Benjamin has strep. It came quickly. He felt ill Tuesday, and when I took him to the doctor Wednesday, the Doctor was astonished at how much gunk and strep there was for him to only to have been bothered for a day. We normally are a hardy family, resistant going to the doctor for every little thing, but Benjamin was complaining about his ears, and I hadn't heard that before from any of my three sons. Because of that ear complaint, I took him in, but the ears turned out to be fine.
Benjamin is recovering slowly but surely, getting better every day. I stayed home with him Wednesday, his PaPa (Alison's father) yesterday, and I am back with him today.
It's always tough when children are sick. Especially the little ones that can only give you a vague idea of what's wrong. It breaks your heart, and you feel their pain right along with them. At least Benjamin, at 11, is at an age that he can give us a fairly clear idea of what's causing him pain.
As it is tragically everywhere, we have families that are going through the experience of very sick children right now. We have Amris Bedford, a two year old who has been diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. The family is doing everything it can to beat the odds, and there has been a great deal of community support for them. Amris has a facebook page called Love and Prayers for Amris. Amris is in all our prayers.
We have Chase Brauda, a young boy who has been valiantly been fighting cancer for several months. There have been some hard fought victories, but the battle continues. They have a facebook site called Chase Brauda's Prayer Team. Chase is in all our prayers.
There are many, many more in need, and please feel free to let us know about them, and extend their circle of prayers and support.
Whatever else you think about Obamacare, please be grateful that children can no longer be kicked off insurance due to pre-existing conditions. These and other reforms, I am thankful for anything that allows a family and community to concentrate on love, caring and support instead of having to stress just how to fiscally survive. It would be wonderful to concentrate our resources on beating the disease so that other children don't have to suffer, instead of worrying about where the money for the next operation or treatment is going to come from.
Love and peace and good health to all,
T.M. Strait
UPDATE: On Sunday morning, September Second, Chase Brauda lost his valiant battle against leukemia. It was a sad day for his family and friends, and he will be greatly missed. The community stayed with him throughout, and is continuing to support and pray with the family.
UPDATE: (November 16, 2013): We have another terribly ill child in our area, named Mattie Gobles. Her tumor was recently discovered to be significantly bigger than previously observed. Prayers and support to her and her family and her support team. May we continue to strive to do everything we can fro every child and family that finds themselves in these unfortunate circumstances. It takes family support, individual support, community and faith support, and yes, national support through legislation that helps cover and assist us all. Prayers, support and love.
Truly.
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