Ben

Welcome to Ben's Web Page. It has been provided to keep our family and friends updated about Ben's illness and our family's journey with him. Don't forget to sign the guestbook!

Our youngest son, Benjamin, was diagnosed with standard risk acute lymphocytic leukemia on Jan. 18, 2000. He has now come full circle after three plus years of chemotherapy and currently remains in remission, is off treatment and is a healthy, happy ten year old. We hope that this journal will comfort others in our shoes and also be a reminder to Ben and our family of the strength and courage it took for us to endure.



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Journal

Thursday, September 27, 2007 5:50 PM CDT

It is just amazing to me to return to this site so many years after Ben was diagnosed. But this time is exciting! Ben had an oncology clinic visit last week...the docs and nurses could not believe their eyes...a tall, slender, handsome teen walked in for his appointment! So different from the pudgy, swollen kid on prednisone! So normal! Normal is such a good thing! Dr. Phil...he's been with us on most of this journey and we adore him...examined Ben and told us he is perfect! Beh asked about his knees as he is having some discomfort and pain, but Dr. Phil thinks it is probably growth related and not prednisone related! That's a good thing! Told us how to manage the pain for a couple weeks and if pain does not dissipate, he will send Ben for further testing. But he obviously thought that would not be necessary. He did bloodwork and hormone testing. Though I don't have the numbers I am sure they were all normal as I have not received a phone call! I remember the days when we waited and waited for the numbers to come back from the lab before we even left the clinic. Now, the deal is that the clinic will call if there is cause for concern! The BEST news however was that Ben does not need to return for one year...one full year! Dr. Phil also said that at this point in time or at least in the next few months, we can start to believe and use the word "cured" rather than remission! WOW! As a mom, I am not sure I will ever believe it, but it sure sounds good. Ben will be five years off chemo in March which will truly be his CURE date, but the statistics show that his chances of relapse at this point in time are negligible. Sevena nd a half years ago I was not sure I could even fathom being where we are today! Our lives have moved on...James is a sophmore at Boston College and loving it. We go up this weekend for parents weekend. Andrew is a tenth grader and avid tennis player. Ben is an eighth grader and volleyball and tennis player. They all seem to love schoola nd life...we are blessed.

Hospital Information:

Lehigh Valley Hospital
Cedar Crest Blvd.
Allentown
PA

E-mail Author: ewwolff@aol.com

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