Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation: Our Heroes

I'm so honored to have been asked to share Dad's story in the "Heroes" section of the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation website. I've been so blessed to have found this foundation and even more blessed to have been able to share Dad's story with others fighting this courageous battle! 

Check out his story: http://drmarnierose.org/our-heroes/larry-glenz/

Thanks for the continued love and support over these last few months!!

Dad Update: 3/12/2014

Exactly one week until Dad has another MRI and next Friday we will get the results. One week. The stress and worry I am already feeling is overwhelming, yet we still have one week. One week where my family and I will need prayers (lots of prayers!) prayers for good results, prayers for calming and prayers that Dad feels well.

We have started to notice a pattern with Dad's chemo treatment- it seems like the week of his treatment he is EXTREMELY tired, but does not feel sick at all, but the following week (more like 10 days) are filled with nausea and extreme cold-spells. We are trying to regulate anti-nausea medicine, and trying other types, in hopes we can figure out which ones work best for Dad. It's been a more difficult and challenging week for Dad than we were hoping for, but we have to take the good with the bad and try to smile through it all! We stay positive for Dad. From day #1 we have promised to never cry in front of Dad, and we don't- we stay strong, positive and determined, all for him!

The chemo treatment is all by pill, which has allowed less time on the road for both Mom and Dad, and has allowed us to get back to a somewhat 'normal' life, a 'normal' life without appointments daily, radiation treatment daily, etc, a life that is becoming our new normal. The treatment Dad took while going through radiation was every day (7 days a week), while the chemo he is currently on is only 5 days on- then 23 days off. These 5 days involve a double dose of the chemo he was getting during his initial treatment, which is why the side effects seem to be more intense. This schedule of treatment (5 days on, 23 days off) will continue for about 6 months- thankfully we are 2 months down. Dad is a little discouraged by the length of this treatment, but I remind him how blessed we are that there is chemo for this type of cancer, and how blessed we are that he has not been nearly as sick as many people going through the same type of treatment. Once the 6 months are over, he will continue to take the chemo medication, although it will not be as frequent- which is great news to Dad!

After Dad's next MRI, we will be on more of a schedule for upcoming MRI's- as they will be approximately every 3 months, depending on what the results look like next week. 

This has been such a learning experience for me. A learning experience that I'm not sure I was ready for at age 26, a learning experience that I'm not sure anyone is ever ready for no matter what age. I've learned about billing and insurance, medication and cancer treatment, short term disability and social security disability, and I've learned about patience (or at least I'm really trying!). 

Dad still struggles with some speech and cognitive skills, but all in all, he's come so far! I don't think people really know what to expect when they see or talk with Dad- as he hasn't lost a lot of weight (just some, but I think that's from the lack of beer!), and he still has most of his hair (some has fallen out due to the radiation)- but he's still Lar! He continues on this path of getting stronger and stronger each day, and he's put us on this path which has made each of us stronger each and every day. I'm so proud of him and how far he has come, and I'm so proud of his attitude throughout it all.

Praying for good results next Friday and praying Dad continues to BTHO Cancer!

*There is still time to join our 'BTHO Brain Cancer' team, order a 'Team Lar' t-shirt or make a donation to 'Run For The Rose' supporting Brain Cancer research. Visit our team page http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer or send me an email (glenzwhitney@gmail.com) for more information about any of the items above. Thank you all for your continued love and support!*

Run For The Rose Update (3/10/2014)

The upcoming 'Run For The Rose 5k' supporting brain cancer research is RIGHT around the corner- March 30, to be exact- and I'm THRILLED that we've raised over $3,000 for brain cancer research!

But there is still time to join our team, order a 'Team Lar' t-shirt or make a donation to such an amazing foundation! Please email me (glenzwhitney@gmail.com) with any questions you have regarding the run, how to make a donation or how to order a t-shirt and if I don't know the answer, I will find someone who does!

Thank you all for the LOVE and SUPPORT during this time, and help us in BTHO Cancer! http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer

Thanks and Gig 'Em

Cancer: Just A Chapter In Our Lives, Not The Whole Story (Update 3/7/2014)

I've been extremely open about our struggles these past 5 months- 5 months that have seemed to fly by, and at the same time drag by, all at the same time. This week marks exactly 5 months from Dad's seizure, Dad's diagnosis, and the start of this incredible journey in our lives. 

Cancer changes us. It changes the person fighting the battle and those witnesses to this courageous battle, there is no doubt about that. This battle can bring a lot of change, although it's up to each of us what that change will mean in our lives and who we will become as a result of it. My openness of Dad's diagnosis, our triumphs, our struggles, our good and bad days, and our faith have opened me up to receiving so many wonderful things in my life. I've been reminded how truly good people are, I've been reminded that there are others fighting even harder battles, and I've been reminded (over and over again) that there is a much higher power controlling it all. 

My openness is different than some of my other family members, as I talk about Dad's diagnosis, his struggles, my personal struggles and his FIGHT to anyone who asks. I have always felt that I wanted people to know EXACTLY what was going on, so they knew EXACTLY what to pray for. I also want others to see our faith, Dad's fight, and Dad's determination, which is a huge reason why I write. This blog has helped me tremendously, it's helped me express my thoughts, my fears, and share Dad's story, a story I'm so proud to be included in. 

Cancer is just a chapter in our lives. A chapter that has become a huge changing point in our lives, especially mine. Cancer is not the whole story, although cancer can help to create the story- a story filled with faith, love and appreciation. 

Our story is just beginning and Dad's diagnosis is such a small chapter in our amazing life. A life that has been changed, changed for the better. 

I talk about Dad a lot, I talk about brain cancer and bringing awareness to others, awareness that is so badly needed. Brain cancer is extremely under-researched, under-funded and of little interest to many drug companies- something that I have decided is my new passion to change. My new passion has lead me to an amazing foundation, a foundation built by someone just like Dad, someone who battled GBM. Cancer is not going to go away tomorrow, or even the next day, but I have faith that we will see the day where cancer does not bring fear to those diagnosed, a day where hearing "Cancer" doesn't bring fear- but instead, hope. The only way to see this day is continued research and funding, which is exactly what the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation does each and every day- and I'm so proud to say I've helped contribute to that! I'm so proud of how well our team has done for the 'Run For The Rose', a 5k supporting the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation. We've raised over $3,000 and over 30 people have joined our team. We are truly blessed. This is just another way I'm able to share Dad's story, a story of faith, determination and family. Please feel free to visit our team page and join the run! http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer

Another week out from Dad's chemo treatment and he has been feeling good and having a really good week! I keep telling myself "Fear can keep you up all night, but FAITH makes one great pillow", as we find out Dad's next MRI results in 2 weeks. 2 weeks that will fly by, yet at the same time drag by, all at the same time.

Continue the prayers, continue the thoughts, and continue in helping us BTHO Cancer! 

Details: Run For The Rose & Dad Update 3/4/2014

We've been so overwhelmed, and so blessed with amazing friends and family who are wanting to donate money or join our team for 'Run For The Rose', a race supporting Brain Cancer Research in Houston on March 30. So far we have raised $2,875 and over 30 people have joined our team! I love being able to share our story and raise awareness for Brain Cancer! I have had people stop and ask me about how to register for the run or how to donate, and I wanted to provide something to help anyone through the process- because I know it can be a bit confusing!

I have created a word document which provides step-by-step procedures (and pictures!) of how to register and how to donate. If this is something that you would like to see, PLEASE email me (glenzwhitney@gmail.com) and I can email you the information. We will also be ordering Team Lar t-shirts for the run, if this is something you are interested in PLEASE let me know. I plan to contact each member of our team this week- so if you are already on the team, no worries- you'll be getting an email from me soon! :)

Dad's been having a good week post-chemo treatment, although each day is a new day filled with concern that he may still be sick. The chemo pills tend to stay in Dad's system about 10 days after the last pill, which means we continue to monitor him and how well he is feeling. I'm currently traveling for work, which means 4 days away from home. It absolutely KILLS me to be away from home and not able to check on Dad or do things around the house- which makes me wonder how I ever made it for over 2 years living in Austin. I talked to Dad today and it just puts a huge smile on my face to hear his speech getting better and better each day- he's come so far! 

Tomorrow is my parents wedding anniversary, and to say they have truly lived their vows would be an understatement- "...In Sickness and in health". I've been so blessed to witness their love for one another, love that goes far beyond any words- as their love is shown through their actions, two people who would literally do anything for one another. 

I ask that you continue to pray for Dad, as we have another MRI scheduled at the end of this month. Dad continues to make progress everyday and I'm so incredibly proud that he is MY Dad. I also ask that you not take pity on us, please don't apologize for Dad's diagnosis- pray instead! Pray that he continues to do well with treatment, pray that my Mom continues with her strength each and every day, and pray that we all find the good in each and every moment. I'm not saying that this experience and this diagnosis has been easy (it's been far from that!), but I've been able to step back and see the good through all the bad. Cancer can do a lot of things to a person and to a person's family- both good and bad. I've seen the good. I've seen that the good has far outweighed the bad. Cancer may have taken away some of my Dad's short term memory, or some of his hair, and maybe some of his critical thinking ability- but what it hasn't taken away is my Dad's humor, my Dad's strength, and my Dad's love for his family. What cancer has done is made me realize even more that my Dad is really funny, that my Dad is really strong, and that my Dad loves his family more than life itself!

As any Aggie would say when describing Texas A&M University: "From the outside looking in, you can't understand it, and from the inside looking out, you can't explain it."- And this is EXACTLY how I've described our situation. I can't explain how I find the good in it all, but I can explain how this situation has found the good in me. 

Continue the prayers, continue the support and continue to help us BTHO ALL Cancer!

Attitude: Dad Update 2/27/2014

"The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude."

I absolutely love that I found that quote today- Attitude. Dad's attitude this week has been amazing! He has taken his chemo treatment day by day and is staying so incredibly positive! We increased his anti-nausea medication and it seems to really be helping, although he still claims he is sleeping too much during the day (But I'll take tired over sick ANY day). Just a couple more days left in this chemo treatment and I continue to pray the medicine is working and Dad continues to feel well. 

Our next MRI results will come towards the end of March, which brings up so much anxiety and fear. It all takes me back to hearing the results of the first MRI, and feeling almost blind sided that the seizure was the result of a tumor, a tumor they were fairly certain was cancer. I can't describe my emotions that day, or even attempt to explain how I felt hearing those words "cancer". I was sad, angry, confused...I felt every emotion. Hearing what type of cancer they thought the tumor was, and the life expectancy, brought on even more of those emotions. But as one GBM survivor stated, "God will have the final say in how long each one of us lives, and He does not wear a white coat or a green mask." Touche my friend, Touche. 

There have been a lot of factors to my attitude during this experience, and I am a true believer that we each have a choice with every situation- It can either bring out the best in you or get the best of you. I have decided this situation will bring out the best in me. 

We each have our weak moments- moments of doubt, anxiety and fear- but these moments help to remind me of my support system, a support system filled with amazing friends and family. We've currently raised $2,270 towards Brain Cancer research through 'Run For The Rose' and 23 people have signed up to be part of our team- BTHO Brain Cancer: Lar's Fight. It truly amazes me seeing the different people who are signing up to run and those making a donation. I'm trying my best to thank each and every person who signs up and those who make a donation, as you have no idea how much it means to me! We've received a couple of 'Anonymous' donations, and I hate that I can't personally thank those people- but I hope they know how much it means to me, and my family. Our team continues to grow daily, along with our donations,and I'm so thrilled to be part of such an amazing foundation- Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation! We would love for each of you to join in with us that day, as we help to raise funds to BTHO Brain Cancer! 
http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer

Each day is another day forward in Dad's treatment, and another day forward into our new "normal". We all stand in faith and determined that Dad will be the exception to all the rules for Glioblastoma, because these "rules" don't mean much to me, as I'll never stop believing in hope because miracles happen everyday. 

Another Round Of Chemo- Dad Update 2/23/2014

Tomorrow marks another 5-day round of chemotherapy for Dad. I can tell he is anxious and dreading this day, as the last round of chemotherapy wasn't too kind on his body. But thankfully we are going into this round with his blood counts looking good and his energy level better than it's been since the surgery (he's actually doing yard work as I write this post!). I try to remind him (and myself) that this chemo wasn't around for GBM (glioblastoma multiforme) years ago, years ago this type of tumor was an extremely unknown type, and years ago there wasn't much hope for people diagnosed with this cancer- thankfully we have hope. 

I ask for prayers this week, prayers that Dad's body continues to react well to the chemotherapy and suppress any cancer growth and prayers for continued strength and positive attitude for Dad- especially during these next difficult 5 days. 

I recently read a quote from a mom of a cancer survivor and she said "Some days I had to tell myself, 'Get through the next 5 minute.' And I did. I made it through months of my daughter's cancer treatment, 5 minutes at a time." That's exactly how I feel some days- making it through it all 5 minutes at a time. It brings me back to the first couple of weeks post surgery for Dad- really post 3 surgeries (surgery to remove tumor, surgery due to a brain bleed, and surgery for a blood clot)- where I slept on the couch every night to be closer to Mom and Dad in case I was needed (not exactly sure how I could have helped if Dad would have had another seizure or some other complication, but I felt like I helped by sleeping there). Those nights, those nights I didn't sleep much, but I listened, listened to Dad sleep and would go in their room to make sure both of them were resting. I made it through those weeks- probably the most difficult time of my life- 5 minutes at a time, and sometimes just 1 minute at a time. 

I hate what cancer does to someone's body and I hate the fear and anxiety it brings to the cancer patient and to the family- but what I love is the support, friendship, family and love it brings out of people. I don't wish cancer on anyway, and if I could take it out of my life I would do about anything- but since I'm on this path that God has so perfectly created for me and my family, then I'm going to take the good with the bad and smile throughout it all.

Last week I found a foundation which supports brain cancer research- which is clearly something that is close to my heart- and I am again shown how amazing God's plan is in this world, how he amazingly puts people in your life for a reason. Shortly after I created a team for Dad, I received an email from the Executive Director of the 'Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation' asking for more information about Dad- where he was being treated and if he would like to be included in their 'Hero Tribute Wall' at the race. I looked at the list of teams- there are about 115 teams for the race, and I couldn't believe the executive director read every teams bio. When she asked if I wanted my dad's information included I obviously said yes! I am so proud of Dad, so proud of his story and so proud to be part of his experience and his journey. She also mentioned this information would be included on their website for others to visit- which I absolutely love, as when Dad was diagnosed I was looking for a place to find similar stories, similar people fighting this battle. I included Dad's story and a link to my blog. She responded in asking if we were Aggies (I guess the "BTHO" title of my blog gave it away), as she was from a family of Aggies. She also related to my blog, as Marnie Rose was a dear friend of hers, and googling GBM was terrifying then as well. It's good to know this fear of mine wasn't just mine, but something others experience too! I thanked her for reading my blog, as I'm still in shock when I see the number of people who view my blog, and thanked her for including Dad in the Hero Tribute Wall- as Dad is my personal hero. It brought a face to the foundation, a foundation I see myself being part of for a long time- as I would love to see the donations and awareness help to bring a cure to this disease.

This next week will be difficult- filled with ups and downs, good and bad moments- but I have faith that 5 minutes at a time we will make it through this week, and the next week and the next. I started Dad's team for the 'Run For The Rose' less than a week ago. I've had countless friends verbally commit to running on our team and 11 who have already signed up, with $775 currently raised. I'm blown away and feel so grateful for these friends and family members who are helping to support brain cancer research and Dad.

So with 5 minutes at a time we will make it through this next week and with 5 minutes at a time we will find strength to make it through it all.