Last night my sister and I, along with another couple, attended an event hosted by the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation. To say I left feeling overwhelmed with love and support would be a complete understatement, as I left with a new feeling of hope.
The event was held at a beautiful home, filled with great food and drinks, and even more interesting and exciting information on brain cancer treatment. We listened as the top doctors talked about the treatment options and clinical trials that are on the path to a cure because of the funding by Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation. To hear so many treatment options are being tested and are on the fast path by the FDA BECAUSE of the donations made by the foundation was so incredibly heartwarming. Last year our team raised over $10,000 to be donated to the foundation, and last night I listened and realized that each and every dollar was going towards a CURE.
I think the event was also great for the couple that attended with us, as the wife (Amanda) was diagnosed with brain cancer in December, the same exact type of cancer as Dad. I remember when Dad went through his initial treatment- 6 weeks of radiation and 6 weeks of chemotherapy- and I remember how incredibly difficult that last week of treatment was for him. He was tired, he was sick, and oh how he dreaded having to take any more medication. But he survived that last week, maybe not with a smile on his face all of the time, but with a head filled with determination and fight- and that's exactly what I see in Amanda. I see the same physical and mental exhaustion in her eyes, but I also see this drive and fight to win- win the battle against brain cancer. I'm asking for a few extra prayers these next 6 treatments, as she completes her initial round of treatment.
I once read, "We decide the first day of our cancer diagnosis whether we are going to be victims or survivors. We decide to muster up all our strength to fight to win. We decide to stay positive and not let cancer define us. We decide how we are going to handle each day. Yes, there are good days and bad days, but your attitudes determine each day. Hold on to your hopes, dreams, faith and determination, and gather your strength from your support systems, because in the fight against cancer, we cannot give up."
Never give up. That's the attitude of so many at the event last night, especially those patients who are currently battling brain cancer. And that's the attitude of the foundation, never give up.
To hear the advances that are being made and to hear that the money raised from the foundation was backing so many of these advances made my heart so incredibly full. I realized that we are making a difference in the brain cancer community, we are moving forward with treatment options for so many just like Dad, and we going to be part of the CURE.
The 'Run For The Rose' is such an incredible event for not only my family, but so many others who are battling or have battled this disease. It gives us hope, it provides us with a support system, and it provides us comfort. We see the hope in so many brain cancer SURVIVORS at the race. We receive the support from so many who have decided to take time out of their day, or money out of their wallets, for a CURE. And we are provided comfort from so many who just understand our story, because our story is so incredibly similar to their story.
Please consider joining our team for the upcoming run, or making a donation, to help give hope, support and comfort to so many battling against brain cancer.
http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Dad is completing another round of chemotherapy, and although I know he dreads this week each month, he continues to provide us with a smile each and every day, and an incredible amount of determination to win.
Continue the prayers, as we continue fighting to BTHO Brain Cancer!
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Run For The Rose Update. 2/18/2015
With our 2nd trip to 'Run For The Rose' coming up soon, we are well on our way to having another memorable year!
We currently have 56 team members and have raised $2,170 to date! To say the Glenz family is feeling the love and support of so many would be a complete understatement. Our hearts are so full!
Our goal this year is to have one of the largest teams on the course, and I think we are well on our way to doing just that! And our second goal is to raise $5,000 towards brain cancer research, at we've come so close to reaching our half way mark!
Dad is living proof of the strides and progress that is being made in brain cancer treatment and options. Years ago, a diagnosis like Glioblastoma gave patients two options- surgery and radiation. But fast forward to TODAY, and we currently have chemotherapy available and IV treatment (Avastin), which are both FDA approved. The brain cancer community is still very far away from catching up with other types of cancers in the realm of treatment options- but we are much closer than we were 5 years ago.
Brain Cancer has very limited FDA approved treatments, which means limited options for many patients diagnosed with this disease. With the help of the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation we are changing the treatment options- allowing more clinical trials, which I have complete faith will turn into a cure. The Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation was created because of a NEED for brain cancer treatment options and awareness, and it was created because of the love they have for their daughter, who lost her battle to Glioblastoma, a battle that had very few options at the time of her diagnosis.
I am in constant contact with the foundation because I want them to know their efforts, their funding and awareness, is bringing QUALITY of life to brain cancer patients just like Dad.
I am so incredibly passionate about this cause, as I've witness the battle Dad has faced these last 16 months, and I feel as though it's part of my purpose here to help find a CURE for brain cancer.
Please consider joining us for our upcoming trip to 'Run For The Rose' on April 12, 2015. You can come join us by cheering us on, walking or running, or sending prayers for a successful day for our team, along with the foundation. Visit our team site for more information on donating to such an amazing cause and joining our team. With your help, we can and we will BTHO Brain Cancer!
http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Dad Update:
Another round of chemo pills come in today, which means next week will be a bit of a rough week for Dad both physically and mentally. We continue to pray the chemo is working to suppress any and all tumor growth! Another round of Avastin will take place next week as well, although the side effects of that treatment seem to be very manageable to Dad, and for that we are so incredibly thankful. Next week, Meghan and I will be attending an event held by the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, an event to thank supporters and to hear remarks about advances in brain cancer research. Should be a wonderful event surrounded by so many supporters of the foundation and brain cancer awareness.
We ask for continued prayers during our next round of treatment, as we continue fighting to BTHO Brain Cancer!
We currently have 56 team members and have raised $2,170 to date! To say the Glenz family is feeling the love and support of so many would be a complete understatement. Our hearts are so full!
Our goal this year is to have one of the largest teams on the course, and I think we are well on our way to doing just that! And our second goal is to raise $5,000 towards brain cancer research, at we've come so close to reaching our half way mark!
Dad is living proof of the strides and progress that is being made in brain cancer treatment and options. Years ago, a diagnosis like Glioblastoma gave patients two options- surgery and radiation. But fast forward to TODAY, and we currently have chemotherapy available and IV treatment (Avastin), which are both FDA approved. The brain cancer community is still very far away from catching up with other types of cancers in the realm of treatment options- but we are much closer than we were 5 years ago.
Brain Cancer has very limited FDA approved treatments, which means limited options for many patients diagnosed with this disease. With the help of the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation we are changing the treatment options- allowing more clinical trials, which I have complete faith will turn into a cure. The Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation was created because of a NEED for brain cancer treatment options and awareness, and it was created because of the love they have for their daughter, who lost her battle to Glioblastoma, a battle that had very few options at the time of her diagnosis.
I am in constant contact with the foundation because I want them to know their efforts, their funding and awareness, is bringing QUALITY of life to brain cancer patients just like Dad.
I am so incredibly passionate about this cause, as I've witness the battle Dad has faced these last 16 months, and I feel as though it's part of my purpose here to help find a CURE for brain cancer.
Please consider joining us for our upcoming trip to 'Run For The Rose' on April 12, 2015. You can come join us by cheering us on, walking or running, or sending prayers for a successful day for our team, along with the foundation. Visit our team site for more information on donating to such an amazing cause and joining our team. With your help, we can and we will BTHO Brain Cancer!
http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Dad Update:
Another round of chemo pills come in today, which means next week will be a bit of a rough week for Dad both physically and mentally. We continue to pray the chemo is working to suppress any and all tumor growth! Another round of Avastin will take place next week as well, although the side effects of that treatment seem to be very manageable to Dad, and for that we are so incredibly thankful. Next week, Meghan and I will be attending an event held by the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, an event to thank supporters and to hear remarks about advances in brain cancer research. Should be a wonderful event surrounded by so many supporters of the foundation and brain cancer awareness.
We ask for continued prayers during our next round of treatment, as we continue fighting to BTHO Brain Cancer!
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
A Good MRI! Dad Update 2/11/2015
Monday I had my own doctor's appointment, with a doctor who knows my entire family and our fight these last 16 months. He, of course, asked about Dad, how Mom was handling everything and we discussed Dad's current treatment. I started rambling on, started talking about how the anticipation of the MRI results was probably the cause of my high blood pressure (or the fact that I consider myself a high stress individual), and I started talking about the statistics- the statistics that show the tumor SHOULD be back.
I'm no doctor. I actually know very little about most medical terms or procedures, although I've become somewhat knowledgeable in brain cancer treatments, as I find myself spending hours reading recent clinical trials and studies showing huge strides in brain cancer treatment. So, there are times when I read the statistics, statistics that say, "The recurrence rate for Glioblastomas is near 100%, with an average time to recurrence of 6 to 7 months." At 16 months post diagnosis, I am well aware recurrence SHOULD have already occurred.
But this doctor that I visited with just listened to my statistics, he listened as I shared the average time to recurrence, he listened as I shared the average lifespan of someone diagnosed with Glioblastoma, and then, he just calmly said- "Yeah, but those are just statistics. Those numbers have nothing to do with the patient. Those numbers really don't mean much."
Maybe he should have taken my blood pressure after he told me that, as I immediately felt calm. I immediately felt like someone, who knows all too well medical statistics, didn't seem to really care too much for what statistics showed. I'm assuming because in his 25+ years of being a doctor, he's seen statistics not mean too much, and for some reason, that is extremely comforting.
Dad's MRI yesterday appeared to look better than it did following his surgery and radiation. BETTER! We were in shock. We never anticipated the MRI's to appear better, as we've always said that if this is as good as it gets, then we can fully accept that. The MRI's also show that the Avastin treatment is in fact working, which is also extremely comforting after reading so many different studies with inconclusive finding if Avastin is able to treat Glioblastomas. We were overcome with relief, and for the first time, Dad seemed to have confidence in his MRI results.
We are so blessed. We've come so far in Dad's fight, and although the MRI did appear to look good, we still continue our treatment plan- chemotherapy and Avastin-and another MRI in about 6-8 weeks.
As blessed as we are, know that we still struggle with this new normal. A new normal for all of us. Dad still struggles with understanding why his speech and memory will never be the way they were before. We talked last night and discussed this struggle, we talked about the damage from the surgery, the radiation, and the bleed he had following the surgery. We talked about understanding our new normal, and sharing with Dad how far we've come on this journey.
I remember the week following Dad's return from the hospital was extremely difficult. There were many days were I would sit down with him and have the exact same conversation, over and over again, "Dad you had a tumor in your brain, it's cancer. They had to remove the tumor." And again I would have to say, "Yes Dad, you have brain cancer."
Each time, it was like I was telling him this information for the first time. Emotionally it was difficult for both him and I, but emotionally I didn't get to show fear or apprehension of the situation- instead I repeated the conversation over to him, as if it was the first time I was telling him, and eventually, his memory became better and he started to remember and understand.
It's amazing to think all of that was 16 months ago, although it truly feels like a lifetime ago. After receiving our wonderful news, I immediately emailed Lanie Rose, the founder of the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, and the mother to the late Dr. Marnie Rose. I wanted to share with her how well Dad was doing, to help validate that her fight to bring funding and awareness to brain cancer was in fact working! She responded in such a warm and comforting way, and again, made me realize how blessed we are to have found such a wonderful foundation:
"I am so excited to hear that wonderful news!!! It just keeps getting better and better. Tell your Dad he brightened my day. I send my love to all of you."
Emails like that. Hugs at other brain cancer runs. Those reasons just add to why I love to support such a wonderful foundation and continue to want others to participate in the 'Run For The Rose'. Since finding the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, we have never been alone in our fight, and they have continued to support so many others faced with the same difficult battle against brain cancer. I would love for each of you to join us on April 12, 2015 in Houston for the upcoming 'Run For The Rose', or consider making a donation to help support brain cancer research and treatment. Dad is living proof of the strides and progress that has been made in the brain cancer community, and I am so proud to help support continued progress. Visit our team page for more information on how to join the run, or to make a donation!
http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Thank you all for your continued love and support, and continue praying, as we continue fighting to BTHO Brain Cancer!
I'm no doctor. I actually know very little about most medical terms or procedures, although I've become somewhat knowledgeable in brain cancer treatments, as I find myself spending hours reading recent clinical trials and studies showing huge strides in brain cancer treatment. So, there are times when I read the statistics, statistics that say, "The recurrence rate for Glioblastomas is near 100%, with an average time to recurrence of 6 to 7 months." At 16 months post diagnosis, I am well aware recurrence SHOULD have already occurred.
But this doctor that I visited with just listened to my statistics, he listened as I shared the average time to recurrence, he listened as I shared the average lifespan of someone diagnosed with Glioblastoma, and then, he just calmly said- "Yeah, but those are just statistics. Those numbers have nothing to do with the patient. Those numbers really don't mean much."
Maybe he should have taken my blood pressure after he told me that, as I immediately felt calm. I immediately felt like someone, who knows all too well medical statistics, didn't seem to really care too much for what statistics showed. I'm assuming because in his 25+ years of being a doctor, he's seen statistics not mean too much, and for some reason, that is extremely comforting.
Dad's MRI yesterday appeared to look better than it did following his surgery and radiation. BETTER! We were in shock. We never anticipated the MRI's to appear better, as we've always said that if this is as good as it gets, then we can fully accept that. The MRI's also show that the Avastin treatment is in fact working, which is also extremely comforting after reading so many different studies with inconclusive finding if Avastin is able to treat Glioblastomas. We were overcome with relief, and for the first time, Dad seemed to have confidence in his MRI results.
We are so blessed. We've come so far in Dad's fight, and although the MRI did appear to look good, we still continue our treatment plan- chemotherapy and Avastin-and another MRI in about 6-8 weeks.
As blessed as we are, know that we still struggle with this new normal. A new normal for all of us. Dad still struggles with understanding why his speech and memory will never be the way they were before. We talked last night and discussed this struggle, we talked about the damage from the surgery, the radiation, and the bleed he had following the surgery. We talked about understanding our new normal, and sharing with Dad how far we've come on this journey.
I remember the week following Dad's return from the hospital was extremely difficult. There were many days were I would sit down with him and have the exact same conversation, over and over again, "Dad you had a tumor in your brain, it's cancer. They had to remove the tumor." And again I would have to say, "Yes Dad, you have brain cancer."
Each time, it was like I was telling him this information for the first time. Emotionally it was difficult for both him and I, but emotionally I didn't get to show fear or apprehension of the situation- instead I repeated the conversation over to him, as if it was the first time I was telling him, and eventually, his memory became better and he started to remember and understand.
It's amazing to think all of that was 16 months ago, although it truly feels like a lifetime ago. After receiving our wonderful news, I immediately emailed Lanie Rose, the founder of the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, and the mother to the late Dr. Marnie Rose. I wanted to share with her how well Dad was doing, to help validate that her fight to bring funding and awareness to brain cancer was in fact working! She responded in such a warm and comforting way, and again, made me realize how blessed we are to have found such a wonderful foundation:
"I am so excited to hear that wonderful news!!! It just keeps getting better and better. Tell your Dad he brightened my day. I send my love to all of you."
Emails like that. Hugs at other brain cancer runs. Those reasons just add to why I love to support such a wonderful foundation and continue to want others to participate in the 'Run For The Rose'. Since finding the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, we have never been alone in our fight, and they have continued to support so many others faced with the same difficult battle against brain cancer. I would love for each of you to join us on April 12, 2015 in Houston for the upcoming 'Run For The Rose', or consider making a donation to help support brain cancer research and treatment. Dad is living proof of the strides and progress that has been made in the brain cancer community, and I am so proud to help support continued progress. Visit our team page for more information on how to join the run, or to make a donation!
http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Thank you all for your continued love and support, and continue praying, as we continue fighting to BTHO Brain Cancer!
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