Happy 14th

Birthday

Bennett!

Precious memories of Bennett’s birthday through the years. 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 11th, and 13th!

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Dear Bennett,

The day you were born

Made us the happiest parents around.

Sidney Bennett Page IV

Was a long name to pronounce.

So we called you Bennett,

And we loved you every minute.

As you have grown older,

You have become stronger and bolder.

On your 13^th birthday,

Our world turned upside down

We don’t understand and became very sad.

But you are in God hands

And will always wear his crown.

Each day becomes a blessing,

Filled with hope, patience, and strength.

You keep the faith; continue praying,

And trusting in your dreams.

You are a special young man,

That we are so proud of,

I know God is watching over you,

So we can grow old together…

Happy 14^th Birthday Bennett!
We Love You!

Dad, Mom, and Hamilton

Bennett has been pretty tired today. He slept in the back of the car on the way up and back from St Louis. We met with the radiation staff and Dr this morning. The Dr. went through the side effects of the radiation. Some can be minimal and some severe but the Dr. didn’t think Bennett should have any since he is getting a low dose of radiation. The cranial radiation that Bennett will be getting is for preventive treatment. He does not have any leukemia cells in his central nervous system or his brain. The leukemia cells are so small, like to hide and can be hard to detect through scans or tests. If there is any leukemia cells hiding out in his brain, they would eventually multiply and cause Bennett to relapse. There is no guarantee that this won’t happen but the hope is to prevent it.

Since Bennett is on the study, they did a more intensive review of his day 29 bone marrow test. They found that he had less than 1.% leukemia cells (MRD = minimal residual disease). Because of this, he is high risk and has received the last phase and this phase of additional treatment. The study is studying if these patients with MRD receive 4 additional months of treatment plus cranial radiation will this prevent them from relapsing. After they study is completed, if the answer is yes, than they would automatically include this in every leukemia patients standard treatment.

Bennett weighed 126 today. He received the two chemo’s; vincristine and doxorubicin through iv. He started taking dexamethasone steroid twice a day for one week.

His nurse agreed that Bennett probably should stay home from school this week because of a lower ANC and all the sickness going around . Bennett was kinda glad because he really doesn’t want anyone to see him because his face is really broke out and bloated. We are glad he still has an appetite; that is one good thing that the steroids gives ya!

“But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou are my God. My times are in the hand ……….. Psalm 31: 14-15

Bennett has had a good day. He’s had a good birthday weekend. We went to the movies and saw Bucket list. We heard this movie was funny and kinda sad but I guess we didn’t realize that the two men in the movie had cancer. It was a really good movie (a great story) and Bennett could relate to a lot of it. We went to eat Japanese and our chef was great! They boys had fun!  Both of these places didn’t have hardly anyone around which worked out good.

The hospital was really busy this morning so we went ahead and went out of town before we received the results back of his blood test. His ANC is 756. We were cautious and protective today because we thought his counts might be a little low. The last time he was on this treatment phase, his ANC was 1,586. He feels o.k. though. I am going to talk to the nurse tomorrow about Bennett going to school the rest of the week. I really don’t think he should since his ANC is below 1,000 (slight chance of infection) and with all the flu bugs going around. We heard that this flu is the worst they have seen and the flu shot didn’t help.

Bennett has an appt at 9:30 a.m. with the radiation Dr. so we will learn more about his cranial radiation coming up. We will than go to the clinic for two chemo’s; vincristine and doxorubicin. He also starts taking steroids again for one week. He really hates how the steroids has broken his face out and made him puffy so it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better.

We are praying for minimal side effects from the chemo and steroids. And that Bennett doesn’t get sick. Thank you for being a part of Bennett’s support system!

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Bennett is doing good. Actually he is doing great considering. I thought he would be extremely worn out today from all the walking at the Monster Jam but he’s not.

The boys had a blast at the Monster Jam! It was SO Sweet! We thought it was really cool! Our friend, Ryan/ family that we have met from SLCH live in Paxton, IL and was very thoughtful to give us tickets. Thanks Michele! The driver Tom Meents, Maximum Destruction lives in Paxton too. We were able to meet him after the show and also George Balhan, the driver of the Escalade.  Below are a few pics of the fun night! Please say an extra prayer for Ryan as he was admitted Friday to the hospital again. It’s saddens us that he has had such a rough time.

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Bennett is doing fair. He woke up this morning with a bloody nose. It took awhile for it to stop. He has quite a bit of congestion in his nose and has to blow it often. Has had cramps in his foot today and took pain medicine this evening. He indicated that his head feels weird and numb. This is all side effects from the vincristine chemo. It causes irritation of nerves, numbness, tingling of fingers/toes, jaw pain and muscle weakness besides other side effects.

He was pretty tired today. The boys only had a half day of school so I took the afternoon off. We went to lunch and than picked out a couple movies to watch. Bennett thought about going to the Jr. High volleyball game tonight but decided to just stay home.

In the morning, we have Hamilton’s future Rangers basketball games. The boys and I will be leaving afterwards to go to St Louis to the Monster Jam. Our friends in Paxton IL know one of the drivers and gave us tickets! We wished Sid could go but he will be working this weekend. Still working around 15 hours a day.

Bennett’s next blood test is Monday and next treatment will be Tuesday. We have an appt at 9:30 Tuesday with the radiation Dr. to learn more of what is involved with the cranial radiation. Than, we will go to the clinic for his chemotherapy appt.

Thank you for all your prayers and support!

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and have Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20-21

  Happy Valentine’s Day!

Bennett had a long day and night! He went to Chuckie Cheese and the famous Grandy’s Chicken in Evansville IN with Gpa/ma J. today. He really likes their chicken. He was really tired and rested this afternoon. His jaw pain is really bothering him and he took 3 pain medicines today. He also feels very tired and his bones are even weak and achy. He commented tonight to me about his face. He is very puffy and he has acne starting to develop. All side effects from the steroids.

Tonight we went to the 8th grade state tournament. We ended up taking 2nd place. The team asked Bennett to join in the trophy picture, ride the fire truck and go to Applebee’s for a celebration. Hamilton was recognized as water boy and received a medallion too; plus rode the fire truck. The boys had fun and a good evening of memories! Below are some pics:

Sid is still working late and only getting a few hours of sleep working the ice storm down south . Please pray for his safe travel.

Thank you all for those that commented and your prayers! Bennett and I read them every day!

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Bennett had a pretty good day.  He spent most of the day home alone resting; he indicated he did get bored.  His excitement for the day was me picking him up for lunch.  He does enjoy Food these days!  We still have ice and snow on the back roads so the boys don’t have school again tomorrow.

Sid is still working down south. He got home last night around 11:00 p.m. and left to go back at 4:30 a.m.  He said, he would be doing the same thing today too.

Tonight, we went to the Jr. High state basketball tournament at Rend Lake College. Benton beat Mt Vernon and will play tomorrow night for the championship against O’Fallon!

Yesterday at Bennett’s appt he weighed…………….. Drum roll please ……………………………. 130 pounds! This is the most he has ever weighed. Ever! Before we get real anxious, we will see what it is next week. Last week, he weighed 123. I know he has been eating a lot more because of the steroids but 7 pounds is quite a bit in one week. Bennett has grown 1/4 inch too! He is 5′ 7″ 1/4! Yeah! We are so glad to hear this because chemo is supposed to stunt your growth. A year ago, Bennett was 5′ 6″ 1/2 so not bad!

Bennett is having some jaw pain this evening.  It bothered him to eat supper.  He has taken some pain medicine so hopefully this will help.  I looked at the side effects of the chemo drugs he has received the last few weeks.  Jaw pain is a less common side effect of the vincristine chemo.   Praying it doesn’t become too severe.

Thanks for checking in on Bennett!  Leave a comment and let us know you stopped by!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Bennett will be turning 14 on February 20th!  Only one week away!

 What a special birthday!  We are so thankful to celebrate!

Anyone wanting to send Bennett a birthday greeting, his address is:  Thanks!

10389 Steel City Rd, Benton IL  62812 

Well, we made it to St. Louis and back today. We left Benton around 9:00 a.m. and made it home at 4:30 p.m. The interstate going was just fair, we drove really slow until Mt Vernon. On our way home, the interstate was clear. Looks like Benton might of received another inch or so of ice. No school tomorrow again and basketball games were canceled.

Sid is working late tonight in Olmsted IL because of the ice storm. The evening news tonight said that 50,000 people were out of power in the heartland. Please pray for these people out of power that have no heat. Our USBank in Cobden is out of power and several bank employees in Cobden and Marion.

The clinic was quite so we got in and out. Last week, they said they had 42 patients, it was a zoo! Hamilton went with us so he was glad it wasn’t a long stay at the hospital. Bennett received vincristine and doxorubicin through his port. Hamilton was so cute today. He went to get a board game to play and ask if Bennett could play while he was getting his chemo. The doxorubicin is red so it looks kinda scarey running through the line into Bennett so Hamilton wasn’t sure what Bennett was allowed to do. They played Guess who? The boys were Great; a special day with them even if it was mostly in the car on bad roads.

As soon as we got home, Hamilton played outside. The ice sure makes you slide….!

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Bennett’s ANC today was 7,050. Before you get too excited, I must point out that the dexamethasone (steroid) inflates the white blood cells so you really don’t get a true ANC figured. We do feel good about the high number though because looking back when he was on this same treatment plan before in September, (this time in the phase), his ANC was 4,320. And we remember thinking that the four thousand was a bunch.

His hemoglobin went from 10.7 to 11.8 which is great and platelets were 200 from 142. The steroids shouldn’t elevate these numbers.

For those of you that don’t live in Benton, we received several inches of ice late this afternoon. School has been canceled for tomorrow. Hamilton is happy. Bennett was already going to miss for his Dr. appt. He will receive two chemo’s by iv, vincristine and doxorubicin.

Today is the last day for steroids for one week. Bennett has been eating quite a bit more lately because of the steroids. This is fine though, he needs to get beefed up before the hard chemo begins. Unfortunately the steroids has made Bennett moody and grumpy. (smile).

Our friend, Ethan Weiman that is 3 years old is having a stem cell transplant tomorrow and will be in the hospital for at least 3 weeks. He has neuroblastoma. Please say an extra prayer for him and his family.

“He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.” Psalm 95:7