Post MRI/Post Dr Appointment Dad Update. 9/13/2016

I realize now that I never gave an update post-doctor appointment after Dad's MRI and, still what we think, was a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack). 
*A TIA happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or reduced. After a short time, blood flows again and the symptoms go away. A TIA is often labeled "mini-stroke", it is more accurately characterized as a "warning stroke". The only difference between a TIA and a stroke, is that with a TIA the blockage is temporary. TIA can last for up to 24 hours. 

We made a decision, as a family and with the help of our amazing doctor, to stop all treatments for Dad. No more chemotherapy. No more Avastin. No more bi-weekly trips to the Cancer Clinic. 

To say Dad is happy with this decision would be an understatement, as he dreaded taking those chemotherapy pills, and bi-weekly trips to College Station were never his favorite. 

(Can I mentioned that I'm thrilled as well- as this will mean less fights with his insurance company to pay for the VERY expensive Avastin treatment!)

As we had our appointment with Dr. Fleener, she was thrilled to share that the MRI looked great, that there in fact were no changes, no tumor growth, and no indication of a stroke- and she also shared how relieved she was that it was a good MRI since we just stopped the chemotherapy. 

Mom, myself and my sisters had already had this discussion about the chemotherapy and our fear that the tumor had returned, we had this discussion prior to knowing the results of the MRI. We talked, and we were honest with one another, and it was simple what we shared: How horrible we would have felt if Dad would have had another terrible round on the chemotherapy, only for the tumor to return. 

It was in that moment that we were all on the same page, that I truly felt at peace with our decision to stop all treatment. So when others ask me how I feel about Dad being off the Avastin now as well, I share with them how thankful I am that this is even an option for Dad and how thankful I am that I am giving it all to Him to walk us through. 

We will have another MRI in 6-8 weeks, and until then we aren't sure what our journey will involve. We are all hoping to get back to a new sense of normal, as emotionally and physically, we are all still so exhausted from the other week. 

My devotional has been with me throughout this three year cancer journey, and as the outside looks worn and the pages bent, it's been pretty spot on during some of our "bumps in our journey":

September 1 (Dad's MRI/Results)
"When you encounter rough patches along your life- journey, trust that My Light is still shining upon you. My reasons for allowing these adversities may be shrouded in mystery, but My continual Presence with you is an absolute promise. Seek Me in good times; seek Me in hard times. You will find Me watching over you all the time."

And watching over us He did. 

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

What A Week It's Been. Dad Update 9/2/2016

Let me first start by sharing that Dad's MRI did not show any tumor growth or any changes from our last MRI. The cancer is NOT back!

To say we are all a bit shocked, would be an understatement- as I was preparing for appointments with another doctor and had started researching clinical trials offered by this particular doctor in Austin. 

Many have asked us how we knew something wasn't right with Dad, so I thought I would share how in just four short days we thought our world was falling apart- how four "short" days have felt so much longer and left each of us physically and emotionally exhausted. 

On Monday, Dad fell. This fall wasn't exactly abnormal by any means, as with the two brain surgeries and radiation treatment, he has some right side weakness- but he was able to get himself back up and was able to tell Mom about it later. Monday wasn't a great day, but it wasn't terrible. But then there was Tuesday...

Tuesday Mom tried to get Dad up, but he was just so incredibly tired and so incredibly weak. With Dad off of the chemotherapy, this was unusual and Mom gave me a call. I came home and stayed with Dad all afternoon while Mom finished up some meetings at work, just to make sure he didn't fall again or have any other issues. He honestly seemed okay Tuesday afternoon. But Tuesday night was a different story. 

My sister made dinner and went over to Mom & Dad's house, where Dad had some extreme right side weakness, and was constantly dropping his fork at dinner. We all started getting a bit more concerned, as it seemed as though everything was getting worse.

And then Wednesday morning I received a call from my other sister that something was clearly wrong with Dad- between the right side weakness getting worse, his speech basically unable to be understood and him being even more confused- I made a call to the Cancer Clinic to figure out what we should do. 

My mind flashed back to almost three years ago when I made a similar call, except that time barely able to be understood as I sobbed on the phone. This time, I was way too calm for my own liking- but I like to think my faith has grown TREMENDOUSLY these last three years- and before making that call, I gave it all up to God. I talked to the nurses and Dr. Fleener and we decided to move up the MRI- we all had the same concern, that the tumor was back. 

Wednesday was difficult, as Dad was so incredibly weak, his speech was nothing that I could understand, and he was doing things that were not logical at all. I found myself having to stop Dad from doing things that he would never do, and try to explain to someone, who couldn't reason at all, why he shouldn't be doing something. There were so many times I wanted to just break down and cry, as I felt like I was seeing my Dad slowly slip away. 

I left Wednesday evening and my mind was racing in a million different directions. I knew something wasn't right, and I refused to not be prepared for the tumor to have returned. Thursday was spent getting things in order at Mom & Dad's, as I wasn't sure what appointments and treatment would be in our future, but I wanted everything to be ready for us to be busy focusing on Dad. 

By Wednesday night, Dad was acting normal again- no right side weakness, speech completely back to normal, and his confusion almost gone. I didn't know what to think, as when he was initially diagnosed he had a seizure on a Saturday, but we didn't find out until later the next week it was from a tumor, and he didn't have another seizure between the initial seizure and the surgery- so was this a similar situation? Would Dad be bad one minute and completely normal the next because of a new tumor? 

Thursday seemed a bit like a blur, as we waited patiently (ok, I wasn't exactly patient) for the results to come in from the MRI. With the yard work all complete, house cleaned, laundry done, and grocery store trip made- we sat and waited as Dad went to his MRI appointment. Time seems to go by so incredibly slow when you're waiting for results. But the results came back and all was clear- no cancer, no changes. 

I can't explain why there is no tumor growth, but turning to my devotional almost seemed TOO perfect for today:
"...When you depend on Me continually, your whole perspective changes. You see miracles happening all around, while others see only natural occurrences and 'coincidences'..."

We aren't sure what exactly was going on with Dad these last few days, although we are concerned it could have been a few mini-strokes he experienced- and sadly when you're up against something like Glioblastoma, a mini-stroke(s) is a relief. Dad's IV treatment can cause strokes, so we will discuss today IF this treatment will stop due to everything Dad has been experiencing. 

I can't thank each of you enough for the countless thoughts and prayers being sent our way, we witnessed the power of prayer this week and we are so thankful for another miracle in Dad's cancer fight.