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.

Bennett is doing fair.  He is starting to get a cold.  He has been coughing more and has a running nose.  He seems to be sleeping more which is good but also worrisome.  He has started taking allergy med and cough med.

Thursday morning, him and Sid went duck hunting at Rend Lake.  They saw several ducks plus lots of geese too but didn’t get any.  Bennett said he shot 7 times and missed.  He spent the night with my Mom and Dad Thurs. night and was going to go duck hunting Friday morning but when he woke up, he had a stomach ache and didn’t feel good.  He ended up sleeping 13 hours that night.

Last night, Bennett was bored and wasn’t really in the mood to do much. I asked him to call a friend but he didn’t want too.  He spends lots of time with us and doesn’t hang out with his friends much anymore.   We ended up hanging out in his room and watching CSI together.  He was ready for bed at 9:00.   He had basketball practice this morning and he said he did good.

Our friend Ryan is still fighting hard.  His kidney and liver levels are better!  They are trying to wean him off the vent and hopefully he will be able to go home.    Thank you for everyone’s prayers for him.

We go Monday for a blood test,  We pray Bennett’s numbers are fairly well.

Thank you for checking in and May God bless you and your family.

“God is greater than our heart, and know all things.” 1 John 3:20

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is a great day to think about all of things we are thankful for.  To some people Thanksgiving is a day to eat turkey, to watch Thanksgiving parades, to watch football, or to take a nap but the real meaning is to give Thanks!

Bennett had to write a paper on what he was thankful for and this is what he writes:

I am thankful for a lot of things.  Life is one of those things that I am thankful for and enjoy.  Most people don’t think about this but they don’t know what life could be like.  When you hear that some one dies, you say, “Oh I am sorry.” Then you move on in a month or two.  Same thing is what happened to me.  Everyone felt sorry for me but now they see me healthy and they have moved on.  They never really thought about what it was like going through all of it.  Missing so much school, not being in the same class anymore as my friends and losing what it feels like to be a kid.  Every time I see people that just don’t care or they make fun of someone, I just say in my mind, ” they don’t really think what life could be like and they take everything for granted.”

I am also thankful for my health.  I have a friend I have met from the hospital that I go to.  He is one year older than me.  We used to have a lot of fun together.  Now, he is not doing so good and he might pass away.  When I go to bed every night, I pray and think about him.    Also, when I step on the basketball court, I put his name on my shoes.  “Ryan” on the left and “Coe” on the right.  It makes me think of what I have and to be thankful of it.

Another thing I am thankful for is my family.  No one has passed away.  They are still here.  They have my back no matter what happens.  We have a good time when we are together.  My Uncle is in the Air Force and was in Iraq.  He is back now.  Thank God we are living a good life.

Thanks for reading,

-Bennett Page

We are thankful for what this year has brought to us. We are thankful for our health especially Bennett’s recovery.  We are thankful for all our family and friends that have helped us along this journey.

May God continue to bless Bennett. May he be with the families today that are not together because of sickness.  Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Bennett is doing good, we are so thankful for that.  He is coughing just a little.   With all the colds, sore throats, and flu bugs going around, we are thankful that he doesn’t have anything.  He took his weekly chemo dose of 10 methotrexate pills and his daily 6mp chemo pills today.

His team won tonight by 2 points at home against Herrin.  It was a replay of last night!  We tied again tonight TWICE and won by 2 AGAIN.  We played two overtimes again and finally pulled it off.  Bennett played a lot in the 1st and 2nd quarters and played some in the 3rd.  He played really good.  He had a few rebounds and was very aggressive.  He went up for a shot and was fouled.  He made 1 out of 2 free throws.

Every game now, Bennett writes Ryan’s name on the back of the tape that he  wraps around his ankles. He says it helps him remember Ryan and remember what to be thankful for.  Also, since he started doing this, three games ago, he hasn’t fallen on the court while playing.     Bennett searched for these quotes that he likes and put them in a word document naming it “Beliefs To Win A Game.”   He also added Ryan Coe’s name to this list.  He has this taped in his basketball locker. He says he reads the quotes before every game and now another player reads it too with him and he wants his own copy for his locker.

Beliefs To Win a Game

1. “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best.”

2. “It’s not he disability that defines you, it’s how you deal with the challenges the disability presents you with.  We have an obligation to the abilities we do have, not the disability.”

3. “People tell you that I overcame obstacles? Maybe. But the truth is I was incredibly blessed in my life.  More was given then was ever taken away.”

4. “Don’t give up, don’t every give up.”

5. “We take everything for granted day by day and don’t think what life could be like.”

6. “You have to strive to do your best because no one else can do it.”

7. “You have limitations but don’t let anything hold you back.”

8. “Pain is temporary, Pride is forever.”

9. “Believe in God and he will make all things right.”

10. Ryan Coe

Bennett is doing good. I was worried with it being so cold during deer season that he might catch a cold. Bennett reminded me though that he can’t get sick from it just being cold out side.

His team won tonight by 2 points against Marion at home in double overtime. Bennett played some of the 1st and 2nd quarters. He was fouled twice, he made 1 out of 4 three throws. He looked good playing defensively. It was a pretty physical game and one of our boys hurt his wrist from falling on it. We play Herrin tomorrow night at home and they are really good too.

We heard our friend Brittani came home Saturday. Dr.’s decided not to drain the fluid that it wasn’t as bad as they first thought. The medicines she is on seems to be helping some. We have been told that she doesn’t want to be on life support so we pray that she is selected for her lung transplant soon.

It seems weird not going this week to find out what Bennett’s counts are. We pray that they are holding steady and that the daily 6mp chemo pills he takes along with the other chemo is keeping any leukemia cells away forever!

May you and your family be blessed.

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

Well, we’re home and empty handed. Sid and Hamilton shot a few times but didn’t get a deer. Bennett saw a few but none really close enough to shoot. Bennett and I decided to come home and start unpacking today. He had basketball practice tonight so he didn’t want to be to worn out besides he was getting disappointed that he didn’t see much.

It was so cold Thurs night through Saturday that it was pretty miserable camping. It was low in the teens at night and high during the day around 35 but wind chills in the low 20’s. Today was beautiful, sunny and about 50 but Bennett and I was ready to just forget it. I know my heart wasn’t into it and I don’t think his was either with our friends sick.

Hamilton and I sat in a blind one night and saw a few doe’s. Below is a pic of him setting up our decoy. That’s the closest we got to a deer! He is so cute calling in the deer with his grunt calls. He went hunting with Sid a lot and this was the first year he didn’t fall asleep. The boys really do like it. Maybe next time it will be warmer and we will have better luck. Below is a pic at my Dad and Mom’s pond where we camp by, it was beautiful seeing the sun rise and set each day.

We will not get a blood test in the morning, it will be next Monday. Bennett took his last dose of steroids yesterday for this month. He seems to be feeling okay. We pray for his counts to stay good and no sickness. He has basketball games Monday and Tuesday night at home.

Thank you for checking in, your prayers,  love and support.

Today is Bennett’s 21st month anniversary of being diagnosed with leukemia. Some days it seems like it has flown by so quickly and other times I didn’t know if we would ever get to this day. We are so thankful for Bennett’s good health, energy, and his love for life!

We are camping/deer hunting today and this weekend. It is mighty cold. It seems difficult to really get warm. Bennett saw a few deer this morning. A doe that was half white and brown. He didn’t think he could shoot it since it was white but it wasn’t all albino. He saw some bucks but they were too far away. Hamilton shot at a doe but missed.

We are having a hard time right now, our hearts are so heavy. Our friend Ryan’s body is worn out and Dr.’s believe they cannot treat the PTLD any longer. The hope is to get him over the pneumonia and vent to take him home. We pray this happens so his family can talk to him again. Praying for a miracle from God!

Our friend Brittani was taken two days ago to SLCH because she was in pain. They did an x-ray and she has fluid around her lungs. They have decided not to drain them. We pray that she can continue on strong until she can have her 2nd lung transplant.

Our friend Ethan is in Philly getting his 2nd treatment after relapsing with neuroblastoma. It’s a very scary treatment that his parents are having to experience. We pray that this treatment puts Ethan back in remission forever!

My uncle is still in the hospital after the car wreck, he is doing some better but needs our prayers.

We pray for safety this weekend for all the deer hunters and people traveling the roads while the deer are moving.