Our First Round of Avastin IV Treatment: Dad Update 3/25

During Dad's initial treatment, I was able to take him to radiation treatment every Friday for 6 weeks, and every Friday I would talk to others JUST like Dad- others fighting this battle. I was honored because I was able to witness and interact with the strongest people in the world- those fighting cancer. Some may say that our story has been an inspiration to others, a story of faith and determination, and maybe that's true, but all I know is that when Dad was getting radiation and IV treatment, those fighting cancer, they inspired me more than they will ever know. 

Dad started a new treatment today- Avastin. It's a treatment done via IV, which lasts about 1.5 hours. The side effects are said to be minimal and we are praying that is the case. Dad hasn't been feeling well these last few days- he's tired, having headaches and stomach issues. It breaks my heart. I'm just praying, praying this treatment cures all the growth and Dad will start to feel better again. I sat with Dad during his treatment, I wanted to be there to distract him from it all- make him laugh, tell him about work or (in true Whitney form) just bullshit with him about life- but in true Lar form, he napped. There is no way to describe what it's like to sit next to your Dad as he receives treatment for cancer, no way to describe the fear, anxiety and, at the same time, joy I felt that I was able to share those moments with him. Sitting there with him, surround by fighters...there was no where else I'd rather be.

We will continue this treatment every 2 weeks, and we will be meeting with a Neuro-Oncologist next week in Houston. And then in one month we will repeat the MRI and pray for no more cancer growth. Until then, until that one month passes, I'm taking everything one day at a time and attempting to smile through it all. 

I've been so blessed to have found the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, so blessed to now be part of something much bigger than myself. The Run For The Rose not only raises money for Brain Cancer research, but also brings awareness to Brain Cancer- a cancer that is often under-recognized and under-funded. I'm so proud to know that our team has raised over $6,800. It's become much bigger than I could have ever hoped and dreamed!

I want to thank each of you for being on this journey with us, a journey filled with uncertainty and fear, but also one filled with faith and hope. Many of you have thanked me for writing about Dad's fight, when really I should be thanking you for reading about our journey and encouraging me to write. By sharing our story, I've been able to join with others fighting similar battles, others who know the pain, fear and anxiety I write about daily. Honestly, it sucks (for lack of a better word) to share a battle with cancer with a friend, and as much as I hate that cancer is something we have in common- it's also comforting to have someone that truly understands it all.

"When you get a cancer diagnosis you learn two things, you are stronger than you imagine, and you are more loved than you know." With every minute that passes from the moment we received the news on Friday about Dad's cancer, I'm able to process and grasp our new path in his treatment. It's not going to be easy, and there will be moments when I will feel as though all hope is gone, but I also know that there will come a day when a story that involves cancer will also involve a cure- we just have to make it to that day.

Keep praying and we will keep fighting. 


*There is still time to join our team or make a donation towards Brain Cancer research: http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer