Free Food

So last night, my dad picked Colby and I up from the airport in Las Vegas and then we headed to find some dinner before dad's worship service. We decided on Taco Bell and parked and went inside.

Colby being his adorable self, smiled at everyone and just looked cute as normal. Well, the workers at Taco Bell decided that he was just the most adorable thing they had ever seen. They spoke in Spanish, which I could understand, about his beautiful eyes and how cute he was and how brilliant they were. And they kept calling other workers to come and look. I think by the time we were done ordering everyone had seen him.

The lady calls out our number and I go to get the food and see that there are some cinnamon twists on the tray, which we did not order. The lady looks at me, smiles and says, these are for the cute little one. A Special treat. It was wonderful:) Wonder what we'll get free next????

Holiday Bowl

My sister Pookie and I headed out to San Diego to watch the Wildcats get trounced in the Holiday Bowl. While we did not win, we had a great time at the game and Colby had a great time visiting his aunt and uncle. Enjoy some pics from our vacation in San Diego. This week Colby and I are hanging at home with daddy, and taking day trips with friends. Like today we went to the zoo with Janie and Michael. Pics to come:)

Merry Christmas!!!

The Christmas season is officially upon us as prepare for the coming of the Christ child. With that in mind, we take some time to share with all of you love, joy, peace and hope for the Christmas season.

Not much is going on in the Rynders house at the moment. I go back for my 3 month out scan in the middle of December and we will have the results after Christmas. Rob is going in to get his ACL repaired on December 17th. He will have a few weeks on crutches and then about 9 months of recovery, but then should be able to play sports again that he hasn't been able to play in a while:)

Colby is keeping us busy as always. He is starting to say more words and loves to spend his days playing and playing. If you are ever online he also loves to video chat with people so let us know. We hope you all are doing well. Here are some new family pics taken by Barbie Orcutt

Good News

First things first, enjoy some moments in Colby's life. He has started to get into playdates with Michael and of course church camp:)

Colby's 1st Campfire. He wanted to get right in the burning flames.

Colby Woods signing autographs after...
a tough round of mini-golf


Not sure what to think of Michael's new ride

Eating grapes and watching cartoons:)

Still not sure what to think of MIchael's new ride:)

So, it has been a while since we have posted anything on the blog. Radiation is a little different then chemo because it happens everyday and it's the same everyday, so there was no need to update with each treatment. I have officially finished all treatment that the doctors have prescribed for me. This means that tomorrow, Thursday, I go in to get my port taken out and then I have nothing for 3 months. In 3 months I will go and get another PET scan to make sure nothing is happening in there and see both the oncologist and the radiation oncologist. Then most likely it will just be follow up visits with my oncologist periodically.

THANK YOU!!! for all of your prayers, love and support during this time. We have been so blessed to be surrounded by amazing family and friends who have helped us through everything. So THANK YOU!!!!

Now we just wait for the hair to grow back in:) Oh and don't forget I am training for the PF Chang's 1/2 Marathon and raising money for blood cancer research through Team In Training.

Radiation Begins

So, there is nothing like moving quick when you are getting cancer treatment. They don't sit around waiting for a lot of things to happen, they just do it. I went in last Thursday for the initial set up scan of where radiation will take place. Then on Tuesday I went in for the more detailed scan and Wednesday radiation treatment began. So far I think radiation is much easier. I go in for a 1 pm appointment everyday and I am done and back to work by 1:30.

The first treatment on Wednesday went so fast that I actually had time to go through the Starbucks drive thru and still be back at work by 1:30. Basically I go in, put on a gown, lie down on my back on a table. They line me up with my marks, place the machine over me, leave the room and turn the machine on. There is a bit of noise, then the machine rotates and administers radiation from the back. That's right, radiation happens from both the front and the back but it doesn't take long. I will be doing what looks like 4 weeks of this and then hopefully that will be all the treatment.

Last Friday before we left for San Diego, Colby and I went and got our hair trimmed by the fantastic Kim:) After that trim, Rob and I have both noticed how quickly my hair seems to be growing back in. Of course, it doesn't have enough to not wear scarves or hats, but it will get there eventually.

Enjoy some pictures from our trip to San Diego to visit Katie and Robbie and hang out with the Wesley kids:) Oh and we go to the first football game of the season tomorrow so pics from that will be coming as well.

Latest Update

I realized that it had been a while since we had posted anything on the website. We have both been very busy with school coming back in session, Colby starting daycare and treatment continuing on. So... here is my shot at the best update I can give.

A week ago I went in for what was the 8th round of chemo. As usual everything seemed to go really well and I felt great all week. Next Tuesday we will go to the oncologist as normal, like we were having a 9th round of chemo. They will check my blood levels, etc, but they won't start any chemo until we see the doctor. When we see the doctor we will discuss our visit to the radiation oncologist and whether we are going to finish off the treatment with more chemo or radiation.

So now to our visit with the radiation oncologist. Rob and I had some questions when we went to this consult, and we were very pleased with the oncologist we met with and his honesty about radiation and its side effects. The good news is that the side effects are very little compared to the ones experience in chemo. There won't be hair loss, etc. because it will all be localized radiation (meaning only to the big spot that was originally in the chest.) Our big concerns were around the increased rate of breast cancer in women who have radiation and the increase in heart problems down the road. The oncologist explained that the percentage of breast cancer went up drastically in any teen that had radiation when they were younger. He said once you hit the age of 30 the number drastically decreased. His belief is that it is less likely in someone whose breasts are fully mature, since I have had a baby and nursed, he thinks I fit that category. As far as heart problems, all my radiation would be above the heart so no worries there.

Rob and I left this consultation thinking that radiation is the best way to go. We will of course make the final decision next Tuesday and begin whatever the next treatment is then. We will keep you posted as to what happens next.

On another note, I am currently training for my 1/2 marathon with TNT and loving every minute of it. I am up to 3 miles each day for my workout, and enjoying getting to know people and run with a group once a week. This Saturday we go to South Mountain:) After a couple of weeks of training one of the people who works for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society and TNT asked me if I would be interested in being one of their Honored Heroes/Teammates. These are the people who are cancer survivors, speak at events and they are the ones who the teams run in honor of. I of course was honored to do this and hope that my voice will only help to raise more money for cancer research in the future. I invite you to check out my TNT website for weekly updates on the running and donate to a fantastic cause. Here are some Colby pics from summer fun in the sun:) and the TNT website. http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/pfchangs10/mrynders

Oh and the best news of all!!! Colby is binky free thanks to the Bye-Bye Binky Method:)

Final Tweets of Rob's 20's

Here is the recap of my tweets from 8/5/09 chronicling my 20's:

That's it folks! Hope it was not too annoying. If you're thinking of getting me a gift tomorrow you can do this: http://tinyurl.com/lg9g78

What to say about 29? It was a crazy busy second year of campus ministry. Loved being a dad and husband. Thx to all who made 20s great!

When I was 28 my wonderful son was born. The same son who just had a huge meltdown :)

Ages 25-27- Graduated seminary, moved to AZ, worked at Grace UMC, wrestled with the ordination process, commissioned in 2007.

Age 25- more seminary!

25th birthday- Dave a Busters with a bunch of seminary friends.

Age 24- First full year at Claremont School of Theology. Kind of a blur. Loved working at Claremont UMC though!

24th birthday- Not really sure. Would have recently returned from honeymoon, grandmother also passed away sometime close to then.

Age 23- Graduated college with Steven Spielberg http://tinyurl.com/kjzpah, started seminary, married a beautiful woman, interned at CUMC!

23rd birthday- I think some buddies took me to Chili's after my youth threw me a surprise party. Thanks again gang!

Age 22- hired as youth director at Lakewood First UMC, proposed to Melissa on Sunset Beach.

22nd birthday- on SSP staff in Point Arena, CA. Honestly can't remember what I did that day.

Age 21- moved to Long Beach to finish undergrad, lived in the dorms, on the rowing team, made some great friends. That year was a blast!

21st birthday- on SSP staff in Clearlake. Bought a beer at a gas station then we watched "Top Gun," then we were attacked by local thugs.

At age 20 I finished community college and applied to Cal State Long Beach's psych degree program. I was desperate to leave my hometown!

When I turned 20 on August 6 1999, I was a chef at the SSP Utah site. I still miss that place and people from that summer sometimes.

Tomorrow is the last day of of my 20's. I think I will tweet the most memorable moments of the last decade throughout the day :)