It's a Tumor

In the fall of 2009, Robyn started getting dizzy every time she stood up, bent down to pick something up, pick a kid up out of the tub, that sort of thing. In January she had blood tests done checking for the usual but everything was normal. Thinking it might just go away like most odd symptoms, she went on her normal activities. In April, she went to an InstaCare for a sore throat and mentioned it again to the nurse. She checked blood pressure and again, everything was normal. The did say she could recommend someone to show Robyn exercises that might prevent the dizziness. Thinking that was the most ridiculous plan of action ever, Robyn again went on normal activities. By September, the dizziness had turned into vision loss in her left eye with most movements. Cory finally told Robyn to call the doctor. Robyn called Cory's family doctor, since the only doctor Robyn had was an OB/GYN, hoping he would accept her as a new patient. The receptionist said he wasn't really taking new patients at the time but since Cory was already a patient, she would ask. She asked what Robyn needed to be seen for and Robyn told her about the vision loss. The receptionist said she would talk to the doctor and call back the next day. About 15 minutes later, Robyn got a call saying the doctor wanted to see her the next morning. That kind of worried Robyn a little but she went in the next day. The doctor ordered an MRI for 3 days later. A day after that, the doctor called and said there was a mass. Robyn went and saw Dr Clayson, an ophthalmologist who had performed her LASIK eye surgery 7 years earlier. He was also the owner of the apartments Cory and Robyn managed when first married. Dr. Clayson is a good friend and a trusted doctor. He could tell that Robyn's optic nerve was swollen because of the lack of blood flow from the mass on the nerve. Robyn was referred to the Moran Eye Center. Dr Warner at the Moran said that it looked like a Meningioma. However, they are more common in 54 year old women so she couldn't be sure. She ordered at CT which would hopefully show calcification and then she could be sure it was a Meningioma. Robyn went to the Huntsman Cancer Institute for the CT, which did not show calcification. The next step was to rule out other crazy diseases. Blood tests all came back normal so Dr Warner prescribed a steroid. Lymphoma's don't like steroids so this was a "treatment to diagnose". After 30 days on the medication, it didn't react like it would if it were Lymphoma so the final diagnosis was "most likely a Meningioma". A biopsy was not a good option because it would most likely cause permanent vision loss in the left eye. So the next best thing is radiation. On November 18th, the daily treatments began. The plan? Monday through Friday at Huntsman Cancer Institute for 20 minutes of radiation therapy. 30 treatments are needed to complete the process. Robyn was fitted with a full face mask which is bolted to a table. On some days, the mask is so tight she can't open her eyes. On those days, it leaves lovely red marks on her forehead and cheeks. Sideffects? REALLY tired, mild headaches, sore scalp and incredibly annoyed and inconvenienced with scheduling daily childcare. The people at HCI are so nice and that makes the actual appointment bearable. Yesterday marked treatment #19! Being on the downhill is a good feeling. Robyn has an appointment with Dr. Warner at the Moran Eye center on Jan 4th. From there, we will repeat an MRI and see if there are any changes in size to the mass on the nerve.