Pray for Mike Bennett, hopeful for remission from cancer (Updated 7/29/22 - CANCER-FREE!) - Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul

Mike Bennett, who had suffered cancer a little over a year ago, learned on Holy Thursday (April 14, 2022) that his cancer had returned after 13 months. He has developed a tumor about the size of an apple, that impacted his kidney function. The doctors have performed a procedure to protect his kidneys so they will function normally. He is now expecting to undergo 3 or 4 rounds of chemotherapy.

Mike and Ashley Bennett are young parents of three children. The Bennett family joined the Basilica parish this past fall and are active in our ministries. Mike was able to be received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, prior to his chemo treatment.

Please pray for healing and long-term remission for Mike and strength and endurance for him and his family during this difficult time.

Updates

Update 7/29/22:  Mike has now finished his prescribed chemo and his test results show that he is CANCER-FREE! We praise God for Mike's healing. Please continue to pray for long-term remission for Mike. Thank you for your prayers!

Update 7/17/22:  Mike has now finished all four rounds of his prescribed chemotherapy. After an initial CT scan, the doctors are cautiously optimistic that he is cancer-free. Over the next couple of weeks, the doctors will verify with a PET scan if his cancer has stopped growing.

Update 6/29/22: Mike is beginning his fourth round of chemo treatment, which is hoped to be the final treatment he will need. Mike and Ashley feel overwhelmed. Being so young and with Mike having had cancer twice, they hope for many years of life ahead without cancer in their family. Please pray for healing, courage, and endurance for Mike and his family.

Update 5/22/22: Mike has completed the first full week of his second round of chemo treatment at Erlanger Hospital. He reviewed his initial labs with his oncologist, and it appears it is more likely that he will need 4 rounds than he originally thought (his numbers are right on the cusp). He is asking for prayers that he will only need 3 rounds of chemo and that his treatments will continue to go well.

Update 5/5/22:  Mike is in his first treatment at Erlanger, at home between each treatment (three Monday treatments for each round). He will have two more rounds after this. The total process is expected to be 9 weeks. He is figuring out what medications and strategies help him to manage the chemo's side effects best. He has been very tired.

Ashley is doing her best to still work from home in the evenings, and is trying to get help for child care from 3-6pm in the afternoons.

Update 4/23/22: Mike will begin chemotherapy the last week of April 2022. Our Catholic Motherhood ministry is setting up a meal train for the weeks he is in chemo.

Meal Train

Meal Train for the Bennett Family (THIS HAS BEEN FULFILLED) - Please consider taking them a meal for the weeks Mike is in chemotherapy. Contact Tina Marx at tinafishmarx@gmail.com if you need help with signup.

Intercessory Prayers for Mike

Consider calling on the intercession of St. Peregrine, known for his advocacy for cancer:

St. Peregrine, Priest, was cured overnight of a terrible cancer.