Thursday, August 9, 2012

One Year!

















In colorado a few weeks ago celebrating friends, family, life!


This week we celebrate one year of life with Cancer!! Today marked the celebration of our 6th scan of no re-growth!

Cancer is so limited...
It cannot cripple love. ( Our marriage is stronger )
It cannot shatter hope. ( Hope is when we see God and the miracles that surround us) 
It cannot corrode faith. ( It is what identifies us and who we are)
It cannot eat away peace.( We accept and have peace with this journey and whatever road it takes)
It cannot destroy confidence.( We have never been more confident for today)
It cannot kill friendship.( Our friends are now our family and through this we have met so many more amazing friends and rekindled friendships near and far)
It cannot shut out memories.( This year is full of memories)
It cannot silence courage. ( We are and continue to be courageous for our children)
It cannot reduce eternal life. ( Praise God, this is what gives us faith, love, peace and hope)
It cannot quench the Spirit.( It fills us every day) 

We sat down today and read the very first blog David posted on this blog. ( Read below) And then read the last blog David wrote in June ( Read below) There is no comparison. There is no better way to sum up this year and praise God for all that Cancer is and isn't:)


Who he is was with Cancer.............

( Davids first blog)                                                                                        David Hurst's Opening Statement



August, 4th 2011

Good afternoon Everyone,


My mother-in-law has a plate on her wall that says a "Nagging wife will save your life!"  I never knew how true that would be!


My wife notice some peculiar behavior in me during the past few months and really began to pester me about getting in to see a doctor.  She said I was having these 2-3 minute spells when I would seem out of it, sometimes I would cuss (f-bombs) a few times and then say "i just don't know".  To me it was nothing but after her persistent pestering, I called my neurologist neighbor friend and told him I needed to come in and see him for an official office clinical visit.  He said whenever worked in my schedule, he would make it fit.

Dana and I went to see him last Thursday July 28th and we had a lengthy discussion where I sat there with my mouth mostly shut and listened as my wife talked about something I had no clue about.  The doctor performed a complete neurological exam and found it to be completely normal, of course!!

However, we all know that all neurologists order an EEG and MRI's on every patient.  In fact the nurse getting me in the room, asked when my last MRI was.   Why should I be any different.  So, mine was scheduled a week later, Thursday August 4.

I was confident my EEG and MRI would be normal because I was normal.  Much more normal than all the wacky patients we see in the ED with wacked out complaints that are off the wall and totally normal complete work-ups.

Maybe that should have been my clue.  Bad things happen to good normal people.

When I walked out of the MRI dressing room, the radiologist, both a dear friend & colleague was waiting for me outside the dressing room door.  I laughed and told him that it is rare for a radiologist to be waiting outside the dressing room door to tell the patient their MRI is normal.  I then jokingly commented, my MRI is normal, right?  He gave me the look of "No"  

We walked down the hall to the Interventional reading room, very private, and the first image on the screen was the one included here, my brain with a great big tumor in my left frontal lobe.  
It is suspected to be a Level 3 Anaplastic Glioma  (better than a level 4 but worse than a level 2)  These are rarely of metastatic origin and usually amenable to surgery with often very good outcomes.  I asked if I could be back to work in 1-2 weeks, the neurologist laughed said more like 6-8 weeks.  Brain tumors are graded different than other cancers, level and stage is entirely different.  But I will undergo all the usual body scan testing.

I have an appointment with the Scott and White Neurosurgery department Monday August 8 at 2:30 to discuss the plan of action and the timeline.  I have been told that once you have the MRI the next step is to take it out.  I am all in favor of taking it out but not so much the cutting my head open part. 

As ED clinicians it is good to get the perspective of how such a big tumor could be in your head and have a normal life without any symptoms.  I did have a few episodes where I would just go blank, I was awake but my mind struggled to get the next thought out.  It has happened a dozen times during the past several months but I attributed it to acute distraction or being a little flustered.  It only lasted about 30-60-120 seconds and I was awake and aware of everything during the entire spell.  (and no I didn't lose urinary continence)  I actually had a spell on Wednesday, the day before the MRI and my scribe Alysa actually asked me what was that?  I brushed it off at the time and stated I just got temporarily off track and it took me a second to get back on track.  Hard to explain. 

The MRI is impressive and I have shared it with a few people,  I hope you will use discretion, it does not have my name on it but I would rather not see my brain scan scattered around the hospital or you tube.

I did tell everyone that I want my job back as soon as possible!!!   Also, I am sure I have left a few people off the email list, please feel free to use your discretion and tell them what you are comfortable with, obviously if it is in the here you can tell it.

As for any specific needs, Dana and I have been very blessed and truly the only needs we have are for all of your prayers and well wishes.  
Who he is today................

Thursday, June 7, 2012


( Davids last blog)  Spring post

Good afternoon, All is well in our lives and we continue to be blessed with good news. Today we had our regular two month follow-up at MD Anderson and they confirmed the MRI showed no growth of the tumor, confirming the report from the radiologists in Waco, TX. It's almost funny, for now, when we go to our doctor visits, we kinda joke about how carefree our lives are currently. We talk about the importance of keeping a positive attitude and remaining spiritually devoted. It is so awesome to consider the power of prayer and the awesomeness of God. Never before have I felt my fate so much in God's hands. He is the creator and the light and it feels so good to be alive in this world he has created. I try to be so much more focused in my daily life and take advantage of all he has given us. As a request back to all of you, be more deliberate in your lives and cherish each day as a true gift from God. Thanks for all the prayers God bless everyone, Dana & David Audrey & Parker

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Spring post

Good afternoon, All is well in our lives and we continue to be blessed with good news. Today we had our regular two month follow-up at MD Anderson and they confirmed the MRI showed no growth of the tumor, confirming the report from the radiologists in Waco, TX. It's almost funny, for now, when we go to our doctor visits, we kinda joke about how carefree our lives are currently. We talk about the importance of keeping a positive attitude and remaining spiritually devoted. It is so awesome to consider the power of prayer and the awesomeness of God. Never before have I felt my fate so much in God's hands. He is the creator and the light and it feels so good to be alive in this world he has created. I try to be so much more focused in my daily life and take advantage of all he has given us. As a request back to all of you, be more deliberate in your lives and cherish each day as a true gift from God. Thanks for all the prayers God bless everyone, Dana & David Audrey & Parker

Monday, March 26, 2012

MD Anderson March 26 2012 . 4th round Chemo done!!

Hello everyone,
Today was our follow-up MD Anderson Neuro-oncology visit with Dr PeƱas-Prada and all things are great. Each visit we meet with a resident/fellow in neuro-oncology and of course each one is different. Today, Mark was our fellow and Dana and I both agreed he was very dorky and awfully shy. But, he did a very comprehensive neuro exam, maybe the most thorough. I passed without any problems and Dana still wonders if I am faking it.

Great news is the MRI from last Tuesday is unchanged from all the previous post-op ones and the bimonthly blood tests are also very normal with no big changes in my white blood count or platelets. (the 2 most affected by my chemo pills)

So, all is well. It is also great to get home to Houston to have dinner with my family and see everyone is well and catch up with all the news in each family. My sister will graduate from nursing school in December 2012, my brother lost 30 pounds and wants to lose 20 more, my brother-in-law bought an awesome Traeger automatic smoker, my dad has long hair and my mom read another book and finished another quilt. Ron is in another weight-loss contest and it started today, good luck with the contest.

On another note, a close church family was involved in a car accident on I-35 in Waco and their 13yo son suffered a bad head injury and is in critical care at Children's ICU in Temple. We need you to include prayers for a speedy & full recovery for Tanner and support prayers for his family.

Also, my church cancer buddy Wren is holding up well despite the rigors of heavy bimonthly IV chemo. She has been a super trooper through her ordeal and Dana and her girlfriends have been very helpful with securing her help with a weekly nanny that helps her out, takes care of the 3kids and cleans & cooks! What a God send!

Our family is doing well and we want to thank everyone for praying and know that it does not go unnoticed!!! I have endured this entire ordeal with very few complications or side-effects and get to lead a very active lifestyle with my wife and kids!

Thanks for all the prayers and please continue to pray for us as well as yourselves and your families, please also say a prayer for Tanner and Wren.

Through my ER career, I have learned to live everyday to its fullest and I am constantly reminded of the fragility of life and how our live are in God's hands.

God Bless
David & Dana
Audrey & Parker

Monday, January 23, 2012

Follow-up Neuro-Oncology Visit

Happy New Year everyone,

Today was our follow-up visit at MD Anderson and Dana & I met with our new neuro-oncologist Dr Penas - Prado and everything went great. She is a wonderful, caring and compassionate doctor. She very politely introduced herself and even offered to slow down and explain in more detail any questions or issues Dana or I might have, if necessary. This made Dana feel very comfortable.

The doctor confirmed that the MRI performed Friday in Waco was very good with no tumor re-growth or change from the previous MRI 2 months ago, the first one post surgery & radiation treatment. So, great news! She did confirmed that I will need to have repeat MRI's every two months for the next year and then every three months for the following year.

Dana & I are very excited and appreciate all the prayers.

I am ready to start my third round of chemo this week. So far, the chemo is very tolerable, as long as I take the anti-nausea medicine Zofran. Another great blessing. Seems like I just did a round of chemo over New Years but I am very grateful I tolerate it well without side effects.

We are headed back to Waco tonight and Dana & I want to thank everyone again for all the prayers and wonderful support. We continue to be amazed at the overwhelming support we have received during the past six months. We have amazing friends both long time friends and new friends, from all walks of life. Friends from church, school, work and the neighborhood.

Thank you all of our wonderful friends and family,
God Blesses in different ways
God Bless each and everyone

David & Dana
Audrey & Parker

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

MRI Friday....

It is amazing how the mind can make you believe and feel all things that are not of God...

I planned to post asking you all who love us so much and have been praying so hard for our family the past five months to continue, as David has his next MRI Friday and MD Anderson visit Monday. Since the beginning of this journey God has done so many wonderful things in our lives and continues to do many wonderful things strengthening our faith every day. Over the last two months our family has experienced many celebrations and blessing including the success of David's last two chemo treatments. 

However, as I post these blessings we have celebrated I am also faced with a sad feeling of the other side that Cancer can bring.   Today our wonderful friend and fighter Wren found out some disappointing news. I felt so selfish even writing requesting prayer for our family, because I felt she needs all the prayer. I went back and forth about this for the last hour until I realized who I'm dealing with....God.....really Dana? God can't handle us praying for two people? I have learned so much from Wren in my spiritual life and my life as a wife,  mother and friend. I have spoken of Wren in the past. She is a young mother of three, the youngest being just 5 months. She is a friend who is fighting Cancer that started in her colon and now in her lungs. Today my strong friend  found out the cancer in her lungs has grown and grown at an abnormally fast rate. With this news instead of being negative she has decided that she is ready to continue the fight and fight hard the next few months. She is my Friend in so many ways and I believe with all my heart that she will beat this. I know it is going to be one heck of a fight moving forward as they continue her radiation and give her the most chemo her body can possibly take. I also know that if anyone can do this and fight this hard it is her.

We are so lucky that we can pray and that God listens. We know that his purpose in all this will be fulfilled and we are to glorify him through all of this. Already in the last 5 months I think of all the amazing things and people that have started believing in God,  in faith, in love and hope just from Wren and David's story. 

So I ask of you, our family and friends, to please pray for peace for the Horn family....pray for their boys Braden, 3 and Eli 18 months that they will be resilant to all that is going on...Pray for God to kill the cancer and for Wren to have the strength to fight it. 

Pray for David's MRI on Friday. For good results....for no re growth.....for continued good chemo dosages.....

And thank God for all that he has already done....that David and Wren continue to hold true to their faith and the relationship we are so lucky to have with the Horns.....

If you would like to read Wren's story and see how you can help, you can join her Facebook Group, Wren Horn Support.....


Lots of Love to you all and I look forward to writing good results on Friday..........

Dana