Update on Abby and Pictures

Update on Abby:

Abby was diagnosed with Leukemia on July 11th. Monday, the 14th, she had all the bone marrow and spinal fluid examinations.

She has “A.L.L.”, which is the more treatable kind of Leukemia with an 80% cure average. She has a “high risk” version of ALL though, and has to be treated more aggressively because her white blood cells were DOUBLING every day… that is an unusual high risk development that shows the Leukemia to be extremely aggressive.

She’ll receive a lot of chemo and medication for the next month, in and out of the hospital weekly.

After the first month, the doctors will re-evaluate how she is responding and lay out a long term plan for her, but it will likely be six months with lots of treatment, and then 2-3 years of monthly treatment.

Of the 20% of children that are not cured, they relapse in the first three years and have less than a 5% recovery rate from a relapse.

We ask your prayers for:

• Abby's healing
• For the nausea and vomiting to subside
• Rest; we’re only getting a handful of hours a night, and we’re very tired
• Clarity in making decisions about her treatment, juggling high risk
  considerations
• Wisdom to deal with the changes in our life, financial matters and arrangements
  
• Strength enough to not let our other children slip through the cracks of our attention and parenting
• Opportunities to minister to all those around us.
  
  
  We covet your prayers and thank you for them in advance.
  
  Brent & Michelle Riggs
  
  

This is Abby before her first chemo Abby rested well after the treatments, but was so tired.

Abby has a crush on a wonderful boy whose family is friends of ours. Abby loves him so much and tells EVERYONE about him. He made her day when he visited her in the hospital.He is an incredible kid.

Thanks again for praying for Abby and our family, and for asking others to pray. Knowing that others are praying for our precious daughter means more to us than we can express. Thank you also for all of your comments and emails. They are read and reread especially during those quiet times when my daughter is asleep.