Yesterday my devotional read:
"When tests and challenges come at you from all sides, consider it a joyful opportunity....Instead of being overwhelmed by all the difficulties, grasp My hand with confident trust...One of the hardest part of dealing with multiple trials is waiting for their resolution. Since patience is part of the Spirit's fruit, He can help you endure the waiting. Don't try to get out of hard times prematurely. Instead, persevere patiently, knowing that perseverance must finish its work- making you mature and complete."
Yesterday was a long, and exhausting, day filled with appointments with our oncologist and neurosurgeon. And at the end of the day, we don't know a whole lot.
The good news- the area of concern from the last MRI did not change- which would typically indicate that this is not a glioblastoma or melanoma, as both these cancers tend to grow quickly. But it still doesn't tell us what it really is that's going on in Dad's brain. Dad's neurosurgeon was happy to see there was no change, but has not ruled out that this could be a slow growing tumor, or radiation damage, or just the way Dad's brain looks now post everything that's happened to him. He said, "If it were my Dad, I would wait it out- do another MRI and see if it tells us more."
So that's what we are going to do. Wait.
And that's where that devotional from yesterday comes in..."...He can help endure the waiting. Don't try to get out of hard times prematurely."
We will schedule another MRI in about 6 weeks and re-evaluate our next steps.
I am so thankful that Dad continues to feel well, and has not been experiencing any symptoms of re-growth, but I am also very realistic in our journey- we were always told it was a matter of WHEN the tumor returns, never IF. It will be difficult these next six weeks trying to patiently wait, with the back of my mind analyzing every headache, every speech difficulty....it will be difficult just not knowing what exactly is going on.
We feel as confident as we can feel with our plan, as we trust our amazing team of medical doctors 100%. Dad is living proof that there is clearly a hand in all this that is much greater than any doctor or treatment, and I'm working so hard on trusting this plan with Him.
I can't thank each of you enough for the countless prayers throughout the last (almost!) five years. We've been on an incredible journey, and we pray that the journey continues on- that this is just a small bump and whatever this is that is showing up on the MRI is truly nothing!
And I also can't thank our medical team enough for their countless support- Dr. Fleener and the entire staff at the Cancer Clinic have become family to us all. We trust Dr. Fleener with every aspect of Dad's treatment, and I can't imagine having any other doctor with us on this journey. And Dr. White without a doubt saved my Dad's life almost five years ago during surgery- and the second surgery. We are so thankful for this incredible team to help us manage all that life's thrown our way.
Thank you all for the prayers- keep them coming!- and thank you for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!
Friday, August 24, 2018
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
A Slight Update On Dad 8/14/2018
Okay, I have slight update on Dad. As always, I like to keep you all in the loop as we continue on this crazy ride...
Literally the same week we found out about Dad's brain tumor in 2013, we were told he also had melanoma on his face- literally near his tumor location. We dealt with the brain tumor first, and then we tackled the melanoma. A quick trip to the plastic surgeon, and we received "all clear". Dad's been visiting the dermatologist every 6 months for full body checks- which if you know me, you know why I STRESS these types of visits to everyone! Family history of melanoma means you're twice as likely to be diagnosed!
Fast forward to our last MRI and this "brain lesion", where we thought it could be Glioblastoma or a stroke....all of us completely forgetting about this melanoma diagnosis almost five years ago. I literally woke up one morning and thought- could this be melanoma on the brain? But before making any calls to our oncologist, I checked with the nurses in my family first, as I told them, "Not sure if this is a dumb question..."
Turns out, it wasn't.
Melanoma can appear like a "brain lesion" when moving to the brain. Hearing that from our oncologist made my heart sink. We scheduled a PET scan to rule out melanoma- and honestly I'm not sure what is worse, melanoma that has spread to the brain, or another glioblastoma.
We received preliminary PET scan reports last Friday, which did not indicate anything negative on the report, with our oncologist confirming Monday that there is no evidence of cancer anywhere on PET scan- only decreased metabolism on the left side of brain (but that is typically from radiation and surgery).
We were so relieved.
So now, we wait a little bit more- with an MRI next week, followed by appointments with both our oncologist and neurosurgeon. With each day that passes of Dad not showing any physical signs of tumor growth (slurred speech, headaches, right side weakness, etc) is a positive sign that the lesion is from an old stroke. Right now, we can't tell of anything Dad is doing physically that would indicate growth.
On August 18th we will celebrate Dad's birthday. We are so thankful for each and every day with Dad. He's strong, faithful, and above all, an amazing dad. He loves his family filled with girls (okay, and now some son in laws!), and thinks the world of his grand babies (and they do the same!). He's shown us all what it means to truly slow down and appreciate the little things in life.
We look forward to celebrating this birthday, and many more in Dad's future.
Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers, and thank you all for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!
Literally the same week we found out about Dad's brain tumor in 2013, we were told he also had melanoma on his face- literally near his tumor location. We dealt with the brain tumor first, and then we tackled the melanoma. A quick trip to the plastic surgeon, and we received "all clear". Dad's been visiting the dermatologist every 6 months for full body checks- which if you know me, you know why I STRESS these types of visits to everyone! Family history of melanoma means you're twice as likely to be diagnosed!
Fast forward to our last MRI and this "brain lesion", where we thought it could be Glioblastoma or a stroke....all of us completely forgetting about this melanoma diagnosis almost five years ago. I literally woke up one morning and thought- could this be melanoma on the brain? But before making any calls to our oncologist, I checked with the nurses in my family first, as I told them, "Not sure if this is a dumb question..."
Turns out, it wasn't.
Melanoma can appear like a "brain lesion" when moving to the brain. Hearing that from our oncologist made my heart sink. We scheduled a PET scan to rule out melanoma- and honestly I'm not sure what is worse, melanoma that has spread to the brain, or another glioblastoma.
We received preliminary PET scan reports last Friday, which did not indicate anything negative on the report, with our oncologist confirming Monday that there is no evidence of cancer anywhere on PET scan- only decreased metabolism on the left side of brain (but that is typically from radiation and surgery).
We were so relieved.
So now, we wait a little bit more- with an MRI next week, followed by appointments with both our oncologist and neurosurgeon. With each day that passes of Dad not showing any physical signs of tumor growth (slurred speech, headaches, right side weakness, etc) is a positive sign that the lesion is from an old stroke. Right now, we can't tell of anything Dad is doing physically that would indicate growth.
On August 18th we will celebrate Dad's birthday. We are so thankful for each and every day with Dad. He's strong, faithful, and above all, an amazing dad. He loves his family filled with girls (okay, and now some son in laws!), and thinks the world of his grand babies (and they do the same!). He's shown us all what it means to truly slow down and appreciate the little things in life.
We look forward to celebrating this birthday, and many more in Dad's future.
Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers, and thank you all for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
Is Vacation Bible School for the kids or the leaders? Dad Update 8/1/2018
There's not much of an update on Dad, except that he continues to feel well, and has no physical signs of any tumor growth. Each day that passes with no physical symptoms is a very encouraging sign that this little "blimp" on the MRI is in fact an old stroke.
This week our family (minus Dad!) has been thrown into Vacation Bible School at our church. I attended each and every year as a child, and I've been bringing my nephew for the last two years. This year both sisters, their three kids, Mom and I are all volunteering- and let me tell you, exhausted we are after each night! But it's been pretty amazing to watch God in each of these kids- makes the busy evenings seem completely worth it!
Part of my rotation involves me asking kids various questions and sharing different stories on specific topics- we talk about everything from being lonely and struggling, to worrying.
Monday's lesson was all about worrying. Talk about a total God moment for me! We kept having the kids say, "When you worry...Jesus Rescues!" I shared this message four different times, and each time thinking to myself how this was absolutely God's way of sending a message to ME. How He put me in that exact rotation so I could read these words over and over again:
"No matter what you're facing- or what you're worried about- remember, when you worry...Jesus rescues! Jesus knows everything that's going on in your life. Nothing is a surprise to him. So you really don't have to worry about anything. But if you do, he understands and helps you."
Such simple words. Simple words meant for a child to understand, but these simple words were exactly what my heart needed to hear.
I have been so weighed down by all the "what ifs" that we have ahead, and questioning our journey and how far we've come- but thankfully those simple words brought me back right where I needed to be. My heart, and my head, focused back on this journey with Him.
Because when I worried, He did truly rescue. He brought my thoughts filled with doubt and concern, fear and worry, back to a place where they needed to be- back to thoughts filled with faith and hope, joy and trust.
Still a couple more days of Vacation Bible School left for us, and I'm anxious to see how God plans to work even more in my heart- and in the hearts of each of the little ones in attendance. I find these moments where the exact words you need to hear come to you in the most simple form- you can't help but realize that God has his hand in it all.
Thank you all for the love and prayers you've sent our way since we received the not so wonderful news. I pray that I can come back here and share with you all wonderful news for Dad's next MRI.
This week our family (minus Dad!) has been thrown into Vacation Bible School at our church. I attended each and every year as a child, and I've been bringing my nephew for the last two years. This year both sisters, their three kids, Mom and I are all volunteering- and let me tell you, exhausted we are after each night! But it's been pretty amazing to watch God in each of these kids- makes the busy evenings seem completely worth it!
Part of my rotation involves me asking kids various questions and sharing different stories on specific topics- we talk about everything from being lonely and struggling, to worrying.
Monday's lesson was all about worrying. Talk about a total God moment for me! We kept having the kids say, "When you worry...Jesus Rescues!" I shared this message four different times, and each time thinking to myself how this was absolutely God's way of sending a message to ME. How He put me in that exact rotation so I could read these words over and over again:
"No matter what you're facing- or what you're worried about- remember, when you worry...Jesus rescues! Jesus knows everything that's going on in your life. Nothing is a surprise to him. So you really don't have to worry about anything. But if you do, he understands and helps you."
Such simple words. Simple words meant for a child to understand, but these simple words were exactly what my heart needed to hear.
I have been so weighed down by all the "what ifs" that we have ahead, and questioning our journey and how far we've come- but thankfully those simple words brought me back right where I needed to be. My heart, and my head, focused back on this journey with Him.
Because when I worried, He did truly rescue. He brought my thoughts filled with doubt and concern, fear and worry, back to a place where they needed to be- back to thoughts filled with faith and hope, joy and trust.
Still a couple more days of Vacation Bible School left for us, and I'm anxious to see how God plans to work even more in my heart- and in the hearts of each of the little ones in attendance. I find these moments where the exact words you need to hear come to you in the most simple form- you can't help but realize that God has his hand in it all.
Thank you all for the love and prayers you've sent our way since we received the not so wonderful news. I pray that I can come back here and share with you all wonderful news for Dad's next MRI.
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