and we're off!

Recently, we've been patiently waiting for Ben's blood counts to go up. Since December 10, his neutrophils have been below zero (normal is 1.9 - 7.3), leaving him vulnerable to infections, colds and eus. The worst he's had over this period of time was some sniffles, a sore throat and cough. All his other counts were low but slowly creeping up. At last check, all other counts have gone up to near normal, except his neutrophils, which were 0.7 on Jan. 7th. The previous week, they were at 0.5, so they are going up but very slowly. We are going to check tomorrow, Jan. 10th, to see how much they've gone up since Thursday.

Chemo has been delayed again because the doctors don't like to start the next round until his counts go above 1.0. Seeing as they've been below zero since Dec. 10th, the doctors would like to give it a little more time to increase more than 1.0. Then he would receive 75% of the chemo he received on his last round, as the dose ahected him more than anticipated. That chemo would take another 2 to 3 weeks to start affecting his blood counts again. This is why they are delaying as much as possible without disrupting the effectiveness of the first round. Gee, I hope this all makes sense... maybe I'm just overloaded with information ; )

Ben has decided that this would be a good time to take advantage and go on his big trip, thanks to all of you who contributed. He has decided that DisneyWorld, Universal and Harry Potter World would be his choice. So, at the last minute, we decided to book his trip to Florida. We are leaving Jan. 11th. Thank you to a very generous donor (you know who you are), we will be staying half the time at their Florida home and the other half at a DisneyWorld Resort. Ben is very excited, as we all are. Since our Christmas holidays was mostly staying indoors, this will be a nice break. We are concerned about him possibly catching anything on the plane or while we are there, so we are going to take every precaution possible.

Thank you all so much for your donations. This is giving him a well deserved fun trip to a place he wants to go.

I will be posting photos and info of this trip, so keep checking in.

All the best to everyone and hope 2016 is going amazingly well for you!

7 Comments

ELIZABETH

1/9/2016 08:31:46 pm

Thanks for keeping us updated, Michel. I wish you all a bon voyage and a lot of fun in the sun. Amuse-toi bien, Ben!

ROSE KOSTENKO

1/10/2016 02:02:29 pm

Happy New Year! Thinking of you all and wishing all the best for 2016! Hope you have an amazing trip Olled with wonderful

memories. Enjoy the sunshine! Love and hugs xoxo

REPLY

THE OVADIAS IN ISRAEL

1/10/2016 02:14:05 pm

Thanks again for the update. Here's hoping (and praying) the blood counts will keep improving. Enjoy your vacation! We'll be waiting

for pictures :-)

NICOLE

1/10/2016 04:03:40 pm

Have an amazing time! Sounds like many adventures to be had. Xo

MARTINE CUTBILL

1/10/2016 09:45:51 pm

Have tons of fun ! I think nice warm sunny days and Disney World helps to bring up blood counts :) Bring home that cute snowy owl

from Harry Potter ... and some sun.

Don't worry about a thing here. Hope the girls have a great time too.

See Ya, Love Mars, Oh send tons of pictures.

ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

1/10/2016 11:34:25 pm

Have a wonderful trip and perfect weather, Michel, Pam, Ben and Stephanie.

Don't forget your socks. One can never have enough socks. Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn't get a single pair.

People will insist on giving me books.

And don't forget to have fun. One can never have enough fun either.

May the force be with you always.

Lots of love and big hugs x4.

XOXOXOXO

ROBERT LANGE

1/16/2016 06:03:54 am

Happy New Year! I'm glad you're all having a wonderful time. I've been there with my girls and we surely enjoyed ourselves.

Great memories for sure!

Thinking of you and wishing you all the very best!