Ben & Kari's four little miracles are growing strong and although they aren't due to arrive until November, they will most likely arrive sometime next month. By the way, those 4 little miracles now have names! Ben & Kari will soon welcome a daughter named Aubrey and three sons, Matthew, Cameron, and Brady!
As any parent knows having A baby is expensive, imagine multiplying that by 4. So I am throwing this baby shower and inviting all of you wonderful blog followers and facebook friends! So many of you have already offered help and it has truly meant so much to Ben and Kari.
A $5 gift card buys a package of pacifiers, or batteries for toys, or baby socks, or baby wash, or lotion... you get the idea.
NO GIFT IS TOO SMALL OR GOES UNAPPRECIATED!!
If you would like to attend this online baby shower by sending a gift card please visit one of the links below.
Wal-Mart Gift Card
Babies R Us Gift Card
Have your gift card shipped to:
Ben & Kari Hickey
893 Lancaster Rd.
Lancaster, NH 03584
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Update on Ben's Chemo
Ben's second chemo appointment went very well. Luckily he didn't have any physical reaction afterward, like the first time.
The biggest issue now seems to be keeping his strength. His doctors recommended physical therapy to help him there.
Ben has a tingling in his feet that makes walking difficult. This was also discussed at his last appointment since the doctor does not feel that this is related to the chemo or to the cancer he was referred to a neurologist who will be keeping an eye on it for the next couple of weeks. If, within that time, it has not improved they will run more tests. Please be in prayer.
Kari and Ben have received so much love and support through this blog and our facebook group. It is truly amazing and so appreciated!!
The biggest issue now seems to be keeping his strength. His doctors recommended physical therapy to help him there.
Ben has a tingling in his feet that makes walking difficult. This was also discussed at his last appointment since the doctor does not feel that this is related to the chemo or to the cancer he was referred to a neurologist who will be keeping an eye on it for the next couple of weeks. If, within that time, it has not improved they will run more tests. Please be in prayer.
Kari and Ben have received so much love and support through this blog and our facebook group. It is truly amazing and so appreciated!!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Update for June 1, 2009
I will give a more detailed update later today but for now a prayer request. Ben had a difficult day yesterday. After feeling weak all day and not being able to eat or drink due to a sore throat he went to the emergency room. He had blood drawn and received IV fluids and some medicine then was sent home. Please pray for strength for Ben and that he feels well enough to eat.
In baby news, Ben & Kari were told (with almost certainty) that they are expecting 3 boys and 1 girl!! This will be confirmed in a couple of weeks! Congrats guys!! ♥
In baby news, Ben & Kari were told (with almost certainty) that they are expecting 3 boys and 1 girl!! This will be confirmed in a couple of weeks! Congrats guys!! ♥
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Ben is home!
Ben and Kari were finally able to come home today! He was fever free for over 36 hours so he was released. For the next several months Ben & Kari will make weekly or biweekly trips to Dartmouth for chemo. I believe this is about about a two hour trip for them.
I just wanted to say that we have gotten a great response already to the blog and Facebook group. You people are AMAZING!! Your donations are going to really help out, especially with those frequent and long trips!
Kari says that Ben is looking much better already. They are full of hope that this will all be behind them soon!
Check back tomorrow... Kari has a doctor's appointment and should have new ultrasound pics of those babies to share!! And maybe even a belly pic if we're lucky! :)
Thanks so much for helping spread the word about this blog! Keep up the GREAT work!
I just wanted to say that we have gotten a great response already to the blog and Facebook group. You people are AMAZING!! Your donations are going to really help out, especially with those frequent and long trips!
Kari says that Ben is looking much better already. They are full of hope that this will all be behind them soon!
Check back tomorrow... Kari has a doctor's appointment and should have new ultrasound pics of those babies to share!! And maybe even a belly pic if we're lucky! :)
Thanks so much for helping spread the word about this blog! Keep up the GREAT work!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Welcome to Ben & Kari's Support Blog!
This blog has been created for two reasons. First and foremost it will serve to inform those following Ben & Kari's story and provide support to them through prayer and messages of hope. Secondly, it will give those who wish to do so an opportunity to provide some financial relief to Ben & Kari as they travel what is sure to be a difficult road.
Ben & Kari Hickey are high school sweethearts. After 5 years of dating they were happily married on New Year's Eve 1999. Ben & Kari wanted a family and began trying for their first child right away. For years they were unable to conceive the child that they so desperately wanted. Finally they decided that their best hope was to turn to fertility treatment. In February 2009 Ben & Kari underwent invitro fertilization. IVF, as it is known, is a process of fertilizing eggs in a laboratory. Once fertilized, those eggs are known as embryos. Days after fertilization those embryos are "transferred back" and hopefully will implant in the uterine wall. Regardless of what you may have heard about IVF, it typically does not lead to high order multiples. Kari and I met through our shared struggles of infertility. My husband and I underwent the same procedure as Ben & Kari, we transferred the same number of embryos, and we ended up with one baby. That is usually the case. Ben and Kari transferred 3 embryos. Two weeks later they were grateful, amazed, and probably a little stunned to learn that not only did all three embryos implant, one actually "split" resulting in identical twins... so if you are doing the math, that equals FOUR babies. As you can imagine this is news that would take any couple some time to adjust to. Ben & Kari embraced this new journey and began to prepare for life with quadruplets.
At each appointment (and there are plenty of them) the quads seem to be thriving and with each of those good reports Ben and Kari breathe a little easier.
The next several months were shaping up to be both exciting and overwhelming. Just days before Ben and Kari are set to find out the gender of their 4 little blessings, however, tragedy struck.
Ben, who had been feeling under the weather finally gave in to Kari's requests and visited a doctor. Within days, after many tests, and a transfer to a bigger hospital, Ben and Kari finally knew the cause of Ben's aches and pains. On Saturday, May 23rd, Ben was officially diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
This journey has just begun. We aren't even sure at this point the direction this blog and our support efforts will take. All we know for sure is that between expecting four babies, Kari's bed rest, and Ben's chemotherapy and battle against cancer, this family is going to need our support and help. No one needs to be reminded that "in this day and age" every little bit helps. If you are able to help financially, that is wonderful. If all you are able to give is a few dollars, it is appreciated. And if you aren't able to do that, please support this family by spreading the word and keeping them constantly in your prayers.
Please snag this button for your blog, facebook, myspace, or website. ♥
Ben & Kari Hickey are high school sweethearts. After 5 years of dating they were happily married on New Year's Eve 1999. Ben & Kari wanted a family and began trying for their first child right away. For years they were unable to conceive the child that they so desperately wanted. Finally they decided that their best hope was to turn to fertility treatment. In February 2009 Ben & Kari underwent invitro fertilization. IVF, as it is known, is a process of fertilizing eggs in a laboratory. Once fertilized, those eggs are known as embryos. Days after fertilization those embryos are "transferred back" and hopefully will implant in the uterine wall. Regardless of what you may have heard about IVF, it typically does not lead to high order multiples. Kari and I met through our shared struggles of infertility. My husband and I underwent the same procedure as Ben & Kari, we transferred the same number of embryos, and we ended up with one baby. That is usually the case. Ben and Kari transferred 3 embryos. Two weeks later they were grateful, amazed, and probably a little stunned to learn that not only did all three embryos implant, one actually "split" resulting in identical twins... so if you are doing the math, that equals FOUR babies. As you can imagine this is news that would take any couple some time to adjust to. Ben & Kari embraced this new journey and began to prepare for life with quadruplets.
At each appointment (and there are plenty of them) the quads seem to be thriving and with each of those good reports Ben and Kari breathe a little easier.
The next several months were shaping up to be both exciting and overwhelming. Just days before Ben and Kari are set to find out the gender of their 4 little blessings, however, tragedy struck.
Ben, who had been feeling under the weather finally gave in to Kari's requests and visited a doctor. Within days, after many tests, and a transfer to a bigger hospital, Ben and Kari finally knew the cause of Ben's aches and pains. On Saturday, May 23rd, Ben was officially diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
This journey has just begun. We aren't even sure at this point the direction this blog and our support efforts will take. All we know for sure is that between expecting four babies, Kari's bed rest, and Ben's chemotherapy and battle against cancer, this family is going to need our support and help. No one needs to be reminded that "in this day and age" every little bit helps. If you are able to help financially, that is wonderful. If all you are able to give is a few dollars, it is appreciated. And if you aren't able to do that, please support this family by spreading the word and keeping them constantly in your prayers.
Please snag this button for your blog, facebook, myspace, or website. ♥
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