It's been 4 months since our last MRI. 4 months?!?
We were spending hours at the Cancer Clinic every two weeks for Avastin treatment and appointments with Dr. Fleener- I have joked before that the Cancer Clinic became our second home- And now, it's been weird not being there for 4 months.
Dad's MRI was GREAT! He is still considered to be in remission, as there is no sign of tumor or any indication that the cancer is back. Y'all, God is very good.
My devotional today was just perfect, as when I'm asked what is our "secret" to Dad's success- my response is always our faith and the amazing power of prayer.
(Oh, and the countless people supporting us on this journey- friends and family, y'all have been AMAZING!)
"I broaden the path beneath you so that your ankles do not turn. This shows how intricately I am involved in your life-journey. I know exactly what is before you, and I can alter the path ahead of you to make your way easier. Sometimes I enable you to see what I have done on your behalf...My work to widen the way before you demonstrates how lovingly I am involved in your life...From your perspective, My workings are often mysterious. I do not protect you- or anyone- from all adversities...you will never have to suffer alone. I have promised: I am with you always!"
And with us always He has been.
Dad will have another MRI in 4 months, which should fall after Thanksgiving. So between now and then we have lots to celebrate- Dad's birthday is coming up in August and his 4 year cancer-versary in October.
Y'all, we are coming up on 4 years! How crazy!
I truly never thought we would have this much time with Dad, as we were given those same scary statistics that all glioblastoma patients get- but it is clear that God is using Dad for a much greater purpose than we could all ever imagine here on Earth.
I can't even begin to count the number of MRI's Dad has had over these last (almost!) 4 years, but what doesn't change for each MRI is the gut-wrenching feeling I get while waiting for those results. Scan-anxiety is such a real thing, as you wait for those words from the doctor- words that could make life change in an instant.
We realize we are some of the "lucky ones" when it comes to this beast of glioblastoma, and that's something we do not take lightly. We continue to support brain cancer research, bring awareness to a disease that has so little funding and research, and provide HOPE to others with this diagnosis.
We can't thank you all enough for continuing to love, support, and pray for us throughout this journey. We wouldn't have survived it all without friends and family throughout each step of the way.
We've had good MRI's, and we've had bad MRI's, but one thing that remains constant is Dad's unbelievable strength, determination, and faith in this journey- cancer truly met his match when it tried to get to Dad.
Thank you all again, and thanks for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
A New Diagnosis. My Advice.
Recently, it seems as though I've received the same message from friends:
"Someone I know just got diagnosed with brain cancer, the same type as your dad. Could I give them your contact information if they want to talk?"
And as you all can imagine, my heart breaks to see this message and it's always no questions asked if they can have my contact information- I give my email, my cell phone, my address- heck come visit me at my house! Because during those first few weeks of Dad's diagnosis, we would have given anything to have someone to talk to, to help figure out what we should do next.
But because I know others are not nearly as open as we have been, some have such a hard time talking about a new diagnosis- chemotherapy, radiation, MRI's, (and let's not forget) the horrible results when you google "glioblastoma" or even "brain cancer"- I thought I would share some advice I would give to anyone newly diagnosed.
My first piece of advice- do NOT google "Glioblastoma". The internet is filled with a lot of information- and I've used the internet as a great resource for treatments for Dad, but it took me a very long time after his diagnosis to actually google "glioblastoma", and I'm so glad I didn't right away. In a time where you may feel so incredibly discouraged by a cancer diagnosis, I encourage you to instead look to those who have BEAT this disease as a source of HOPE. You'll find that many who are long term survivors are so busy LIVING that they don't have time to post anything negative on the internet.
My next piece of advice, lean on your faith or find your faith. This advice is so much easier to write than it is to live sometimes, as my faith was truly tested when Dad was diagnosed. I struggled with the "why us?", and "how could You do something so bad to MY Dad?"- but, if you've read my blog before, you know that these questions filled with hate, turned into prayers filled with thankfulness and love. I can't imagine this journey without my faith- knowing that walking hand in hand with me is this amazing God that is SO much bigger than this cancer.
Another piece of advice, find a doctor you trust 100%. From the moment Dr. Fleener walked into Dad's ICU room, we knew she was OUR doctor. I know enough about upcoming treatments to understand some of the options Dr. Fleener discusses with us during appointments, but we lean on her to guide us through Dad's cancer journey. Again, the internet is a great resource, but having a great doctor is an even better resource. Find someone you're comfortable with, because you'll be sharing all sorts of things with them that you didn't even know could be a side effect of treatment and radiation.
And my final BIG piece of advice- take it all ONE day at a time (heck, there were some days that we took it just 5 minutes at a time). Because there will be really good days in your cancer journey, and there will be some truly bad days- but the good will out weigh the bad, this I can promise you. Find a support system to help you take it all one day at a time, and continue to LIVE. My mom always says, "We will not wait to die, we will continue to live." and she takes that to heart each and every day.
As one of my favorite devotional reads:
"Follow me one step at a time. That is all I require of you. You see huge mountains looming, and you start wondering how you're going to scale those heights...But you don't know what will happen today, much less tomorrow...If I do lead you up cliffs, I will equip you thoroughly for the strenuous climb. Walk by faith, not by sight."
For those who have been recently diagnosed, know that on this journey you are not alone, as you've got lots of other brain cancer families that have walked this path before you and are here for you to lean on, cry with, and be a support system of those that just get it.
The chemotherapy sucks. The radiation sucks. The Avastin sucks. And the medical bills all suck. But I promise there is so much GOOD in this journey, GOOD that far outweighs the bad- and sometimes you don't have to look that hard to see it all.
You'll find family and friends that go above and beyond, you'll even find strangers doing the same- reminding you that throughout some of our most difficult times, we do have something to be thankful for.
Continue fighting through this journey, remember that one bad MRI is not defining of your cancer journey, and never give up the HOPE for a cure.
"Someone I know just got diagnosed with brain cancer, the same type as your dad. Could I give them your contact information if they want to talk?"
And as you all can imagine, my heart breaks to see this message and it's always no questions asked if they can have my contact information- I give my email, my cell phone, my address- heck come visit me at my house! Because during those first few weeks of Dad's diagnosis, we would have given anything to have someone to talk to, to help figure out what we should do next.
But because I know others are not nearly as open as we have been, some have such a hard time talking about a new diagnosis- chemotherapy, radiation, MRI's, (and let's not forget) the horrible results when you google "glioblastoma" or even "brain cancer"- I thought I would share some advice I would give to anyone newly diagnosed.
My first piece of advice- do NOT google "Glioblastoma". The internet is filled with a lot of information- and I've used the internet as a great resource for treatments for Dad, but it took me a very long time after his diagnosis to actually google "glioblastoma", and I'm so glad I didn't right away. In a time where you may feel so incredibly discouraged by a cancer diagnosis, I encourage you to instead look to those who have BEAT this disease as a source of HOPE. You'll find that many who are long term survivors are so busy LIVING that they don't have time to post anything negative on the internet.
My next piece of advice, lean on your faith or find your faith. This advice is so much easier to write than it is to live sometimes, as my faith was truly tested when Dad was diagnosed. I struggled with the "why us?", and "how could You do something so bad to MY Dad?"- but, if you've read my blog before, you know that these questions filled with hate, turned into prayers filled with thankfulness and love. I can't imagine this journey without my faith- knowing that walking hand in hand with me is this amazing God that is SO much bigger than this cancer.
Another piece of advice, find a doctor you trust 100%. From the moment Dr. Fleener walked into Dad's ICU room, we knew she was OUR doctor. I know enough about upcoming treatments to understand some of the options Dr. Fleener discusses with us during appointments, but we lean on her to guide us through Dad's cancer journey. Again, the internet is a great resource, but having a great doctor is an even better resource. Find someone you're comfortable with, because you'll be sharing all sorts of things with them that you didn't even know could be a side effect of treatment and radiation.
And my final BIG piece of advice- take it all ONE day at a time (heck, there were some days that we took it just 5 minutes at a time). Because there will be really good days in your cancer journey, and there will be some truly bad days- but the good will out weigh the bad, this I can promise you. Find a support system to help you take it all one day at a time, and continue to LIVE. My mom always says, "We will not wait to die, we will continue to live." and she takes that to heart each and every day.
As one of my favorite devotional reads:
"Follow me one step at a time. That is all I require of you. You see huge mountains looming, and you start wondering how you're going to scale those heights...But you don't know what will happen today, much less tomorrow...If I do lead you up cliffs, I will equip you thoroughly for the strenuous climb. Walk by faith, not by sight."
For those who have been recently diagnosed, know that on this journey you are not alone, as you've got lots of other brain cancer families that have walked this path before you and are here for you to lean on, cry with, and be a support system of those that just get it.
The chemotherapy sucks. The radiation sucks. The Avastin sucks. And the medical bills all suck. But I promise there is so much GOOD in this journey, GOOD that far outweighs the bad- and sometimes you don't have to look that hard to see it all.
You'll find family and friends that go above and beyond, you'll even find strangers doing the same- reminding you that throughout some of our most difficult times, we do have something to be thankful for.
Continue fighting through this journey, remember that one bad MRI is not defining of your cancer journey, and never give up the HOPE for a cure.
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
4th of July. Dad Update 7/11/2017
Ok, as usual, I'm a little behind in my blog updates- but as I've said before, no news is usually really good news.
The Glenz family celebrated the 4th of July with lots of parties, a snake in the car, and a minor grass fire. I mean, we clearly like to keep it interesting.
(Don't worry, we found the snake and put out the small grass fire all before the day was done.)
Dad was a BIG help around the house, helping get the yard ready for our little party and the inside of the house. He really doesn't realize how awesome it is seeing him out mowing grass. It's amazing how far he's come in his brain cancer journey.
Here are just a few pictures from the celebrations:
We take each of these little celebrations as such a BIG blessing throughout Dad's cancer journey. With another MRI quickly approaching, we continue to be thankful for each day and pray Dad's MRI remains the same.
Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers, and thank you all for helping us BTHO Brain cancer!
The Glenz family celebrated the 4th of July with lots of parties, a snake in the car, and a minor grass fire. I mean, we clearly like to keep it interesting.
(Don't worry, we found the snake and put out the small grass fire all before the day was done.)
Dad was a BIG help around the house, helping get the yard ready for our little party and the inside of the house. He really doesn't realize how awesome it is seeing him out mowing grass. It's amazing how far he's come in his brain cancer journey.
Here are just a few pictures from the celebrations:
Luke & Chad enjoying the fireworks at Independence
Baby Reid having a blast at his first 4th of July
Mom & Dad enjoying the beautiful weather, and Mom enjoying a few glasses of wine
And Miss Hallie Rae celebrating her 1st Birthday on July 4th
We take each of these little celebrations as such a BIG blessing throughout Dad's cancer journey. With another MRI quickly approaching, we continue to be thankful for each day and pray Dad's MRI remains the same.
Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers, and thank you all for helping us BTHO Brain cancer!
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