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.

Hunting

Ethan, Cory and Grandpa Garth went on a quick hunting trip. They were only gone about 24 hours and came home with this! Ethan is in heaven. You can tell by his smile!

Really? It's been a year?

Update in a flash:
October 2009: Ethan was a mummy, Easton a dragon, and EmiLee and butterfly
November 2009: Thanksgiving with Anderson's (and shopping!!)
December 2009: Amazing Christmas with family
January 2010: BRRRRR!
February 2010: Ethan get's accepted to Montecello Academy
March 2010: EmiLee turn's 4
April 2010: Kids try to play "April Fools" tricks for 2 weeks
May 2010: Pre-school graduation for Ethan!
June 2010: Robyn starts training for 5k (goal: beat last year's time)
July 2010: Easton falls and kills a tooth (it's black, but still in his mouth)
August 2010: Ethan starts kindergarten
September 2010: Robyn diagnosed with an optic-nerve tumor

Chasing Animals...and Kids!

The kids needed a fun activity today so we went to the Petting Farm at Gardner Village. They loved it. Ethan asked if he could stay for a long time, I would just come back to pick him up. He would have stayed forever.

SAD but HAPPY day

Well, the day finally came.

EmiLee's first day of pre-school was today! Staying true to our family tradition I, the Dad, got to take her to school on the first day. I am lucky that her teacher is a very close friend of mine! Kris Mecham Nguyen; I grew up with Kris and have known her my entire life. In fact, since we moved back to my old neighborhood, her parents live right next door to us! She also married one of my best friends from High School. Needless to say, Robyn and I love her and know her well. When I dropped EmiLee off this morning I contemplated waiting for her outside for the full 2 hours like I did with Ethan. I then realized how comfortable I feel with Kris , so I began to leave. EmiLee sure knows how to pull at my heart strings; I gave her a kiss and a hug and then walked back to the truck but as soon as I got to the truck she ran back to me and said "Dad give me a kiss and a hug, kiss and a hug". I almost cried right there! Thank goodness I am man enough to hold the tears until I am alone. I gave her the "kiss and a hug" and after school we went on a daddy daughter date to get a shake.

I love that little girl!!!! Daddy's Baby Best Girl.

Grandparents Rock!

Grandma ran the race with the kids in Fairview...they actually made it a mile!!

Nana and Grandpa have a Zoo pass! We love going there with them!

We are so lucky to have awesome grandparents! We live close to one set and kinda close to the other. We are lucky kids!

Da ZOO !

Well I can not help but think I am the luckiest guy in the world!
I have a beautiful wife that makes me smile, and kids that are so amazing I thank my Father in Heaven every day for letting me be in their lives.
We had a great time at the zoo with Nana and Grandpa Bruce, and our beatiful nieces Meghan and Riley from Arizona.
If you have not had the chance to go to the bird show at Utah's Hoogle Zoo, you do not know what you are missing. When they tell you it is an interactive show, and to make sure not to raise your hands or stand up listen, they mean it! As I sat with Easton on my lap they introduced a giant owl to the crowd by letting it fly over all of our heads. It came right at little Easton, I think his eyes were even bigger than those of the owl, and as it breezed past Easties head I received a nice little thump on my head from his wing. (It was really cool!)
I don't think I have seen the kids that quiet watching a show, ever. Thank you Hoogle Zoo.


Watch out Easton!

It's confirmed...Ethan is Obsessed!!!

I bought this cute Christmas set for the kids to read "Twas The Night Before Christmas" and act out the story with the toys. I asked Ethan what was happening with Santa's reindeer and he said he is hunting them. Don't worry though, he said he won't shoot rudolf.

A Little Mess

I let Easton feed himself for the first time today. I know, he is 15 months old and I guess other parents start sooner. I kind of hate messes so I always feed him. I had to take a picture. He looked a lot messier in person. So I guess the camera adds 10 lbs and minimizes messes by 50%.

A moment to catch and record!

Ethan got some books from the library. In an effort to keep them away from Easton (who knows if they would be returnable after he got them), I created a "reading spot" for Ethan on the top bunk of his bedroom. We won't need the top bunk until Easton is out of the crib. I hadn't heard from Ethan for about 10 minutes, which can be scary, so I went to check on him. He was reading his books to his stuffed animals. Can you tell what book he is reading? For anyone that knows Ethan, you don't need more than one guess, even if there weren't a picture. When he was finished, I asked him if his animals liked learning about deer. He assured me they did.

Just so sad...

Jackson has a skin condition that bugs him so he licks a spot on his tail. He as created a sore that started to bleed. The vet suggested we put this cone collar on him so he will leave it alone. It reminds me of a movie... Anyway, he hates it and it kinda freaks him out a little so he won't move when it's on. He just sits there. This is him in the morning...

And in the afternoon....I promise this picture was taken later.

Ethan, the stud!!!

The kids in our ward performed in the annual Primary Program. Ethan being a sunbeam made his debut. It was one to remember. The first song was "I Am A Child of God". He knew it so well he sang his little heart out. The people on the back row could hear him, and only him. It was great. As if it weren't cute enough that Ethan was singing so loudly, he didn't realize there was more than one verse, and that the words to each verse were different. As the other kids started singing the second verse, he repeated the words for the first verse. And then again for the third, he sang the first. It was great! I was so proud that he was confident enough with himself to share his talents and sing so proudly. Way to go Ethan. You are a stud!

Oh So Pretty

Nana made EmiLee a new skirt. She calls it her "twirly skirt" and loves it! Thanks Nana!!

Trick or Treat

Ethan choose to be something "spooky" this year. A mummy was an easy costume to make. He loved the party at Grandma's work and loved the Trunk-or-Treat at the church. EmiLee wasn't in the mood this year...she was a very sad clown. Easton decided it he couldn't wait to eat the candy. Someone would give him a piece of candy and he would want to eat in right then. He would get mad when I tried to put it in the bag. He quickly forgot he was upset when he got a new piece.

Easton's Cake

Mommy actually made the cake this year. Usually dad does but not this time. Wow, are you impressed?

Easton Bruce is 1!!

Easton turned 1 on the 17th and he is a great kid. He is happy and always up for a laugh. He is walking and signs "more" and he loves his older brother Ethan. He initiates several "goofy 1 year old" games and it's pretty funny. He is very smiley, and sleeps through the night (more consitantly than Ethan and EmiLee). Overall he is very easy going and a great kid. He is fun to be with and play with. He also will sit on his little play toy outide for hours when I am working in the yard. What a kid!!

The 24th of July

Ethan threw candy in the parade in Fairview. He drove his Diego PowerWheels Jeep. Cory walked along with him (I mean corrected the steering wheel so Ethan would drive straight down the middle of the road without crashing). He was so excited for about 2 days before the parade but after it was all said and done, I don't think it was all he thought it would be. When I asked Ethan if he wanted to do it again, he said no. When I asked Cory if he would do it again, he said "only 2 more times, one for EmiLee and one for Easton". What a dad!

A Little Family Fun

Some of the family (the ones that were in town) got together at Nanna and Grandpa Bruces' house. We had a great time! It looks like Easton can walk but really he can only stand. Thanks Nanna and Grandpa for always hosting a great party!

Growing Fast!!!

Easton has started to walk more than crawl. He is still faster at crawling so if he really has somewhere he thinks he needs to be quickly, he will crawl. If he has time to practice the walking thing, he does.