Father's Day 2017. 6/15/2017

I think back to October 5, 2013 all the time. The day of Dad's seizure. And then I think back to that cold hospital room where we heard the news. Cancer. I feared Thanksgiving and Christmas where Dad wasn't there, I feared birthdays and special moments without him, and I feared a Father's Day without celebrating the best Dad in the world. 

And it's amazing, because when I think back on this and then pull out my devotional...I find God speaking to my heart so clearly: 

"Apart from Me you can do nothing. On days when the tasks before you seem overwhelming, remember this: I am with you, ready to help. Take a moment to rest in My loving Presence. Whisper: Surely the Lord is in this place."

Well, in honor of my amazing Dad, here's my Father's Day letter:

Dad,

You probably don't remember this, as those days after your seizure were a whirlwind, but there was a conversation, a moment that to this day gives me chills. It was the moment I knew I had the most selfless Dad in the entire world. It was the moment that I realized I was so blessed that God chose you for me. 

We received the diagnosis: Brain Cancer. And as the doctor shared with us what was going on in your brain, and as my brain went in 100 different directions, your response was one that was calm, one that I will never forget. Instead of asking the doctor "what's next?", or "why me?", you responded with a question: "Can I give this to my girls?" My heart stopped. 

So to the most selfless man in the world, let me share with you why you're the most amazing Dad a girl could ever ask for. 

You've managed to take each day with a house filled with women in stride. You witnessed your girls fail a bit when it came to doing some things that you do so very well...like when I mowed grass and put the blade ALL the way down and (as you said) "mowed dirt". Or that time Meghan and Mom thought they would be super helpful and mow while you were at work, only to realize they put the wrong type of fuel in the lawnmower. 

Or maybe that time you came into the garage to find that Genna "forgot" to put the garage door up and backed right into it. Or it could be the time that Mom locked herself out of her car, and the answering machine happened to record y'alls entire message...I think we still get a kick out of that conversation. 

There's a common theme here, one in which one of your girls manage to "mess things up a bit", and you responded with your same patience and determination that you handle everything in life. 

I can count on one hand the times you've yelled at me, and looking back, I think you could have yelled a bit more (seriously, I was kinda a terrible child). 

You've always been the Dad that went to every softball game (heck you were usually the coach), and at the end of the game, regardless if we won or lost, we talked about what we could have done better. You were always focused on us improving and doing our absolute best. 

We are so lucky that God chose YOU to be our Dad. To walk with us through the good, and bad times, to teach us that patience and determination can really fix most situations, and throughout it all doing your absolute best is big part of life. 

So this Father's Day, know how much we appreciate YOU and all the things that you continue to do for us girls (okay, and now Luke & Reid). Here's to many more Father's Days and everyday with YOU!

Much Love, (Your favorite daughter)

Whitney

Hi, Yes We Are Still Here. Dad Update 6/9/2017

Hi, yes sorry I realized today that my last post was when my adorable nephew was born, and that's been ALMOST one month now- wow how time flies when you're having fun!

We have been staying busy, as the summer days have proven to be even MORE busy than we could have imagined- between graduation parties, weddings, baptisms, and family vacations- we have been running from one thing to the other!

Dad continues to feel well, as it's been almost a year since he stopped chemotherapy! Our next MRI isn't scheduled until the end of July, and right now that seems so far away! Y'all, I can't even begin to share how "weird" it is to not have appointments at the Cancer Clinic at least once a month- but it's a "weird" that I will gladly take!

Dad was recently featured on the Cancer Clinic's Facebook page in honor of Brain Cancer Awareness Month. 

As always, I'm so incredibly proud of these two- their fight, faith and unconditional love continues to inspire us each day. 

So that's all for now, thank you all for your love and support, and thanks for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!

Dad Update. 5/17/2017

It's been a busy week in the Glenz household. Dad's been out mowing & shredding, oh and taking care of a fairly LARGE garden (not exactly sure how we are going to eat all those veggies!), while Mom is continuing on with staying ever so busy- running from one thing to the next, and making sure Dad is along for the ride. 

And then we welcomed a new little one to our family

Mr. Reid Eliot Windam

Born on 5/12/2017, 8 lbs 1oz, 20.5 inches long- he's a BIG boy!

Mom, Dad and baby are all doing well!

These grandbabies have been such a JOY to Dad (& Mom!), as it has given Dad something to look forward to each day. We are so thankful for Luke, Hallie & Reid!

Thank you all for the continued thoughts and prayers, it's still unreal to us that over 3.5 years later, Dad is with us and doing so well! Thank you all for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!

My Mother's Day Letter.

With Mother's Day approaching this weekend, it's given me a perfect time to sit and reflect on the amazing Mom I have in my life, because without her we would have all crumbled so long ago.

So here's my little 'Thank You'.

Dear Mom,

On this Mother's Day it's easy to thank you for all the ways you've been the rock of our family these last 3.5 years, but I think this Mother's Day we should go back a bit farther- because you've really been the rock of our family far before Dad's diagnosis. 

Thank you Mom for your constant love and support, for listening to me cry in college when I got my first failing grade, and reminding me that you are proud when we do our best, you just weren't sure if that was my best. By the way, you may have been right. (I still blame Hurricane Harry's)

Thank you Mom for teaching me that a good glass of wine can make any evening just a little bit better, especially when you're sharing that wine with family and friends. And thank you for constantly reminding me to "stay in control"...although I'm not sure why you keep doing that. ;)

Thank you Mom for allowing me live with you and Dad following his diagnosis, for allowing me take Dad to treatments, yell at insurance companies for you, and witness the true strength of both you and Dad throughout this journey. You've both inspired me in ways that words can't even begin to describe. 

Thank you Mom for showing me that having faith in a journey that feels so incredibly broken can help you through some of the darkest of times. And this same faith can help you truly appreciate the small things in life.

And thank you for being such an incredible friend to each of us girls, for being the one we call when all seems to be going wrong, and the first one we call when we have something to celebrate. You always seem to find the right words to say to help us through each day. 

So on this Mother's Day, know that you are so very loved for all that you do for each of us and that we are so proud to call you "Mom", and most importantly "friend".

Love, 

Your Favorite Daughter (ok just kidding...but seriously)

Whitney

Dad Update. 4/27/2017

It's a "Dad Update" that involves very little updates- which is always a good thing!

We last met with Dr. Fleener on March 22, where Dr. Fleener left us with a follow up appointment with Dad's general physician and the words, "Now that we don't have to worry about a tumor, we've gotta worry about other things that can happen when you get older!"

So we did some blood work and it looks like all of Dad's counts are right in line where they should be, and his blood pressure continues to be monitored to ensure it's staying in a normal range. 

Since then, Mom and Dad have completely re-done the front yard, are working on a garden, and constantly outside mowing and working in the flower beds (even killing a pretty good sized snake one day!). Just yesterday Mom told me Dad was out on the shredder while she worked in the back yard. Y'all, God is so very good. 

Our next MRI is scheduled for July, which seems so very far away- yet I know it will sneak up on us before we know it. So until then, we plan to enjoy the nice weather and be so very thankful for each and every day. 

Yesterday I received a message from another family impacted by brain cancer. A message asking for help, to be a contact for someone and provide HOPE to them. I immediately called Mom. 

I wanted to share with Mom this message because often times we are so boggled down in the pain and the suffering that we've experienced these last 3.5 years. Sometimes we find ourselves thinking back to what life was like before Dad's diagnosis, instead of focusing on how far we've come. 

I was reminded in that moment (and shared with Mom these same thoughts!) that Dad's pain and suffering has such GREAT purpose- and how amazing it is that we are able to witness this purpose each time another brain cancer family reaches out to us. We've found the purpose in our pain, to be a resource to others and walk hand in hand with them throughout this journey.

Now believe me, I don't wish this process on anyone, but it's given me a perspective that many will never have. I tell Dad I love him every day, I go by their house often (probably more often than my parents would like!), and I constantly remind myself how exceptionally lucky we are. 

Dad doesn't always realize it, but he's the true backbone and strength of our family. He continues to inspire people that he's never even met. He continues to inspire each of us each day. 

I'm not sure how he does it. I'm not sure how he managed through two brain surgeries, countless rounds of chemotherapy, six intense weeks of radiation, and all of the physical & speech therapy, but he managed it pretty darn well. No complaints. No apprehension. He took it one day at a time, one step at a time, and leaned on this incredible faith through it all. 

Reflecting today on how good God really is, how through pain there is purpose, and through suffering there is strength. 

Thank you all for continuing on this journey with us, as we continue fighting to BTHO Brain Cancer.

Dad's 3.5 Year Cancer-versary. 4/10/2017

Dad celebrated his 3.5 year cancer-versary on April 5, 2017 (ok so I'm a few days late!), but what an incredible 3.5 years it has been!

The updates on the blog seem to be spaced out more, and that's really because Dad is doing so well! He is no longer taking any chemotherapy, or Avastin, and his blood pressure issues are almost completely gone. So his days are now filled with outside activities- helping Mom in the garden, mowing grass, and running out to their land in Burton to feed fish and check on the property. Sounds pretty amazing, right? 

The two year survival rate for someone with Glioblastoma is 27%. I sometimes think of that statistic and sit in awe at how amazing Dad has continued to fight throughout these last 3.5 years. 

The overwhelming amount of strength Dad has shown throughout it all has directly impacted so many- including me- as I truly believe Dad's journey is not complete because there is a far bigger plan for him here in the physical world. 

These last 3.5 years have been some of the most difficult times we have experienced as a family, but also some of the most rewarding. We look back now and can't believe we survived it all- the hospital stays, the bad MRIs, and the countless trips to the Oncologist, but we did, we survived it all by leaning on one another, and our faith. 

"Your struggles are part of a much larger battle, and the way you handle them can contribute to outcomes with eternal significance. When you respond to your troubles by trusting Me and praying with thanksgiving, you glorify Me."

I have always said there is true purpose in pain, because without repeating that over and over again, I may have gone absolutely crazy throughout it all. 

Thank you all who continue to follow our story and who ask about Dad, it's been a blessing to see the number of people Dad has continued to impact throughout our journey. 

And as always, thank you all for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!

Run For The Rose. Dad Update 4/3/2017

Our 4th trip to Run For The Rose has come and gone, and man, what an incredible event it was!

I'm still processing donations, but as of right now it looks like we will have $6,130 this year alone. INCREDIBLE!

Which means in the last four years we've donated $27,330! And that has everything to do with the amazing friends and family we have in our lives, those that have supported us each step of the way. Thank you!

And on top of having donated such an incredible amount of money, this year alone we brought 90 people to the run in Dad's honor. 90 people who have exceptionally busy lives, but took time out of their busy weekend to join us for an event that means so much to my entire family. 

The rain. The forecast wasn't just rain, but hail- tornadoes- flooding. Imagine the absolute worst possible running conditions, that's what the forecast included.

And I looked at that forecast and I was so disappointed- but if I've learned anything these last 3.5 years it's that we serve a pretty amazing God- so I said a few prayers (ok I may have talked to him constantly once I found out about the rain!) and it went a little like this:

"Hey God, so I see there's a little bit of rain in the forecast for Sunday. And I'm working so hard on reminding myself that your plan is absolutely perfect, and there is always a purpose to your work. So if the weather is so bad that the run has to be cancelled, I will understand and remind myself that there is a reason for it all. But, I do know you've got a little pull up there, so if you don't mind moving that rain out of Houston, I would really appreciate it."

Sometimes I think God laughs a little from our talks. 

And I repeated this prayer over and over again. And y'all, no rain. Not a drop! Do we serve an awesome God or what?!?

The race was incredible. As I reached the end of the race, I looked ahead and saw a brain cancer survivor ahead of me (they each wear a special colored hat during the run), and that's when I knew there was no way I was walking or stopping- because if he could run this race, by all means I could do the same. 

The anticipation and concern over the weather was such a perfect comparison to our lives these last 3.5 years. With a beast like Glioblastoma, the forecast is always the worst of the worst- similar to what the weather was predicting yesterday. And I learned early on in Dad's cancer journey that we can not fear bad news, but confidently TRUST- and as anxious and stressed as I was going into the run (and on most MRI days for Dad), I try to remind myself that it is out of my control, and in the control of Him. And then when God's absolute glory shines through- whether it be answered prayers for clear skies for the run, or a great MRI- the appreciation I have for His extra hand in it all is so incredibly great. As I took each step of those 3.1 miles, I just kept thanking God over and over again for another year at the run- I kept thanking him over and over again for his incredible influence in my life. 

"And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith" (Hebrews 12)

And run with perseverance we did, on an incredible race that has been so perfectly marked out of us, fixing our eyes on the perfecter of faith. Y'all, God is really so very Good!

Thank you to those that were able to join us yesterday, those who made a donation, and the countless number of you who said a few extra prayers for a successful run. 

Each Run For The Rose includes a 'Survivor Walk', where brain cancer survivors walk and we are able to cheer each of them on each step of the way. It's an incredibly emotional moment at the run, as you see the countless survivors, where you see that brain cancer does not discriminate- there's every ethnicity, every age, and every gender. We can't thank the Dr Marnie Rose Foundation enough for all they continue to do in the brain cancer community and allowing us to celebrate Dad, and the many other survivors. 

Thank you all for your love and support, and thank you all for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!