glioblastoma."

IF someone has the MGMT promoter, then studies have shown that the tumor responds very well to the chemotherapy and treatment (i.e. the chemotherapy kills the cancer cells)- which is a VERY good thing. An even more recent study has looked at how long someone with the MGMT promoter should stay on chemotherapy after surgery and after the cancer is considered to be in remission.

So now, we wait for about 10 days to find out what type of promoter Dad's tumor may have, as this could impact the future treatments for Dad. 

We are so hopeful that Dad does in fact have the MGMT promoter, and his next MRI will look good- which could mean a little break from the chemotherapy- which is something Dad has so badly been wanting. 

It's honestly pretty crazy to think that we have been going to the cancer clinic for over 32 months now. Although, visiting the Cancer Clinic still manages to leave me filled with anxiety and stress- I think it's just the fact that I'm returning to a place where I never imaged we would be. 

And as the stress and anxiety filled my body yesterday- even though this appointment did not include any MRI results- I found a blog post that I couldn't help but want to share. This post took that stress and anxiety from my body. 

The title of the blog read "When God's Plan Doesn't Seem Wonderful", and I'm pretty sure I laughed out loud after reading that- because throughout these last 32 months, there have been times where this plan has felt anything but wonderful. 

The blog reads: "But what happens when you look around and His plan looks nothing like you ever imaged? What happens when it's darker and scarier and more painful than you ever thought He'd allow? What happens when you cry out for Him to take a burden away and He doesn't. What happens then?"

I think this blogger read my mind, as I went back to those first few weeks after Dad's diagnosis- where I questioned it all, I questioned why God had done something so terrible to my Dad, and I questioned why so much pain was being thrown our way.

But then the blog continues, to read (which is so very close to my own experience in Dad's cancer diagnosis): "Perhaps it's in that darkness that one can easily see the dysfunction of a theology centered around God only offering good things. It's in that darkness that you're reminded of your dependence on Him and your inability to do anything to control the current situation. And perhaps that's exactly where your faith learns the character of the true God."

It was in that darkness that I leaned on my faith to make it through some of our more difficult days- from nights in ICU, to days spent at the Cancer Clinic, and nights sleeping on the couch to be close to Dad- it was clear that I had no ability to control the situation. And as difficult of a lesson that has been learning (and I'm still learning!)- I think it's exactly where my faith has learned the character of the true God. 

Dad started another round of chemotherapy on Monday, along with another round of Avastin- and although these weeks are always difficult for him, I have such faith that his strength is much greater than the side effects of the medicine. We continue to pray that if it is God's will, the treatments will continue to work and Dad will continue to spend quality time with each of us. 

The blog ends with words that I think I need to repeat on a daily basis- as some days are much better than others in the Glenz household-

"And so in remembering that the God of the Bible did not spare even His own Son from suffering and pain, be encouraged to know that all of this pain, your pain, is not in vain. And while our own wonderful plan for our lives might not come to fruition, we can rest assured that no matter the heartache and trials, His wonderful plan for our life is always coming true."

Thank you all for the continued thoughts and prayers, and thank you all for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer. 

Blog Post Referenced Above: http://www.lindsayfranks.com/2016/05/18/wonderfulplan/