What Ben Still Has Ahead

There are many important appointments approaching Michelle and Paul which will give them more and more answers about Ben's health and condition. Friday morning Ben has a follow-up doctors appointment at the CF clinic in Westchester. We are looking forward to this appointment to see what the doctors have to say about Ben's health after being released out of the hospital for 2 weeks. Also, we are waiting on the results for his genetic test which will come in the next couple of weeks. This test will analyze the severity of his disease and will be able to tell what specific genes are effected. The genetic carrier test detects if the patient carriers one or more mutation of the CF gene and how many copies of each mutation.


Today Ben was running around, chasing Ty and cousin Luke as Michelle noticed that Ben has a hard time keeping up with them. This is mostly because Ben is a year behind them, but also Ben seems to get tired more easily. Ty and Luke were racing down a hill toward the beach as Ben quickly followed, hating to be left behind. Ben could only make it down the hill and then stopped. Michelle had to walk down to bring him back up.


The thing that worries Michelle and Paul the most about Ben's disease is the unknowns about what the future holds. Ben could very well thrive and live a healthier life than any one without CF. On the other hand, Ben may be the young teenager who is always behind in sports and has difficulty keeping up with his peers. Michelle and Paul have learned quickly that they have no other choice than to take one day at a time, trusting fully in God's plan for Ben's life. We pray that Ben will be free of any dangerous bacteria, that he will take full ownership of his disease, and that he will trust God with his future.


Philippians 3:7-8 - But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.


1 Thessalonians 5:16 - Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Ben and I dancing to the new Carrie Underwood CD as he does his treatment.

The Battle

Ben's treatment involves the whole family. To keep Ben entertained and occupied during this routine, everyone helps by reading books, singing songs, playing with blocks or motorcylces, or anything else that seems to get his mind off it.

Other than the struggles for Ben's therapy, he is a wild man around the house. Every member of our family has commented on how funny Ben is. He always bring a smile to everyone's face!

Ben not happy to do his treatment.

Ben hanging out with Uncle Matt on our family vacation.

Lake James

The three boys hanging out in the morning.

The whole family swimming in the water.

Ben, Ty, and Paul staying close together in the water.

Terrible Two's

Ben, cousin Hailey, and I making breakfast for everyone after our family church.

Ben is enjoying the week on the lake! He went on the tube today with Michelle, Hailey, and I and Luke and Ty on the one next to us. He loves to go fishing off our dock, but he doesn't like to take turns with his brother and cousins! He is definitely one of the loudest kids at the house, waking up anyone who is sleeping.

Today I walked into the house and heard Aunt Krista nicely asking Ben not to take the trains from cousin Jackson. I turned to Ben and simply asked, "Ben are you sharing with baby Jack?" He said to me, "Ummmmmmm........." (as if he knows he isn't, but doesn't actually want to admit his behavior). Krista laughed at his response as most people do when Ben is in trouble. So I had to give him the whole sharing talk and be nice to everyone. Then I asked Ben to give Jack a hug and say he is sorry ... with his head down and lips smirked it took a long time for him to actually say it. I told him he can't be prideful and have a boy ego at the age 2 and not be able to say he is sorry for his actions. He didn't understand...but at least he started to share the trains with Jackson after that!

Ben brings energy and a unique dimension to our family. We are very thankful for his life!

James 1:2-6 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. but when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Eye Witness

For the next week our family gets the chance to witness Ben's treatment first hand. We learned quickly it's not comfortable for Ben and is a painful site to watch. From the vest, Ben's whole body shakes and when he tries to talk he sounds like he is on a roller coaster ride. Reality is sinking in ... Ben has to make big sacrifices to maintain his health. When Ben's cousins are already playing with trains and running around doing normal childish things, he has to sit for 20-30 minutes for his treatment twice a day. When he is older the situation remains the same. He will have to wake up extra early before sports games, school, and when he has sleepovers with friends, he will have to take time out for his treatment.

Ben's cold is getting better! There is no doubt he is healing fast because of the POWER OF PRAYER! He has never fought a cold this fast, even before his diagnosis. In the past, Ben's colds would last for weeks. We are thankful and encouraged through God's goodness! On the other hand, Uncle Time, Aunt Krista, and cousin Jack are all sick. Living together for one week in a spacious lake house is a special time for our family but nerve recking that germs will be spread. We have become Nazis about washing our hands, the number one prevention.


We believe in a POWERFUL, AMAZING, LOVING God ... he will take care of Ben! Psalm 34:8 - Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Ben playing with Ty and cousins Hailey and Luke.

Ben's treatment (without the nebulizer) at the lake house.

Ben Is Official

For the next week Ben will be enjoying the Bollier family vacation on Lake James in Indiana. With 9 adults and 6 kids under 4 years old Ben will have plenty of activity! Even though we are excited about our time together, it's always a concern for Ben's health when he is around a big group of people for a long period of time.

Ben's cold doesn't seem that bad. His nose is running a little but is not that stuffed up and is not coughing. Please continue to pray that his immune system fights this off and he doesn't catch any other sickness.

Ben received a special gift in the mail from Uncle Will, Aunt Kim, and Cousin Siena. Of course Ben is obsessed and really wanted to do his pulmozyme nebulizer treatment on the motorcycle.

Ben is good at sharing his new toy with brother Ty.

Sick again?

Ben has a cold. Yes...really! Obviously his immune system has been down, so he caught something within the first week of being out of the hospital. He has continually been on antibiotics which really has an effect on his body's response to common colds anyone could fight off. For Ben's whole life he has been sick. The first 2 weeks of his life we realized he was not absorbing breast milk and we thought he was "allergic" to it. For the remaining of his lifetime he seemed to always have some sort of cold, runny nose, and congestion. It's interesting that now we freak out about a cold, even though during his whole life it didn't seem as big of a deal. But now we know Ben has cystic fibrosis, it will always be a concern when he gets sick.

Psalm 33:18-22 - But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

Trouble!

After everything that has happened, it's easy to see that Ben is still Ben ... always taking things from his brothers, always on the go, always knowing what he wants and when he wants it, and always up to something he's not suppose to do ... and cystic fibrosis has not stopped him from getting back to the normal 2 year old behaviors. Even though Ben seems to always be getting into same kind of trouble, he has such a sweet heart behind all his energy and excitement. Great-grandpa Bollier was at our house for a couple of weeks and it was so cute to see Ben walk over to his chair and give him a big hug when no one else was around him!

Ben may seem to be back to his normal lifestyle (besides his treatments and pancreatic enzymes), but it's Michelle and Paul who carry the heavy load of caring for Ben's disease at this point in his life. Michelle and Paul are learning the balance between take precautions to avoid Ben from catching any sickness and also allowing him to live out his life to the fullest. For Ben's remaining lifetime, there is a continuous prayer request that he does not get the serious bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. About 60% of people with cystic fibrosis get respiratory infections because of this bacterial. Pseudomonas settles in the thick mucous trapped in his lungs which is very hard to get rid of. Respiratory failure from these infections is what ultimately kills CF patients.

BUT ... We believe in a POWERFUL God! We pray that Ben will be free of this bacterial!

Since he has been home from the hospital, he has been riding his bike all over town! Before he was diagnosed, he didn't seem too interested in his bike, but now he just wants to take off!

Proverbs 21:30 - There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.

Isaiah 25:1 and 9 - O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.

Treatment

Ben is trying to get into the routine for his treatment every morning and night which takes around 45 minutes. Michelle said it is amusing to watch Ben during this process because he is strapped down to his nebulizer and his chest vibrating vigorously with the vest. Michelle and Paul are thankful for the vest because Ben is holding still for it better than their manual CPT.

Romans 8: 31-32 - If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his won Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Benny's Improvement

Before Ben was diagnosed with CF and began treatment, he never slept through the night and always woke up around 5am. For the past 2 years Michelle and Paul have been experiencing Ben's inconvenient sleeping schedule. Just last night Ben slept until 7:30 am. We may have experienced the emotional disappointment to hear Ben has CF, but Ben's health has never been doing better from his treatment. It is so interesting to me that he never slept deep enough or long enough because his lungs were filled with fluid and he could not get enough oxygen. Also, Ben coughs a little when he wakes up, but it is not as bad as it was. Krista, Ben's Aunt, noticed he is not breathing as deep or heavy as he has his whole life. We are very encouraged and excited to continue to see how God heals his little body! There is only one person we can thank for his improvement, Jesus Christ! Thank you Lord!

Home!

Uncle Tim and Aunt Krista made a special welcoming sign for Ben when he arrived. Since Ben has been home his new vest arrived. Ben tried it this morning and it is a good option for CPT (chest physical therapy) because Ben can still use his arms. With the "pat pats" Ben has to sit still longer (which for a 2 year old is not possible!) but with the vest he can play with toys at the same time. Ben's little body is still adjusting to CF treatment such as the pancreatic enzymes. He has a very sore rash on his bottom which is either from the enzymes or the antibiotics. Ben is on oral antibiotics to continue his treatment from the hospital. Ben loves being home, but his body has gone through so much these past weeks that he is still worn out and is not 100%.

Ben likes to sing this song:

You are my strength when I am weak

You are the treasure that I seek

You are my all in all

Seeking You as a precious jewel

Lord, to give up I'd be a fool

You are my all in all

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame

Rising up again I bless Your name

You are my all in all

When I fall down You pick me up

When I am dry You fill my cup

You are my all in all

Jesus, Lamb of God

Worthy is Your name

Jesus, Lamb of God

Worthy is Your name

You are my strength when I am weak

You are the treasure that I seek

You are my all in all

Seeking You as a precious jewel

Lord, to give up I'd be a fool

You are my all in all

Stubborn little Ben would not take this picture ... but a little bribing for a piece of gum worked!

My dad and I made a surprise visit to see Ben. I have never seen a little kid so passionate about motorcycles! When we drove past the house Ben was standing outside and started to wave both arms frantically. He couldn't stand it! Haha...then Papa drove right past him and I will never forget how cute Ben was. He just stood their raising one hand in the air in complete amazement.

Please fully enjoy this picture like I do! A rough motorcyclist and his lobster bar t-shirt!

Transition

Transitioning to daily life and inviting cystic fibrosis into the Ferguson home is the biggest challenge. Ben is doing great but seems to be more tired than usual. He is enjoying every minute of being home and playing with his brothers in his usual domain.

Michelle and Paul are relieved to be home. It's about time their summer can begin! With some extra time off, Paul is available to help at home with this transition time. Ty has been such a trooper through this whole experience. It must be hard for a three year old to be away from his house and not always get the attention he wants from his parents. Michelle and Paul have done a great job balancing their time between the three boys.

Today I read about David and his response to extremely challenging obstacles in his life:
2 Samuel 22 - (v. 2-3) The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior - from violent men you save me... (v. 17-22) He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. (v. 31-34) As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.

At breakfast I was talking to one of my best friends about Ben. For the past four years she has dealt with a chronic liver disease and can relate to Ben's life on a whole other level. She said something about Ben's situation that stuck out to me. Right now in the process of Ben's disease, we are cruising along ... with every one's constant support and love ... how could we not be encouraged? But Satan HATES that God is being glorified through this tragedy and is planning his attack. The battle is yet to come ... I'm convinced of that. Please pray that Michelle, Paul, Ty, Ben, and Caleb will continue to seek God's face through any physical, spiritual, or mental battle!

Romans 8: 38-39 - For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the LOVE of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The family's first day home!

Ty and Ben playing trains in the basement.

Farewell

Ben, along with the whole family, left Children's Memorial Hospital and said their last goodbyes. Hopefully this will be the last extended stay at the hospital for a LONG time! Removing the PICC line was a bit traumatic for Ben, but Michelle loved being able to tell him it was the last ouches for a while!


Praise God! It has been a long 3 weeks and we are so grateful that Ben was released from the hospital today. We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from our family, friends, the Wheaton community, and believers around the world. So many of you have touched us with your words and actions. We have truly felt the love of a Christian community and we are blessed to know such amazing people. Throughout this journey we have experienced the incredible power of prayer. At times we have felt so weak yet all along a heavenly hand was there to guide us and lift us up. We know this is the hand of God powered by the prayers of people in the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus has been with us each step of the way and it has been life changing to know His peace, presence and strength during such a hard time. Thank you for your prayers. They have meant so much to us. We are ready to fight this disease and to see how the Lord is going to use Cystic Fibrosis in the life of Benjamin and our family.


love, Paul and Michelle

The whole family exiting 9West!

The whole family exiting the hospital!

Note: This blog will not end just because Ben is out of the hospital. He still has CF and faces real challenging obstacles as he includes this disease into his daily life. We continue to pray for Ben's health, salvation, and strength to fight cystic fibrosis.

Last Night On 9 West

Ben's last night at Children's Memorial Hospital makes you remember the beginning of the journey God has taken us on 3 weeks ago. Scared, confused, and wrestling with so many unanswered questions was where we found ourselves while entering room 988, our new home away from home. God could not have been more real and present at Children's. The whole CF staff, from the residents, pulmonologist, nutritionist, and respiratory therapist were hand picked by God to care for Ben. Each member of the team is extremely competent in their field of study and have walked with Michelle and Paul through the good and bad. It is because of their knowledge and interventions that Ben's health is thriving. We thank the Lord for the the opportunity to build relationships with each CF member. Ben will regularly be visiting a satellite CF clinic in Westchester where the CF team will continue to care for him.


Today Michelle and Paul received all Ben's medications and are realizing the cost of it all. A huge prayer request is that Michelle and Paul will qualify for an assistance program to help with the expenses. They are also waiting on some insurance information and referrals. Please pray the referrals will come through so they are able to continue to see the doctors at Children's Memorial.


Also, please pray for Ben's transition out of Children's Hospital Wednesday afternoon. He will be getting his PICC line removed early Wednesday morning, packing up all his stuff, and heading out the door around noon. The whole family is going to spend some time at the beach in Chicago and then head home. Ben has not been outside of a hospital in 3 weeks, so this is huge for the little 2 year old!


Many of the doctors and nurses have already expressed that they will miss little Ben! ... In a weird way, I think Ben will miss them too! They have become a part of the family!

Ty and Ben spending time together painting.

Ben's first experience with another form of CPT, "the vest." Ben will get his own vest this weekend, which will buy his first car!

Brother Ty was giving Ben a big hug before bed time.

Aunt Krista and Uncle Tim came from Atlanta, GA to spend time with Ben.



Uncle Tim spend the night with Ben to give Paul's back a break from the uncomfortable hospital bed.

It's any mother's nightmare to find out your child has a chronic disease. Michelle has been unbelievably strong through the ups and downs. It's through God's strength that she is able to face each day, knowing God has complete control of her son!

From the beginning of Ben's diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, Michelle has clung to this verse:

Psalm 139: 13 - 14 - For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Ben is a Celebrity at Children's

Today was a busy day at Children's Memorial Hospital, especially after the weekend. Michelle and Paul talked to the Doctors about CF clinic visits which start in 3 weeks. They are starting to get things ready to leave on Wednesday which includes filling prescriptions for Ben's medicines, setting up the follow up appointments, and making sure they know the techniques for Ben's treatment. It has been an extremely long, exhausting, emotional draining 3 weeks and the whole family is ready to get home!

Today Ben was sprinting up and down the halls of the hospital for 45 minutes without a shortness of breath! He is the healthiest sick person in the hospital! PRAISE THE LORD!

1 Chronicles 29: 10-13 - Praise be to you, O Lord, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength, and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

After two weeks of being in the hospital, Ben has developed a reputation at Children's. He is known for being the fun, (mostly) happy (besides some treatments and IV antibiotics), cute, love-able, energetic, mischievous, and is known to put a smile on any face who comes into his room! Michelle said she called down to the cafeteria to order Ben food and the woman on the other side of the phone randomly said she just loves Ben and thinks he is so cute. Each nurse LOVES taking care of Ben and probably fights over who gets him each shift (common...who wouldn't?!). He's a special little guy who is unlike any other 2 year old little boy!

Ben giving Daddy CPT (chest physical therapy)!

The whole family + Grandpa Bollier "Papa." They are all smiling so much because they are talking about motorcycles - Ben's obsession!

All Because of God

After two weeks of being in the hospital, we can visually see the effects of the "tune-up" period. The Doctors said Ben couldn't be doing better! PRAISE THE LORD! Ben's health has never been better. His profuse cough seems to have disappeared, especially in the morning when it was the worst. He is slowly gaining weight. His lungs sound clear. But we still will be monitoring his breathing after extensive activity. One day after he was running around, as a normal 2 year old would do, he was wheezing and seemed to be breathing heavy. The Doctors said that should go away over time but to continue to watch him.

Today at Wheaton Bible Church, my pastor made a point that God uses disappointments to grow us. He also encouraged us to react and respond to obstacles in faith. This is so true! Michelle and Paul have faced a huge trial in their life, but God is using this situation to strengthen them! This diagnosis of cystic fibrosis is not about Benjamin Ferguson, it's about God and how he is going to use this situation to draw us closer to his loving arms.

It is only because of prayer and God's power that we are encouraged Ben is doing so well!

Prayer requests:
-Ben will not return to the hospital ANY time soon and his health will continue to stabilize
-For the whole family to adjust to their normal routines as they return home this Wednesday
-Ben will continued to be free from bacteria which will cause infection in his lungs
-For Michelle and Paul to balance Ben's activity, social life, and protecting his health

Ben pulled out my Bible and was looking at it. Please continue to pray that Ben will develop a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ!

Ben listening to his monkey's lungs.

Someone Put A Leash On Him!

It's exciting to say that Ben is back to his normal, crazy, energetic self! Despite the inconveniences during the day with his continued antibiotic medications, respiratory therapy, and pancreatic enzymes he has to take every time before he eats - he is the same old Ben we knew before his diagnosis! Besides his constant energy, we know that Ben is back when he will tell you blatantly what he wants, screaming "NO!" if he doesn't agree. But somehow his cute smile lets him get away with his behavior. And if you try to discipline him, he puts that silly smirk on and you can't help but just laugh at him...defeating the whole purpose.

By the third week of being in the hospital he is a great helper to all the nurses! He assists the them while taking vital signs, and his new thing is to play with the stethoscope. Michelle told me he was starting to fight his treatment, but I know she was lying because when I was in the room he was awesome! He held the nebulizer to his face all by himself and tolerated the "pat pats" (CPT - chest physical therapy) scoring an A+. The whole family is anxious to get Ben home as the CF staff at Children's prepare for Ben's release on Wednesday. Thank the Lord for blessing Ben's life!

Psalm 145: 13-16 - The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

Cousin Seth, Daniel, and Lon came to visit Ben from a Cubs game! When they left Ben kept asking about where they were...he enjoyed their company!

Ben and I going on an adventure!

Ben helping with his respiratory treatment.

Ben listening to my heart beat.

Ben was getting his respiratory therapy while doing the same to his new stuffed monkey.

Ben's Big Day

Today was a big day for the whole Ferguson family. Ty and Caleb were tested for cystic fibrosis, and THANK THE GOOD LORD for their negative results! Also, the Doctors told Michelle and Paul they will for sure leave next Tuesday or Wednesday. They want to make sure they finish his IV antibiotic medications and continue Michelle and Paul's learning on the appropriate care for Ben's nutrition needs and CPT (chest physical therapy).

For the past week Ben has been constantly talking about "Papa" riding his motorcycle to the hospital so Ben can see it from the window. Today was Ben's lucky day because "Papa" rode his bike down to the city, which put the BIGGEST smile on his face.

Grandpa Bollier, "Papa,"

You can kinda see "Papa's" motorcycle from Ben's view.

Ecclesiastes 11: 5 - As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

The Fight Against Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis was foreign to most of our non-medical family members but 11 days ago it became a part of our life. Personally, God had a unique way of preparing my life for Ben's disease. During one of my clinicals in Indianapolis I cared for a CF patient. Early in Ben's hospitalization I was nervous that he might have CF because his condition pointed to all the signs that this patient I cared for experienced. When I told my mom, she quickly denied that was what Ben had. I mean common...it's a genetic disorder. No one is our family seems to ever be sick. It couldn't be us! ...Right?!

Isn't it amazing to think about God's plan for our lives? If you talked to me a a month ago, it never came close to crossing my mind that my little nephew has a deadly disease. So many people may ask "WHY?" But today I was thinking...and I think I know why... Within the past 2 weeks of Ben being in the hospital my family has never been closer (and who would have thought we weren't close enough?!). Within the past 2 weeks we have been on our knees searching for God. This must be the reason for Ben's diagnosis...we are completely depended on God. If life was comfortable and easy all the time...we would never turn to God.

I've learned through past experiences and this present trial that it's guaranteed that we will face hard times in our life. 1 Peter 1:6-7 - In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Ben's diagnosis of cystic fibrosis is just the beginning of a long journey ahead of us. God knows exactly what he is doing...and I find it amazing that Ben is the one with CF because his personality and character will easily conqueror this chronic disease. One thing I pray for little Ben is as he grows and matures into a young man, this disease will not define who he is. I pray that cystic fibrosis will be a tool for Benjamin to draw closer to the Lord but will not let it run his life. I pray for Ben's salvation and that he will one day fall completely head-over-heels in love with God!

May Ben's testimony prove to you that life is short. Give yourself to God! He doesn't guarantee it will be easy, but he does promise to carry you through every step of life!

Ben, Ty, Luke (cousin), and I in April 2008.

The loves of my life! Ben, Ty, Caleb, Hailey, Luke, Jack, and one more coming in August!

Family birthday party!

The whole Bollier/Ferg family last summer!

Currently, Ben has continued to find strength. He fights his IV antibiotic treatments and respiratory treatments sometimes, but we pray that he will get used to the procedures as they will become a life style for Ben. Michelle and Paul are absolutely exhausted. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson returned home this afternoon as Michelle and Paul begin to juggle their 3 children without much outside help these next couple of days. Michelle sounded EXHAUSTED on the phone today, and earlier this week my dad made a comment that he has never seen Michelle so tired. We may be encouraged through our faith, but we are also challenged as we continue to face this disease full force.

As we prepare for this long fight against cystic fibrosis, our family is already making big plans to raise money, support, and awareness for CF. Like Michelle said, the cystic fibrosis foundation doesn't know what is going to hit them! Over the course of the next year I will be planning a tennis tournament to raise money for research to find a cure for cystic fibrosis. At the same time, my dad wants to organize a Harley rally to "Ride for CF." We will not let cystic fibrosis have the power over our lives, we will fight the battle against CF!

Brotherhood

The Ferguson family is setting a new trend!! I couldn't help but thoroughly enjoy this family picture. Ben has to wear a mask when he adventures out of the 9 west wing of the hospital and everyone else joins in! According to Michelle, Ben and Ty run laps around the courtyard of the hospital. Ty told Michelle that Ben is his friend and he has really missed him. Precious! Michelle and Paul talked to the nutritionist today for 2-3 hours and will be trained the appropriate CPT (chest physical therapy) technique so they will incorporate these routines into their daily life. So this next week will involve intense teaching for the whole family to care for Ben when he goes home. There is no doubt Ben is doing as well as he is because of the prayer support from people not just in our country but around the world! The power of prayer is tangible and even Michelle said she can feel all the prayers through their indescribable peace and strength! Ben has taken huge "steps forward" and we can contribute it to prayer and God's faithfulness in our lives.

A huge praise is that the doctors did not find any serious bacteria growing in his lungs...he does have one that will easily be treated with the antibiotics he has been on for the past week.

Also, whenever the nurses come to care for Ben in any way (even when he freaks out with the antibiotics because he hates when anyone touches his PICC line) we have taught Ben to say "Thank you Nurse." Or maybe this is something important I have taught him...because we must respect those amazing nurses (because I will be one someday)!

Missy and Hakeem with Baby Zion (Paul's sister, brother-in-law, and nephew) made dinner for everyone and ate it together in the Garden Courtyard at Children's.

"You are my shield, my strength, my portion, deliverer, my shelter, my strong tower, my ever present help in time of need."