Today, a little reminder popped up on my Facebook- it's National Doctors' Day, and I couldn't let this day pass without celebrating some of the amazing doctors in our lives.
One of my favorite quotes reads:
"Part of winning the battle against cancer is hope, faith, determination, strength, and keeping positive. The other part of winning the battle is a great medical team on your side. I learned early on that statistics are just numbers, and I'm more than a number. I'm a strong human being with inner strength and an iron-clad determination to fight to win. Statistics don't tell you about the human behind the fighter who possesses the will and strength to fight, win and overcome."
Early on in Dad's cancer journey we knew that we found the perfect doctor for Dad- Dr. Erin Fleener. We were thrown into this world of cancer, and Dad's amazing Neurosurgeon, Dr. Bradley White, recommended Dr. Fleener as our Oncologist. We accepted, and the rest is history.
And three and half years later, she's still our doctor, and one of our favorite people.
It takes a pretty special person to be an Oncologist, and it takes a pretty special person to work in an Oncologist office (I'll get to those amazing people soon!). But Dr. Fleener handles it all, our good days and our exceptionally tough days, with a smile, love and a little bit of hope. It's all things that we so perfectly need throughout this journey.
We trust her. It's an amazing thing when you trust your doctor 100% to care for your loved one and make the best decision for them at that exact moment. And over the last three and a half years, she's done just that. Dad hasn't been the easiest patient, as we've had some scary looking MRI's, moments where I heard "possible stroke" more times that I'd like, and times where we all struggled in deciding when or IF we should stop treatment- but through each moment she is the logical one who is able to share her perspective and give us the best advice possible. And it's clear that her advice has been exactly that, the best advice, as Dad is close to celebrating 3.5 years as a brain cancer survivor.
And what would a great doctor be without great nurses and staff! The nurses and staff at the Cancer Clinic rank up there with some of the kindest people I've ever met- as they work in a place that could be so exceptionally cold and sad, but instead, they make it hopeful and bright. From the receptionists, to the ladies in billing (which will always hold a very special place in my heart), to the nurses in the front and our chemotherapy nurses in the back- each of them have embraced my family as their own. We all receive hugs each time we visit, and I've never once heard of anyone refer to my Dad as a patient number- instead it's Mr. Glenz or Larry. In a place that could feel so incredibly devastating, they've each managed to make it such a positive experience for us.
Trust is such a huge thing in the scary world of cancer. As there are terms that are still thrown around that I do not understand, and MRI reports that still read as though they are typed in a different language. But in this world of unknown, trusting that your doctor has the absolute best intentions of your loved one, trusting that your doctor truly loves your family, that makes the scary world of cancer feel a little less scary.
We are so thankful for each doctor that has been on this journey with us, and especially Dr. Fleener who has walked with us hand in hand throughout some of our most difficult days.
Our next MRI is scheduled in JULY! We pray that Dad continues to feel well and regains his strength just a little more each day. We are so incredibly thankful and blessed to be on this journey with such amazing people. Thank you all, and thanks for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
MRI Results. Dad Update 3/22/2017
When I think back to the fact that I've had this blog for over three years now, and we've been visiting the Cancer Clinic for almost 3.5 years (sometimes two-three times a month!) it's unreal to see how far we've come.
Dr. Fleener talked about the statistics associated with Dad's cancer- sharing some new studies and the question we all have in the back of our head- what are the chances of this tumor coming back?
Well, about 5-10% of patients survive past 3 years- yes, that statistic is FAR too low, so we've already beat the odds right there! And then studies rarely follow patients much longer than that, but it appears they stay fairly stable. So what are the chances Dad's tumor will return? That we don't know- but what we DO know, is that he's an incredible fighter who has beat the odds so far and for that we will celebrate!
Dad's feeling SO much better since stopping his treatments- from mowing the grass, to staying out later, and just enjoying more daily errands with Mutz- his energy seems to be higher and, overall, he looks great. We pray this continues on in the future!
Some blood work is being done to check all his levels- thyroid, blood count, vitamin levels, etc- as Dr. Fleener said, "Now that we don't have to worry about a tumor, we can focus on all the other things that can happen to you when you get old." We all laughed, but oh did that make my heart so happy to hear.
Friday I'll be heading to Houston to pick up packets for our upcoming trip to Run For The Rose- a 5k that supports the Dr Marnie Rose Foundation & brain cancer research. So far we have 76 members on our team and we've raised $4,530! My goal was to bring 75 people to the run and raise $5,000- we are so incredibly close! Thank you to all who have joined our team and/or made a donation- you are helping the next patient's story be that of a cure!
I hope Dad's story- one that has had MANY ups & downs along the way- can show others that with a little bit of hope and a whole lot of prayers, anything is possible. We would love to have each of you join us, or make a donation, to help support a foundation that is walking side by side with us in our brain cancer journey- one in which our main focus is to find a cure for this beast and provide others with HOPE.
If you would like more information on the run or how you can make a donation, please feel free to email me (glenzwhitney@gmail.com).
Visit our team website for more information: http://drmarnierosefoundation.racepartner.com/run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Thank you all for the continued thoughts and prayers, and thank you all for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!
Dad's MRI appointment today went great! There are no signs of tumor or cancer in his MRI- Dad is a 3.5 YEAR Brain Cancer Survivor. Oh it feels pretty darn amazing to read that!
Dr. Fleener talked about the statistics associated with Dad's cancer- sharing some new studies and the question we all have in the back of our head- what are the chances of this tumor coming back?
Well, about 5-10% of patients survive past 3 years- yes, that statistic is FAR too low, so we've already beat the odds right there! And then studies rarely follow patients much longer than that, but it appears they stay fairly stable. So what are the chances Dad's tumor will return? That we don't know- but what we DO know, is that he's an incredible fighter who has beat the odds so far and for that we will celebrate!
Dad's feeling SO much better since stopping his treatments- from mowing the grass, to staying out later, and just enjoying more daily errands with Mutz- his energy seems to be higher and, overall, he looks great. We pray this continues on in the future!
Some blood work is being done to check all his levels- thyroid, blood count, vitamin levels, etc- as Dr. Fleener said, "Now that we don't have to worry about a tumor, we can focus on all the other things that can happen to you when you get old." We all laughed, but oh did that make my heart so happy to hear.
Friday I'll be heading to Houston to pick up packets for our upcoming trip to Run For The Rose- a 5k that supports the Dr Marnie Rose Foundation & brain cancer research. So far we have 76 members on our team and we've raised $4,530! My goal was to bring 75 people to the run and raise $5,000- we are so incredibly close! Thank you to all who have joined our team and/or made a donation- you are helping the next patient's story be that of a cure!
I hope Dad's story- one that has had MANY ups & downs along the way- can show others that with a little bit of hope and a whole lot of prayers, anything is possible. We would love to have each of you join us, or make a donation, to help support a foundation that is walking side by side with us in our brain cancer journey- one in which our main focus is to find a cure for this beast and provide others with HOPE.
If you would like more information on the run or how you can make a donation, please feel free to email me (glenzwhitney@gmail.com).
Visit our team website for more information: http://drmarnierosefoundation.racepartner.com/run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Thank you all for the continued thoughts and prayers, and thank you all for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!
Monday, March 20, 2017
Ok So I've Been Slacking A Bit. Dad Update 3/20/2017
I know, I know...I've been slacking a bit on my blog updates. But like I always say- no news is typically good news!
We've been busy, busy, busy! The Glenz family has been running around like crazy- from preparing for a new little on to join our family (Reid is already so very loved!), to weddings, and everything else in between, it's been a new normal for us- and a new normal we've been loving.
Dad has been feeling better than ever since stopping the chemotherapy and Avastin treatment, and we continue to pray he is able to stay off of these treatments for many more months to come. He's been able to mow grass more, stay up later, and not rely on so many naps during the day- all these little things have become so big to us.
We have another MRI coming up, and although Dad is not showing any symptoms of the tumor returning, we know all too well that this cancer CAN come back- and when it does CAN come back so quietly. We just hope, and pray (praying so hard!) that the MRI shows no signs of tumor and Dad can continue on this new normal- no treatment and less appointments.
We are gearing up for our upcoming trip to Run For The Rose, and as MD Anderson posted some new clinical trials for Glioblastoma patients TODAY, I realized the amazing things the Rose Foundation is doing- these clinical trials are funded by foundations like the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation. And reading the many options available for patients like Dad, gave me a bit more comfort that IF this tumor returns, we have some HOPE that Dad can beat it again.
If you are interested in joining us for this incredible event, please join our team or consider making a donation. The foundation is doing some amazing things in the brain cancer world, and they have directly impacted my family in ways I can't even begin to describe.
Team Page: http://drmarnierosefoundation.racepartner.com/run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Thank you all for following our story, thank you all for being on this journey with us with so many ups and downs, and thank you all for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!
We've been busy, busy, busy! The Glenz family has been running around like crazy- from preparing for a new little on to join our family (Reid is already so very loved!), to weddings, and everything else in between, it's been a new normal for us- and a new normal we've been loving.
Dad has been feeling better than ever since stopping the chemotherapy and Avastin treatment, and we continue to pray he is able to stay off of these treatments for many more months to come. He's been able to mow grass more, stay up later, and not rely on so many naps during the day- all these little things have become so big to us.
We have another MRI coming up, and although Dad is not showing any symptoms of the tumor returning, we know all too well that this cancer CAN come back- and when it does CAN come back so quietly. We just hope, and pray (praying so hard!) that the MRI shows no signs of tumor and Dad can continue on this new normal- no treatment and less appointments.
We are gearing up for our upcoming trip to Run For The Rose, and as MD Anderson posted some new clinical trials for Glioblastoma patients TODAY, I realized the amazing things the Rose Foundation is doing- these clinical trials are funded by foundations like the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation. And reading the many options available for patients like Dad, gave me a bit more comfort that IF this tumor returns, we have some HOPE that Dad can beat it again.
If you are interested in joining us for this incredible event, please join our team or consider making a donation. The foundation is doing some amazing things in the brain cancer world, and they have directly impacted my family in ways I can't even begin to describe.
Team Page: http://drmarnierosefoundation.racepartner.com/run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Thank you all for following our story, thank you all for being on this journey with us with so many ups and downs, and thank you all for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!
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