Bennett felt really good on Saturday. He went for his baseball team pictures and came home to take a nap.  He went with some friends bike riding in the evening.  He spent the night along with about 4 other friends with Tyler!  Thanks Tyler for having him – he loved it!  First time he has been away from home in 3 months!

Yes, today it was 3 months that Bennett was diagnosed. I can’t believe how some days have flown by and others seemed to never end.

He wanted to go to his baseball teams game today but he just couldn’t do it.  He was so tired and he has stayed in bed all day.  He hasn’t ate anything either – only couple bites of popcorn.

Bennett wants to go to school tomorrow but we will just have to wait to see how he feels in the morning.

His next chemo treatment is Tuesday. He will have chemo 4 days in a row this week.

Thank you for your continued prayers!

Bennett had a pretty good day.  He was really tired this morning. The home health nurse came and gave him his last chemo treatment until Tuesday.  She also did a CBC test, his ANC was 1,500 which is good.

He went fishing this afternoon with his Grandma Page for awhile.

Hamilton was sick today, he didn’t go to school.  We believe he has the stomach flu.  He tried to play at his baseball game tonight but couldn’t finish. Bennett and I were on our way to the game and Bennett threw up in the car. He was trying to take his anti-nausea medicine. Sometimes when he is feeling nausea already, it’s hard for him to take pills.  I think this is what caused Bennett to get sick.

Both Bennett and Hamilton are feeling a little better at bedtime.

Next chemo treatment through his port for Bennett is Tuesday for 4 days in a row.  He is still taking another chemo by pill each night. These chemo pills has to be taken at least  an hour after eating at night plus cannot be taken with milk or citrus products.

I worked today at the bank. I have been trying to go in to my office as much as I can but days like today make it tough – emotionally.

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles” Psalm 34:17

Bennett had an upset stomach most of the day. He didn’t throw up any but didn’t really feel like eating much. The home health nurse came and gave him his chemo. Later in the afternoon he started feeling like watching some TV. One of Bennett’s friends called and asked him to go riding bikes together. Bennett got a burst of energy and wanted to go. I think he wanted to do something normal and have fun with his friends so he pushed himself to go. This is the first time he has been out with friends without my supervision. I was worried but I trust Bennett. He knows what he can do and he is very cautious. He has aged with wisdom in the last few months.

He has one more chemo treatment tomorrow for this week. The home health nurse will come to administer the chemo and take a CBC test.

The K-4 Benton Grade School PTO is starting a fund-raiser, “Tabs for Bennett”. You can help by taking the tab off of your can drinks, put them in a bag and start collecting. You can take the tabs to Benton Grade School or US Bank . Since school is about out, save your tabs all summer and we will begin collecting when school starts in the fall. This fund-raiser will run for the entire 2007-2008 school year.

Thanks to the BGS PTO! A special thanks to Heather Threlkeld!

Bennett has not felt well all day. He didn’t get up at all today. About 3:00 right before home health nurse came, he wanted 4 mini corn dogs and he ate them. That’s all he has ate today. He slept all day. He did move to the living room tonight to watch some TV.

He is taking anti-nausea medicine but he still feels sick to his stomach. He is not hungry and is very tired and weak.

The last time he started this series of chemo meds was on April 3rd. The only thing different this time is not having the spinal tap with chemo in the spine.

Hoping tomorrow will be a better day for him.

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8

10:50 a.m. We got Bennett’s blood test back and his ANC is 1,333. His hemoglobin and platelets are good.

They have started him on fluids. His urine output has to be at a certain level before they can give the chemo. Once they give him the chemo through the port, it will take 30 minutes for it to transfuse. They will continue to give him fluids and checking his urine because it has to be at a certain level before we can leave. This will take all day. This is to keep the chemo from staying in his bladder and in his body too long.

He will have another chemo today called Arac and it’s an IV push. We will bring this drug home with us and he will receive it Wed. through Friday at home. Also, he will have take another chemo by mouth each night for the next 2 weeks.

9:00 p.m. We made it home around 5:30 p.m. Bennett was pretty tired on the way home. He played with Hamilton outside in the evening.  Bennett talked about possibly going to school one day this week. He is really missing his friends.

We made it back from Branson Monday night. Bennett and I are actually staying the night in Fairview because we have to turn around and be at SLCH in the morning for a Dr. appt. He will get a blood test first thing to see what his ANC is. He should be able to get chemo.

He has been feeling great.

We all had a blast on the Branson trip! We met some awesome friends! Some very nice families! Bennett and Hamilton met some cool boys and they hit it off right away! The boys had a lot of fun at Silver Dollar City! We also went to Dixie Stampede, Presley show, and Ride the Ducks!

Bennett is still doing very good. He’s out and about. He went fishing this morning with his Grandma and Grandpa Page. He has to be very careful in keeping clean and germ free because his ANC being so low.

We are spending the night in St Louis tonight and leaving for Branson MO in the morning.  A cancer organization periodically has weekend trips or getaways for patients of the St Louis Children’s Hospital and they invited Bennett on this weekend trip to Branson.  I was worried he wouldn’t be able to go because of being so sick last week. We are taking a bus with several other patients.  My Mom, Hamilton and I are going too.  We will have to be very cautious and wipe down things Bennett will touch with disinfect wipes.  I hope he doesn’t get too tired but if he does than My Mom and Hamilton can go with everyone and I will stay with Bennett at the hotel.

This is a Great chance for him and Hamilton to get their mind off the several challenging months we have had.  We are blessed and very appreciative of this organization.  The Boys are excited!

Bennett really enjoyed his day today! He went and visited his friend Brittani Shurtz that went through chemo while battling ewing sarcoma two years ago. It was so good for him to talk to a friend that he knows about what he is dealing with.

Hamilton had a baseball game tonight and Bennett felt like going. He had several friends – young and old that came up to us to wish us the best. It was so sweet.

On our way home, we talked about how everyone has been so touched by Bennett and our families strength. Bennett said, I am so glad this has happened to me. I asked why? He said, it is a challenge and I am going to beat the biggest challenge in life. Tears started rolling down my face and he said, it’s true, I am.

I am so proud of Bennett’s positive attitude with this. A guy that was so sick for 2 weeks and in the hospital just a week ago has an outlook like this. I told him I was so proud of him and his positive approach is so amazing and setting an example for others!

I love you Bennett! Keep beating the challenge that God has given to you!  You have thousands of people supporting you!

Bennett did not have any chemo today. He has been feeling well the last couple of days and should continue since he didn’t have chemo. His ANC was 96. It needs to be 750 before he can have a treatment.

A.N. C. stands for Absolute Neutrophil Count. Neutrophils are types of white blood cells that protect against bacterial or fungal infections. The ANC tells how many neutrophils is in his blood and what the risk of a serious infection is. A normal ANC is greater than 1,500. An ANC less than 500 means significant risk of a serious infection. This is called neutropenia. Bennett is neutropenia. And the risk of infection increases if it lasts more than 4 to 5 days. He cannot receive a blood transfusion for white blood cells. His bone marrow has to make the white blood cells. Transfusions are only for red blood cells and platelets, these were good.

Dr. did another electrolytes test and his liver enzymes were still high.  She is going to keep an eye them.

He does not have to continue with the fluids each night through his port. He is eating and drinking good.

His Dr. wants to see him again on Tuesday, she believes his ANC will be ready for chemo.

His Dr. told me today that she felt like the dehydration he had, weakness and nausea last week was from the weekly spinal taps with chemo for 4 straight weeks plus the other chemo drugs he was given too.

She said next time, we will start him on fluids sooner.

“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” Ephesians 6:10