My Name is Ben Author: Mark Duffield Illustrator: Mackenzie Williams
IN LOVING MEMORY OF CHRIS DUFFIELD
My name is Chris Duffield. I was diagnosed with stage 4 Melanoma cancer in February 2016. It showed up as what I perceived as a red ant bite on my forearm but it grew very quickly. When the doctor gave me the results of the biopsy, I researched and I knew the survival statistics. The treatment was intense but I could beat it. I could be a survivor. I made decisions about what I still needed to accomplish, where I wanted to travel, and what friends and family I needed to see. I was able to do most of those things and that made me very happy. I needed to live the rest of my life to the fullest. I advise everyone to do the same. I loved my family and friends and wanted them to see me happy and fighting. I had my independence and my dog, Ben. He traveled everywhere with me and kept me company. If you are reading this book, you know that I didn’t beat Melanoma. I passed away on April 16, 2018. So much more education and research needs to be done in the treatment of this aggressive cancer.
Thank you for purchasing this small book and making a donation to the Melanoma Research Foundation.
I used to play with my brothers and sisters. I got in trouble for biting, so my mother would discipline me. People always wanted to play with us. They pet me and kissed me, so I kissed them back.
One day a man came to visit me. I liked him. He was nice and smiled at me, but he left. I wondered if he would come back.
Many days passed. My mother taught me and my brothers and sisters how to bark. I always have fun playing with my siblings. But I often wonder, “Where is that man who came to visit?”
One day, he came back. This time, he took me away from my brothers
and sisters and my mother. I was sad, but he was kind.
He let me ride in something big, it was loud but I got used to it. He took me home. He got me new toys and played with me a lot.
He always talked to me. I wasn’t sure if my name was “No!”, “Get down!”, “Come here!”. But he called me “Ben” a lot; so I think my name is Ben.
I always met new people. They were always nice to me. I liked my new dad.
He always took me to fun places where I could run. Rivers were my favorite places to visit. I loved splashing and running through the water.
One day, the house we lived in was gone. My dad got another one, but it was smaller. I didn’t like it at first; it always followed us. But I got used to it, after all, it was home.
I often noticed my dad was hurting. He would talk to me about it, so I listened.
One day, we visited Uncle Mark. I liked playing with his kids. We stayed a long time. We even moved our house into the woods. That was fun, but then we left.
We were always on the road. But I didn’t mind, as long as I was with my dad.
I noticed my dad was moving slower. He would often drop me off to visit my friends, Annie and Kelly or Stella and Daisy. Sometimes I visited Aunt Stephanie and her kids, Mackenzie and Colton. But he always came back to me.
My dad put our home on a spot and we didn’t travel anymore. But we had neighbors again, that was nice.
One day, we went on a walk and my dad fell down. He didn’t get up. So I stayed by his side. A big car with many lights took him away from me. I knew my dad was hurt. I had to stay with my friends again.
Where was my dad?
When he came back to get me I was excited. I was happy to see my dad.
But something was different. I sensed something was wrong, but he always smiled...but sometimes he cried.
He moved slower. We started going to a special place. The people there were nice to me. We went there a lot.
Sometimes I got scared because my dad was hurting so much. He didn’t take me on walks anymore. I tried my best to encourage him.
His friends came and visited us. I always liked meeting new people.
I noticed something was growing inside my dad. I didn’t like it.
Sometimes he acted strange. He couldn’t control himself. This made me sad. He fell down a lot too. I was really worried about him.
I had to stay with my friends again. I stayed a long time, but I knew my dad would come back and get me.
Uncle Mark came and visited. He stayed with me at Aunt Stephanie’s house.
The next day everyone was gone. I slept all day. I waited for my dad to come back. The day was long. I wondered where everyone was.
Finally, everyone came home, but they looked sad. Where was my dad? Nobody wanted to play, so I played with Stella.
I was happy Uncle Mark stayed. I wondered if he would live with Aunt Stephanie.
Where was my dad?
Uncle Mark and Aunt Stephanie cried one morning. I wondered why. They just hugged and cried, so I tried to comfort them.
Where was my dad?
Uncle Mark stayed longer. Then, we went for a ride. We were on the road a long time.
Late the next day, we finally arrived at a house I had never seen before. I saw Aunt Amy and Kiley...but she cried...maybe she was sad.
I saw Luke, I was so excited. Oh, and I met another dog. I chased him; I think he was scared.
Everyone started calling me “No!” Don’t they know my name is Ben.
Uncle Mark took me in his house. I loved the new smells and I liked their big yard.
But, I often wonder at night, why am I here? Don’t get me wrong, I like Uncle Mark’s family. But where is my dad?
I’ll keep waiting for him and maybe, just maybe...he will come and get me. Then, the two of us will go home.
#Bensays
You are probably wondering what happened to me. I now live with Uncle Mark and his family; I still wonder why. They really do have a big backyard and running around is so much fun. They take me swimming in local ponds and rivers, although they don’t go swimming with me, I’m not sure why. I’ve met many new friends; dogs and humans. I love Uncle Mark’s family a lot even though they put me on a diet but now I feel so good! They hug me a lot and let me sleep on their beds and the couch . That’s a big treat! I still wonder if I’ll ever see my dad again, I still miss him and think about him all the time. In the meantime , I’ll continue to live here with Uncle Mark’s family. They are my family now!
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