Prison Break

Update 9-30-08: Abby and I (Michelle) are home. It is wonderful for our family to be together again. I walked into my home to find happy, well groomed kids, a clean house and all the laundry done. I love my husband. I REALLY love my husband.

Thank you so much for praying for our family and for encouraging us. You are all such a blessing.

Kristen and her mom, Phyllis, http://kristensjourney.spaces.live.com/ visited us at the hospital on Saturday. Abby was in a lot of pain and pretty weak, so the visit wasn't as much fun for them as I wished that it was. They were both so sweet to Abby and me. They cooked us a delicious supper. It was the first time that Abby ate in a week. She LOVED every bite. Thank you both so much.

A week and a half with out seeing the sun is a lifetime to a 3 year old. We dressed her in "real" clothes and sprung her from the clink for a few minutes. Man I hope that Dr. M. doesn't read our blog. ;-)

Together again

Abby and Landis are very close. Abby was very excited to see her brothers and sister.

Big brothers are the best. We love you and miss you Garrett.
Abby thanks God for "my Garrett who loves me" You are a great big brother.

Garrett and Abby

Sami, Abby and I miss you so much that it hurts. We love you.

Thank you so much for praying for Abby during her CAT scan. She cried for a few seconds when I placed her on the gurney, but then fell into a deep sleep. She didn't wake up until the test was done. She did the test with no sedation. Prayer is always the best help. What a blessing.

Her doctors were concerned that she might have a fungal infection in her abdomen. This would have been VERY hard to treat. Praise God the only "problem" they found was that her bladder was full. :-)

Yesterday, Abby's smile and energy returned. She went from only being able to take a couple of steps on Saturday, to dancing and doing laps in the halls on Sunday.

Abby received several care packages from some special people. Thank you so much Doreen, http://foreverhugs.blogspot.com/, Melinda http://devenougesfamily.blogspot.com/ , Carol http://thevoiceofadventure.blogspot.com/2007/03/okay-heres-what-we-have-been-up-to.html I saved the gifts for those really tough moments. What a blessing to have new things to distract her with when Abby was scared or hurting. She loved ALL of the gifts and I really appreciate you all sending them.

Carol http://thevoiceofadventure.blogspot.com/2007/03/okay-heres-what-we-have-been-up-to.html (the link is to a great story) thank you so much for adding a few things for me as well. You pack a bag like only someone who has been there and done that can. You are such a blessing.

John and Lori thanks for the great reading material. We miss you both so much.

Abby and Grandmother Baker on Saturday.
Abby loves her Grandmother very much.

I took Abby down to physical therapy on Sunday. They are masters at making exercise fun.

Abby's temperature is down, she is off all antibiotics, and her sores are all healing nicely. They are weaning her down on the pain medicine, with plans to go home tomorrow.

She needs more blood today, even though her bone marrow is working better. She was one sick little girl and every bit of extra support is helpful.

Her doctor decided to wait another week to start her chemo. It is a little scary for us, because we don't want the cancer to come back, but we also want her sores to completely heal. Praise God that He doesn't need chemo to heal her.

Her doctors and nurses said that Abby's sores were the worst they had ever seen. We have been warned that it is likely that she will go through this again. Some children go through this almost every time they get chemo. It is very unusual, but Abby has shown that she has the tendency to get them, so they are preparing us.

Thanks again for all of you prayers, comments and emails. It is such a blessing to know that others care about our daughter and are praying for her.