You can come to the Blender Blog to get updates on Braxton and the rest of our blended family at the new blog site:
Blender Blog (http://ourblenderblog.blogspot.com/)
So come on over and check it out!!!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Come Visit Our New Family "Blender Blog"
Now that Braxton is transitioning from a cancer patient to a cancer survivor (WAHOOOOO!!!), we have decided to start a new blog that will be for the whole family - our "Blender Blog"!
You can come to the Blender Blog to get updates on Braxton and the rest of our blended family at the new blog site:
Blender Blog (http://ourblenderblog.blogspot.com/)
So come on over and check it out!!!
You can come to the Blender Blog to get updates on Braxton and the rest of our blended family at the new blog site:
Blender Blog (http://ourblenderblog.blogspot.com/)
So come on over and check it out!!!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Thank You, Girl Scouts!
Last week Angela Litzinger, Tim Wagenknecht, Zach, and several girls from Zoe's girl scout troop got together and graciously preparfed some meals for our family.
Thank you!!!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Headed Up North
Braxton & Beth came home at midnight. Braxton is in a splint for now - no surgery necessary. He can still join us for our trip up north, but he can't get in the water. He needs to see his specialist on Tuesday, so we may have to come back early.
But for now we're headed up north for a much needed family vacation. We'll have everyone except for Bayley (who is headed to church camp). Even Rufus & Sunny get to join us.
So give thanks to God for Braxton's good health and for a chance for the family to have some fun!!!
+ posted by David
Friday, July 4, 2008
Setback ...
After a nice day celebrating the 4th of July, Braxton had to go to the E.R. tonight.
He was throwing a ball while playing with his siblings when he felt a pop. His arm was in great pain and it was clear something had gone wrong. Beth took him to the E.R. where we learned that he had broken his arm. Beth and Braxton are still at the hospital waiting for an osteo specialist who will determine if surgery is needed.
We are fortunate that the break happened while we were still near home and not when we were up north for our vacation.
For now, I am home awaiting news. Please pray for Braxton and Beth.
+ posted by David
He was throwing a ball while playing with his siblings when he felt a pop. His arm was in great pain and it was clear something had gone wrong. Beth took him to the E.R. where we learned that he had broken his arm. Beth and Braxton are still at the hospital waiting for an osteo specialist who will determine if surgery is needed.
We are fortunate that the break happened while we were still near home and not when we were up north for our vacation.
For now, I am home awaiting news. Please pray for Braxton and Beth.
+ posted by David
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Update Post
hello all,
most of you know that Braxton is doing very wel and done with chemo treatments. He will begin his after treatment care plan, having clinic visits and blood work monthly for 12 months. Braxton is very relieved and happy to be getting back to trying to regain strength. He is walking and swimming, mostly. he still has mobility restrictions for the next 2 weeks and then he will have restrictions for a short time after his port is removed at the end of July.
Braxton will go to Boy Scout camp this summer! That's a major milestone for him and for me!! Letting him go and just be a kid is great! God has been very good to us!!
We look forward to spending the rest of the summer at home and taking short trips. Happy summer everyone! Thankyoufor your support!
-posted by Beth
most of you know that Braxton is doing very wel and done with chemo treatments. He will begin his after treatment care plan, having clinic visits and blood work monthly for 12 months. Braxton is very relieved and happy to be getting back to trying to regain strength. He is walking and swimming, mostly. he still has mobility restrictions for the next 2 weeks and then he will have restrictions for a short time after his port is removed at the end of July.
Braxton will go to Boy Scout camp this summer! That's a major milestone for him and for me!! Letting him go and just be a kid is great! God has been very good to us!!
We look forward to spending the rest of the summer at home and taking short trips. Happy summer everyone! Thankyoufor your support!
-posted by Beth
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Another Crabby Patty!!!
Justin Morneau hit another Crabby Patty (home run) in today's Twins game!
That's 12 Crabby Patties for 2008.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
The Turtles Conquered!!
Today I took Bayley, Braxton, Zoe and Emma to the U hospital to attend the 22nd annual Turtle Derby! It was a hoot! So many people shouting and cheering for the fastest turtles! The Turtle Derby is a fundraiser for children's programs at the hospital. Turtles are sponsored by various departments and groups within the hospital. 5B turtle made it to the finals but then refused to move...at all...and we waited...then declared another the winner. Emma sat right up near the race platform and Braxton visited with nurse friends that he saw and was even on TV with Emily (Family Life) broadcasting to the kids inside that couldn't leave the floor. Everyone had a great time and will be back for the races next year. :)
Braxton's counts are all great and hemoglobin shot up to 11 after his transfusion yesterday. It's all good!
-posted by Beth
Braxton's counts are all great and hemoglobin shot up to 11 after his transfusion yesterday. It's all good!
-posted by Beth
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
A Night at the Ballpark!
What a day we had yesterday!
Yesterday was a celebration of Braxton's recovery and it was more than anything we had expected!
Braxton's football coaches gave Braxton 4 tickets to last night's Twins game and arranged for Braxton to have the opportunity to meet some of the Twins players. We were told to be at the Twins Executive Offices by 4:30pm for a 7:05pm game.
We arrived at about 4:20pm and were escorted through the restricted parts of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome and out onto the ball-field. The Twins players were taking Batting Practice and we were close enough to reach out and touch them.
We saw Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Gomez, Craig Monroe, Delmon Young, Brian Busher, Brendon Harris, and Alexi Casilla take turns in the batting cage. We also saw former Twins greats Tony Oliva and Jack Morris out on the field. And Dick Bremer, the Twins TV analyst, came by and talked to us. Wow!
But that was just the beginning.
Braxton also got to sit in a special area where the Twins players came by after finishing with Batting Practice and some of them stopped to autograph a baseball for him. He got autographs from Joe Mauer, Carlos Gomez, Delmon Young, Craig Monroe, Kevin Slowey, and Jesse Crain.
But that's not all.
He also got some real face-to-face time with the Twins newest superstar Carlos "Go-Go" Gomez. Gomez came over and shook Braxton's hand, signed his hat and glove, and posed for a picture with Braxton. And then he gave Braxton the bat he had been using for batting practice!!! That was a truly wonderful gesture and really made Braxton feel special!
Thank you, Carlos!!!
After all of the special pre-game on-field stuff, we were treated to a great game. A Twins win!!!
Livan Hernandez was the Twins starter and he pitched a beautiful game. He gave up only one run over 7 innings of work.
The Twins struggled behind the plate. They didn't get a hit until the fourth inning - a double by Joe Mauer. And Justin Morneau was really struggling as he killed two rallies with runners in scoring position. In the bottom of the first inning the Twins had runners at 1st and 2nd with only one out. Morneau hit into a double play. Then in the fourth inning, Morneau followed a Joe Mauer double with a weak fly ball to center.
By the time Justin Morneau came to bat in the 6th inning, he looked crabby. Very crabby. This time there were two outs in the inning, Joe Mauer was at 1st base, and the Twins were trailing 1-0. I looked at Beth and said, "Morneau is crabby. He's gonna whack this ball." And he did!
Justin "Crabby Pants" Morneau took the first pitch he saw and MASHED it deep deep deep to left field. That ball was crushed! It soared about ten rows deep into the upper deck of left field. Wow!!!
Now that's a Crabby Patty!
Other players may hit dingers, taters, long balls, or home runs. Not Morneau. Justin Morneau hits Crabby Patties!
After that home run, the game flew quickly toward the 9th inning. Hernandez pitched through the 7th. Matt Guerrier came in and pitched the 8th. And Joe Nathan closed out the win in the 9th.
The Twins Win!
2-1.
In under 2 hours.
And one boy recovering from cancer got to have the night of a lifetime.
Thank you, Twins, for giving Braxton a life affirming experience!!!
+ posted by David
Yesterday was a celebration of Braxton's recovery and it was more than anything we had expected!
Braxton's football coaches gave Braxton 4 tickets to last night's Twins game and arranged for Braxton to have the opportunity to meet some of the Twins players. We were told to be at the Twins Executive Offices by 4:30pm for a 7:05pm game.
We arrived at about 4:20pm and were escorted through the restricted parts of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome and out onto the ball-field. The Twins players were taking Batting Practice and we were close enough to reach out and touch them.
We saw Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Gomez, Craig Monroe, Delmon Young, Brian Busher, Brendon Harris, and Alexi Casilla take turns in the batting cage. We also saw former Twins greats Tony Oliva and Jack Morris out on the field. And Dick Bremer, the Twins TV analyst, came by and talked to us. Wow!
But that was just the beginning.
Braxton also got to sit in a special area where the Twins players came by after finishing with Batting Practice and some of them stopped to autograph a baseball for him. He got autographs from Joe Mauer, Carlos Gomez, Delmon Young, Craig Monroe, Kevin Slowey, and Jesse Crain.
But that's not all.
He also got some real face-to-face time with the Twins newest superstar Carlos "Go-Go" Gomez. Gomez came over and shook Braxton's hand, signed his hat and glove, and posed for a picture with Braxton. And then he gave Braxton the bat he had been using for batting practice!!! That was a truly wonderful gesture and really made Braxton feel special!
Thank you, Carlos!!!
After all of the special pre-game on-field stuff, we were treated to a great game. A Twins win!!!
Livan Hernandez was the Twins starter and he pitched a beautiful game. He gave up only one run over 7 innings of work.
The Twins struggled behind the plate. They didn't get a hit until the fourth inning - a double by Joe Mauer. And Justin Morneau was really struggling as he killed two rallies with runners in scoring position. In the bottom of the first inning the Twins had runners at 1st and 2nd with only one out. Morneau hit into a double play. Then in the fourth inning, Morneau followed a Joe Mauer double with a weak fly ball to center.
By the time Justin Morneau came to bat in the 6th inning, he looked crabby. Very crabby. This time there were two outs in the inning, Joe Mauer was at 1st base, and the Twins were trailing 1-0. I looked at Beth and said, "Morneau is crabby. He's gonna whack this ball." And he did!
Justin "Crabby Pants" Morneau took the first pitch he saw and MASHED it deep deep deep to left field. That ball was crushed! It soared about ten rows deep into the upper deck of left field. Wow!!!
Now that's a Crabby Patty!
Other players may hit dingers, taters, long balls, or home runs. Not Morneau. Justin Morneau hits Crabby Patties!
After that home run, the game flew quickly toward the 9th inning. Hernandez pitched through the 7th. Matt Guerrier came in and pitched the 8th. And Joe Nathan closed out the win in the 9th.
The Twins Win!
2-1.
In under 2 hours.
And one boy recovering from cancer got to have the night of a lifetime.
Thank you, Twins, for giving Braxton a life affirming experience!!!
+ posted by David
A great day!!
Braxton has escaped the extra hospital stay and has managed to rest and hydrate his way through minor fever scares and fatigue from low counts!!! He is, currently, having a blood transfusion to give him some energy and kick his hemoglobin up. We are, almost, off of the chemo treatment train and gearing up help Braxton to be a regular kid again.
Lastnight we were able to take Braxton to the Twins game! Tickets, compliments of his football coaches from MVYF, were a great treat. Braxton was able to go onthe field and watch batting practice. He was also given the opportunity to talk with players and get autographs! Carlos Gomez signed his practice bat and gave it to Braxton! He also signed Braxton's Twins cap and baseball glove. Braxton got autographs from Joe Mauer too (and a bunch of other players whose names I can't remember but Braxton knows them... :) ) It was a good night of relaxed fun with the kid. We needed that!! Pictures will follow.
Please continue to pray for Braxton's healthy recovery and clean scans next week. Tomorrow we will be attending the Turtle Races at the U Hospital campus to benefit children's research and special services. On June 28, the Children's Cancer Research Fund is hosting the annual Time To Fly walk/run. We will be out of town and cannot particpate but look forward to taking part in it next year!!
Thankyou all for your support and warm wishes!!
-posted by Beth
Lastnight we were able to take Braxton to the Twins game! Tickets, compliments of his football coaches from MVYF, were a great treat. Braxton was able to go onthe field and watch batting practice. He was also given the opportunity to talk with players and get autographs! Carlos Gomez signed his practice bat and gave it to Braxton! He also signed Braxton's Twins cap and baseball glove. Braxton got autographs from Joe Mauer too (and a bunch of other players whose names I can't remember but Braxton knows them... :) ) It was a good night of relaxed fun with the kid. We needed that!! Pictures will follow.
Please continue to pray for Braxton's healthy recovery and clean scans next week. Tomorrow we will be attending the Turtle Races at the U Hospital campus to benefit children's research and special services. On June 28, the Children's Cancer Research Fund is hosting the annual Time To Fly walk/run. We will be out of town and cannot particpate but look forward to taking part in it next year!!
Thankyou all for your support and warm wishes!!
-posted by Beth
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Day 96: Walking the Line
We are walking a thin line today as Braxton rests at home.
Tonight should be a great night for Braxton. His football coach (Keith Kerfeld) gave Braxton some special tickets for tonight's Twins game against the Washington Nationals. Braxton will have a chance to get on the field before the game and watch the Twins take batting practice. All we have to do is get him there.
We have been crossing our fingers and praying since Braxton finished his last round of chemo. So far Braxton has had to return to the hospital after each round of chemotherapy to protect his body from sickness. Each time before Braxton's cell counts have dropped and his temp has gone up.
Ironically, the first time Braxton had to go back to the hospital after chemo, it was after he attended a Twins game with his Dad.
This time, though, we're hoping it's different. Braxton has already made it longer at home than after any previous chemo treatment. His cell counts have dropped in the last couple of days. And his temp started to climb yesterday. But as of this morning he was still ok to stay home and he has a day time blood transfusion scheduled for tomorrow. So we're hoping that if he takes it easy today that he'll be ok to go to the game tonight.
Go, Braxton!
Go, Twins!
We'll let you know how it all turns out.
+ posted by David.
P.S. - I have posted some pictures below. Sorry it took me so long to get them uploaded.
Tonight should be a great night for Braxton. His football coach (Keith Kerfeld) gave Braxton some special tickets for tonight's Twins game against the Washington Nationals. Braxton will have a chance to get on the field before the game and watch the Twins take batting practice. All we have to do is get him there.
We have been crossing our fingers and praying since Braxton finished his last round of chemo. So far Braxton has had to return to the hospital after each round of chemotherapy to protect his body from sickness. Each time before Braxton's cell counts have dropped and his temp has gone up.
Ironically, the first time Braxton had to go back to the hospital after chemo, it was after he attended a Twins game with his Dad.
This time, though, we're hoping it's different. Braxton has already made it longer at home than after any previous chemo treatment. His cell counts have dropped in the last couple of days. And his temp started to climb yesterday. But as of this morning he was still ok to stay home and he has a day time blood transfusion scheduled for tomorrow. So we're hoping that if he takes it easy today that he'll be ok to go to the game tonight.
Go, Braxton!
Go, Twins!
We'll let you know how it all turns out.
+ posted by David.
P.S. - I have posted some pictures below. Sorry it took me so long to get them uploaded.
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