Beating The Odds. 4/9/2015

We heard the words from our Oncologist, Dr. Fleener: "I've never had a brain cancer patient do so well on Avastin for this long. So, we're a little bit in uncharted territory." Dad had been on Avastin since March 21, 2014.

Later that day I asked Mom if she realized what Dr. Fleener meant by saying that, if she understood what that really meant about Dad. Mom looked at me a little puzzled, and I simply said, "Dr. Fleener is saying she's never had a brain cancer patient this long without the tumor returning. Mom, most patients don't live this long."

But Dad's been beating the odds that have been set against him from day 1 of his diagnosis, which is why it breaks my heart when doctors give patients a time frame for their lives. I know lots of people ask the life expectancy, and I also know that doctor's have that responsibility to share with them the statistics and studies- but I also know that each and every patient is different. And Dad is proving just that. 

MD Anderson posted a 'Q&A: Understanding Glioblastoma' article, in which it states the following, "Unfortunately, the recurrence rate for glioblastoma is near 100%, with an average time to recurrence of 6 to 7 months."

How fortunate that we are at 18 months. 

We've already beat the odds. With standard of care treatment, the average life expectancy is 15 months. Another odd Dad has beat. 

Just this week a dear friend of mine shared that her mom is battling stage IV cancer.  She also shared the time frame they have given her mom. My heart broke. 

I wanted to do so many things to comfort her during this diagnosis. But most importantly, I so badly wanted to be able to take away all of her hurt, pain and fear.

I started the conversation by making sure she understood the pain, fear, and anger she was feeling was so very normal. How can someone not experience all those emotions when you hear that your loved one's life could potentially be cut short due to something so completely out of your control? 

And the next part of our conversation was about those devastating statistics her mom was given, those statistics that left her feeling lost, alone and confused. 

I shared with her Dad's story. I shared with her our statistics we were given 18 months ago. And I shared with her one of my favorite quotes: "When odds are one in a million, be that one."

As families involved in the fight against cancer, we sit and study every statistics, fear every MRI/scan, and we fear cancer growth. So much fear, from such a small 6 letter word. It's that fear that I wish I could take away from so many other families faced with this journey. But it's all part of this journey- this beautiful journey, that at times feels as though it is so far away from beautiful, but it is. You just have to look real hard sometimes to see the glimpse of the sun through the rain. 

I'm constantly reminding myself that 'Suffering is not the place where we prove our faithfulness to God, instead it's the arena in which we learn that God is faithful.'

I'm not exactly sure why God felt as though my family was able to handle the fear, sadness, and struggle that is cancer, but I've learned to trust this path he so perfectly created for us, because I do believe there is a much bigger plan he has for us- Like I've said before, cancer is not the whole story, it's just a chapter. 

Continue the thoughts and prayers, and we continue fighting to BTHO Brain Cancer!