More of the story....

After learning about the tumor on Monday evening, the very next morning David had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Koeleveld regarding his back surgery. When he mentioned the news of his brain tumor, Dr. Koeleveld graciously made room in his schedule and suggested that we come back that afternoon with the brain MRI cd for him to look at. Another evidence that our Heavenly Father was watching over us. We learned that the tumor is about the size of a plum and is in the middle of his brain. On our way home we decided that we needed to attend the temple. It turned out to be just what we needed. We have felt calm and had a sense of peace about all of this. We are firm believers in the power of faith and prayers and are doing all we can to ensure a good outcome, and we also know that after that, it is in the Lord’s hands. We have been touched by so many of you who are praying for us – thank you!  Our faith and belief in Jesus Christ is key for us and very sustaining.  If you're interested in learning more about our beliefs and what is helping us through, you might want to view this link.

We called our neighbors Jane and Rob who went through this several years ago. They have been wonderful! (I am adopting their acronym POP = Prayer, Optimism, and Positivity) They gave us the name of Rob's surgeon, Dr. Allan Friedman, at Duke Hospital. I hand-delivered medical reports, and CDs of the MRI and angiogram and they called us back several days later to set up a consultation with them. We are now in the process of gathering information and opinions and hope to come to an inspired decision on which doctor to go with. We'll keep you posted on what we decide.
We kept the news of David's condition to ourselves and only a few others at first, until we knew more specifics and had the chance to talk to the kids about it. We are so grateful we were able to fly out to BYU in Utah and tell them in person - it's just not the kind of thing you want to tell your children over the phone! We spent a week there and had a great visit with them. I especially loved attending BYU’s Choral Showcase to see Steven and Alex singing in their choirs. (I also sang in the choirs at BYU, as did my father!)
 
Just before the concert - aren't they handsome?!!

 

 
At Brick Oven with the Issa's and Cosmo:
 

Courtney + Cosmo = 2 cool cats

 
I just love them!!
 

 

BYU Parent's Weekend, the BYU vs. Colorado State game, an encounter with Cosmo (and the Issa's!) at Brick Oven, attending all 3 childrens' Sacrament meetings, attending the Salt Lake temple with Alex and my parents, meeting roommates and friends - that time together as a family was a real highlight so far, in all of this.