Gpa/ma Page  took Bennett to his pediatrician appt today. His Dr. decided to do a chest x-ray because of hearing congestion in his chest.  We waited on pin and needles to find out that he had no pneumonia!   He prescribed an antibiotic called cefdinir.   He indicated that this antibiotic has been working the best to get rid of patient’s cough/congestion.  So glad he went today so maybe now it will be cleared up by Tuesday because he has a spinal tap. If he has any congestion, they may delay treatment.  His Dr. doesn’t want him to be sedated if he has congestion in his lungs.

When I called his nurse in St Louis, she indicated she had been sick all last week with it.  And Bennett’s Dr. is still wearing a mask because she is still coughing after 3 weeks.

Bennett said he felt better this morning. He had a little more energy.  He may be worn out tomorrow but I am happy that he went to a friend’s house tonight to play xbox!!  It’s been about a month since he has hung out with friends.

He hopes to feel good enough tomorrow to go to Hamilton’s all star future Rangers games!

We think often of all our friends that we have met at St Louis Children’s Hospital and pray for their healing!

“My whole being follows hard after you and clings closely to you; your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:8

Bennett is still really tired and is extremely exhausted.  The small amount of energy he had today was spent riding in the car with Grandpa/ma J to Enfield and ate lunch at Billy Bob and Nina’s.  It’s a cafe with some really good home cooking. He came home and went to bed for the rest of the day.

We brought in the Boston Terrier Sunday from outside so Bennett would have someone to keep him company and lay with during the day and night.  He has enjoyed the time with Honey.

Bennett still has a cough. Sometimes it sounds deeper in his chest with a little bit of congestion.  He has an appt in the morning at his pediatrician.  We’re hoping the cough goes completely away so he doesn’t have this to contend with along with his intense treatments coming up.  Most people that have the flu states the cough can last for a very long time.

Thank you for your prayers for Bennett.

“Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for him and patiently lean yourself upon him.” Psalm 37:7

Bennett hasn’t felt very well today. When he woke up this morning, he told me that he felt like he had been running in a marathon all night. His legs were very sore. He felt very weak and tired. He didn’t feel up to going to school. Grandma P. made him breakfast and lunch; he really liked it.

He still felt like this afternoon that he didn’t have any energy. He said he really feels like he has a long day hard day. I’m concerned as normally in this part of this treatment phase, he has felt good enough to go to school and do a few things. Of course, I will mention it to the Dr.

He still has a cough and running nose. Some days it seems much better and than it will turn worse in a couple days. He has been looked at my two doctors in St Louis in the last three weeks and no signs of infection. If it is not better by Friday, I made an appt with his pediatrician to see him that morning.

We are trying to get things organized and prepared for the next two weeks since we will be gone from home/school/work.

Thanks for checking in on Bennett!

“Happiness keeps you sweet, trials keep you strong, sorrows keep you human, failures keep you humble, success keeps you glowing, but only God keeps you going!”

Bennett’s appt went well. They do a great job in the radiation center of staying on time plus getting you in and out. I wasn’t able to stay in the room while Bennett was having his mask fitted. I am sure the Dr.’s and nurses can work better with the parent not lingering or crying as their child is being prepared to have radiation on their head. I wanted to take a couple of pictures today (imagine that!) of the mask and to give everyone a better visual picture of what the cranial radiation will be like for Bennett. Maybe later……

The nurse stated that the mask is to secure Bennett’s head to the radiation table. It is white mesh that becomes loose for a few minutes as they form it to his head/face. The mask than becomes hard and stays hard. Bennett cannot open his eyes, he said, that the mask is too tight.

As Bennett has radiation each time, he will lay down and put this mask on as it’s screwed to the table to keep his head from moving even a millimeter. They have marked the mask of where the radiation beams need to go on Bennett’s brain. The mask is to ensure that the 8 times he receives the radiation that it will hit the exact place each time.

Bennett said that he really liked the radiation piece so far. “It was very neat and cool to have the mask made!”, he said. I am so thankful that the mask didn’t bother him and he is not claustrophobic!!

The Dr. wants us to come back on Monday at 11:20 to have one last fitting for his mask and to make sure that they have the correct films/scans to begin radiation on Tuesday. We will first have to check his ANC earlier Monday at our local hospital to verify that it is 750 or greater before we take off to St Louis for the week.

Bennett had a great lunch at Logan’s steakhouse. He officially ate his first rib-eye steak! He used to not like steak (too chewy) but recently he has had a couple bites and decided he likes it. Today he was craving it and really enjoyed it.

He slept on the way home. He is pretty tired and not much energy. He didn’t feel up to going to Hamilton’s future Rangers games tonight. I’m not sure about school tomorrow; he is thinking about trying at least a half a day this week but I’m concerned of the sickness still going around. He still has his cough and running nose.

“For you make him to be blessed and a blessing forever; you make him exceedingly glad with the joy of your presence.” Psalm 21:6

Bennett is about the same. He didn’t go to school today because of not knowing what his ANC would be today and he has been really tired. He has been sleeping a lot. He sleeps all through the night usually and than takes several naps through out the day.

His ANC today was 3,150. We are pleased with that but it is just so hard to get real excited about it since we know that it is elevated from the steroids. His ANC the last time in this phase was 1,478 so we’ll take this one. His hemoglobin was 11.5 and platelets at 164 so both were good.

His Grandma J came over for awhile today with him and helped him read in his book for his reading class. He ate good, he craves certain foods and really enjoys eating. It’s his highlight and main focus for each day.

He has an appt tomorrow at the radiation treatment center which is located in Barnes Jewish Hospital to have his mask formed to the features of his face/head. The Dr. said it would take about an hour to make the mask. The main thing Bennett was concerned with the other day at the radiation appt is that we had no cell phone service or internet service in the building.

He does not get any chemo tomorrow. He is off this week. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment will begin next Tuesday if his ANC is at least 750. He will have treatment for four days in a row next week. He will be off the weekend and than returns the following week for 5 more days. He will have a blood test next Monday to verify his ANC is high enough to continue with the 2nd half of this phase. We are about ready to start the big bump in the road next week so your prayers are extremely important and appreciated!

“Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.” Psalm 118:19

Thank you for everyone that has commented recently on bennettpage.org! We appreciate knowing that you still have Bennett in your prayers. Plus it is Great to hear from you all! It’s like opening your mail and hearing from a friend that you haven’t heard from in awhile.

Bennett had a fair day. He was really tired this morning and didn’t feel up to going to church with us. He stayed in bed until it was time to get up for his birthday lunch. I know he didn’t have very much energy because he didn’t really get ready for his company. Normally he takes a shower, puts on nice clothes, and cologne but not today. He was comfy; which we didn’t care but it’s just not Bennett.

He has ate quite a bit today. He woke up at 6:30 a.m. asking me to make him 2 corn dogs. After lunch he has been eating about every 2 hours. The steroids gives you an increase appetite and he has it back today. This will help maintain his weight because when he starts daily radiation and chemotherapy, he probably won’t feel up to eating. He doesn’t have as much heartburn, ingestion, and nausea today. His acne on his face has improved too. It was really itching and flaky last week. We are thankful it is better and hopefully will go away soon.

In the morning, we go for a blood test at our local hospital. I can’t even begin to guess of what his ANC is going to be. Last week it was 756. The week before when he was on steroids, it was 7,050. With him being on steroids for a week, we expect it to be a high number but it necessarily won’t be accurate because of the steroids inflating the white blood count. Mostly double checking his hemoglobin and platelets to make sure he doesn’t need a blood transfusion.

He enjoyed his birthday lunch and birthday presents with his family today. Glad it all worked out. We missed my Uncle David coming this time, his birthday is the same day!   This afternoon we worked on his homework together trying to catch up.  Below are a few pics from today:

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“I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you…” John 1:2

Bennett might be just a tad better. He is still having heartburn pretty bad. He started taking Pepcid today. He said it has given him some relief. We are counting down the days he can stop taking the steroids – 2 ! He has been eating pretty good. He can only eat small quantities though because his stomach becomes upset or he feels nauseated. He took some zofran (anti-nausea med) today to try to help. He hasn’t taken this in months!

He still is pretty tired. He went with me to Marion to pick up his birthday cake. He stayed in the car while I ran most of our errands. He doesn’t feel up to doing any physical activity.

I was going to take the boys to the motor cross races in DuQuoin tonight but Bennett didn’t feel up to going. He was ready to get back to bed after our trip to Marion.

Sid is finally feeling better today after spending 2 1/2 days in bed. He is still weak and not eating much but I am sure that will come in a couple days. Our house spells like Lysol! We are thankful for the kind that says “kills flu viruses”. Hopefully it has. Plus prayers to God will keep Bennett from getting the flu.

Hamilton has been a real trooper through all of this. He entertained himself for the last 2 days while Sid and Bennett were in bed. With the weather and flu, I believe everyone is ready for Spring!

We will see what tomorrow brings, Bennett has a big day planned. He wants to go to Sunday school and than our family is coming over for his birthday lunch. Plus we need to work on some homework. Praying he feels up to doing all of this.

“Walk with God and trust his word, know your every prayer is heard…. for showers to refresh your soul, and seeds of faith to make you whole.”

Be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole.” Matthew 9:22

Nothing has really changed much with Bennett unfortunately. His energy level is really low. He has spent all day in bed. Either sleeping, watching T.V., or texting on his phone. I am thankful for the new technology these days. Bennett has been able to keep in contact with some friends by texting each other.

School was canceled again today because of the ice. Driveways and side roads are pretty bad.

His stomach has bothered him today and he has been nauseated. We are praying no flu! He still has heartburn pretty bad and has started taking tums. He is still eating though which is good. His nose isn’t running as much as it was. It sounds like his cough has gotten deeper. If it continues to sound deep over the weekend; I may have to take him to see his pediatrician.

I asked him if he wanted to get out this evening after I got home from work; either to eat or go to Walmart and he didn’t want too. He is waiting for me to watch an episode of CSI with him that we have on a DVD set.

Thank you for your prayers and support! Have a great weekend!

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24

Bennett is doing about the same today. He still has heartburn pretty bad. This is a side effect from the steroids. He stayed in bed most of the day. He’s been pretty tired. He has had this lingering cough and runny nose for several weeks that comes and goes. I asked the radiation Dr. that did a physical examination on him if his throat or ears looked red. He said no. Also, his chest sounded clear. So we are guessing that it’s sinus. We picked up some over the counter meds and he has been taking those since Tuesday which has helped some.

He asked me last night and tonight to hang out with him watching TV in his room. Last night, we ended up talking for about an hour before bed. I know he misses the in-person socialism of friends/school so, for now he is stuck with me.

Franklin county schools were closed today because of sleeting rain. We ended up getting quite a bit of ice on the roads. This is really unusual weather for the end of February.

Thanks to everyone sending Bennett birthday greetings. I believe he received 6 cards today. He has received several from people he hasn’t official met from Hidalgo Church. Thanks Aunt Sharon!

Bennett’s next blood test is Monday at our local hospital. On Tuesday, we go back to see the radiation Dr. so he can make Bennett’s mask that will cover his face and head for radiation. If counts are good than he will start radiation and more chemo on the following Tuesday, March 4th.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” 2 Corinthians 13:14

Thank you to everyone that has made Bennett’s 14th birthday special!  We appreciate all of those that left a comment. Thanks to everyone that sent Bennett a birthday card or present in the mail!  He received 12 cards yesterday and 11 today!  WOW!  It did make him feel good and help him through not feeling so hot today.

He had a bad headache this morning. He has had heartburn that has really bothered him.   It seems he was tired today even more. Even if his ANC was higher, I don’t think he could of made it to school.

He didn’t feel like going to Hamilton’s game tonight and has spent most of the day in bed.  He did want me to take him out to eat for lunch.

Sid’s last night working the ice storm was last night. Yeah!  Unfortunately he came home today very sick; he thinks it is the flu. He started taking tamiflu tonight.  I had already wiped down everything in the house because Bennett ANC dropped but now we are going to have to be even more careful.  Please pray that Bennett doesn’t get the flu again.

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Luke 23:46