Bennett’s miracle!
We have had a few people ask us lately if Bennett is in remission now. I find that I have to tell the whole story to explain it correctly. I am at a place in his treatment that I feel at “peace” explaining his results plus I understand the numbers much better. God has blessed us in so many ways, Thanks to our heavenly father for carrying us through and keeping Bennett in remission forever!
When Bennett was diagnosed with leukemia and they did the first bone marrow test on February 21, 2007; Bennett had 95% leukemia cells (blasts) in his bone marrow crowding out all of the good cells. He was diagnosed as high risk B-precursor ALL because he was over age 10 and a male. The leukemia cells had gone into his blood and he had 5 leukemia (blasts). When diagnosed his white blood count was 4.1 in normal range. His ANC was 779. Hemoglobin was critical at 4.1. Platelets were very low at 41. In three days, the blasts in his blood grew to 23 and this was day 1 of treatment. By day 3 on February 25th, no blasts appeared in his blood to this day forward. The leukemia had not spread to his central nervous system, spinal cord or testicles!
On day 8 on March 2nd, Bennett had another bone marrow test and he had 2% blasts in his marrow. Anything less than 5 is considered in remission. During the first phase of treatment which is 30 days, Dr.’s goal is to bring the patient to remission in 30 days, Bennett did it in 8 days! His next bone marrow test was on day 29 on March 23rd and he had 0 blasts in the pre-liminary test. After studying the results further by viewing 10,000 cells, they saw .10-.99% (less than 1%) which tested him positive for minimal residual disease. This test was done because we chose Bennett to be on a clinical trial study. He received 4 extra months of intense treatment and cranial radiation because of the MRD.
On July 2nd, Bennett had another bone marrow test and it still showed 0% blasts in the marrow. We waited for the MRD results but found out later that the study would not share these results since it was a “study” and wouldn’t change Bennett’s protocol.
He will not have another bone marrow test until he completes the maintenance phase in July 2010. Dr’s expect he is still in remission because of how he is responding to treatment, his bone marrow is making new good cells and there are no blasts showing up in his blood work or spinal tests.
Through many years of treating leukemia, the Dr.’s have found that they have to continue with this long treatment period to make sure the leukemia will not come back. These abnormal cells are so small and sometimes cannot be detected by any test so it’s important that he received all of the intense phases and continue with the maintenance phase.
Please praise God for all the prayers that have been answered. This long journey has been horrible at times but when you look back God has blessed Bennett in many ways! He has been given a second chance at life and we thank God for his miracle!
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:22
Praise God for all of our wonderful answers to our prayers! It is truly amazing and a miracle that only He can do!
We pray for this exciting time for you to get stronger fast and higher blood counts so you can get back to school, friends, and sports! You get ‘em Bennett!!!! Love ya
Thank you for explaining. I know this has really been quite a journey and it has been good to have you share it with us. This is wonderful that things are good and the treatments have worked
HALLELUIA-thank God for the continued blessings and answered prayers and thank you for the continued updates-makes it easier for us to understand what is happening-I am so glad that you were able to have a great family nite out and that Bennett and Hamilton can enjoy spending time with friends-Continued prayers to all of you-Take Care-Love,Aunt Lindy
Bennette & Cindy,
We are so glad that things are going well for all of you. It’s amazing how I can read everyone’s journal entries now and understand all the “medical stuff”. GOD does perform miracles! Ethan is back right now receiving his radiation. It seems weird being over here at Siteman….everyone seems “so old” compared to when we are at Childrens. We are very happy that you are finished with all of your intense chemo and radiation treatments. That is such a blessing.
Hope you are enjoying spring.
Take care and GOD BLESS!
Dave, Alicia, Ethan & Ava
PS Ethan was dressed up as a magican the other night and was saying
“Abra Cadabra, Suzie Cazam! He looked too cute…..thanks again!
Thank God for his healing miracles. Only He can perform miracles. So glad to hear the wonderful news. I think a lot of it also has to do with your attitude, Cindy. Bennett could not have had a stronger mom and friend than you to help him through all that he has gone through. You are an inspiration to everyone.
What a great explaination. Everyone appreciates all of the time and effort you put in to keep us up-to-date. We all pray that the maintenance phase goes smothly and the good counts stay high and the blasts at zero.