National Doctors' Day.

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!