Bennett is doing good. He had a great weekend. He went to the varsity game Friday night, and we won by one basket against West Frankfort in the last few seconds. He spend the night with a friend after the game.

He had basketball practice Saturday morning and than he went Christmas shopping with me in Carbondale. We went to the freshmen championship game Saturday afternoon and they lost by one point against Herrin. His friend spent the night with him that night after the game. It’s been several months since he has hung around with a friend so we are thankful that he was able to.

After church today, we went to the movies to see Quantum of Solace, (James Bond movie) it was ok.

Hamilton was Joseph in the church Christmas play. It was really cute.

We go in the morning for a blood test, we pray for low liver levels and a safe range for his ANC. Tuesday, he has an appt in St. Louis.

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need.” Psalm 23:1

Well, this week flew by.  Bennett has been pretty tired and exhausted most of the week.  I know last night he went to bed at 9:00 and slept all night.  He indicated he just felt really tired.  He is resting and sleeping as much as he can.  I am glad he didn’t have any games this week so he could rest in the evening.

He didn’t stay home too much though. He went to two freshmen basketball games and tonight he went to the varsity game in W.F.  He has had basketball practice every night except tonight, they will have it in the morning instead.

He goes Monday for a blood test.  We pray that his liver levels are down even more and that his ANC is in safe range.

It doesn’t seem like Christmas.  It’s been difficult to get in the season spirit.  I used to think people were scrooges that didn’t want to put up decorations, go shopping, and all the holiday rush.  Now as we get older,  we find it’s difficult to get it all done and still be joyful.

May God bring peace and joy to all of our homes.

Bennett is doing good.  His cold is better, barely coughing and his runny nose has about quit. He is still taking an allergy pill daily and that is helping.   He has had basketball practice after school every night.  Him and Hamilton are counting down the days until school is out and Christmas Day.  Their last day of school is next Friday.

Everything else with Bennett is pretty quite now.  We like it that way!

Thank you for checking in.  Hope you and your family are blessed.

Bennett’s ANC today was 1,311 from 1,830!  His WBC was 2.3 from 3.0 and neutrophils at 57 from 61.  His WBC could of been elevated from his viral cold.

His hemoglobin was 11.9 from 11.4 and platelets 179 from 134. Great numbers, the best they have been in a long time!     His liver numbers went down, Yes!  From 539 to 169 and 145 to 46.

The nurse indicated that these numbers were much better.  His Dr. still wants him to only take 5 methotrexate pills instead of the 10 previously. She wants to give his liver a break for another week.  He still is taking the normal dose of 6mp pills daily; this doesn’t effect the liver.  His next blood test is next Monday and his next St. Louis appt is next Tuesday.

He had basketball practice tonight after school. Bennett said only 8 players were at practice, 5 others were sick.  Yeek!   We don’t have any games this week!  Unbelievable!  The 7th graders are in their conference tournament therefore we don’t have any regular games.

We count are blessings daily and praise God for his glory! We are so thankful that Bennett is doing well!

“The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them. His work is honorable and glorious, and his righteousness endures forever. He has made his wonderful works to be remembered.” The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” Psalm 111:2-4

We made it home Saturday night and we both were exhausted.  We went straight to bed.  We were thankful for having a safe trip to Paxton.  It was at least 10 degrees colder and very windy.  It flurried snow and we had some ice on the roads.

It was so good to see the Coe family and to visit with them.  We were able to go back to their house Friday night after visitation and see where Ryan lived, his room and all of his stuff.   We had a good visit with several 9west families and nurses too.

Bennett looked good and he was so proud to be Ryan’s pall bearer.  The services for Ryan were so sad and very nicely done.   I appreciate everyone’s prayers for the Coe family.  Below is their address if you would like to send them a card:

Todd & Michele Coe, 053 E 200 N Road, Loda, IL  60948

We go in the morning to check Bennett’s counts.  We pray that his liver numbers are down and his ANC is in normal range.

Bennett is doing pretty good.  It seems his runny nose is back more but it has been so cold outside that I think everyone’s has some type of sniffle.

We lost the game tonight to Carbondale by 3 points so we got 4th place in the Big 7 conference tournament.  It was a close game but we should of won.  We were ahead most of the game and choked at the end.  Bennett played awesome!  He played one of his best games ever!  His aggressiveness and confidence is getting stronger each game.  He had 4 points and a few rebounds.  He made one basket and than was fouled and made both free throws.

After the game, Bennett and I talked about the game. I asked if he was disappointed that they lost.  He said I guess but I’m not upset about it.  I am more worried about how I did and how I played.  That’s all that matters.  He talked about the loss of his friend Ryan and how it has motivated him even more.  I would say the last two games, he has turned it on!

Thank you to everyone that has left comments. We have also met some remarkable nurses and Dr.’s that have been a very influential part of our journey.  We so appreciate them becoming our friends and not just treating us like a patient.  It takes a very special person to open their hearts up and work with children who have cancer.

Bennett and I leave in the morning to go to Paxton, IL which is 3 to 3 1/2 hours away.  We pray for safe travels and no bad weather.

Thank you for you checking in, your love and support.  May God continue to keep Bennett in remission forever!

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Bennett’s cold is doing better.  He believes the daily allergy med he is taking is working.  He barely coughs and his nose doesn’t run as much.  We are so thankful that it didn’t turn into anything worse.  He has passed it on to Hamilton and I though.  Hamilton coughs quite a bit.  I have been congested since yesterday.  I did get an antibiotic today which should clear it up soon.

Bennett’s basketball team won Tues. night against Herrin at Herrin by 9 points.  We played Cairo tonight at Harrisburg and lost by around 20 points.  Bennett played quite a bit tonight.  He had 2 points, several rebounds and couple assists.  He played pretty aggressive and looked more confident.  He asked me tonight if I saw his shoes, he has added 12-02-08 to his taped ankles under Ryan’s name.  We play tomorrow night at Marion for 3rd place in this Big 7 conference tourney.

Bennett was asked by Ryan’s parents to be a pall bearer at Ryan’s funeral.  It is so emotional to decide what is the best for Bennett, Is it too much for him to go through.   I asked Bennett after explaining what the role of a pall bearer was and he said he wanted too.  I told him, it is an honor for someone to be asked.  We know Ryan would of wanted him by his side and we want to be there for our friends.  Ryan’s visitation is Friday afternoon and funeral is Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in Paxton, IL.

Thank you for your prayers for Ryan’s family, and everyone that is grieving.

Our friend, our hero, our inspiration, and our fighter, Ryan Coe is now one of God’s angels. Ryan earned his wings this evening around 5:00 p.m. It was such devastating news to hear Michele’s voice crying that Ryan passed away.

Please keep his parents, Todd and Michele, his three brothers, Austin, Tanner and Gunner in your prayers. Ryan has fought so hard for so long. He was diagnosed over 2 years ago with AML (leukemia). This year, he has not been able to eat and has spent most of his time in the hospital than at home. It sadness us that he had to give up so much and fight so hard this past year. He beat the leukemia but had so many complications from his transplant and medications. We have known the Coe family since Bennett’s diagnose and they quickly became special friends and family.

The kids and our families on 9west become an instant family. We have such a special bond to some because of the experience you are going through at the same time.  When one is hurt or has bad news, you feel it like your own. You also always have that fear and worry that your child could be the next one chosen by God. We have shared so many emotional moments together, we have cried many tears together because we were scared or worried, and we have laughed at the most funniest and silliest things together to just keep us from going insane.

Ryan liked to play sports and was a big hunter. Him and Bennett had so much in common. While they were in the hospital they found many ways to entertain each other (when they felt up to it). We were so thankful that they had one another, trying to have fun and making the most out of a bad situation (especially for a child to endure.) Some times they didn’t feel good enough to talk but they didn’t have too, just knowing that the other one was there helped more than any words could have been spoken.

It breaks our heart for our friends to lose their son, and it saddens me that my son, has to experience the sadness of losing a dear friend to such a horrible disease.

Thank you Ryan for everything you taught us. We love you and miss you. To Michele and Todd, you have sacrificed so much as parents, I am sorry that we lost Ryan here with us, he will always be a special friend and hero to our family!

October 26, 2008

Bennett’s cold is maybe a tad better.  He is coughing less but his nose is still running quite a bit.  We pray that it doesn’t get any worse.

His ANC today was 1,830 from 1,488!!!  His WBC was 3.0 and neutrophils were 61.    That is a record!   We hope it’s not elevated because of infection that his WBC are trying to fight off since he does have a cold.   Hemoglobin was good at 11.4 and platelets at 134.

Periodically he has a complete metabolic panel during his blood tests.  I didn’t recall his Dr. indicating to check that bi-weekly or monthly.  I was worried since I thought about it and figured we better check it.  I’m glad we did, his liver functions were way too high.  At 539 and normal is 9 to 72.   The Dr. wants him to only take 1/2 of his methotrexate pills tomorrow and check his level again next week.

His nurse laughed today because it never seems like we can get Bennett on a routine.  We were hoping to get to a point where we are only checking his blood every 2 weeks or monthly.  Just when we had started every 2 weeks and were already back to checking weekly again.  Oh well, at least we know.

Bennett’s basketball team is in the Big 7 conference tournament.  We played tonight at home against Carterville winning 47 to 20.  Bennett played every quarter.  He played pretty good.  He had a steal and a few rebounds.  He was fouled and shot 2 free throws making one.  He himself had 4 fouls tonight seemed he couldn’t get a break.  We play again tomorrow night at Herrin at 7:30 p.m.

We pray Bennett’s liver functions go down.  I know that is one thing Ryan’s Mom has said to Bennett that he needs to drink and drink to flush the chemo and meds out of his body.

Ryan has turned to the worse.  He has another type of infection now, low blood pressure and oxygen isn’t good.  May God bless him and his family.

Our friend Brittani updated her website with an update and beautiful pictures.  at www.caringbridge.org/visit/brittanishurtz

Thank you for everyone’s prayers, love, and support.