Hello What’s Your Fight fans, my name is Kathleen Clark and I am the daughter of Daryn Clark, the owner and creator of this website. My father created this website to help people with their fight to become physically fit and healthy. He is a very inspiring man who started his own successful business in 1991 called Southern Ingenuity. His business provides care for mentally and physically disabled people in order for them to stay in their own homes and not have to live in institutions or nursing homes. Dad is also a very fit and healthy man who has been doing martial arts for over 10 years and has a 5th degree black belt. He is also a certified MMA coach. As you can see my father is a man of many talents. Our family is extremely close and my mom and dad celebrated their 26th anniversary this year on May 17, 2012.
Up until now we have lived a very ordinary and happy life. Our family wasn’t perfect, but we were as close as you can get. Our lives were forever changed though on June 15, 2012. It was a Friday and my dad was attending an afternoon karate class. He had been at class for 10 minutes when he blacked out and had a seizure. He was rushed to the hospital which was luckily next door. The doctors did a CT scan that showed 2 bleeds on either side of the brain. They immediately sent him by ambulance to LSU Medical Center in Shreveport. My father was there for two long weeks. The doctors ran every test known to man trying to diagnose him including numerous CT scans, 4 MRI’s, a spinal tap, and an open brain biopsy. After all the testing and so forth, LSU still could not give us a definitive diagnosis, but they were leaning towards central nervous system lymphoma. Dad was finally sent home on June 29, 2012, the day before his 50th birthday, and was told to come back on July 12th. The doctors felt like the steroids that he had been placed on to combat the inflammation in his brain were compromising his test results.
In the meantime, we made an appointment at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas for July 5th. We met with a lymphoma doctor who scheduled an MRI on July 12th. LSU sent all my father’s medical records and tissue slides from the biopsy. We went back to Houston for the MRI on July 12th and met with a neurosurgeon on July 13th. The neurosurgeon informed us that their neuropathologist had looked at the biopsy from LSU and performed further testing, and it was NOT lymphoma. It looked to be gliomatosis cerebri. Dad had to have another brain biopsy on July 16th and the doctor confirmed our worst fears adding that the cancer was grade 4.
This is a very rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. Hearing this news has forever changed my father’s life and ours. My dad’s fight is for his life. My family’s fight is to support one another and be there for my dad. When you hear such devastating news you have a million things rushing through your head. You think about the future and how scary it looks and you become selfish. I wasn’t even thinking about what my father was thinking or what my mother was thinking. I was thinking about myself. It wasn’t until my mother and I got into an argument that I changed my view. I finally realized that this situation is bigger than me. I knew right then that I had to be my mother’s rock. My mother is going through so much that I grieve for her and think about her through all this. I knew that I had to do something. I knew that I had to make something so negative into something positive. I didn’t realize this until I read a card that my aunt had sent my dad mentioning his website What’s YOUR Fight and made a comment to dad about him having the mind and body of a fighter and that he needed to fight this cancer like the warrior he is.
I started brainstorming and came up with the idea of blogging on my dad’s website in the hope of helping others going through similar situations. I also hope that people will share their experiences to help me cope. Then I came up with the idea of creating a t-shirt in honor of my dad and his website to get the word out and to raise money for brain cancer research through the organization of Elizabeth’s Hope. My father was so happy about this idea of helping others. I am also part of a sorority at LSU (Louisiana State University) called Kappa Delta. My sisters want to plan an event to raise money for brain cancer, too! In our situation you can’t live life in fear of the future. You must live life day by day. You must stay positive in these situations. An example of this is my mother one day looked at me with tears in her eyes and she was so sad and down. I then looked her in the eyes and said to her, “Are we all still alive? Are we all still together?” She just looked at me and I told her “Then today is not a bad day. It may be an emotional day, but every day we get to spend together is a good day.”
* I will be blogging at least once a week. Feel free to comment underneath.
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Wow, Kathleen. You are so well spoken and really in touch with your feelings. What a wonderful, beautiful idea. You certainly inspired me. People (like me) want to help but don’t want to get in the way, either. It is a helpless, useless feeling. I look forward to learning more about the research organization and ways we can all help. You have such a wonderfull family. I pray for y’all daily.
Kathleen what a wonderful idea you have. I’m so glad you are doing this. I had a friend who was 40 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had three small kids and was just devastated with the knews. She began to blog on caringbridge about everything. Her cancer treatments, surgeries, pics of her bald head. Everything! It was so inspiring to read and gladly she is in remission now and cancer free. Michael really thinks a lot of your father, and although he isn’t as close to him as Tony is, he really appreciates him as a friend and has sought him out for advise on numerous occasions. We would both love tshirts if you would email or facebook or text me (3185575284) with info how we could purchase them. While Emily was in the hospital so very sick last month we realized how important our friends, our church family, and mostly prayers were to us. Lean on your friends when you need them, call on your church family if they haven’t already reached out to your family, and if there is anything we can do to help out (believe me I know how mAny times you’ve already heard that—and y’all were probably like us and hate asking) we would love to help out. Stay strong and continue the fight my dear. You are awesome! Much love Shelly Allen
Kathleen,
Your post has brought me to tears–I am so moved by your faith and your spirit. I watched my father struggle with his fight against cancer for 4 long years, and I know that it’s a tough battle. You are such a sweet girl, and stronger than you’ll ever realize. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you ever need anything. I am praying for you and your whole family!
Love and AOT, Emma
I can’t express how proud I am of you and how proud I am to be a part of this fight with such increcible people involved–all of whom I love. We will get through this together. It’s OUR FIGHT.
Amen!!!!
Praying for your Dad and your family!!
Fully Relying On God (FROGing)
Are the shirts for sale yet?? I couldn’t find where to order one.
Yes mam they are on sale. You can either order them at Delta Interiors in Homer or through this website. Just click on brain cancer t-shirts and then click on grey matters order form to print it out and mail it to 180 Quail Trail, Homer, LA 71040.
Kathleen, I have been so touched by your words. please know that so many people are praying for your sweet family. My father was sick for much of my childhood and your words made me realize how couragous my own mother was through it all. Every day is a gift. keep that in your heart all the time as your family abd especially your dad fights this ! Love and prayers always.
Dear Elizabeth, I don’t know if you know me, but your families” fight’ touched my heart. My boys,Randy, Mark,Greg, and Jason all went to Claiborne Academy. Our family also has been very close. We lost our son Greg in an accident in 1999 and have all had to deal with that in different ways. But, that, is not my fight. I am an RN and until April I worked at Homer Memorial. I am a Diabetic, and have been since Dr. Abshire discovered the disease in 1991, while I was finishing my RN degree. At first, I controlled the diabetes with oral medications fairly well, but I also have another “fight”. I have an addiction, a food addiction. If I am depressed, which is another” fight”I have, I seek food for comfort. And I can’t stop myself. I may go for months with no problems, but at some point, I always “fall off of the wagon. ” So, over the years, my diabetes got worse, on the roller coaster of depression, happiness, eating, exercising, not exercising to more oral meds, then insulin, now two types of insulin, to stomach problems. At times I feel like totally giving up. It seems that now it doesn’t matter if I eat right, or don’t eat right, my blood sugar just stays up. I mean 300 to 500 at times. Exercise does help. In 2011, the depression & diabetes started effecting my health, especially my activity. I had severe neuritis, and had to have rotator cuff surgeries bilaterally. Then, my right foot broke, just walking at work. That took 31/2 months to heal and gave me so much trouble, I could hardly keep up with the 12 hour shift. My same foot broke again this year, just walking at home (a different bone). I had just quit my job because I couldn’t keep up due to problems and pain from my bones and foot swelling. A DR. at Willis Knighton told me( when I asked if Diabetes was making my bones break) that taking Protonix on a long term basis without taking Calcium caused me to have brittle bones. (Note: Dr. Abshire did not start me on Protonx.) I have been in a cast for last the 4 1/2 months. The Dr. took me out of the cast this past week. There is still a gap in the bone. I can’t work anymore. I am only 59 years old. I know my fight is not near as serious as your Dads. I will pray for you and your family. Elizabeth, the Lord works in mysterious ways. He promises he will never put more on us than we can stand. I always read Romans 8:28. This blog is a wonderful idea. Everyone, EVERYONE, has a fight. And talking about things helps…I guess you don’t feel so alone. You are right about waking up each day too. And being together….One day at a time Sweet Jesus, One day at a time. If I can ever do anything for you or your family, please let me know. Debbie Willliams
I am a highschool classmate of your relative Leah Bridges and have been praying for your family when I read the news over the FBook. Please post a pic of the t shirts and sizes available would be glad to send
a check to purchase one in your efforts to fundraise for brain cancer research. God Bless Mrs. Clark
Hot Springs, AR Great job of blogging. Be Blessed
Kathleen… My name is Kevin and we met at your aunt Beth’s 40th birthday party. My wife(Peggy) and Beth went to school together. We have had our share of cancer in our family the past few years. While I won’t say I know what your are feeling I can relate. Our youngest son(9) is a survivor and we have each lost a parent to cancer recently. I just wanted to let you know that it is a tough fight but each day is precious and not to be taken lightly. I know you have the support of your family and lots of friends praying for you guys. Please know that what ever the outcome your fathered a fighter and created a legacy you can be proud of.
Our youngest was treated at MD Anderson and it is one of the best cancer research hospitals in the world. We were surrounded by the best doctors and saw micriles hap
Happen.. Fight the fight and know you have people standing with you.
What an awesome testimony to unselfish love and dedication! Kathleen, you have such a wonderful and beautiful family and our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Keep the faith, take one day at a time and live each to the fullest!
I’m glad Daryn has his family by his side fighting together his fight. He exemplifies what a true warrior is. I actually looked up the definition of a warrior and this is what i found:
war·ri·or (wôr-r, wr-)
n.
1. One who is engaged in or experienced in battle.
2. One who is engaged aggressively or energetically in an activity, cause, or conflict.
Daryn has always been one to engage aggressively in everything he has set out to do. He’s a WARRIOR. I pray daily that he keeps his strength to keep fighting his fight and that you all stay strong through all this.
Daryn, stay strong brother. I’m praying for you.
“Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death.” All the best to the Clark family.
You are a good daughter. Your parent should be proud of you. I’ll pray fir your fatherm Stay strong.
Kathleen, I am so proud of you! Your family has shown such strength and love for each other. I am praying for all of you as you face each day. I love you!
Thank you for sharing kathleen. I cannot imagine how devastating things are right now but to see Sensei go through and battle against it like a warrior speaks VOLUMES to so many people. I know it’s very hard to cope with it but just pray and ask God to show it to you. So many people are praying for you and lifting your fanily up to God. Place that hope in Him that He may give you guys peace comfort and healing. We love you guys
You are an amazing spirit of faith, strength, and pure love just as your family has grown you to be. I absolutely believe that daryn’s story, your family’s story, will be a blessing to many facing similar battles and your honesty in that battle is gift. Know that your story has a ripple effect beyond your knowledge of the lives it will impact. Please know that so many family & friends are sending precious prayers your way for comfort & guidance, for strength & faith, & for an enduring love. I admire your honesty, I applaud your zeal, & I adore your family! Much love, many prayers…from ours to yours
Very straight forward and well done. You are definitely your fathers daughter. Thanks for the opportuity to stay informed.
What a sweet, thoughtful testimony . Your grandmother, Kat would be so proud of you! Keep your positive attitude and love for your mom and dad as you show encouragement daily. Support and prayers mean the world . Will be praying for all of you! The Bourn’s
You are such a gift to your parents and to this situation, Kathleen. Your parents must be so proud of you.
Kathleen, Thank you for all of the information on your dad’s cancer. From your writing I can honestly see where you get your strength and courage to pick up the mantle for brain cancer. God will give you lots of inner strength to help your family at this time. Looking forward to more posts.
It is with a heavy heart that I read this and feel compelled to respond. My husband and I were married 28 years, when he was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiform. He was hospitalized for 3mos. of which all but the last 2 weeks were at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge. After 2 1/2mos., two angels were sent to me in the form of caregivers. Until this time, I didn’t feel anyone could care for him in the manner in which I did, so I would not leave the hospital. I was so fortunate to have these “angels”, as I had stayed with him day and night. During my stay, I had never witnessed such courageousness!!! The first 4 weeeks, he was pumped with steriods to build him up, for at that time, this was considered our only hope. He was not a candidate for Chemo, but Radiation Therapy was a must, in order to keep the swelling in his brain to a minimum. He never once, felt sorry for himself, asked why me, and for most of those months we prayed for a miracle. He never lost HOPE. Two weeks before his death, the Drs. came in and told us they were sending us home, they could no longer provide any medical help. He was an elected official and we owned a grocery store here in Plaquemine. Brandon’s clinic procided Physical Therapy when all of this began. His death was not in vane. I learned so much from him and about him during those 3 mos. His legacy will remain with us forever. Diagnosis was on March 23, 2003 and he passed away June 23, 2003. I certainly will keep your mom, you, and especially your dad in prayer. I can truly say I understand and know what your mom is going through. Keep the faith, don’t lose hope and pray, pray, pray for that miracle!
Kathleen… Such wonderful words spoken. Your Dad seems like such an awsome man. Your family is so blessed to have such a wonderful daughter. You have been so incredibly good and upbeat last week in such a busy time. If you need anything, moral support or a ride back home, etc. please ask either Peyton or Jordan!!! We will be praying for your family.
Hi Kathleen,
You’re one of the closest reasons your dad has to survive. The love your family has for each other is the biggest asset anyone in his current condition could have. His extended family as well are rallied around him as you may know with thoughts and prayers sent up on a daily basis for you all. I may see you soon. If so I look forward to it and in the meantime I’ll keep reading your blog.
love, gayle
Kathleen, Kathleen….. I do not have to tell you how much I love you sweet girl!! You are a gorgeous young lady with such an awesome attitude and I pray that God will continue to provide you with tremendous strength. You are known for being strong and were always quite the little “mother” figure toward your classmates. Whether we understand it or not, everything that happens is for a reason. I often try to remind myself that if nothing challenging ever happens…I would not know how to appreciate the easy things. God has such an awesome way of turning a negative into a positive. Your dad’s diagnosis has already touched so many people in so many ways. It has not only brought everyone together in prayer, but has opened many eyes to the fact that our lives can be changed so quickly! It has also made a community want to come together to show love and care toward such a sweet family. As your family is educated on the statistics from previous cases of this disease and preparations are made to embark upon this journey with your dad….please do not cut yourselves short by forgetting that miracles do happen! I love you Kathleen and will keep Daryn, Leslie, Barrett, you and that ever so stinkin’ cute Mary Laura in my prayers!! <3<3<3<3<3
Kathleen, You don’t know me but your mom & I have been friends for at least 35 years. I am so sorry that i was going on your moms facebook page to ask about our high school reunion when i started seeing info about “the fight”, prayers for your dad, etc It breaks my heart that your family is going through such a difficult time. I have to say that your blog touched my heart and i know your mom & dad have to be so proud of the young woman you are! What an amazing thing you are doing. I will continue to follow your blog and will have you all in my daily prayers, especially your dad! Please pass my love on to Leslie and hug her tight for me! If I can do anything to help, please contact me. I love your Mom dearly!!! With love & prayers- Carrie Roy
I don’t know your family personally but I had to reach out just because you reached out. I don’t know what its like to battle cancer or stand with a family member while they battle it, and face what you and your family currently face. I can only share my experience strength and hope. While battling my own demons the last 5 years I have found out just how powerful our kind and loving god is. With no hope of my own I began to thank god daily for things I didn’t already posses. Someone told me earlier, “thank god in advance for those things you are hoping for but don’t currently have, so i began to do that. I would sit quietly in prayer for awhile, then write out whatever affirmative and thankful prayer that came out. For example: “Thank you father god for opening the door, for parting the sea and sky and providing me with your supernatural healing spirit. Thank you for rearranging the universe if necessary to bring about your gifts. As I open my arms in thanksgiving I accept the gifts I know you are anxious to give me” The more I did this the more powerful the prayers became, through god I believe, not myself.
I can only say god has answered affirmative prayer for me over and over again.
Your love and strength has touched my heart and I believe that’s the power of god shining through you.
God bless