Something for YOU... And Proud of Abby But Heartbroken

Before we get to an update on Abby, we wanted to let you know about something really cool...

Some of you may not know that we own Serious.Life Magazine. If you haven't seen it, take a look. We know you'll like it (and the subscription is FREE!). For some of our new friends that have visited from MckMama's blog, you'll be happy to know we are doing a story on her in the next issue.

Serious.Life Magazine will have a "Featured Blogs Directory" in the February issue. We want to offer all our readers the opportunity to put their blog and a description into the Serious.Life Featured Blog Directory, absolutely FREE!

Your blog will be listed, along with a link and description, and will be in front of a very large audience from all over the nation, and many parts of the world. It will be a great way for your blog to be seen by a lot of new folks!

The reason we are telling the readers of our family blog, is because we are so grateful for everyone visiting us, praying for us, and encouraging us... and we wanted to do something nice for you!

The only thing we suggest (to help the magazine), is that when we publish on Feb 2nd, you put up one post and a badge encouraging people to check out the new issue. Don't worry, I'll send you an email to remind you, and even a sample paragraph to make it easy for you.

It is NOT a requirement! We don't want you to think that our "thanks" has strings attached, but if everyone let's their audience know about the magazine on the day it's published, then then entire directory will a lot of NEW readers potentially seeing their listing. Everyone helps, everyone benefits!

Again, don't worry. I'll send you an email reminder the day before we publish, so just sign up today, and forget about it! We plan to publish on Monday, Feb. 2nd.

Use this form to sign up. First come, first listed, by category, so don't wait. You can even sign up now, and send me a more thoughtful description later via email if you need to (brent@brentriggs.com) :

This pic was taken by our friend Amy when Abby got
to accompany Mom on a rare visit away from home.

Update on Abby

(From Michelle...) For those of you who didn't know Abby before she got leukemia, she was a very normal three year old. She was a smart, independent and very capable young lady. She let me help her when she wanted some attention from Mommy, but didn't NEED my help very often. She had better table manners than our teenagers!

Because of the side effects of the chemo, she is now a much different girl. Sunday, when eating at a friends home, Abby wanted to sit at the kid's table with her friends. After most of her friends were finished and off playing, I sat beside her and offered to help her. Most of her food was still on her plate.

When she was spooning her rice, her hand was shaking so badly it was falling off of the spoon. In the end, she asked me to feed her, so she could finish and play with her friends.

Today, she wanted to dress herself. What normal 4 year old girl doesn't? I let her try, but she shakes so badly, (especially while standing) you can see her tremble from 10 yards away. Watching her try to balance on one foot, so she could pull on a pants leg looked like an impossible task, but she stuck it out and did it by herself.

I am so proud of her for working hard to be a big girl, but it makes me sad that it is SO difficult for her. Most days, she plows ahead with a smile on her face, having fun even though it takes her considerably more effort than it should.

I love her spirit and determination to do the things she wants to do. I also enjoy the times when she is tired and wants me to hold her while she sleeps. I wish she had more energy, but I love being able to comfort her.

Abby sleeps alot, and is pretty weak. She throws up constantly.

A week into her toughest phase of treatment, Abby is really weak, constantly shakes and is very nauseated. She has thrown up almost 30 times in one day. Her doctors increased one of her medications, and it seems to be helping, but it will be a few more days, before we know for sure.

Tomorrow at clinic, I am going to talk to them again about how hard this is for Abby. I would love it if they would try to find a better way to help her. The increased pressure in her head seems better but since they drained off the excess spinal fluid on Friday, it will take a little longer before we know for sure if it is going to stay better.

As bad as all of that sounds, she is really handling the chemo much better than we and her doctors thought she would. Praise God. Here is what I am praying for.Would you join me in praying for Abby?

• I thank God she is alive today.


• I thank God she is home, surrounded by people who love her.


• I thank God so many people are praying for Abby and asking others to pray as well.


• I thank God so many wonderful people are encouraging use and helping us care for Abby and our other children.


• I pray she she remains cancer-free and that she is protected from any permanent damage from the chemo.


• I pray God shields her from any nausea and pain.


• I pray God protects her from infections and illnesses, for her safety, but also because I love her being home, instead of in the hospital.


• I pray for wisdom for the doctors and Brent and I, as we decide what chemo to give her and how to treat the increased intracranial pressure.


• I pray Brent and I have the strength, energy and wisdom, to make the most of the time we have with our children.


• We pray for the wisdom to deal with all the details, responsibilities and expenses.

Thank you all so much for standing beside us, encouraging us, asking others to pray, and praying for our family. I can't imagine walking down this road without you.