We have anxiously been awaiting the arrival of my brother and sister and her husband today. My brother will be flying in from New York and has not been to visit in 2 years! We are excited to give him a warm Texas welcome ! My sister and her husband will be flying in from Nebraska. Both arrive late this evening!
We were busy today getting ready when we received a phone call around 2 p.m. from MD Anderson. They spoke to our radiation oncologist in Waco and he said he would be more comfortable with us seeing the radiation oncologist in Houston at MD Anderson. He felt that MD Anderson has more experience with re-occuring Brain Tumors and the appropriate radiation treatment needed. This being said, they want us back in Houston tomorrow for a 1:30 appointment. The chemo that we were to start tomorrow in Waco, will be put on hold and it looks like treatment may all be done at MD Anderson. So, we will be welcoming my sweet family tonight and then giving them an extra big welcome by leaving them with a very darling toothless 5 year old and a fighting ninja 3 year old. My brother's one request, to not be woken up at 6 a.m. Ooops......
Selfishly I have been so excited for the arrival of my siblings and a weekend at home! It looks like their first day here won't be as planned but I appreciate God's perfect timing and providing the perfect babysitters when needed:) We will update the blog and let everyone know what our appointment says. We hope to be coming back tomorrow to spend time with the family as their visit is very short. If treatment is to begin in Houston next week this will mean A LOT of changes for our family. We have a lot of specific prayers....
Please pray for guidance and wisdom
Please pray for God's plan
Please pray for the knowledge of our Radiation Oncologist
Please pray for Davids persistent headaches
Please pray for this Mama's energy....it is starting to run on empty
Please pray for safe travels for our family tomorrow as we drive back and forth from Houston
Please pray tonight for safe travels as my family will be traveling from Austin and Dallas to arrive to Waco
Thank God for the amazing day he gave us today
Thank God for the miracles he has performed already
Thank God for sweet audrey and her heart as tonight was the First night she decided on her own to pray for Daddy's Cancer
Thank God for placing David's parents 43 years ago in a house they would call home! This home is one mile from MD Anderson and we feel so blessed to have the convenience of family there!
Thank God for ALL the A-Mazing people that want to help our family so bad. If only I knew how....The one thing I do know is to just Pray boldly!
He is Faithful,
Dana
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
Status Post MRI MD Anderson Appointment
I hope this email finds everyone well.....
Today was an interesting and hopeful day....
We met with our neuro-oncologist at MD Anderson, Dr Prada. We looked at several options, surgery, clinical trials and a regime of Avastin and Radiation. It was concluded that surgery would be very risky at this point. Given that we just had surgery three months ago. Also, the tumor is close to what would be my right side mobile functions. Going into surgery we would risk getting too close to this part of the brain. We also talked about clinical trials. Some of the best therapies come from clinical trials. The problem would be, I would have to be off all medication for 4 weeks. Given the size of the tumor, this would be too risky as well. The third option, which she felt confident about and we do as well is pursuing radiation and Avastin. We are close to our 2 year window from the last time we had radiation. This being said, it would be in the clearance to do it again. We will do radiation ( 3-4) weeks and also do Avastin which is done with an IV. We don't exactly know the details yet, as we are waiting to clear and set it up with our oncologist in Waco. The other blessing about all of this, we can do it in Waco. We hope that this can all get set up in the next few days and we can begin treatment.
I am so grateful for all those that have joined in on the prayer list and been wishing to support in any way. The only symptoms I experience at this point is left sided headaches which go away with a tylenol or two. I have been put on steroids to help with this too. Which according to Dana does cause some personality changes. The only other problem, less severe, depending who you are, is forgetting names. So don't fault me there... I am trying.
Continue to pray for strength and guidance as we continue on......
David & Dana
Audrey & Parker
Today was an interesting and hopeful day....
We met with our neuro-oncologist at MD Anderson, Dr Prada. We looked at several options, surgery, clinical trials and a regime of Avastin and Radiation. It was concluded that surgery would be very risky at this point. Given that we just had surgery three months ago. Also, the tumor is close to what would be my right side mobile functions. Going into surgery we would risk getting too close to this part of the brain. We also talked about clinical trials. Some of the best therapies come from clinical trials. The problem would be, I would have to be off all medication for 4 weeks. Given the size of the tumor, this would be too risky as well. The third option, which she felt confident about and we do as well is pursuing radiation and Avastin. We are close to our 2 year window from the last time we had radiation. This being said, it would be in the clearance to do it again. We will do radiation ( 3-4) weeks and also do Avastin which is done with an IV. We don't exactly know the details yet, as we are waiting to clear and set it up with our oncologist in Waco. The other blessing about all of this, we can do it in Waco. We hope that this can all get set up in the next few days and we can begin treatment.
I am so grateful for all those that have joined in on the prayer list and been wishing to support in any way. The only symptoms I experience at this point is left sided headaches which go away with a tylenol or two. I have been put on steroids to help with this too. Which according to Dana does cause some personality changes. The only other problem, less severe, depending who you are, is forgetting names. So don't fault me there... I am trying.
Continue to pray for strength and guidance as we continue on......
David & Dana
Audrey & Parker
Saturday, July 27, 2013
MRI RESULTS
So amazing to have so many people, email, call and text the past few hours. Words of encouragement, scripture, bold prayer and just a simple thinking of you! Thank you. David had his MRI today and it appears that the tumor has doubled in size. Two times the size it was and even bigger then the first one two years ago. When David sent me a picture of the MRI, I was shocked that something that massive and huge has taken over David's brain and he is still functioning... I patiently put the kids to bed and waited anxiously for David to get home tonight so we could just spend time talking and praying on what all this means.
David and I both continue to be very open and straightforward on what this all looks like for our family. We talked about what does Healing really mean? Many have asked if they can pray for healing for David? It has caused some open conversation on what does healing mean in a persons life? The simple answer would mean..no brain cancer. But, when we look back at David's past two years, we don't see the life of someone with Cancer. We have traveled as a family more then we have in 10 years of marriage, we have created some AMAZING moments and memories with our kids, our marriage is stronger then it was even the day we were married, David is spiritually healed and stronger in his faith, he was able to helicopter ski twice this past two years, go to Chili, get a motor bike, learn to motor bike ( helpful) , we have strengthened relationships in our family, we have strengthened friendships, we have created many new friendships, become involved in our church, he even won a hula hoop contest on chemo...the list can go on. Because of Brain Cancer we have lived a life better then someone with out Cancer. To us we feel God has miraculously healed us from the tragedy and walk of Cancer. He has given David the strength he needed to go to Chili. To spend a week at family camp right after. We want to continue thanking God for each day, to enjoy and appreciate every moment of it. And remembering the miracles GOD has already done in our lives already. A-Mazing!
So what is our prayer? Our prayer is for God to continue to do the impossible. To allow David to " triumph" living out glorifying God, appreciating every day, creating family memories and shield him from the road of sickness, dehabilitation. Help us to shield our children from the weaknesses Cancer can cause but for them to instead learn from the strength God can provide.
All the verses you sent today went right to our heart. We look forward to the next step whatever that may be when we go to MD Anderson on Monday......... We are blessed because tonight we go to sleep with some peace. With love, The Hurst Family
David and I both continue to be very open and straightforward on what this all looks like for our family. We talked about what does Healing really mean? Many have asked if they can pray for healing for David? It has caused some open conversation on what does healing mean in a persons life? The simple answer would mean..no brain cancer. But, when we look back at David's past two years, we don't see the life of someone with Cancer. We have traveled as a family more then we have in 10 years of marriage, we have created some AMAZING moments and memories with our kids, our marriage is stronger then it was even the day we were married, David is spiritually healed and stronger in his faith, he was able to helicopter ski twice this past two years, go to Chili, get a motor bike, learn to motor bike ( helpful) , we have strengthened relationships in our family, we have strengthened friendships, we have created many new friendships, become involved in our church, he even won a hula hoop contest on chemo...the list can go on. Because of Brain Cancer we have lived a life better then someone with out Cancer. To us we feel God has miraculously healed us from the tragedy and walk of Cancer. He has given David the strength he needed to go to Chili. To spend a week at family camp right after. We want to continue thanking God for each day, to enjoy and appreciate every moment of it. And remembering the miracles GOD has already done in our lives already. A-Mazing!
So what is our prayer? Our prayer is for God to continue to do the impossible. To allow David to " triumph" living out glorifying God, appreciating every day, creating family memories and shield him from the road of sickness, dehabilitation. Help us to shield our children from the weaknesses Cancer can cause but for them to instead learn from the strength God can provide.
Luke 1:37 " For nothing will be impossible with God"
All the verses you sent today went right to our heart. We look forward to the next step whatever that may be when we go to MD Anderson on Monday......... We are blessed because tonight we go to sleep with some peace. With love, The Hurst Family
" The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with Peace. " Psalm 29:11
MRI Day
Good morning! We hope this email finds each of you well! It has been awhile since we have written. The past 4 weeks have been amazing but crazy. Keeping busy we have found can be the best therapy for our family. On July 8th we were filled with so much gratitude and joy when 15 of our friends from Waco threw together a party of celebration for David. With 175 people showing up, we saw nothing but Green Team Hurst shirts, bracelets and koozies! We had some surprise visits from some of David's closest friends in Houston and family as well. This night gave us the opportunity to thank so many people in Waco that have stood by supporting us in bold prayer as we faced this journey the past two years. Showing people how grateful we are is something I always worry about. I want everyone to know, that we see and hear God so loud through each of you. Through you he gives us the wisdom, the strength and joy to battle through this journey. And we are forever grateful. Here are some pictures from the event.
David's parents:)
Thank you to our amazing hostesses ( not pictured EVEY ELLIS AND DEANNA STARLING) for making this an amazing evening for us!
After we had the joys of the party, with the help of a gracious friend, David got to spend a week in Chili! He had never been to a country like this and experience anything like it. He had an awesome time and got to enjoy the mountains of Chili ( winter there). Thankful to God for providing him with an abundant amount of energy and no headaches so he could have a trip of a life time!
But, wait it doesn't stop there! We picked David up from the Dallas airport and went straight to Pine Cove Family Camp after that! A-mazing experience! It did take me a few days to get used to sleeping in a cabin and some of the critters that thought our cabin was more enjoyable then outside! But, we learned so much as a family and met so many amazing people and friends! David and I had the awesome opportunity with others at the camp to listen to Ben Stewart, the Breakaway Minister at A&M. God reveled so much to us throughout the week on how to really just put our faith in him and spread that to your home. How important it is for Audrey and Parker to see us walk our daily journey and see how amazing God is through it. We also had the chance to zip line, banana boat ride and mountain bike. The last day of camp David experienced his first headache in a long time. It was the first time we were late to breakfast. It actually turned out to be perfect timing as we walked in to a room filled with parents, kids, counselors all wearing David's Team Hurst Shirts and Bracelets. They stood up and clapped and I can say I felt so much love and support in that room with people we just met. David right away thought I had something to do with this amazing surprise. But, this was one of the few times I was just as surprised as he. We felt so loved to find out wonderful friends Glenn and Rhonda Robinson coordinated the whole thing from Waco, Texas. God is good and very alive and carrying us every step and it showed in that room. When we sat down, sweet Audrey whispered in my ear. Mommy how do they all know Daddy has Cancer? It was that opportunity I could use what we learned and explained to her that it was OK others knew, that we as a community can come together and pray for Daddy and all these people want to do this with us. Here is a picture of al the parents after in their shirts!
Audrey and her camp buddies
One of the campers supporting Team Hurst
Happy Camper
So, were does this all leave us now???? We have had so much fun having family time. We have dug deeper into our faith through all of this! We have grown even more in our faith and our love as a family! We continue to be and feel great strength through all of you that God uses in our lives! We are home! And now....it is back to reality:( Today, saturday...at 4:45 David will have his first MRI after being on the trial for 4 weeks. His symptoms as always this past four weeks have been minimal. Which I wish that meant something...but the one thing I do know is that it allows us to walk through this journey easier and I thank God for that. But, the tumor is still there. Or at least we think. Today we will find out if it has grown, shrunk, stood still who knows. Depending on what it has done we will go to MD Anderson for our appointment monday morning. Dr. Prada will either continue us on trial or look at other treatment options.
We will update the blog and let everyone know. We again thank you for your encouragement for your prayers, for your love and for the joy you provide in our lives. Everyone has asked us for specific prayer...I ask that you take time today. To spend time asking the holy spirit to lead you in what to pray for. I can give you a million things, but ask that you have that time and feel that peace and comfort in prayer in prayer for our family.
We taught this verse to our kids this week and hope we can continue to do it in our lives through our journey....
" Whatever you do , do all for the glory of God " 1 Corinthians 10:31
Love, the Hurst Family
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