Bennett and friends were on the 10 o’clock news on NewsChannel 6 WPSD. Noah Bond sat down with the boys and got the whole story on the latest thing to do in Benton: shaving your head in support of Bennett. Read more on WPSD’s website.

Bennett’s appointment went well today in St Louis, His blood counts are dropping which are expected for the chemo medicine. His white blood cell count is the lowest that it has been in the last couple of weeks. This is normal because of the chemo killing off these cells. The white cells called neutrophils is what fights off infection therefore Bennett doesn’t have enough of these cells to fight off infection or germs. So it’s important for him and his family to wash their hands plus for him to have limited exposure to other people. He also wears a face mask to help protect him from germs that can spread while he has to visit public places, like the hospital.

He was so good today when the nurse drew his blood that she gave him a sucker. It looked funny with the sucker sticking out on the side of his face mask.

His red cells and platelets were lower today too but not enough to need a transfusion of blood.

He has lost 4 pounds in 2 weeks and he is 5 foot 6 1/2 inches.

We go back to St Louis on Friday to have another blood test plus to receive chemo treatment through an IV. If everything goes well, he should be able to come home. If he needs a transfusion or has additional needs than he may have to stay over night.

Thank you for your prayers, God is blessing the Page family in so many ways through this tough time.

Key points:

• Bennett has the most common type of leukemia. It is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and is a cancer of the white blood cells, the cells in the body that normally fight infections.
• Bennett is considered high-risk because he is over 10 years old and he is male.
• It is impossible to know when Bennett will be treated at SLCH (St. Louis Children’s Hospital) and when he will be treated at home. Blood work and other tests may dictate future SLCH stays. Even when he is at home, the treatment is just as critical and it’s very important that Bennett is not exposed to anyone that is ill with any type of cold or flu. He will be given many drugs that may or may not have to be administered at a hospital. Also, even after years of treatment, Bennett will always be a leukemia patient. You are never cured, only in remission.
• Whenever we talk about leukemia, cancer, abnormal cells or blasts, we are essentially talking about the same thing. For example: Bennett has leukemia in the central nervous system (CNS), which is a type of cancer. The abnormal cancer cells that he has can also be called blasts.
• Some side effects are almost guaranteed while on the chemotherapy drugs and some are not guaranteed, they are noted below.
• If you read an update that says Bennett has zero blast cells on a given day, that is good news, but it does not mean that the leukemia is gone. It means that the chemotherapy is working and the blood tests did not detect any abnormal cells (blasts).
• The treatment process will be physically trying. He will have good days and bad days- it will be like a roller coaster ride. Every good day should be considered a blessing!

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Bennett was released from the hospital last evening and got home at about 8pm last night. He and Cindy had an extremely busy day yesterday getting instructions from the physicians and dealing with insurance issues. Bennett and family want to remind everyone that he is still in a very critical stage of his treatment. His white blood cell count is lower, so he is at greater risk to get infections like colds and flu. At this time it would be better if his friends would continue to contact him by commenting on this website rather than in person. As Cindy mentioned in her last post, …”it’s very important that Bennett is not exposed to anyone that is ill with any type of cold or flu for the next several weeks.” On March 6th, he will go back to SLCH for a blood test to determine his WBC (white blood cell count). Depending on those results, he may continue his treatment at home or may be re-admitted to SLCH. March 9th will be more IV chemo treatments. He is currently taking 5 different medications twice a day and an additional 5 others as needed.

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Bennett had his bone marrow test and spinal tap test this morning. Plus he had chemo injected into his spine as a preventive treatment. If both of these tests come back good than he may get to come home. If we do get to come home, he will still continue his treatment plan. Some medicines he can take at home and others he will have to come back to (SLCH) St Louis Childrens Hospital to receive. Also, they are wanting him to come back twice a week to the clinic in the hospital to see the doctor for a check up and we have heard that we will have to go to a local hospital to get a blood test to check his CBC on a weekly basis too. CBC stands for blood cell count. If at anytime he shows side effects from the chemo drugs, we will need to call to SLCH and possibly be admitted back into the hospital. It’s very important that Bennett is not exposed to anyone that is ill with any type of cold or flu for the next several weeks. The biggest thing to keep germs from spreading is always washing our hands.

Bennett also today, had two doses of chemo therapy given by IV.

He is feeling pretty good now after eating a foot long Sub sandwich, he is sleeping now, I’m waiting patiently to hear the results of the tests so we know the next step for the day. Let’s pray together for good reports

Thanks to Lori for reminding us of a verse that Bennett read in church a few years ago. This verse lifted both Bennett’s and I faith and spirits.

“For I know the plans I have for you, ” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” -Jeremiah 29:11-13

Thanks to Lindsay for sharing the verse from Isaiah on Bennett’s card. This touched our hearts to hear a scripture from the book of Isaiah which is also a very special baby to me and Bennett.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  – Isaiah 40:30

This is Nell. She comes to the hospital one or twice a week. She is always dressed up in a different outfit. She even climbed up in bed with me today and laid with me. She is so sweet, it brought a touch of home to my room!

Bennett had a good day today. He took Predisone twice. Also had 2 tranfusions to get his red blood cells and platelets in the required number. He also is having to do 2 type of prescriptions to keep mouth sores from coming. He has been off his iv with fluid for the last four hours which is good. He is drinking and eating well.

Tomorrow is a big day. He will have a bone marrow test, another preventive kemo treatment in his spine. He will be put to sleep for both of these. We will be waiting to hear from these tests and it’s possible that we may be coming home for a day or two. His white cell count might be down therefore may or may not be able to have visitors.

Thanks to every special person that has touched our lives! Thanks to God for his blessings and keeping Bennett strong!

This is one of my favorite nurses and she’s hot! She can take my temp anytime!