Yes, it’s true I’m the BIG 4 0 today! I know some of you thought I was a lot younger! You’re only as old as you feel or ACT!   With everything we have been through I’m thankful for each day especially birthdays!

Bennett is doing good.  He was a little tired tonight and went to bed early. His baseball game tonight was rained out so it gave us a chance to have birthday dinner at Red Lobster. He was disappointed that they didn’t play because we were playing West Frankfort and Bennett was going to start the game as pitcher.

I love the birthday card Bennett gave to me:

I love you as my Mom–

the wonderful woman who has done more for me

than any other person in the world.

I love you as my friend –

someone who understands me, takes time to listen,

and truly cares about how I’m doing.

I love what you’ve made me –

a happy child, a grateful adult,

and someone who will always look up to you.

Happy Birthday Mom,

Love Bennett

Bennett is doing good. He had a baseball game tonight which we lost in 5 innings to Harrisburg by the ten run rule. Bennett only batted twice; hit it to short stop and got out at first, and than hit a fly ball to right field that was caught. He played left field and had a few grounders and caught a fly ball. He played first base in the 5th inning and had an assist out. Bennett hated that they lost but he continues to be happy with how he is playing and is focusing on that.

Bennett’s nurse called today to check on Bennett’s counts from yesterday to make sure I got them from the hospital. She indicated she was surprised his ANC wasn’t higher because of taking steroids for the last week. I forgot that steroids increased his WBC. I thought how did I not notice this before. His ANC yesterday was 1,742, good number. His ANC previously after taking steroids were in early August 1,050 and that was after the 2 week hospital stay in July and all the neupogen shots. In July, it was 585 and in June, 1,539. This month and last was the first two months without interruption in the maintenance phase so he hasn’t really had a pattern to go by.

I asked her about doing a rocky mountain spotted fever test on Bennett since we found a tick on him. She said, they don’t do that and are not worried about it. To just watch him like I would anyway and let them know. Yep, she thinks I’m paranoid too. Could we wrap Bennett in seram wrap and keep him in a giant bubble? LOL God will keep him safe.

Our buddy, Ethan and his family got notice today that they have a consultation appt in Philadelphia tomorrow morning to see a Dr. so they left tonight. His caring bridge site if you want to follow and leave an encouraging comment, is: www.caringbridge.org/visit/ethanweiman

The dog we found and I posted yesterday, already has a new home. Friends of ours saw the post and came tonight to get her. We are so thankful, everyone is happy!

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

Bennett and I found this dog in the middle of the road on route 14 East last week with no collar or home. We first thought it might be our yorkie so we picked her up but it wasn’t. “She” looked like she had been traveling for a few days, We’ve waited to see if someone had lost her but no one has claimed her. We gave her a bath and she is beautiful and very friendly. We would love to keep her but we already have one in the house which is enough. Let me know if you are looking for a nice pet. She is so adorable and playful!

Bennett’s ANC is 1,742 today, from 1,560! Alright! WBC are 2.6 from 2.4 and neutrophils were 67 from 65. It’s weird of how these counts go up and the others have gone down. Hemoglobin is 9.8 from 11.4 and platelets are still low at 95 from 92.

Bennett had an awesome weekend! We went camping the last three nights at my Dad and Mom’s pond. Bennett chose to sleep in his tent out in the woods. Oh my, many critters probably out there! His lab, Gus stayed with him to protect him. Bennett sprayed with off several times a day. We did find one tick on him yesterday. Of course, this makes me paranoid. Praying that this tick isn’t caring the rocky mountain spotted fever disease.

It was too hot to fish so the boys rode four wheelers most of the time. They made a trail in the woods up and down the creek. Bennett wore a mask as they stirred up some dust. The creek was dry. Sid took me around it as I was screaming for safety. (literally!) There were hills and many turns like a race track. Bennett and Hamilton thought it was Awesome!

Sid and Bennett went dove hunting early this morning but only saw one dove. Bennett said they saw more deer than doves. Bennett was going to go this afternoon but has decided to rest up before his baseball practice.

We are blessed and thankful for the nice weekend. Hope everyone had a good one! We think about are friend Ryan in the hospital and pray that he will get to go home soon. He just got out of ICU.

My brother, Brian that lives on the air force base in New Jersey left last night to serve in Iraq for about six months. We pray for his safe travels and safety while serving our country. Praying for his wife, Kim as he is gone too.

Sid received his test results today and he still has rocky mountain spotted fever. The Dr. has given him another prescription of antibiotics. He indicated that it could take awhile for it to go away. I’m not sure I understand all of this or am comfortable with the answer.

It has been on the news recently that there has been over 30 outbreaks in union county of rocky mountain spotted fever. This is where Sid is working. Also, one man has died recently.

We can put our faith in God and believe that he will heal Sid of this. He has felt some better but still tired. At least the other side effects have gone away.

Bennett is doing good. He had baseball practice after school.

We are going to the country this weekend, camping at my Dad and Mom’s pond. We hope to catch some fish, ride four wheelers, shoot clay pigeons, cook out, and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors

Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend.

Our dearest friend Ethan had some devasting news today. His knee started bothering him and they waited a week to find out from the biopsy that it’s neuroblastoma again. He just finished up with a years worth of treatment to find out it’s back.

Ethan is a special 4 year old who is so cute and full of energy! It’s possible that he will have to go to Philadelphia for additional treatment starting next week.  We have spent many hospital visits with them sharing many emotions together. Ethan’s Dad and Bennett call Ethan’s Mom, Ryan’s Mom, and myself the cackling hens on 9west.

Please say an extra prayer for Ethan, Dave, Alicia, & Ava.  May God bless and heal our little cowboy E!

Bennett is doing good. His knee isn’t bothering him as bad. He had baseball practice yesterday and went to the hitting zone and his legs were really sore. It was more his legs than his knee. They were better tonight though! Hopefully it’s just growing pains.

His baseball team played in Marion tonight losing 5 to 15. Bennett played good. He was 2 of 3 with 2 singles, stolen base, and a RBI. His other hit was a hard hit in right field and the fielder caught it. Bennett played left field and had several grounders and caught one fly ball. He pitched 2 1/2 innings coming in the 3rd inning. The score was 0 to 13. We scored 5 runs in the 4th inning. Bennett struck out 4 batters, had 2 walks, and in the 5th inning, Marion scored 2 to win by the ten run rule.

Bennett has been really hungry even more than before because of taking the steroids.   So far, he hasn’t had an upset stomach or heartburn which is great.

We hope to find out tomorrow about Sid’s blood test; the results of the rocky mountain spotted fever hadn’t come back yet. It takes awhile to get the results.

Thank you for checking in on Bennett. May God bless you and your family keeping you safe and healthy!

Bennett’s Dr. appt in St. Louis went good. Everyone couldn’t believe how good he looked and how his hair has grown even more! He had gained 4 pounds from last month’s appt weighing in at 128! He had his port accessed and got an iv push of the chemo vincristine. Bennett mentioned to the Dr. about his knee hurting yesterday. It bothered him when she would push on it. It doesn’t hurt him to walk on it. She said since it wasn’t showing any signs of swelling that we would wait to see if it continued to hurt before doing x-rays. We pray that his knee is better at his next baseball game or practice.

It’s that time again for Bennett to take 5 days of steroids twice a day. He will take pepcid around the clock, hopefully preventing heartburn. He took 13 methotrexate pills today too which he takes weekly. His Dr. indicated that his platelet counts are probably lowering from the methotrexate pills so if they drop to 75 or below, she will stop the weekly methotrexate pills until the platelet count recovers. His platelets were at 92 yesterday. The normal platelet range is 150 to 450.

At the clinic, Bennett had his monthly pentamadine breathing treatment to prevent pneumonia. It was good to see everyone in the clinic. It seemed like it had been forever since we had been there. A month is a long time when we were used to being there several times a week for over a year.

We had a great afternoon, we met our favorite PCA from the hospital, “crazy” Kim for a late lunch and hung out at Cabela’s together. Bennett had a fun time! She hung out with Bennett a lot during his last hospital stay playing games which he really enjoyed. Below is a couple pics.

Bennett’s baseball team had a game tonight in Herrin that we missed. Bennett has to be in school at least 1/2 day to play in a game. He hated to miss it but he is just thankful that he is able to play as much as he has. We thank God daily for Bennett’s recovery, good health, and his positive attitude!

“The only disability in life is a bad attitude.”

-

Bennett’s ANC today was 1,560 from 1,113!   Yeah!  His WBC was 2.4 with 65 neutrophils.  Hemoglobin is about the same at 11.4 from 11.3.  Platelets dropped to 92 from 119; 2 weeks ago they were 161.  We are not sure why they are dropping so much.  Platelets are what make your blood clot and keep you from bruising.  We are praying that his platelets don’t continue to drop and cause really low numbers; keeping him from baseball and other activities.

Bennett’s baseball team played tonight in McLeansboro.  We won 17 to 4 in 5 innings!!  Bennett was 1 of 3 with a single and walk.  He had 2 stolen bases with one of those being home.  He played center field catching a pop up and had 2 grounders.  The team was really pumped and played Great!  Go Rangers!

When I got to the game, Bennett was complaining about his knee hurting.  He said it hurt to walk and when he pushed on it.  I gave him some pain medicine and it helped because he made it through out the game running in the field and around the bases.  We are going to mention it to his Dr. tomorrow.  He doesn’t recall doing anything to it.  It’s not swollen or does not have a bruise on it.  We pray that nothing is wrong with his knee.

“Everyday may not be good, but there’s something good in every day.”

Bennett is having a lazy day today. He slept in this morning. He watched the Little League World Series games today and took a nap. He has had a busy week so I am glad he was able to rest today.

Last night we went to the high school football scrimmage game. Bennett wanted to go to watch all of his friends play on the team. It’s a little different knowing that his buddies are freshmen and are playing football. Bennett would be love to be playing but “football” and “wrestling” are two sports his Dr. forbids him to play. Bennett likes football and always enjoyed playing flag football when he was younger.

Sid went to have his follow up blood test yesterday and we will get the results on Monday to see if he still has rocky mountain spotted fever. We pray that it gone as it’s a pretty serious disease.

Grandpa Sidney is doing better. He is moving around more but still not a lot. He goes to rehab 3 times a week to help him exercise his ankle. His ankle has been pretty swollen and he has a ways to go before he’s running in the next marathon. LOL

Bennett’s next blood test is Monday morning. We are praying for good counts. His ANC has to be at least 750 to continue chemo. His next Dr. appt in St. Louis is this Tuesday.

Hope everyone is having an enjoyable, relaxing weekend!

“Failure is not falling down, the failure is not getting back up!”