March 2017

March 2017

PARIS - CINCINNATI - SURGERY

The day before our flight to Paris I got in for my MRI.  
My new OBGYN, the beautiful and marvelous Dr M.A. 
reviewed the results with me the next morning.  
She insisted I see a renowned (and busy) gynecological 
oncologist  -- medical director of the region's largest 
minimally invasive, robot-assisted, gynecologic surgery 
program --before I boarded our evening flight.  Dr N.L. 
surmised that the large ovarian tumor was only 50% 
likely to be cancer.  I was shaken but the doctor assured 
me that I should join my husband and enjoy a week in Paris.  
Before we left his office I scheduled a total hysterectomy 
to remove 2 sizable ovarian tumors. If one was malignant 
he would begin chemo through an abdominal port placed 
during the surgery.   

Lane and I raced home to pack for the flight.  

(We flew standby direct from Miami to Charles De Gaulle)

Week 1:

Hello stellar descendants,

Something quick.

Something French.

Week 2:

Here are some unusual postcards we spotted:

Top of the Eiffel Tower

Notre Dame Cathedral 

Bottom of the Eiffel Tower 

The Catacombs

Modern Art

Okay.  Now some more normal pics...

Real Art

The Bullocks are amazing travel partners.  

Blending in with berets.  ;o}

Joan of Arc was a French peasant girl.  She supported the King of France, 
and was later captured, tried and burned at the stake by the British 
at age 19.  Twenty-five years later the Pope declared her a martyr, 
and in the early 1800’s declared a national symbol of France by 
Napoleon Bonaparte.  I find her story sadly fascinating.  Many 
depictions of her continue in films, theater, TV, video games, 
music and performances.   

Playwright Maxwell Anderson wrote these lines for Joan of Arc, 
“Every woman gives her life for what she believes.  Sometimes 
people believe in little or nothing, nevertheless they give up 
their lives to that little or nothing.  One life is all we have, and 
we live it as we believe in living it, and then it’s gone.”

Our final day in France was spent visiting Normandy.  Here we 
remembered brave men who heroically sacrificed their lives 
to liberate strangers in the common cause of humanity.

Today, March 12th, Lane turned 69.  Still on the sunny side of 70.  ;o}

And in 2 days Stephanie and Jerel mark 21 years of wedded bliss.  

Thursday, March 23rd, is my surgery date.  However, if the GYN oncologist 
becomes available to perform it earlier I’ll jump on an earlier date.  
This tumor hanging from my ovary is hovering over my head.  
I want answers and healing to begin ASAP.  

Week 3:

Felicitations favored family,

A fun flock of five females marked Jami (Robison’s) 30th in her new town 
- Cincy, Cinti, The Queen City, Nati, Porkopolis, aka CINCINNATI, Ohio.  
Jami and her husband Chris were great hosts.  
This city is lucky to have the Robisons, who arrived 2 weeks ago.
And I am super lucky to be joining these amazing women - my daughters!

Quirky culinary concoctions - the grilled cheese donut.

Distinctly different dwellings - Loveland Castle is one.

Purple People Bridge - connecting Ohio and Kentucky, 
where neither the people or the bridge appear to be purple.  

If something is too far to see then it is simply PASTEURIZE.  ;o}

If you haven’t seen the new Beauty & the Beast movie, you should.

Hymns make good sermons.  The fight is real people.  
And so is God’s mercy.  Thank you Lord.

#197 Verse 3

Thy sacrifice transcended the mortal law’s demand;

Thy mercy is extended to ev'ry time and land.

No more can Satan harm us, tho long the fight may be,

Nor fear of death alarm us;  we live, O Lord, thru thee.

This Thursday I will receive a priesthood blessing followed by 
major surgery to determine the threat of a nuisance tumor.  
Faith and prayers are appreciated.

Coming soon:

     Danika Robison (Aunt Jami’s baby) will be 1 on Tuesday the 21st.

     Violet Hansen (Aunt Britni’s daughter) turns 3 on Friday the 24th.

Week 4:

Hola amigos and chicas,

Thursday’s surgery could not have gone any better!!!  
Everything went in my favor.  
So, so, so blessed.  
A world-reknown surgeon.  
No post-op pain or nausea. 
No post-op medication needed.  
A roast beef dinner.  
Plenty of rest.  
My own TV remote. 
I kept waking up from dreams at the Eiffel Tower, funny. 
 Outstanding family & friends checking in.  
THANKS!  
I went home Friday. 

I did take several pain pills Saturday.  During each day I try to 
take 3-4 short strolls on Lane’s arm.  He attempts to straighten 
my posture so I won’t appear so pathetic.   Our kind and 
thoughtful HT’ers brought us the sacrament today.

No matter how much you push the envelope, it’ll still be stationary. ;o}

The recent General Women’s Conference addresses pointed 
me towards Jesus Christ, trusting Him and finding peace.  

My recovery goals have changed:

Whoever invented “knock-knock" jokes should get a no-bell prize.

I think this everyday...

What more could I possibly want?

Monthly wrap up:

My hysterectomy recovery has been one for the record books.  
Recovery time cut in half (3-4 weeks).  I’m certain that my 
surgeon will agree when he sees me tomorrow.  
It’s all due to Lane’s good care.  

I vaguely remember trying to dance from my prone position as I 
was wheeled into surgery.  Sure enough, the releasing physician 
commented about that and told me it was the power of the Jamaican 
music playing in the OR.  I think I am more impressed with myself 
then embarrassed.

February 2017

February 2017

Dear keepers of my heart!

Week 1:

The only photos I took this week were my dental work before & afters.  I’ll spare you.

Week 2:

Lane bought me fresh strawberries. 

 "I used to be addicted to the hockey-pockey.

     But then I turned myself around.

     That’s what it’s all about."

I used that in the youth fireside tonight (Feb 12th).  ;o}

It was fun.  Glad it’s done.

On Feb 7th Lane and I went for a stroll.  I remarked that before we even started I had a side-ache.  
Odd.  It lingered, on and off. Two days later I was on the floor squirming in pain.  
I spent 10 hours in the ER, throwing up several times from pain, once wreathing on 
the bare tile floor.  That's when the nurses found me a room with a bed, thank goodness!  
During the night a CatScan, Ultra Sound, Pelvic Exam, pain Rx followed.  
Then sent home without answers and told to get an MRI. 

Week 3:

I’ve had a super good week.  No mo pain.  An MRI has been prescribed.  One 
has been calendared for February 28th.  Thank you for your concern and prayers.

I have a new paint project.  I love to paint!  
Lane and I built this and are rather proud of ourselves, 
although I made a small mistake in the design.  
Lane said, “Don’t be negative.  It looks great.  Don’t even tell me.”  
Then he proceeded to point out my error.  I love him.

For our valentines celebration we took in a "Piano Guys" concert.  
It was soooo good.  
For our family, we mailed these little babies...

Week 4:

Here is a clue where we spent time this past week.  
(This guy was hangin' at my Seattle airport gate.  
Big Foot is notorious in the great NorthWest wilderness.)

Britni invited us to come visit her family in the NorthWest next month 
but when that became less than ideal Lane & I hopped a flight last Sunday 
for the week of Britni's birthday (Feb 24th). 

Chocked full of fun... A luau, tea party, sleepovers, dates, babysitting, 
Lego Batman, walks home from school, a baked Alaska fail, hilltop cookout. 

The Hansen hilltop, site of their future home. 

Stay FAB!  

FEAST upon the word, APPLY God's teachings, BE joyful in His service.  

(Based on President Nelson's advice to South Florida members April 2016.  
That man is a marvel, and a prophet.  We sat on the front row!)

We are grateful to be crisscrossing paths with each of you as we make our journey home.  

We believe each son, daughter and grandchild is vital to our growth and happiness.  

Knowing and loving you brings great meaning to our lives.  Thanks!  

(We only wish we could cross paths much more often.)

(2.27.2017)  Today we received our first phone call from Greg.  We chatted for 1/2 hour.  
He sounded good under the circumstances.  He’s hopeful that our efforts will lead to his release. 

The 28th is my MRI - after a 2 1/2 week wait.

[summary of health issues pertaining to the side ache/ovarian tumors]

January 2017

Things that happened in January 

We had the neighbors over for American food…and the missionaries, 

who interpreted for us.  (We tried to disguise the potatoes as yuca.)

We flew to SanFrancisco Monday, next a road trip to Sacramento to 

Lake Tahoe to Carson City and back - during the storm of the decade.  

On Thursday Lane returned to Florida and I flew to...

...Portland for a long overdue visit to Jerry, Erin, Ava, Brennan and Kaelyn.  

I found record snow and low temps.  

Lucky for me schools were closed 4 out of 5 days this week...

more time with GRNAD grandkids!

In a few days I had planned to go back to sunny Florida, 

see Lane and thaw out.  

("Some people are worth melting for.")

Turns out I’m headed home Tuesday with a detour in SLC for some Gerber Time!

I’ll meet Lane who will be coming for a doctor appointment, 

a party with his siblings, and maybe a visit with Greg.  

Select moments with a few g’kids…

Family gathering.  And Thatcher’s 1st birthday.  

(Thanks Carrie & Lincoln for hosting.)

Games, puzzles, sledding (yes, that’s Lane sledding with X), 

and Maggie’s “it’s great to be 8” program.

Monday morning I snuggled two cute G'girls in Centerville, UT.  

Monday night we flew home to Florida via LA LA Land.  

Tuesday we warmed up back home in Homestead, FL.

I painted this lampshade by mapping all of our home addresses.

Life is filled with detours and dead ends, trials and challenges of every kind..

times when distress, anguish and despair almost consumed us.  Yet when the 

focus of our lives is on Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless 

of what is happening - or not happening - in our lives.  

So says Russell M Nelson.  So agrees Carolane.

December 2016

CHRISTMAS SEASON 2016

This week I displayed the remains of our Christmas tree.

The taller versions were from 2009, 2010, 2013, & 2015.

Britni said it reminded her of the story "Mr. Willoughby's Christmas Tree"

whose tree was too tall so the top was chopped off and used by the maid,

who again trimmed the excess for the gardener, and so on to the bear family,

the foxes, the rabbits and finally the tippy tippy top went to the mouse family.                  

                      2009                                      2010                                    2013                         2014 & 2015
              Eagle Gate apt - SLC, UT                  Eagle Gate apt - SLC, UT                  San Moritz apt - Midvale, UT                     Miami, FL
                                                                                           (Philippines mission 2011-2012)  

Dozens of pretzel rods were dipped, decorated, packaged and shipped to our kids.

I felt a need to make visits to each of my kids, 

beginning with Callie - the week before Christmas.  

~ dance recital ~ graham cracker houses ~ g'girl dates ~ 

I had a blast!

The Gerbers are wonderful.  Oh how I love them so!

Timing was such that Callie assured we attend 

an extended Creek family shepherd's dinner.

I caught a standby flight home to celebrate Christmas with my honey.

Last evening as Lane & I prepared to have our modest shepherd’s dinner 

our dear neighbors came over to invite us to share their Cuban feast.  

They said we could join their Cuban family.  

Their personal stories are fascinating.   

It’s the season for remembering the birth of our savior. 

 My children have been in my thoughts today.  Each one has been 

cherished by loving parents.  I am so blessed to be part of their 

life, either as one of those early parents or as a later addition.  

Becoming a mother is a gift from God, to look after His children 

while they live on this earth.  I hope each had a very special 

day with their spouse and children.

I recognize this ring from 40 years ago, but tonight it is displayed on my hand.

  My dear mother gifted me her mother’s ring rather than 

wait until after she passes.  It fits great, reminds me 

of my mother AND my incredible siblings.

We enjoyed one hour of church today.

Lane and I have cut back to buying 1/2 gallon of milk.  

Who does that?!

Last week’s holiday road trip - 3 days, 2 nights.  

Gators.  Surf.  Shells.  La La Land.  Buffalo Wild Wings.

Because I get discouraged with myself easily…

“One of God’s greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, 

for no failure need be final.” (Pres TSM)  Even if I’ve repeatedly 

faced failure and disappointment, the moment I decide to try again, 

the Atonement of Christ can help me.  I know whose voice keeps 

telling me that I’m so far gone that I might as well give up.  

I’m going to keep trying.  

C'mon 2017!