Abby Update

We are so happy to see Abby outside, playing
smiling... being "normal.

Abby is really getting her personality back in full swing.
Pun intended.
From Michelle:
Abby is doing GREAT. Abby is eating well, maintaining her weight and her pain in less over all. She has energy to run and play. She is getting stronger everyday and loves being able to keep up with Landis better. God is so good.

She is doing so wonderfully her doctors recommended taking out her gastric tube. Abby REALLY, REALLY wanted it out. The only catch was they wanted to wait for someone from Surgery to come take it out (because of politics). This would mean waiting for hours for a surgery doctor (or more accurately, a med student, on his/her surgical rotation) to see us.

Taking it out is VERY quick and easy. As a nurse I have done it more times than I can count and I told Abby's PA so. Abby's PA thought a much better idea would be for me to take it out myself and asked if I was willing. I said YES! She asked Abby if she wanted Mommy to take it out or someone else. Abby said Mommy. She was scared, but handled it pretty well. It takes literally about two seconds to remove, so she wasn't scared for long. She said it only hurt a tiny bit. It only took a couple of minutes for the hole to close up. It feels so good to take a huge step towards a more "normal" life.

Afterwards she just wanted Mommy to hold her while she rested. It is tough work being brave when you are four.

Landis, Sami and Abby are all sick, with respiratory viruses. Landis was diagnosed with bronchitis on Sunday. Oddly enough Abby is much less sick than both her siblings and is licking it faster, too. Thanks for praying!

The not so great news, Abby has something that looks like old blood in her stomach contents and has been complaining about abdominal pain. She has been diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer before, so I am concerned. Her gastroenterologist and cancer doctor both agreed it would be best to take her tube out and treat the problem with medication.

Also Abby's immune system has taken a nose dive. Her ANC was 6000 last week and is now in the 659. If it is under 500, she will be stuck at the house and eating fresh veggies/fruits will be considered dangerous. I am praying it stays over 500. We all enjoy our freedom, but will do what is necessary to keep her safe.

Abby's hair continues to grow and her eyelashes and eyebrows are coming back. She has taken to carrying a mirror around, while doing a happy dance for all of her new hair. It is going to take months to grow back, but she is thrilled with any progress. Several parents of cancer kids are warning that hair can occasionally thin and even come completely out during maintenance (Abby's next 2 years). In fact, we know a girl who is losing her hair, 6 months before she is finished with chemo.

We will hang on to Abby's wig, hats and ponytails, but choose to enjoy every hair on her head as long as they are there. Honestly, I don't expect her to be bald again, but I appreciate the heads up so I don't promise Abby something I don't have any control over.

The kids miss their daddy and I miss Brent so much it hurts. Brent is such a wonderful father and husband there is a huge void here when he is gone.

Please pray:

• Thank God her liver is improving and her g-tube is out.
• Abby's stomach to heal, inside and out.
• Her pain to continue to decrease.
• Her liver to heal.
• And of course, for her to remain cancer free.

We would also appreciate your prayers for Brent's safety while he in away.

Please also continue to pray for Kayleigh. Her story is heartbreaking. She needs a miracle.