Arthur Bear

Arthur Bear

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Sending out a big Thank You

Saying Thank You with our gratitude and appreciation for
Carlton First Baptist Church
Seeds of Hope
Community Plate
Ewing Sarcoma Foundation
Mcminnville Police Department
Head Start of Yamhill County
Starla Pointer & News Register
Dave and Rhonda Brown & Co
Annette & Co

All the wonderful artists and musicians that contributed to
Arthur's healing.


Merry Christmas



Wishing all of our family and friends a very Merry Christmas
The Blankenship Family

Sunday, December 18, 2011

A Great Big Thank You Goes out to Seeds Of Hope





Hi Family and Friends

Arthur celebrated his second Birthday on November 4, 2011. The family was so very grateful to celebrate his Birthday the day after at Scottie's Play House in Mcminnville. We give a great big Thank You to Seeds Of Hope for all of their dedication and hard work.

Some more good news; Arthur has had his arm cast removed. He is ready for the freedom.
The cast was placed after surgery and had been on since August 17th 2011. In the future he will have to have more surgery's on his arm, but for now he is enjoying the freedom. The doctor's are still struggling to find out why Arthur continues to have digestive tract issues long after they placed his g-tube in.

Arthur is continuing with chemo for each treatment. It takes longer for him to recover now from chemo. Arthur and family are working very hard to provide the children with as much of a normal family life as possible but find it more and more of a challenge as the sleepless nights keep mounting.

Keep them close in your thoughts and prayers,
The Blankenship Family

Friday, October 21, 2011

Thank You for your PATIENCE

I have to say sorry about the lack of postings lately. I am working 3 ten hour days and helping with the children on the other days when needed. Arthur came home on Friday the 14th. Arthur, his father and mother went to a TIMBERS game! Arthur loved it, he even got to meet the players on the playing field. Arthur received a child size Timbers soccer ball, that he loves to kick around the house. He loves the Timbers so much that he touches the soccer ball on all the areas that say Timbers on it and says " Timbers, Timbers,Timbers."
Arthur is back in the hospital as of today. Arthur has a fever and a low white blood count. This little boy and his family have been through so much, keep them in your prayers and thoughts.
Staying strong in the healing power of prayer, Arthur and Family

Friday, September 30, 2011

New post

Arthur was released from his second round of chemo on 9-20-11.(second round, after the fundraiser) Arthur had an appointment today and was found to be nutripinic. He was given a blood transfusion and sent home. Arthur  is now running a fever at 9:00 pm and Jerome is rushing him up to Doernbeckers as I write this. It is not unusual that he be rushed up for a fever. As I here more I will try to keep you posted. Your  prayers are always needed hear.
Staying strong in the healing power of prayer,Arthur and The Blankenship family

Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect.

Chief Seattle, 1854


Sunday, September 18, 2011

A long awaited update

This long awaited update comes in the spirit of  love. The love that one feels for all that touch their lives so deeply. Our lives have been touched by many loving and caring people. These people are as varied as the fall leaves outside. Some of these people are family, friends, co-workers, teachers, acquaintances and some complete strangers. People have reached out to help when we didn't know if we could continue this long and painful journey. To see us unite in such a powerful way brings hope and faith to the heart.
Even though this journey is still unfolding, just knowing that so many of you are praying for us keeps us strong when we feel weak.
Arthur has been healing well from his surgery.
First the surgeon's took a bone from Arthur's leg, then they removed the tumerous bone in his arm and replaced it with the bone from his leg.
The update on the surgery is he is walking well on his leg, his arm is still in a full cast but he is using his fingers and shoulder. So far the progress has been good.
Chemo update: After the surgery he had one round of chemo, he was due to have his second round on September 13  this has not happened because his blood platelets are low and the doctors cannot proceed until these come up. Arthur has been able to be home for sometime now. He still requires around the clock care and the family gets very little sleep. Arthur loves being home with his family.
Staying strong in the healing power of prayer,
 Arthur and The Blankenship family

Cherokee Prayer Blessing
May the Warm Winds of Heaven
Blow softly upon your house.
May the Great Spirit
Bless all who enter there.
May your Mocassins
Make happy tracks
in many snows,
and may the Rainbow
Always touch your shoulder.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Up Date on Arthur

Arthur's surgery went well! Doctors were able to get the tumor out of his arm bone. The surgery lasted 8 hours. They took a bone from his leg and replaced the one in his arm with it. Arthur was in a lot of pain the first 2 days after the surgery. His pain is starting to subside as new pain medicines helped. Arthur's arm is in a full cast and his leg is wrapped, Arthur also came home today. He got home around 4:00 pm.
Arthur still has healing to do and Brie and Jerome are having a hard time keeping him off his leg, as he would like to start walking.
Staying strong by believing in the powerful medicine of prayer.
 Arthur & family

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Pray for Arthur

Friends and Family,
Arthur is scheduled for surgery at 5:30 AM tomorrow. This will be a 5-6 hour surgery, and he can use all of the positive thoughts and prayers that you can send him.
Thank you,
The Blankenships

Arthur Fights The Dragon

At the Arthur Fights The Dragon Fundraiser there was....



The best darn BBQ this side of Yamhill County
pictured below Scott Cunningham from Community Plate resteraunt in Mcminnville, OR


 Wonderful and festive music!
Pictured below Chris and Ben Fox of Missing Peace

ART!
    Lee Littlewood straight from Portland working on
Wine Country mural to be auctioned off for fundraiser. People who also contributed to the mural; Pete Mckearan, Jorgen Nelson, and Gerald Blankenship.

FABULOUS FACE PAINTING!
By Marianna, professional makeup artist! and also Jeanie painted faces too. Thanks ladies!


Festive Children's Corner
Trina with baby Lila


BAKE SALE!
The lovely ladies of the bake sale!
Thanks so much for the goodies.

                              
                                                             
Giant fun bubbles.. compliments of Uncle Wayne!


More of the fantastic mural! :) Pete and Jorgen pictured below.


Silent Auction! Lots of wine and fine art!
Thank you so much Annette Madrid and Nancy Blankenship.

Fundraiser Raises $8,322!!!!!

The fundraiser exceeded all expectations. It couldn't have been done without the help of friends, family and the community. Arthur was even feeling well enough to make a nice long appearance. He got to visit with some family and friends. Pictured below he's in his daddy's arms and below that he's with his mom, saying hello to two friendly children. The little boy with the spiked hair, only five years old, pictured below with Arthur raised  some money to help Arthur.
Thank you from Arthur Blankenship and family
                            Baby Arthur with his father, Jerome Blankenship
                                                    Artie with mom and friends.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Arthur at event ! , MAYBE ?

Arthur's blood count is staying up, so it looks like he may be able to attend some of the event.
We are all hoping to see are sweet baby boy, if all goes well. Keeping in mind that Arthur has limited energy so the family has no idea when or how long he will attend.  A reminder, any child or adult that has a cold will be doing Arthur a service to keep your distance. It is vital that Arthur stay well.Thank you
Staying strong believing in the powerful medicine of prayer.
 Arthur & family

Friday, August 5, 2011

News From The Hospital

 As we all know Arthur came home on July 31. The whole family arrived home some time around 2 AM. It takes a lot of time and planning to make a move like this, but it is well worth it. Artur has been sleeping a lot this time as this round of chemo is very aggressive. He was not doing well with his feeding tube as the formula was too strong for him.
Arthur had a check up yesterday. The check up started at around 9am and ended at 7pm. The first part of the appointment was blood tests and talking about how the feeding tube was going. He then headed in for a MRI of his tumor that took two hours. During this MRI they found a light coloration in his shoulder bone that caused the doctors to be concerned. The Doctor is saying that it could be a lightening of the area due to a drug they give Arthur to fortify his bone. The Doctor also said the cancer could have moved. Arthur was then taken in for his 6th blood transfusion as his white blood count was down. The good news is he was sent home and given some new formula to try out that may prove to be easier for him to digest. Arthur will be back some time next week for more tests on his shoulder.
Arthur and Family are staying strong believing in the powerful medicine of prayer.

creating & keeping a close connection with the OMNIPOTENT  ~

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Arthur is comming home tonight

It is 8:00 pm and if all go's well Jerome and Brie will be bring Arthur home.Arthur is so much more happy at home and sleeps better in his own bed.
Keep sending your prayers as Arthur will be closely monitored for any signs of fever or illness. Either one of these can send him back to the Hospital.
Always believing in the powerful medicine of prayer. Arthur and Family

Friday, July 29, 2011

Arthur Spirits Are Up

As aunt Windy put it he is in good spirits.Yesterday aunt Debbie and Grandma Maria went up for a visit , Arthur was hard to keep up with, as he just wanted to keep walking and playing in the play room. Today he is having a test on his heart. The test is to determine weather he can have his next round of therapy. This chemo has a strong effect on the heart, that is why his heart needs to be working well.
Staying strong & positive in the healing power of prayer

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Out of the woods

It looks like Arthur is out of the woods so to speak. Last night the fear was the he may need to be transported to ICU if his blood pressure didn't rise and the bleeding around the incision did stop. Arthur and family had a ruff night but Arthur is slowly but surly coming around. He was on a morphine drip and has been changed to oxiecodon a little less aggressive pain med.
Thank you for all the wonderful offers to help and prayers, we will keep you all posted.
 Arthur and Family

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Rushing to Arthur

Jerome just called and said Arthur's incision is bleeding and his blood pressure is low . He is rushing up to be with him and Bire.
Please keep them all in prayer.

In the arms of mommy

Arthur has come out of surgery, he is doing well in the arms of his mommy. After a long stretch at the Hospital with Arthur, dad is home with Aurora. They are so relieved to hear that Artur is doing well tonight.
The family is so very grateful for all the prayers coming their way for Arthur as well as them.
Thank you, many blessings are sent your way. 

Keep Arthur close in your prayers and thoughts

Arthur is scheduled for his operation to day at 3:50. The doctors say his white blood count is up enough to do the operation. The hope here is that all is well with the operation and that he starts gaining the vital weight he needs.
 Still holding strong to the powerful medicine of prayer.
Arthur & Family

Saturday, July 23, 2011

KEEP THIS DATE ! !

             
  Arthur Fights the Dragon
           Fundraiser
       Saturday August 13,2011
           Time: 2:00 to 10:00
At : 11835 NE Fin Hill Loop Carlton OR 97111


                   ~ EVENT DETAILS ~

     $5.00 Per Person ( children under 12 free)
Selling a BBQ Dinner $5.00 a Plate,raffle,Silent auction, Children's activities, Bake sale, Murial to be painted on sight and auctioned,Live music.
Items that will be raffled and or actioned at the event.~Local art work, Local Wine, Massage session, Piano lessons,  furniture, and much more.

                                                      ~   BANDS  ~

Missing Peace ~  SOLVENT ~  Ships to Roam ~ Flickers Attorney           
 ~   Dillon Summer   ~     South Paw Speed way  ~
             ~ Jupiter Satellite ~

What to bring, blanket, sun hat, sunscreen, cooler with food and drinks, chair, umbrella. Do not bring DOGS. Thank You

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Arthur is back in the Hospital

Arthur was rushed back to the Hospital around 5:30 today. He has a fever that wont go down. It is important that Arthur be there where he can be closely monitored.
Always believing in the power of prayer, Arthur's family

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Doctors visit today

Arthur had his check up today to see how he was doing. Arthur has been having a fever so the family prepared for a hospital stay. When they got there his blood test showed that his white blood count was low. The Doctor ordered his 5th blood transfusion. The good news is he is doing well enough now to come home. Just to keep every one informed. One or two blood transfusions during the entire treatment is common  according to the doctors,but Arthur is the exception.. Keep baby Arthur close in your prayers as he, his family and the doctors work to make him well.
The power of prayer is strong medicine.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Arthur Wearing Crown

This is baby Arthur at Grandpa and Grandmas wearing a crown sometime in February 2011

Some history on King Arthur

According to Wace and Layamon, fighting erupted between the nobles over the seating arrangement. Every king and baron wanted to be seated at the head of the table or near King Arthur, so that they would be seen as having precedence over others.
To resolve these problems, Arthur has a large, rounded table constructed. Arthur also has every seated member of the Round Table, served at the same time. The ingenuity of this design, make all the knights equal, regardless if he was a king or a minor baron. Thus, no one would have precedence over others.

How this relates to our sweet Arthur?  We all need to put our egos aside and treat all that care about Arthur as equals. In this way we can work togather for a victory.

Arthur is scheduled for surgery

Today Arthur is home with his family, you should see how happy he is to be there. Arthur will see the Doctor on July 19 to check his blood count and see how he is doing with the nutrition pack at home. Arthur has been sent home with a nutrition pack as he is still having trouble eating enough food. The nutrition pack is not easy to administer and required training. The pack has parts that need to be added before using. There are 4 different compounds that are added each in a varying amount On top of this Arthur's parents will be giving him two shots at home. This is the work L.P.N.'s and RN's do. There is a home health Nurse coming in to check on his nutrition pack to see if it has been administered correctly. It was stated that when Arthur entered the hospital in May his body weight was in the 90th percentile for his height now he is in the 10th percentile for his height. This is why Arthur will be having surgery on July 27 to place a tube in his stomach. The nutrition pack is not recommended for long term use as it is hard on the liver. The prayer that go's out is that Arthur regains his appetite and ability to digest foods. Until then he will need this tube. The family is grateful for all that is being done, on behalf of sweet little Arthur.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Pictures of Arthur

The first two pictures are of Arthur in early May at his sister Aurora's 3rd Birthday. This is pre chemo.



The two pictures below are Arthur today, after two months of chemo. He just went in today for his fourth chemo session.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

News

Family and Friends,
Last night at around 7:00PM Arthur's mother and father had to rush him into Dornbecher's as he had a high temperature that would not subside. Arthur's white blood count was very low. So the Doctor ordered a nutrient rich I.V. as well as a blood transfusion. This is Arthur's fourth transfusion and he has just started the first of nine months of treatment.
Please keep him and his family close in loving thoughts and prayers.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

HEALING ARTHUR NOW

Grandma Maria drawing with sidewalk chalk outside of home in Carlton, OR yesterday... a sweet prayer for baby Arthur.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Fundraiser on August 13th 2011

On August 13th the Brown family and the Blankenship family are planning a funraiser, which will be on the Brown's property in Carlton, OR. There will be food, live music, auction, and raffle. Look for more details in weeks to come.

Quick Update

Hello Family and friends,

This is just a quick update on Arthur's 4th of July weekend. Mom and Dad are happy to say that Arthur is responding to his new anti nausea medicine. His appetite is starting to come back. Some of his digestive issues seem to have subsided.

Arthur went and saw the Dr. today and they found out that he has lost two pounds, which is not good news. They gave him some new appetite stimulants to try.

Thank you for all of your prayers. We were thankful that the Dr. found that his hydration and blood count was high enough for him to come home. Lets just pray that he'll start gaining the weight he needs.

Love from The Blankenships

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Update on Arthur

Here's some uplifting news about sweet baby Arthur. He was home for two wonderful days. he played with his older sister Aurora, and rode in the red wagon to the Community Plate to see everyone at his mommy's work. He played ball, he even did a little climbing on the climber in the backyard. He also played with a giant teddy bear his Great Auntie Nancy gave to him. He said several times "Arthur's happy."Everyone was so happy to see his spirits up.

He is now up at Doernbecher's having his third round of chemo. The Doctor is still trying to figure out why he is not able to process his food when he is off chemo. For those of you who don't know Arthur has been eating about 2 tablespoons of food a day, which is a very small portion. The Doctor's tried a feeding tube, but so far with little success. The Doctor was thinking about the possibility of Arthur having an allergic reaction to something in his feeding mixture. We are all hoping and praying that Arthur will start eating and build up his strength.

Please keep Arthur in your heart and in your prayers.
Thank you so much,
The Blankenship Family

Sunday, June 26, 2011

How you can Help

You can donate by going to http://http//www.onpointcu.com and make contributions to the Blankenship Family Fund.

Thank you for your generosity, prayers, and love,
The Blankenships

More Information on Ewing Sarcoma

Ewing's Sarcoma is a very rare form of bone cancer that strikes children and adolescents. Actually, it is a group of four different types of cancer, known collectively as the Ewing's Family of Tumors (EFT). About 250 cases are diagnosed every year in the U.S. The good news is that two-thirds of patients are long-term survivors of the disease. Although it can occur at a younger age, most Ewing's sarcoma cases are found in children aged 10 to 20. Caucasian children, particularly boys, are much more likely to have EFT than any other racial or ethnic group.

Ewing's sarcomas are caused by chromosome changes that occur after birth. In a process known as translocation, chromosomes 11 and 22 "swap" small pieces of each other, resulting in an abnormal gene that can be detected with DNA testing. However, it's not known why this translocation takes place. There are no identifiable risk factors that increase a child's susceptibility to Ewing's sarcomas, and it's not passed along from parent to child like some inherited childhood cancers. In fact, it's extremely rare for it to happen more than once in the same family.

Ewing's bone sarcoma accounts for about 85% of all cases. It's usually found in the long bones in the arm or leg, although it sometimes occurs in the pelvis or ribcage

Info from http://www.mdanderson.org/

What are the symptoms of Ewing sarcoma?

The symptoms of Ewing sarcoma depend on the bone in which the cancer develops. Symptoms include:
  • Pain at the site of the mass, with soft tissue swelling around the mass.
  • In cases of metastatic disease (where the cancer has spread), patients may have general symptoms such as anorexia, fever, malaise, fatigue and weight loss.
  • Other symptoms will be related to the specific location of the sarcoma.

What are the prognostic factors in Ewing sarcoma?

The extent of the disease is the most important factor in determining how the disease will progress. Other factors that influence the prognosis include:
  • Primary site (where the cancer began)
  • The presence of metastasis (spreading to other areas)
  • Size of the tumor
  • Age
  • Leukocyte count
  • Sedimentation rate
  • Serum LDH levels
Info from http://www.curesearch.org/

To view a FAQ about Ewing Sarcomo please visit this website, by clicking on this link;
http://www.cancerindex.org/ccw/faq/ewings.htm

Friday, June 24, 2011

Baby Arthur

This is a brief description of what Arthur and his family are facing.
Arthur was diagnosed in May of 2011 with a very rare and aggressive
bone cancer called Ewing Sarcoma. It is so rare it is estimated that in the US only 200 babies a year will have it. His chemotherapy started at
Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, in Portland, Oregon in May of 2011 and
requires around-the-clock parental supervision and care. It has been
stated that because of the aggressiveness of this cancer the Doctor
ordered for Arthur, an 18-month-old child, the same amount of
chemotherapy that would be used on a teenager. His chemotherapy will
last 6 to 9 months and a long recovery awaits him after that. The
family at the present time is working on fundraisers, and accepting
donations in order to aid the family with medical and family costs
during and after Arthur’s chemotherapy treatments and for as long as
he is medically fragile and requires such care.
Thank you for your prayers, thoughts, and financial contributions,
The Blankenship Family