To All Those Who Supported Us For "Run For The Rose":
I wish I could personally thank each of you, thank you for the love and support you've shown me and my family these last 6 months, love and support we've needed more than ever. There are so many of you to thank, so many of you who have gone above and beyond to show your love for us, and for that we are so blessed.
To those of you who woke up at 4:00 am-ish and made the drive to Reliant Sunday morning, thank you! I absolutely loved seeing all of our maroon "BTHO Brain Cancer" t-shirts during the race. It felt amazing to have so many people there to support Dad and support Brain Cancer funding. You all were able to meet other friends and families of brain cancer fighters, people who understand our battle on an entirely different level. I loved being asked who our team was for, who we were supporting at the race, and sharing the number of team members we had with us. Sunday was an overwhelming experience, one filled with love, hope and faith, and I was so happy so many of you were able to share that with us.
To those of you who donated to our team, donations in total of $9,350, thank you! I remember when we first created the team we had received $750 in donations and I called Mom over to the computer to share with her the news! I never would have imagined at that time we would have raised over $9,000 by race day! Dad will be meeting a new doctor in Houston on Tuesday, a doctor with ties to MD Anderson and treatments funded by Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation. Your donations are directly funding treatments that Dad will be using, treatments that are saving lives.
To those of you who purchased "Team Lar" t-shirts, thank you for showing your love and support! There were many of you who weren't able to make it on Sunday but wanted to wear your shirt to support Dad, and for that we are so grateful! We are so proud of Dad- his strength, determination, and fight- and I'm so proud that by wearing his shirt you are sharing Dad's story and supporting Brain Cancer research.
To those of you who continue to pray for us, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! From day one people have asked what we needed, and we've always asked for prayers! Cancer sucks, but God is truly good- and we have been so blessed with those of you who have constantly prayed for us and for Dad's strength! My faith has been tested more than ever during this time, but at the same time my faith has been strengthened even more. Your continuous prayers and thoughts have not gone unnoticed, and we are so blessed with all the love from each of you.
And to the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, there are no words for my appreciation for your foundation. When Dad was diagnosed I wanted to find other stories similar to Dad- stories of faith, hope and determination, and that's exactly what I found at your foundation! To meet with others who know our fight, who know our struggle and who just understand, is something I can never thank the Rose family enough for. They are funding research that is saving lives and providing families with hope.
Our first trip to "Run For The Rose" was a huge success! I honestly can't believe the amount of money we raised and the number of people on our team. Thank you all for making this a day I will truly never forget, a day that meant more to me than you will ever know. Just one year away from our next trip to The Rose- so you all have one year to get in shape for the run!
Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, thank you! There are no words to describe how I feel- I'm grateful, appreciative and blessed with such amazing friends and family. You all have made these last months filled with anxiety, stress and fear, seem to disappear- as now I am filled with hope. Thank you all, and thanks for helping up BTHO Brain Cancer!
Whitney
Monday, March 31, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
T- 2 Days Until "Run For The Rose"
With only 2 days remaining until our first trip to 'Run For The Rose', I feel like I've been running around like crazy getting things together- and I LOVE it! From finalizing t-shirt orders, to writing thank you notes (LOTS of Thank You notes), to scheduling our Race Day packet deliveries, I've been extremely busy and extremely thankful- thankful for such amazing people supporting us! Last night I shared with Dad the list of people who are running with us on Sunday, those of you who have donated money, and those of you who have purchased a 'Team Lar' t-shirt- the smile on his face when he saw the lists made all of my crazy running around completely worth it!
As of this morning, we've raised $8,225! That number is truly unbelievable to me. $8,225! The Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation is truly amazing and I'm so happy to have found a foundation that does so much for the cancer community:
-They were the first in Houston to help fund Brain Cancer research.
-At MD Anderson, more than 5 clinical trials have resulted directly from the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation contributions. Funding of research and therapy which has enabled many brain tumor patients to live 5-6 years and more without recurrence.
-And along with their support of Brain Cancer research, they also are supporters of the Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital.
With Dad's upcoming appointments in Houston with another Oncologist, an Oncologist with direct ties to MD Anderson clinical trials, I am so proud that our team has been able to donate over $8,000! This money will fund treatments that will have a direct impact on Dad's fight.
This foundation has given me new hope in Dad's diagnosis, new hope that there will be a day where a cure is found for cancer, a day where fear and anxiety will no longer be felt when someone hears 'cancer', but instead- 'hope'.
So thank you for your support over these past 6 months, thank you for your donations and kind words, and thank you for allowing me run around like crazy to make our first trip to 'Run For The Rose' a huge success.
And most importantly- Thank you for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!
http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
As of this morning, we've raised $8,225! That number is truly unbelievable to me. $8,225! The Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation is truly amazing and I'm so happy to have found a foundation that does so much for the cancer community:
-They were the first in Houston to help fund Brain Cancer research.
-At MD Anderson, more than 5 clinical trials have resulted directly from the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation contributions. Funding of research and therapy which has enabled many brain tumor patients to live 5-6 years and more without recurrence.
-And along with their support of Brain Cancer research, they also are supporters of the Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital.
With Dad's upcoming appointments in Houston with another Oncologist, an Oncologist with direct ties to MD Anderson clinical trials, I am so proud that our team has been able to donate over $8,000! This money will fund treatments that will have a direct impact on Dad's fight.
This foundation has given me new hope in Dad's diagnosis, new hope that there will be a day where a cure is found for cancer, a day where fear and anxiety will no longer be felt when someone hears 'cancer', but instead- 'hope'.
So thank you for your support over these past 6 months, thank you for your donations and kind words, and thank you for allowing me run around like crazy to make our first trip to 'Run For The Rose' a huge success.
And most importantly- Thank you for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!
http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Run For The Rose: T-Minus 4 Days!
With only 4 days remaining until 'Run For The Rose', I wanted to share a few numbers with y'all:
96: The number of 'Team Lar' t-shirts YOU requested. That means 96 of you will be wearing a shirt supporting Brain Cancer research and Dad.
52: The number of people who have joined 'BTHO Brain Cancer- Lar's Fight'.
116: The number of people who have donated to our team for 'Run For The Rose'.
And...
$105.00: The amount we need to reach our goal of $7,000!
There is still time to join our team and donate money to such an amazing foundation, a foundation which is changing lives of so many. Please visit our team page http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer and help us reach our goal!
With 4 days remaining until we are given the opportunity to meet with other Brain Cancer survivors and families/friends impacted by Brain Cancer, I can't help but look at those numbers above and realize how thankful I am for such an amazing support system we have.
This hasn't been an easy journey for anyone in my family, but we've been able to make it through it all with those of you who have been there from the beginning, praying for us and cheering us on as we all fight this together.
Cancer may suck, but God is good! Thank you all and thank you for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Our First Round of Avastin IV Treatment: Dad Update 3/25
During Dad's initial treatment, I was able to take him to radiation treatment every Friday for 6 weeks, and every Friday I would talk to others JUST like Dad- others fighting this battle. I was honored because I was able to witness and interact with the strongest people in the world- those fighting cancer. Some may say that our story has been an inspiration to others, a story of faith and determination, and maybe that's true, but all I know is that when Dad was getting radiation and IV treatment, those fighting cancer, they inspired me more than they will ever know.
Dad started a new treatment today- Avastin. It's a treatment done via IV, which lasts about 1.5 hours. The side effects are said to be minimal and we are praying that is the case. Dad hasn't been feeling well these last few days- he's tired, having headaches and stomach issues. It breaks my heart. I'm just praying, praying this treatment cures all the growth and Dad will start to feel better again. I sat with Dad during his treatment, I wanted to be there to distract him from it all- make him laugh, tell him about work or (in true Whitney form) just bullshit with him about life- but in true Lar form, he napped. There is no way to describe what it's like to sit next to your Dad as he receives treatment for cancer, no way to describe the fear, anxiety and, at the same time, joy I felt that I was able to share those moments with him. Sitting there with him, surround by fighters...there was no where else I'd rather be.
We will continue this treatment every 2 weeks, and we will be meeting with a Neuro-Oncologist next week in Houston. And then in one month we will repeat the MRI and pray for no more cancer growth. Until then, until that one month passes, I'm taking everything one day at a time and attempting to smile through it all.
I've been so blessed to have found the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, so blessed to now be part of something much bigger than myself. The Run For The Rose not only raises money for Brain Cancer research, but also brings awareness to Brain Cancer- a cancer that is often under-recognized and under-funded. I'm so proud to know that our team has raised over $6,800. It's become much bigger than I could have ever hoped and dreamed!
I want to thank each of you for being on this journey with us, a journey filled with uncertainty and fear, but also one filled with faith and hope. Many of you have thanked me for writing about Dad's fight, when really I should be thanking you for reading about our journey and encouraging me to write. By sharing our story, I've been able to join with others fighting similar battles, others who know the pain, fear and anxiety I write about daily. Honestly, it sucks (for lack of a better word) to share a battle with cancer with a friend, and as much as I hate that cancer is something we have in common- it's also comforting to have someone that truly understands it all.
"When you get a cancer diagnosis you learn two things, you are stronger than you imagine, and you are more loved than you know." With every minute that passes from the moment we received the news on Friday about Dad's cancer, I'm able to process and grasp our new path in his treatment. It's not going to be easy, and there will be moments when I will feel as though all hope is gone, but I also know that there will come a day when a story that involves cancer will also involve a cure- we just have to make it to that day.
Keep praying and we will keep fighting.
*There is still time to join our team or make a donation towards Brain Cancer research: http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Dad started a new treatment today- Avastin. It's a treatment done via IV, which lasts about 1.5 hours. The side effects are said to be minimal and we are praying that is the case. Dad hasn't been feeling well these last few days- he's tired, having headaches and stomach issues. It breaks my heart. I'm just praying, praying this treatment cures all the growth and Dad will start to feel better again. I sat with Dad during his treatment, I wanted to be there to distract him from it all- make him laugh, tell him about work or (in true Whitney form) just bullshit with him about life- but in true Lar form, he napped. There is no way to describe what it's like to sit next to your Dad as he receives treatment for cancer, no way to describe the fear, anxiety and, at the same time, joy I felt that I was able to share those moments with him. Sitting there with him, surround by fighters...there was no where else I'd rather be.
We will continue this treatment every 2 weeks, and we will be meeting with a Neuro-Oncologist next week in Houston. And then in one month we will repeat the MRI and pray for no more cancer growth. Until then, until that one month passes, I'm taking everything one day at a time and attempting to smile through it all.
I've been so blessed to have found the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, so blessed to now be part of something much bigger than myself. The Run For The Rose not only raises money for Brain Cancer research, but also brings awareness to Brain Cancer- a cancer that is often under-recognized and under-funded. I'm so proud to know that our team has raised over $6,800. It's become much bigger than I could have ever hoped and dreamed!
I want to thank each of you for being on this journey with us, a journey filled with uncertainty and fear, but also one filled with faith and hope. Many of you have thanked me for writing about Dad's fight, when really I should be thanking you for reading about our journey and encouraging me to write. By sharing our story, I've been able to join with others fighting similar battles, others who know the pain, fear and anxiety I write about daily. Honestly, it sucks (for lack of a better word) to share a battle with cancer with a friend, and as much as I hate that cancer is something we have in common- it's also comforting to have someone that truly understands it all.
"When you get a cancer diagnosis you learn two things, you are stronger than you imagine, and you are more loved than you know." With every minute that passes from the moment we received the news on Friday about Dad's cancer, I'm able to process and grasp our new path in his treatment. It's not going to be easy, and there will be moments when I will feel as though all hope is gone, but I also know that there will come a day when a story that involves cancer will also involve a cure- we just have to make it to that day.
Keep praying and we will keep fighting.
*There is still time to join our team or make a donation towards Brain Cancer research: http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Run For The Rose Update: 3/23
When I came across the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation and created a team for "Run For The Rose" supporting brain cancer research, I never would have imagined we would have over 50 members on our team, have raised over $6,300, and have ordered over 80 "Team Lar" t-shirts. There are no words to describe my feelings.
The news we received Friday wasn't what I was wanting to hear, but just like Mom told me, "Sometimes God doesn't give us what we want, he gives us what we need", and maybe she's right. The news makes me want to fight even more, fight to be stronger for Dad, fight to be stronger for Mom and fight to bring more awareness to brain cancer.
I honestly can't believe we've raised so much money, money that will go towards research and money to help end cancer. I'm not sure how Dad will react to these next treatments, and I'm not sure where this journey will take us, but what I do know is that I've become part of something bigger than me- I've become part of finding a cure. Dad has so much fight and determination still left in him, fight and determination that tells me Dad will surprise us all!
I continue to pray everyday for Dad, I pray for his strength and determination to impact others, I pray these next round of treatments fight hard against his cancer and I pray for a day that no one has to experience the pain and fear of cancer.
I'm so proud to be part of Dad's journey, proud of who he is and proud of who I've become.
There is still time to join our team, make a donation or order a t-shirt for the "Run For The Rose" 5k. Please help to BTHO Cancer! http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
The news we received Friday wasn't what I was wanting to hear, but just like Mom told me, "Sometimes God doesn't give us what we want, he gives us what we need", and maybe she's right. The news makes me want to fight even more, fight to be stronger for Dad, fight to be stronger for Mom and fight to bring more awareness to brain cancer.
I honestly can't believe we've raised so much money, money that will go towards research and money to help end cancer. I'm not sure how Dad will react to these next treatments, and I'm not sure where this journey will take us, but what I do know is that I've become part of something bigger than me- I've become part of finding a cure. Dad has so much fight and determination still left in him, fight and determination that tells me Dad will surprise us all!
I continue to pray everyday for Dad, I pray for his strength and determination to impact others, I pray these next round of treatments fight hard against his cancer and I pray for a day that no one has to experience the pain and fear of cancer.
I'm so proud to be part of Dad's journey, proud of who he is and proud of who I've become.
There is still time to join our team, make a donation or order a t-shirt for the "Run For The Rose" 5k. Please help to BTHO Cancer! http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Friday, March 21, 2014
The Post I Never Wanted To Write
It's the post, this part of our story, that I never wanted to have to share- the MRI indicated the cancer is back.
I didn't know how to share this news or even if I was ready to share this news, but then I realized I've had so many of you on this journey with me from the start- people who have prayed and been with us through it all- and I owed it to myself and to everyone to share this.
The doctor wasn't happy with the MRI results, as the results indicated tumor growth, with a small chance of the growth being pseudoprogression, which can look like tumor growth although is a side-effect from the radiation (i.e. not cancer). We have decided that we want to be as aggressive as possible and start additional treatment right away, and the doctor agreed.
So our next steps- Dad will continue on his chemo by pill on Monday and start another treatment called Avastin, which is by IV, on Tuesday. We have scheduled appointments with another doctor in Houston to discuss other treatments for GBM, in hopes we find the one that works for Dad.
People have already been asking what they can do, and all I ask is that you continue to pray. Pray that we find a treatment that works best for Dad, pray that he continues to be positive throughout his treatment, and pray that we all stay positive and focused on God's plan.
I don't have a choice here to fall apart or be sad, the only choice I have is to do everything I can to help Dad fight. Don't get me wrong, I've cried most of today and I'm sure the days ahead will not be easy, but my tears are quickly dried when I remind myself that we are truly blessed. Blessed with amazing family to support us, amazing friends who love us, and a God that is good.
Thank you all for your love and support- and keep those prayers coming, as we will find a way to BTHO Cancer!
I didn't know how to share this news or even if I was ready to share this news, but then I realized I've had so many of you on this journey with me from the start- people who have prayed and been with us through it all- and I owed it to myself and to everyone to share this.
The doctor wasn't happy with the MRI results, as the results indicated tumor growth, with a small chance of the growth being pseudoprogression, which can look like tumor growth although is a side-effect from the radiation (i.e. not cancer). We have decided that we want to be as aggressive as possible and start additional treatment right away, and the doctor agreed.
So our next steps- Dad will continue on his chemo by pill on Monday and start another treatment called Avastin, which is by IV, on Tuesday. We have scheduled appointments with another doctor in Houston to discuss other treatments for GBM, in hopes we find the one that works for Dad.
People have already been asking what they can do, and all I ask is that you continue to pray. Pray that we find a treatment that works best for Dad, pray that he continues to be positive throughout his treatment, and pray that we all stay positive and focused on God's plan.
I don't have a choice here to fall apart or be sad, the only choice I have is to do everything I can to help Dad fight. Don't get me wrong, I've cried most of today and I'm sure the days ahead will not be easy, but my tears are quickly dried when I remind myself that we are truly blessed. Blessed with amazing family to support us, amazing friends who love us, and a God that is good.
Thank you all for your love and support- and keep those prayers coming, as we will find a way to BTHO Cancer!
Thursday, March 20, 2014
You Never Know How Strong You Are, Until Being Strong Is The Only Option
I've had people tell me how well I'm handling our situation, how strong I am being throughout it all. It's strange to me, because I never thought about it that way- I never thought that I had any other option than to be strong.
I'm handling this situation the only way I know, the only way I've come to know, by watching others. I remember when I was young and my Granny was diagnosed with cancer, I was much too young to really understand the true impact of the illness, but I witness the fight and determination- and sadly, I watched as cancer took my Granny too soon. But I also witnessed something else, something that I wasn't too young to understand- Love. I watched as my Mom and Aunt took turns sleeping over with my Granny, I watched as they sacrificed time with their own kids, time at work and time relaxing, to help take care of their mother. I was taught early on how to react to a situation like this, a situation as devastating as cancer, as I was taught to be strong, help in every way possible, and to pray- which is exactly what I am doing.
The first couple of weeks was very difficult after Dad's seizure, and I will not deny that I questioned God, questioned my faith and questioned this path. But as the days have passed and I've been able to process life little by little, I've come to understand that God doesn't call the qualified, the qualifies the called. I wasn't ready for this journey when everything started- and it took time for me to understand this path and understand my journey- but I truly believe that God so perfectly created this for us. He created a path that is difficult- filled with highs and lows, good and bad days- but a path that he felt was perfect for my family.
It absolutely breaks my heart when I hear of others with loved ones that have been diagnosed with cancer. It takes me back to those first couple of weeks- weeks where I questioned everything about this path, and I questioned everything about my faith. It's a horrible feeling, a feeling that I don't wish upon anyone, although it's a feeling I know many are experiencing right now.
Anyone faced with a difficult situation can crumble, fall, and lose hope- but I've chosen to not allow this difficult situation to result in any of those things. I will never lose hope, I will never lose faith and I will never lose my strength, because I know miracles happen every day.
The saying is very true.. "you never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only option." Cancer sucks, and that won't change today or tomorrow, so instead I'm going to pray for those who are battling and those who are standing by loved ones battling cancer. I'm praying for comfort, praying for healing, and praying that they too never lose the strength to make it through each and every day.
I'm handling this situation the only way I know, the only way I've come to know, by watching others. I remember when I was young and my Granny was diagnosed with cancer, I was much too young to really understand the true impact of the illness, but I witness the fight and determination- and sadly, I watched as cancer took my Granny too soon. But I also witnessed something else, something that I wasn't too young to understand- Love. I watched as my Mom and Aunt took turns sleeping over with my Granny, I watched as they sacrificed time with their own kids, time at work and time relaxing, to help take care of their mother. I was taught early on how to react to a situation like this, a situation as devastating as cancer, as I was taught to be strong, help in every way possible, and to pray- which is exactly what I am doing.
The first couple of weeks was very difficult after Dad's seizure, and I will not deny that I questioned God, questioned my faith and questioned this path. But as the days have passed and I've been able to process life little by little, I've come to understand that God doesn't call the qualified, the qualifies the called. I wasn't ready for this journey when everything started- and it took time for me to understand this path and understand my journey- but I truly believe that God so perfectly created this for us. He created a path that is difficult- filled with highs and lows, good and bad days- but a path that he felt was perfect for my family.
It absolutely breaks my heart when I hear of others with loved ones that have been diagnosed with cancer. It takes me back to those first couple of weeks- weeks where I questioned everything about this path, and I questioned everything about my faith. It's a horrible feeling, a feeling that I don't wish upon anyone, although it's a feeling I know many are experiencing right now.
Anyone faced with a difficult situation can crumble, fall, and lose hope- but I've chosen to not allow this difficult situation to result in any of those things. I will never lose hope, I will never lose faith and I will never lose my strength, because I know miracles happen every day.
The saying is very true.. "you never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only option." Cancer sucks, and that won't change today or tomorrow, so instead I'm going to pray for those who are battling and those who are standing by loved ones battling cancer. I'm praying for comfort, praying for healing, and praying that they too never lose the strength to make it through each and every day.
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