He said...she said

So Dad pretty much got the story right but I'll add a more precise timeline.

Feb. 8th late evening Ben threw up. No signs of a cold flu or fever. Also the first time in Ben's life to actually throw up.

Feb. 10 sitting at the dinner table, Ben throws up again. Again no other signs of illness. Maybe a little sleepier and irritable at times.

Later that week Mom worries about the lack of cold/flu symptoms and the increasing sleepiness and crankiness. Our pediatricians nurse returns our call and says there is a virus going around. It's probably that. The doctor is out of town until Monday.

Monday...hey we have a well care check for Ben, Elizabeth and Nathan today! Mom forgot. Everything looks okay. Ben falls asleep after leaving the doctors office though. It's only 9:30 in the morning. He also was not his usual self with the doctor. Still just clingy from the virus?

Tuesday/Wed Mom thinks her beautiful baby looks weird. Is his eye crossing? She hopes not. The next day Dad says...his eye is crossing. Mom hadn't said anything to Dad about it... Another message is left with the pediatrician. The response is a referral to see the opthamologist.

Saturday night (Feb 21) Mt. Benjamin blows all over Mom again. Mom and Dad are a bit freaked out by the vomiting, crossed eyes, and lethargy. They consider the ER but decide on a blessing the next day instead.

Sunday, more lethargy. Ben sleeps through half of nursery. Jeremy Miner helps Johnny give Ben a blessing after church. Dad is concerned after the blessing.

Monday was a beautiful sunny day in Anchorage. Benjamin did have another early morning nap but he also wanted to go out for a walk. At 3:00 we went to the opthamologist. The Dr was not really concerned about Ben's crossed eyes at first because we have a family history with this problem. After eye dialation however, the Dr changes her mind and places a call to Ben pediatrician. Mom and Ben are told that the optical nerve is supposed to resemble a donut with an opening in the middle. Ben's optical nerves are full instead. Mom and Dad are sent to the hospital, told to check in at the front desk and then head upstairs to PICU. Mom called Dad on the way and said please come. Thanks to the Pettijons for babysitting and transportation! An MRI reveals a lesion on the brain. The solid mass is about 6 cm by 8cm, but there is also a fluid filled cyst and signs of swelling of Ben's brain. Even mom and dad can read this MRI. The thing is HUGE. Plans are made for transport to Seattle the following morning.

Tuesday morning Dad stays behind to get the kids situation and Ben and Mom head to Seattle.