Cancer Update - January 2, 2009

Daryl Bennett has reached a new low, and that is good. This morning I received lab results on blood samples taken on Tuesday, 12/30, and they indicated that the all-critical M-spike (the primary blood indicator on the level of the cancer)is 1.6, the lowest level it has been since we began measuring it and treating cancer 16 months ago. For perspective, the M-spike was 4.0 at diagnosis, and 0.0 would indicate cancer-free, or non-detectable cancer. For two months now, the velcade treatments have shown a continuous and consistent, uniform decline in the M-spike levels.

We couch this exceedingly good news in the understanding that no cure is offered by the medical community for this cancer. The only way for me to be cured is for God to intervene miraculously, or for Him to prolong my life through various combinations of chemo drugs until a cure for myeloma is developed. As stated from the beginning, though I intend to fight a good fight and do all in my responsibility to do, I am totally in the hands of a heavenly Father whose love for me is beyond my ability to comprehend. There is no place we would rather for me to be.

I am still working full-time, and had a great month of December. I usually spend 6 to 8 hours each week in various doctors' offices for various reasons. In the overall cancer fight, I put a priority on going to the gym 3 times a week to swim 1/2 mile to one kilometer each time. Closest to heart, I still teach and serve on the elder board at the church, though I had to cut back on the teaching schedule and some other ministry items in fall 2008.

Thanks for your caring, concerns, and prayers.

Christmas 2008

Here are a few photos from the Bennett house on Christmas Day 2008. We celebrated with breakfast when Andrew got off work. Julia and Alyssa came over, as did Amy Grace, and Matt and Em made the long trek down from upstairs.

People here on Christmas morning:

Emily was feeling kinda lonely, and got stuck by herself with the "old people" on Christmas afternoon and evening.

Things we did (in addition to eating, exchanging gifts, listening to Christmas music in the background, and enoying one another's company):

We burned some 40 year old candles from my mother's house. It took all day. My siblings had some similar candles and had agreed to do the same.

We played Russian rummy and nertz.

And even burned a Yule (sort of) log. We had to start the fire early since the temps got into the high 60s or 70s on Christmas Day:

We hope you had a Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

We had the whole family together for about 50 minutes on Thanksgiving. We had lots more time with various members, especially those from Illinois, over the weekend. Here are some photos:

The whole lot of us:

Gathered for some (posed) singing time aroung the piano. I love the study the expressions of each person in this photo. Why is Andrew hiding?

Ellie loved playing the piano. I'm just there to keep her from falling off:

Andrew's Branch:

Daniel's Tribe:

Better Pic

Here is a better picture of our beautiful little granddaughter. She was maybe 1 1/2 hours old when this picture was taken.

SHE'S HERE!!!

Alyssa Faith Bennett arrived by C-section at 1:04 PM today, Thursday, September 11, 2008. She came in at 8 pounds, 4 ounces, and 20 1/4" long. She has a round little face and dark, curly hair. She is absolutely beautiful and absolutely adored. Here are some pictures.

Grandma's New Gears

Carol published a post about selling the sparrow (the name for her van), and if you haven't read it you need to do so. We also purchased her a replacement vehicle, a 2007 Toyota Avalon. It is one cool automobile, and she is one cool grandma driving around in it. Here are some pics. You may notice my red pickup truck hanging around close, but maintaining a respectful distance behind.

My Mom's Birthday

On Monday, July 21, my mother turned 89 years old. The weekend preceding, Carol, Emily and I went to see her, along with my sister, her husband, and her daughter. My brother and much of his family also live in the same town as my mom. We gave her a party on Saturday morning with all of her children and their spouses, her sister, two grandchildren and a couple of great-grand children present. I got to feed her some of her favorite foods - watermelon and a vanilla milk shake, which is about all the present I could think to give a person in her condition that she might enjoy. It was a good time for me, and I think Mom and the others enjoyed it, too.