Day Three

Aaron thankfully took some time off to take Hunter up this morning. I'm not sure I would have made it. They left at 6 and were back at 9:30. Seven more days to go. Hunter is such a trooper!

Thursday Radiation

I got Hunter up at 5:30 to head to OHSU and Doernbecher for his radiation and chemo. Hazel was woken up too at 6.
The radiation took 2 minutes. Then it was 2 hours until his chemo.
He got his chemo. All is looking good there. Heading home the poor kids crashed as soon as we were mobile.
Once we got home we picked up Graham from a friends. Got them home. Quick grabbed a bite to eat. Jumped back in the van to pick up Harrison and Gavin. Got them home. Made sure I had everything to teach Activity Days. Got Hazel and all my stuff in the van to pick up Gretchen. Luckily Hunter was home so the boys could just stay home and not have to be at the church. Taught activity days went home. Thankfully Aaron picked up dinner. Quickly ate. Headed back to the church for young men's and New Beginnings for Gretchen. Got home and somehow got the kids to bed and crashed. 
What a day! 

Radiation

 ...here we go!

Wednesday was Hunter's first day of radiation. I had Hunter, of course, Graham and Hazel in tow. We were taken back to a consulting room. Which was fine for about the first 30 minutes. Then Hazel was done exploring the tiny space. The machines were backed up 25 minutes or so they said. We were told after Hunter got back there it would be about 40 minutes or so. The technicians would get him in position. The doctor would then come in and check the position of the rays to make sure they were going exactly where they need to.
Luckily we were the only ones in the consulting rooms. There are two. The other one had two great windows. 

We watched the Tram go up and down several times.
Hunter was called back at 11. I was thinking I sure hope Graham doesn't get to hungry and Hazel was already. We headed to the van for a change of scenery. 

Hunter was already done when we got back 10 minutes later. They said he was a rock star. 

We then had to wait 5 more minutes for the next 9 visits to be scheduled. 

Graham found this cool things to look at and then the stools to spin around on. 

The appointments were scheduled for 8 in the morning most days with one 9 am.
Looks like we'll be getting up early for these appointments. 

Weekend Basketball

The boys had basketball last weekend. I took pictures at Gavin's game. I didn't have time when Hunter was in to get the camera out for his game.
Both boys teams lost but had a good time playing.

Blue and Gold

Last night was our ward's Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet. The boys get to decorate a cake for dessert. The theme was bravery this year. Gavin came up with his own idea.

The artist at work.
He wanted to do an army cake.

The final result.
 I think it turned out fabulously. It was so fun to watch him put it together. Gavin would put some guys on the cake. Then step back to check it. More guys were added. Again he would step back to make sure all was right. It is so fun to see him in his element.

Here is a picture of his good friends, Rees and Luke's cake.
They did Super Mario Brother's cake.
It was a great evening. The food was fun and so kid friendly. Hot dogs, french fries, coleslaw and milkshakes for dessert.
There was a small fire that started in the kitchen from some oil being spilled on a hot burner. It was quickly extinquished and the fire alarm went off. We did have to exit the building but continued on with awards.
Gavin earned his wolf in October or November and received the badge last night. He also earned one gold arrow and a silver arrow.
The smoke was taken care of the alarm shut off and we were back in the building eating cake in no time. The young women and men arrived for their activity shortly after and didn't even notice anything.
It was such a fun and memorable night.

Choir Concert

Wednesday night Gretchen had a choir concert. She is pictured above almost in the center of the picture below the girl with the spotlight.

Gretchen loves to sing. We can hear her almost all the time around the house, in the car, outside. The concert was great and short.Perfect combo.

Heart Day

After getting home from OHSU for Hunter's consultation, I was running around getting kids from school, doing laundry and dinner on the table. Fortunately I let Papa Murphy's do the cooking. 

We ate by candle light. It is tradition. The kids are always so excited about that part.

Heart shaped pizzas.

I'm not sure why Hazel kept doing such funny faces.
I have the best Valentine's. They all got me a Kindle Fire. Love it!! They are also excited to use it too. I'll share...sometimes.
Happy Valentine's!!

Radiation Consultation

Yesterday was Hunter's consultation with the radiologist. It went well. He will be getting the radiation to his head. Hunter needs to have 10 treatments. They start next Wednesday through Friday. Then all the next week. Finally Monday and Tuesday of the following week. Luckily the appointments are about 15 minutes max.

Yesterday they were able to squeeze him in to get fitted for a mask. Otherwise we were going to have to come back up for that. He wears this mask when he gets his treatments.  This is to hold his head in exactly the same spot so the beams can go exactly where they need to and nowhere else. He gets to keep the mask when he is finished.

He will not be radioactive. The doses that they are giving to him are lower than what used to be given. The side affects are about the same as with his chemos. He will probably lose his hair again. Hunter has such a good attitude. All he said about losing he hair was,"I like have baby soft hair when it first grows back in." What a kid!
It's such a blessing to have doctors with the knowledge to get rid of this cancer.

New Stuff

This big boys started 3 hours of preschool Monday. He was so excited to take a lunch to school. After school I asked how it was? His reply,"Awesome!" I'm so glad he loved it. I was worried it would be to long.

While Graham was at school I got a new look. Yep, braces. Oh joy! Sure wish I could have had them when I was younger. Hopefully I'll be able to eat something normal soon. My teeth are pretty sore. I will and do have empathy for our kids now. I'll have these beauties for a year and a half. 

Basketball

Gavin had another game Saturday. He set some new goals and reached them. He was working on steals, assists and, of course, scoring some points.

(So sorry that some of these pictures are blurry or dark. I'm still trying to figure our what setting to have the camera on when we are inside.)

Gavin is such a great hustler. He doesn't seem to get tired to matter how many times he runs up and down the court.

Hunter also had a game Saturday. I didn't get any pictures of it.But Hunter did make his first shot!! He was so excited. Unfortunately the team lost. There's always next Saturday.

Playtime!

Last week was Graham's last week of no school. He was able to have some time with his good friend Asher. The love playing the Wii, Legos and just being boys.

Hazel was happy to not be in the car for so many hours. She did some fun exploring.

While I was making lunch I found her in the big boys room exploring what was in there.  She is getting to big.
Hazel loves to clap. Says Ba Ba when she's ready to take a bath. Absolutely loves to play pee-a-boo.  Can't get enough of her siblings. She is such a happy baby!

14! What?!

Yes, this cute young man is 14. Are we old enough to have a 14 year old? What a great kid Hunter is. 

Hunter chose to go to Panera for his birthday dinner. It is so much fun to go out with just one kid at a time. Aaron and I can really tell that they enjoy it too.

Hunter didn't think he was going to eat all of his food, but he did. He really liked the salad. 

On to cake. Hunter chose a Butterfinger Blizzard cake from Dairy Queen. 

Puttin' the candles in.

Of course he is lighting them.

Make a wish!

Opening presents. He got Star Wars Battlefront for his PSP. He already had  it. Then his PSP got stolen with the game in it. 

A Beaver football bank. When you put money in it says "Touchdown!" It also keeps track of the amount of money you put in it.

Star Wars action figures.

Tickets to the OSU men's basketball game tomorrow. 

Enjoying his delicious cake.
Hunter is such an amazing young man. He has been so patient going through his treatments and side affects of those treatments. I have learned so much from him. We are so blessed and grateful to have him be a part of our family.