Dad's last MRI showed NO signs of tumor. He is STILL considered to be in remission after 4.5 years fighting this cancer!
Thank you all for the love, support and prayers!
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
A Life Filled With Lemons....And ONE Month Until Run For The Rose 3/7/2018
Tomorrow will mark ONE month until we take our 5th trip to Run For The Rose- a little 5k that does BIG things in the brain cancer community.
We are honored to be part of such an incredible organization that has been with us every step of the way in Dad's 4.5 year cancer journey. We are also honored to share that because of the love and support of our friends and family, we've donated OVER $30,000 these last 4.5 years in Dad's honor to this foundation. Dad is making such a huge impact in the brain cancer community.
There is still time to join our team, make a donation, or purchase a Team Lar t-shirt. Email me at glenzwhitney@gmail.com for more information, or click on our team page!
http://drmarnierosefoundation.racepartner.com/run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Just Monday, Dad was out mowing grass, and we all celebrated that small victory- as it's still unreal to us that almost 4.5 years later Dad is with us and doing things we never imagined he would still be able to do. It's clear that God has worked a miracle in Dad. A miracle that I hold tight to often, reminding myself that even through these difficult times God has thrown my way in other forms- God's hand is clearly in it all.
Because lately y'all, I've needed to remind myself often that God can heal. That God can perform miracles. That God is this constant presence in our lives, even in moments when it feels like life is filled with lemons.
They always say, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade." And that sounds so simple. Take something negative and make it positive, that's what good Christians do, right?
Although, ask any good Christian and I think what makes them a "good" one is their struggle with their faith- it's the the times when you want to shake your fist at God (and heck, sometimes we do!) that we find our faith strengthen even more. It's through this shaking of our fist and being angry with God, we find comfort in our prayers and conversations- because we are throwing our concerns, our worries, and our problems on Him. Through these difficult conversations we are begging Him to help us through it all. Through our fist shaking, God is helping turn the pain and hurt into love and comfort.
As a Christian, it's so hard for me to understand what someone does who doesn't have this faith. Because life can hand you so many lemons- and sometimes you're just tired of trying to make lemonade alone.
I promise if you look hard enough into each situation where God's handed you a lemon..or two...or seven...you'll find His hand in it. You'll find that He puts people in your life to make the lemonade for you- to help you through the moments that you find are far too difficult for you to handle alone.
Family and friends have been key in these last 4.5 years- and also, in these last few months of lemons. Family and friends that see when you're faith is struggling- to remind you to continue praying, to ask God to heal- but also ask God to put in your heart that even if He doesn't, to have faith and trust.
We thank you all for being on this journey with us for 4.5 years, and we ask for continued prayers that our next MRI is one that is good and clear- but if it isn't, we ask that you pour out these prayers for comfort, for healing, and for faith in this journey.
I'm not sure how many more lemons God plans on handing me in this lifetime, but what I am sure of, is the friends & family on this journey with me- ones that will make the lemonade for me, heck even some that will add a little vodka, to help me get through it all with a heart filled with faith, and a mind filled with trust.
We are honored to be part of such an incredible organization that has been with us every step of the way in Dad's 4.5 year cancer journey. We are also honored to share that because of the love and support of our friends and family, we've donated OVER $30,000 these last 4.5 years in Dad's honor to this foundation. Dad is making such a huge impact in the brain cancer community.
There is still time to join our team, make a donation, or purchase a Team Lar t-shirt. Email me at glenzwhitney@gmail.com for more information, or click on our team page!
http://drmarnierosefoundation.racepartner.com/run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Just Monday, Dad was out mowing grass, and we all celebrated that small victory- as it's still unreal to us that almost 4.5 years later Dad is with us and doing things we never imagined he would still be able to do. It's clear that God has worked a miracle in Dad. A miracle that I hold tight to often, reminding myself that even through these difficult times God has thrown my way in other forms- God's hand is clearly in it all.
Because lately y'all, I've needed to remind myself often that God can heal. That God can perform miracles. That God is this constant presence in our lives, even in moments when it feels like life is filled with lemons.
They always say, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade." And that sounds so simple. Take something negative and make it positive, that's what good Christians do, right?
Although, ask any good Christian and I think what makes them a "good" one is their struggle with their faith- it's the the times when you want to shake your fist at God (and heck, sometimes we do!) that we find our faith strengthen even more. It's through this shaking of our fist and being angry with God, we find comfort in our prayers and conversations- because we are throwing our concerns, our worries, and our problems on Him. Through these difficult conversations we are begging Him to help us through it all. Through our fist shaking, God is helping turn the pain and hurt into love and comfort.
As a Christian, it's so hard for me to understand what someone does who doesn't have this faith. Because life can hand you so many lemons- and sometimes you're just tired of trying to make lemonade alone.
I promise if you look hard enough into each situation where God's handed you a lemon..or two...or seven...you'll find His hand in it. You'll find that He puts people in your life to make the lemonade for you- to help you through the moments that you find are far too difficult for you to handle alone.
Family and friends have been key in these last 4.5 years- and also, in these last few months of lemons. Family and friends that see when you're faith is struggling- to remind you to continue praying, to ask God to heal- but also ask God to put in your heart that even if He doesn't, to have faith and trust.
We thank you all for being on this journey with us for 4.5 years, and we ask for continued prayers that our next MRI is one that is good and clear- but if it isn't, we ask that you pour out these prayers for comfort, for healing, and for faith in this journey.
I'm not sure how many more lemons God plans on handing me in this lifetime, but what I am sure of, is the friends & family on this journey with me- ones that will make the lemonade for me, heck even some that will add a little vodka, to help me get through it all with a heart filled with faith, and a mind filled with trust.
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Run For The Rose & Dad Update 2/27/2018
So here we are, already heading into March and I've been terrible about keeping everyone updated on this little blog. But y'all, no news is good news!
Dad continues to do well- he's exercising daily, continues to feel well, and just enjoying life. Our next MRI is at the end of March, and we continue to pray that all looks good and Dad can continue on without any treatment!
April 5 will mark 4.5 years since Dad's seizure. It's amazing to think how far we've come in 4.5 years- it's also pretty amazing to see God's hand in it all, as we were told Dad had just 14 months to live.
4.5 years seems pretty incredible.
But it hasn't been all rainbows and butterflies- in fact we've struggled these last 4.5 years. We've struggled in finding hope in our situation, we struggled in finding faith in our situation, we struggled in just figuring out the world of cancer.
Bottom line- we struggled.
But through this devastating disease, we found we struggled less when we were surrounded by friends & family, and we struggled less once we found the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation.
I remember the day so very clearly, as I googled Brain Cancer Organizations- and up came "Dr Marnie Rose Foundation." As I read more about the organization, I realized it was exactly the type of organization we needed to be involved with- it was exactly the type of organization that could help us make a difference!
So here we are, on our 5th trip to Run For The Rose- where we've donated over $27,000 to this incredible organization in Dad's honor- and for our 5th trip, we want to do even more!
Please help us in raising funds so we can top over $30,000 to the Rose Foundation OR join our team and help us have one of the LARGEST teams at the event.
http://drmarnierosefoundation.racepartner.com/run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Please visit the website above to register for the run, which takes place on April 8 at NRG OR make a donation to this incredible foundation.
Three years ago I wrote this Facebook update- it proves some things never change, and some quotes still ring true even years later:
"We decide the first day of our cancer diagnosis whether we are gong to be victims or survivors. We decide to muster up all our strength to fight to win. We decide to stay positive and not let cancer define us. We decide how we are going to handle each day. Yes, there are good days and bad days, but your attitude determines each day. Hold on to your hopes, dreams, faith and determination, and gather your strength from your support system, because in the fight against cancer, we cannot give up."
Thank you all for your continued love and support, and thank you all for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!
Dad continues to do well- he's exercising daily, continues to feel well, and just enjoying life. Our next MRI is at the end of March, and we continue to pray that all looks good and Dad can continue on without any treatment!
April 5 will mark 4.5 years since Dad's seizure. It's amazing to think how far we've come in 4.5 years- it's also pretty amazing to see God's hand in it all, as we were told Dad had just 14 months to live.
4.5 years seems pretty incredible.
But it hasn't been all rainbows and butterflies- in fact we've struggled these last 4.5 years. We've struggled in finding hope in our situation, we struggled in finding faith in our situation, we struggled in just figuring out the world of cancer.
Bottom line- we struggled.
But through this devastating disease, we found we struggled less when we were surrounded by friends & family, and we struggled less once we found the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation.
I remember the day so very clearly, as I googled Brain Cancer Organizations- and up came "Dr Marnie Rose Foundation." As I read more about the organization, I realized it was exactly the type of organization we needed to be involved with- it was exactly the type of organization that could help us make a difference!
So here we are, on our 5th trip to Run For The Rose- where we've donated over $27,000 to this incredible organization in Dad's honor- and for our 5th trip, we want to do even more!
Please help us in raising funds so we can top over $30,000 to the Rose Foundation OR join our team and help us have one of the LARGEST teams at the event.
http://drmarnierosefoundation.racepartner.com/run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Please visit the website above to register for the run, which takes place on April 8 at NRG OR make a donation to this incredible foundation.
Three years ago I wrote this Facebook update- it proves some things never change, and some quotes still ring true even years later:
"We decide the first day of our cancer diagnosis whether we are gong to be victims or survivors. We decide to muster up all our strength to fight to win. We decide to stay positive and not let cancer define us. We decide how we are going to handle each day. Yes, there are good days and bad days, but your attitude determines each day. Hold on to your hopes, dreams, faith and determination, and gather your strength from your support system, because in the fight against cancer, we cannot give up."
Thank you all for your continued love and support, and thank you all for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Run For The Rose 2018
I can't believe we are preparing for our next trip to Run For The Rose- how can it be a year has flown by!?!?
Dad continues to do great, as his last MRI showed no signs of tumor and he is still off of all treatments. Our next appointment is in March, and we continue pray that he remains in remission.
We would love to have each of you join our team this year for a little 5k that continues to do BIG things in the brain cancer community. It all takes place on April 8 @ 8 am, where each Survivor will make the emotional walk across the finish line- where tears fill many eyes as we watch the strength and determination of those who have fought this difficult battle.
And then the race begins! 8:15 am the 5k will start, followed by the 1k at 8:45 am. You can walk, run, or just hang out with Dad at the finish line, and watch all the maroon shirts cross the finish line.
Speaking of maroon shirts- we are ordering again this year! Let me know if you would like a new shirt for this year's run (these are the same as our prior year shirts!). Email me at glenzwhitney@gmail.com.
When the race ends, the party begins! So many events for kids to participate in, as well as lots of food and drinks (all free!).
Please consider joining our team for this event or making a donation to this incredible foundation that has done so much for my family, and the countless other families faced with a brain cancer diagnosis.
Visit our team page:
http://drmarnierosefoundation.racepartner.com/run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Thank you all for your love and continued support throughout Dad's fight- and as always, thank you for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!
Dad continues to do great, as his last MRI showed no signs of tumor and he is still off of all treatments. Our next appointment is in March, and we continue pray that he remains in remission.
We would love to have each of you join our team this year for a little 5k that continues to do BIG things in the brain cancer community. It all takes place on April 8 @ 8 am, where each Survivor will make the emotional walk across the finish line- where tears fill many eyes as we watch the strength and determination of those who have fought this difficult battle.
And then the race begins! 8:15 am the 5k will start, followed by the 1k at 8:45 am. You can walk, run, or just hang out with Dad at the finish line, and watch all the maroon shirts cross the finish line.
Speaking of maroon shirts- we are ordering again this year! Let me know if you would like a new shirt for this year's run (these are the same as our prior year shirts!). Email me at glenzwhitney@gmail.com.
When the race ends, the party begins! So many events for kids to participate in, as well as lots of food and drinks (all free!).
Please consider joining our team for this event or making a donation to this incredible foundation that has done so much for my family, and the countless other families faced with a brain cancer diagnosis.
Visit our team page:
http://drmarnierosefoundation.racepartner.com/run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer
Thank you all for your love and continued support throughout Dad's fight- and as always, thank you for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
2018 Is Upon Us...Dad Update 1/3/2018
I feel like each time I log into this blog I have to apologize, as my updates become shorter and shorter- and the time between them gets longer and longer.
But we have been busy living LIFE- and loving each moment of it! Dad has started exercising during the day- he's up to about 18 minutes of walking- which is HUGE! We are working on Dad gaining more strength and Dr. Fleener suggested exercising. And what Dr. Fleener says, Dad never has a problem doing.
Dad is still doing speech therapy daily, as we continue to see small improvements in his memory and speech. His brain is getting stronger and stronger each day!
We've scheduled our next MRI for March, and until then we continue to pray for no new signs of tumor growth and be so thankful for no more chemotherapy, radiation or Avastin.
We hope you each had a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Our Christmas Miracle. Dad Update 12/14/2017
In December of 2013 we were just finishing up Dad's intense round of chemotherapy and radiation. And we were still trying to figure out this whole "brain cancer" thing. We still didn't understand the insurance world (although, I'm not sure we do even now!), or how radiation treatment would impact Dad long term- and we still didn't really, truly understand this journey. I know I was still very upset with God- my faith was being tested in so many ways, with my heart wanting to find hope in it all, and my head being filled with anger, resentment, and sadness.
I remember thinking that this could be our last Christmas with Dad.
While, that wasn't the last, in fact this is Dad's 5th Christmas post-diagnosis- there is something I've learned as we've reached various milestones in Dad's journey.
Sure- holidays are important, it's a time where family and friends get together- but I'm reminded that it's really not the holidays that mean that much.
In fact, I still find myself getting annoyed with Dad at the same things he did pre-diagnosis- whether it's when he snores while he's napping, or when he goes to wash his hands and NEVER looks for a towel first, only to have wet hands and look to me in the kitchen to get him a towel- and it's in those moments I remind myself how lucky I am to still get annoyed with my Dad on a day to day basis. These moments remind me that he is still here with us- that Dad has beat every odd placed against him.
And these little moments continuously remind me that Dad is truly a walking MIRACLE.
So on this Christmas, and really every day of the year, I'm going to take the moments where Dad's habits annoy me, or where his humor shines through, and thank God that he gave us this miracle. This miracle that reminds us again what a truly amazing God we serve- one that has the power to do things the human mind thinks is impossible- things that give us such great joy, and one that has the ability to comfort us and give us hope in some of our darkest moments.
I am so very thankful for my faith these last four years- for without it, y'all I would have crumbled and been so broken throughout it all. And as I think about how strong my faith has become over the last four years, I also look at the strength of our family- I look at how God took something so horrible and difficult, and gave it to us to make us stronger. If that doesn't make you look at God's work in awe, I'm not sure what will.
This weekend I'm also reminded of a friend's cancer journey that is just beginning, and to say I haven't shed some tears since her diagnosis would be such a complete lie- as my heart broke when I heard the news. And this weekend I will attend her "head shaving" party- if you know this girl, having a party for her head shaving is just perfect- as she is always the life of the party, everyone's big sister, and an incredible friend to even a stranger.
And as my mind started to go back to our initial diagnosis and the months after, the tears flowed even more, as I started to think about the difficulties they will face- some days just filled with nothing but one bad thing after the other- but that's something they know, they know cancer is hard. So instead, I wanted to share with her the positive of it all- that even if they think it's not possible, cancer will find a way to make your family more appreciative, closer and gain an understanding that many don't fully have- that life can change at any moment, and to really appreciate the little things.
So this Christmas season we will continue to be so thankful and so blessed for our Christmas miracle, Dad, and we will continue to support and pray for those fighting through the battle of cancer- and for those who are fighting through the holiday season after losing a loved one to this horrible disease.
Many of you may have seen the interview with Meghan McCain and Joe Biden, and regardless of your political views I hope you saw the true purpose of that interaction- it was one family providing hope to another. A family, that although lost their son to this terrible disease, wanted his legacy to continue in showing others that through some of your darkest of times, there is always hope. I continue to pray that Dad's story is that for others- Hope.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season- may it be filled with love, laughter and joy.
I remember thinking that this could be our last Christmas with Dad.
While, that wasn't the last, in fact this is Dad's 5th Christmas post-diagnosis- there is something I've learned as we've reached various milestones in Dad's journey.
Sure- holidays are important, it's a time where family and friends get together- but I'm reminded that it's really not the holidays that mean that much.
In fact, I still find myself getting annoyed with Dad at the same things he did pre-diagnosis- whether it's when he snores while he's napping, or when he goes to wash his hands and NEVER looks for a towel first, only to have wet hands and look to me in the kitchen to get him a towel- and it's in those moments I remind myself how lucky I am to still get annoyed with my Dad on a day to day basis. These moments remind me that he is still here with us- that Dad has beat every odd placed against him.
And these little moments continuously remind me that Dad is truly a walking MIRACLE.
So on this Christmas, and really every day of the year, I'm going to take the moments where Dad's habits annoy me, or where his humor shines through, and thank God that he gave us this miracle. This miracle that reminds us again what a truly amazing God we serve- one that has the power to do things the human mind thinks is impossible- things that give us such great joy, and one that has the ability to comfort us and give us hope in some of our darkest moments.
I am so very thankful for my faith these last four years- for without it, y'all I would have crumbled and been so broken throughout it all. And as I think about how strong my faith has become over the last four years, I also look at the strength of our family- I look at how God took something so horrible and difficult, and gave it to us to make us stronger. If that doesn't make you look at God's work in awe, I'm not sure what will.
This weekend I'm also reminded of a friend's cancer journey that is just beginning, and to say I haven't shed some tears since her diagnosis would be such a complete lie- as my heart broke when I heard the news. And this weekend I will attend her "head shaving" party- if you know this girl, having a party for her head shaving is just perfect- as she is always the life of the party, everyone's big sister, and an incredible friend to even a stranger.
And as my mind started to go back to our initial diagnosis and the months after, the tears flowed even more, as I started to think about the difficulties they will face- some days just filled with nothing but one bad thing after the other- but that's something they know, they know cancer is hard. So instead, I wanted to share with her the positive of it all- that even if they think it's not possible, cancer will find a way to make your family more appreciative, closer and gain an understanding that many don't fully have- that life can change at any moment, and to really appreciate the little things.
So this Christmas season we will continue to be so thankful and so blessed for our Christmas miracle, Dad, and we will continue to support and pray for those fighting through the battle of cancer- and for those who are fighting through the holiday season after losing a loved one to this horrible disease.
Many of you may have seen the interview with Meghan McCain and Joe Biden, and regardless of your political views I hope you saw the true purpose of that interaction- it was one family providing hope to another. A family, that although lost their son to this terrible disease, wanted his legacy to continue in showing others that through some of your darkest of times, there is always hope. I continue to pray that Dad's story is that for others- Hope.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season- may it be filled with love, laughter and joy.
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
MRI Updated. 11/28/2017
Dad's MRI is stable! All is good, with another MRI in about 4 months.
We are so incredibly blessed and have so much to be thankful for.
Thank you all for being on this journey with us, and thank you for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!
We are so incredibly blessed and have so much to be thankful for.
Thank you all for being on this journey with us, and thank you for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!
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