As anticipated.....

Ian and Dan are at Covenant for blood and platelets. Hemoglobin was 7.5 ( needs to be a 10 and platelets were 49 and need to be at least a 50, white blood count went from 3.0 to 1.4 and we want it above 1.0) Dr. Robertson had predicted a drop in counts two weeks after chemo. It is two weeks to the day today. Hopefully this is just a small bump in the road.
Ian is really starting to express himself. He now uses a definate "YES" and "No" and even a "Nope" here and there. Comparing baby books....he is right in between the other two as he has been all along. Broviac dressing changes are very simple now and Dan even managed to do one by himself while I was at conferences. Typically a two man job. Now, if you can make animal sounds and tell a good story, Ian is willing to lay back and just listen during the bandage change. Oh and of course, hold the supplies for you. Ian is also into playing Hide and Seek. He hides in the same place every time and comes out growling before you find him. He also enjoys wrestling with Dan. His favorite move is the ear twist. He even tried it on his Nana. :)

Let's cross our toes and hope for a quick rebound. Until then, may there be Sesame Street playing around the world on televisions for Ian.

Still a best friend.....

Yesterday marked one year that I called Dan home because Bullet was quickly leaving us from brain complications. It has been quite the year of events. A year that I really needed the Big Sweetie to plop his head on my lap and listen or be there as I cried and he would snuggle in. We all miss you, Bullet. I know that you have wanted to be let in and out of the gates of heaven a million times over the year and made yourself at home on God's bed.
Forever our best friend! Bullet at just 2 years old getting comfortable as always.

Thankful for many reasons....

No words are needed for these pictures to express how thankful we all are.
The photos tell it themselves. Happy Thanksgiving!

Jammie Man!

Ian was having a ball in his jammies! Just as good lookin' as his Dad!

This picture really choked me up. This is the boy who was not going to make it. This is the boy whose quality of life was not going to be so good. His left side was not going to function. He was in a neck brace until July. So when I look at this and he is trying to do a HEADSTAND, well I can't help but to tear up. Once again, one of God's gifts to us all. Just amazing!

Pre-Vet Approved

Well, Easton got to meet his first St. Bernard at school and it validated that he still wants to be a vet. Look at the smile on this kid. He was so happy. Then we had the whole discussion on the way home that we are not getting a new dog.

Good Times

Dan and I finished off the Spartan football season with a day of great weather, great food and great friends yesterday. Looking forward to next season already. We will be at Spartan stadium as long as John Spirit is there! Oh the life..... Congrats to our friends in front of us on their new lil' sparty! Can't wait until the fall to meet her. :)

More Great News

More great news came this week! I am getting my husband back and the kids are getting their Daddy back! As of January, Dan will be working 1st shift. He accepted a job offer within the department that will allow him to work no weekends and no holidays! He will be able to snuggle in every night with us and we couldn't be happier! I feel the weight of the world off my shoulders. No more 3rd shift craziness! It will feel like our first years together again. Thank you , Dan for making this happen. It means more than you know.

No Worries

A kid with no worries. The way it should be!

Remarkable!

Ian's scan came back clean. No cancer!!!!!!!! Also the rest of his brain was unremarkable. This is REMARKABLE!

We continue to thank all of you for your support and prayers. We are blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people in our lives. This holiday season please remember those in need and give what you can. I know that we here in the Anderson family have a great deal to be thankful for. One moment, one miracle at a time.

As our friend Kat said it best to us....Ian is a "a little man with a plan!"

Love and gratitude,
The Andersons

Famished!

Ian returned home from chemotherapy just famished! He went right for mom's banana bread, then to buttered toast, then to pizza followed by a juice chaser. He is now 24 1/2 pounds and grew an inch. Good job, Lil' Buddy!

MRI results....waiting

I know that I clean and cook when I am stressed/sad/angry. Apparently now I need to add "hang Christmas lights" to the list. While waiting for Ian's results I hung the outside lights and cleaned gutters. The MRI appt was not over until 5:45 so we won't have results until morning. (Sorry,Gerry. You will have to call my mom at work in the afternoon)

Please pray for a clean scan. Ian also had his 1st round of 2 day outpatient maintenance chemo today....carboplatin, VP-16 and Vincristine. Tomorrow, VP-16 and flu shots.
No infections...keep his white count is what we want!
We thank you for your support and prayers. Ian feels your love with every ray of sunshine on his nose and each twinkle of a star that peeks in every night.

Wedding Bells

Here is the gang at Ashley and Brent's wedding. The family in the photo behind....don't ask! Engineering.....

Demanding food....

Yes, stand here while your mother takes your picture!!!!!

Crazy Crew!

Here is my crazy crew after we did our science weather watch and then planted bulbs. Next time I get the wild idea to plant 80 bulbs by hand alone with 1st graders....shoot me! No, it will look beautiful in the spring. Thanks,kiddos!

Outside play..

We took advantage of the warmer temps and played outside. Love this little face! As Dan said, " He looks healthy!"

Big Day on Thursday....

Ian has an MRI at 9AM. Please take a moment to pray for no signs of cancer. We need to think positive. We love you , Ian.

Proud of....

Poop! Yup, that's right! We are proud of poop because Ian has done it on the potty two days in a row! Way to go,Ian. Literally! It is these little things that reassure us that life is going to be okay with time.

Tub Day!

Here is a happy face because it is TUB DAY!!!!!! Easton has been spiking fevers for the last 3 days. No other symptoms. After talking to my co-workers with kids of the same age, it lasts for 4-5 days. As a precaution Dr. Filek consulted U of M and was able to put Ian on Tamiflu. This is the antibiotic they are using after one has H1N1 and other flu viruses. No telling what Easton has. We just continue to sanitize the house and wash our hands a trillion times a day. Purell and Lysol are my best friends these days.:) Germs go away!

Camp Donation

Thank you to Cat, Pierce and Peter for the connection to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp & Delaney's Restaurant for their generous gift of money in Ian's honor to this wonderful organization founded by Paul Newman. We hope it touches the lives, hearts and funny bones of many patients and families in Connecticut. For their link, please go to: http://www.holeinthewallgang.org/ . We are still amazed by the outpour of support we have received from friends,family and now extended friendships. We have felt many hearts open up through this journey to provided kindess to the world and love to our home. May it continue through the ups and downs of the next 14 months to come. It is helping more than you will ever know.

Love,
Team Ian

Cookin'with Mom

Good day to make chicken noodle soup and Swedish apple pie. Greer was the lead chef and I just followed her directions. She is such a little chef!

Trick or Treat

We had a wonderful time trick or treatingin style this year. Thank you Werners for a wonderful night of fun!

Big Boy Bed

Is that Greer and Ian in the TOP bunk? Boy we have come a long way since surgery! We are debating putting Ian in the bottom bunk with a rail to make it a boys room and Greer in her own room. Maybe this will be a New Year's goal. :)