Abby had her spinal and chemo today. She tolerated the spinal puncture very well. Prayer answered. In fact, she was very still and calm the entire time. She's a real champ. How many of you could get a finger stick, have a needle stuck into your chest, get semi-sedated and then have another needle plunged into your spine... and never flinch the whole time?
However, her intercranial pressure was SHOCKING. We expected it to be a little elevated. The elevator went through the penthouse and was sitting on the roof. Normal spine and skull fluid pressure for her would be between "8 and 14". Abby's was THIRTY FOUR.
This is a very serious issue for her. We're not sure what the plan is at this point but we know she cannot be subjected to this prolonged pressure on her eyes and brain with causing damage.
Admittedly, it's hard for us right now. We don't want to sound like alarmists or be over the top in our updates. We struggle realizing (understandably) that Abby is somewhat "old news" to the multiple dozens of tens of thousands who were following her closely when she was at death's door. They don't realize we are as concerned now, maybe more, about her current condition and potential for relapse as we were last year when things were so terrible.
This spinal fluid pressure issue has the potential to cause her long term sight, brain, hearing and developmental damage as well as a myriad of other problems. We have complete faith in God's plan and care but it does not alleviate the current concern we have as her parents.
We appreciate your continued prayers for her well being. For those who perhaps feel like Abby is kind of "done with cancer" and out of danger, we covet your renewed prayers for her: that her spinal pressure would be normal, and that she would not relapse. She is currently in the most precarious time (the final year of chemo) when relapse would disastrous, save the Lord's intervention.
Michelle will give you more details tomorrow...
Abby loves her SpideyBrother and he obviously loves her...
Obviously...Landis The Funny
Landis, our youngest, is a hoot. The boy comes up with some stuff that just has us laughing our guts out.
Today, after lunch, he had some ice cream in a bowl. I look over at him and he is digging out this HUGE bite of dairy pleasure; maybe a 1/2 cup or more balanced skillfully on his spoon.
He raises it towards his mouth... and I'm about to light him up for bad manners... and he stops, looks adoringly at the ice cream and says... no lie:
"H - e - l - l - o Goooorgeous..."
He could have shoved his face in the bowl at that point for all I cared. I was too busy trying not to cry from laughing so hard.
He's THREE...
Great Photo's For ChristmasJust in time for Christmas, I am putting out an issue of SeriousLife Magazine dedicated totally to taking great photos, and showcasing great photos. This is a perfect chance for you get your questions answered, request demonstrations, have your photos published, and be highlighted as photographer (or someone who takes great blog photos).
- If you are a photographer, or just shoot good blog photos, and want to be considered to have YOUR OWN GALLERY PAGE in the issue, contact me (brent@brentriggs.com).
- If you are photographer and want your own photo gallery in the issue, or want to contribute "how to" or educational articles about photography, contact me (brent@brentriggs.com).
- If you want to submit your photos for publication in the public photo gallery, go here: http://www.seriouslifemagazine.com/submit_content_forms.asp?c=photos
- Email me (brent@brentriggs.com) with your photography requests: How-To's, Demo's, Tools, Education... what you would like to see in this issue that will help you take better photos?
Brent
PS. Did you see the latest issue of SeriousLife? www.seriouslifemagazine.com
37 comments:
There are many of us out here who still check on Abby regularly, and we are praying for her now as much as ever...
still here and in no way think that abby is old news. i so appriciate your family and your blog. praying
I am still here... and so is Abby.. thank-you Lord!
Abby is on my heart every day. Thanks for keeping us posted.
Brent, I worry/think about Abby all the time. I pray the Lord intervenes in her behalf very soon. I for one, could not stand to endure what Abby or these other children, mine included, have to go through. I am just not tough enough!!
That first picture of the two of them is priceless!! I love it.
The comment Landis made is hilarious. You needed that laugh today for sure.
I will continue to pray for your family. I am not too far away from you all, if you need something, let me know. Well, after Cheyenne gets released from the hospital.
Brent and Michelle,
I agree w/ the others that have posted... even though we may not comment quite as often, many are still checking your site for updates on Abby everyday. I know that I do. Not just on Abby, but on the whole family.
I pray for Abby every day and will continue to do so. I know that she is not in the clear (as much as we would love her to be)and that prayers are still needed... many prayers.
Abby is a "trooper" and NO - I probably couldn't have had the procedures she did today w/o flinching. I just hate she has to have all this done to her. She is just too pretty and sweet to have "hurtful" things done to her.
As for Landis, he is your "reality check" and I love that you can laugh at the things he says and does. Keep posting as he brings laughter to us all.
With the holidays it seems like time is so limited and that is probably why you think not as many people still care, but that is so wrong. We all do still care very much.
love and prayers...
Ann Stegall
Wake Forest, NC
Continuing to keep your Abby in my prayers.....
Never feel like you are bothering us by sharing news to pray for Abby! We will continue to pray with renewed fervor! That precious little girl. We just love her and your family so much. Praying, praying, praying..
Blessings,
Holly in MI
Abby will never be old news, and prayer is never out of style. Abby is in my daily thoughts and prayers.
Loving thoughts from a stranger in NJ
Tracey
Brent and Michelle,
Abby could NEVER be "old news!" She is in my daily prayers, This is such a difficult, and long journey, with detours and dead ends when least expected. For the life of me I don't know how people do this without reliance on God! I know I couldn't!
Hugs and prayers,
Ann (Elke's mom)
Oh Brent & Michelle,
I'm so sorry! I can relate a little as Hannah is still going through it and will have her pressures rechecked in a week. THe most frustrating thing is it takes a spinal tap to see what their pressure is. I wish there was another way to keep an eye on it. Please keep us posted. And please know that your little Abby is always on our hearts and in our prayers!!
I check on Abby every day and never tire if hearing how she's doing. I know you are both busy with taking care of her but there are many of us out here who check for updates daily.
Grandmaof8
I agree. That sweet thing is NEVER old news! She is a joy to pray for! And I still love her hair!I am completely impressed with her cute little hairdo! I can't believe she has been living with pressure that high. Poor thing. Bless her heart. Praying for the drs to have wisdom about treating her pressure issue and that her cancer does not come back- EVER.
We are still here, checking on Abby and praying for her daily... my girls pray for her as well..
Know that we love you guys and are praying... thank you Lord for the peace you are giving Michelle and Brent right now... Thank you Jesus.. for all our answered prayers... Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! :)
All our love....
Praying that Abby's pressure will come down and that God's healing virtue will continually flow from the top of her head to the souls of her feet until she is make completely WHOLE.
Praying for your sweet baby girl!!!
Tears running down my cheeks thinking of Abby today...That pressure is so upsetting....we love you Abby and Kya as always says a prayer for her best bud Abby tonight!
Just finished my Disney Photo Book and SO love seeing Abby SO HAPPY in those pics
Miss you guys
Praying for sweet Abby. She looks so adorable and 'unhurt' in the photos. I continually check for Abby updates. She is so strong and brave. Landis is adorable as well.
I'm also checking in on Abby very often and don't think Abby is "old news" and I can only imagine how scary the past days/weeks must have been for you as parents.
Please continue to update!!!!
Praying hard for you dear little Abby...praying God's Hand is over you and your family.
I stop by just about daily to check on your family. Abby is definitely in my thoughts and prayers... Your whole family is..
The pictures are fantastic of Abby and Landis.. and the ice cream story gave me a nice early morning giggle.. Thanks for making my day.
Still praying for Abby here in NC...I read every update...never old news to our family. Landis IS a hoot!
Continuing to pray for sweet Abby...sorry she is going through all of this. Stay strong!
We haven't stopped praying for Abby from the moment we first heard about her, which I believe was July of '08! Abby is one of those people we will prayer for ALWAYS, NO MATTER WHAT. We don't just pray during bad times, we pray during good times too! :) SO, as Abby struggles we pray, when Abby smiles we pray and give thanks!
Olivia had to get the H1N1 and she used Abby as her example to be brave during her shot, so Abby is an inspiration to us all!!!
We of course, pray for your entire family as well!
Love,
The Mann Family
Oh no, I am so sorry to hear that Abby's pressure is so high. We pray for her constantly at our house. My daughter Ava talks about Abby to anyone willing to listen! We will ramp up our praying and again remind everyone at our church to continue their prayers.
Lisa
Praying for Abby. I cannot even begin to imagine how frightening this cranial pressure situation is! Praying for lowered pressure, continued success with Chemo and for Abby's comfort during it all. Prayers for your strength and comfort, and for the endurance you need to be strong through this journey.
A blog very nice but sad at the same time .... the essence!
We want to convey the heart of good health! God be with you!
We want to tell you that .............
Although there are beginner my dream and my wife is making our friends all over the world! If there are families who want to link a friendship with new addresses expect your blogs!
We Ecy and Camelia of 42 or 40 years. We have a son Raul for 21 years. We are born in Romania but lives in Spain Madrid in 1999. Unfortunately, Romanian and Spanish but just use google tratuctor!
We send Greetings and many will expect all our blog with comments and possibly exchange links if you want!
Praying for your precious girl!! She is just amazing!!
I've had shots in spine, Abby is STRONG!
No words for my feelings or thoughts of this latest news...
Cranial fluid pressure NEEDS immediate attention!
Please let Abby know that her signature drawing warms my heart daily & a big thanks! :-)
Love to you all,
~Joni
Wow her pressure was up to 34. Can't imagine the pain that little girl is enduring!!!
Continued prayers for Abby at this critical time!!!
May God watch over her and protect her from these side effects
Praying that Abby's pressure goes down drastically. (((hugs)))
Praying for a good, headache-free day for Abby! Also praying for some answers re treatment options -- where to go/what to do, etc.
LOVE the new pics of Abby (and Landis!) -- her hair is growing in so nicely!
Ann
Brent and Michelle,
Still praying for beautiful Abby and your family.
I havn't gotten to check back for awhile.
You are in my daily thoughts and prayers,
Love and hugs,
Debi
Beaverton, OR
Abby is the reason that I check here as often as I do. Not that I don't like hearing about your other children/family adventures. But I worry about Abby... I pray for her, and I hope it helps. She'll never be old news.
Oh how I wish Abby was old news. How I wish (and pray) that she was like every other healthy wonderful little girl.
Oh...how can you make me tear up and then laugh in the same post?!! Landis, what a hoot.
A friend of mine has been suffering with the same debilitating headaches Abby has for 3 years now. She was able to put in a shunt, but because of another condition, they can't "turn it up" high enough. And the meds make her so sick she will almost waste away. It's serious. It's awful. It's NOT FUN. But God is good. And we're still praying over here for Abby. My friend is, too.
Praying so hard for Abby tonight. It was actually my 16-year old that alerted me to the need to pray for her (and now my little Guat. and Ethiopian daughters will remind us to pray for her again.) My 16 yo was telling me about Landis and what a hoot he is. (The ice cream deal...but I'm still laughing about him shaking his booty!!) Actually, we had not been praying for her so much these days so I'm glad to know that we need too. God bless you all, Liz
Don't ever think people are tired of hearing about/praying for your sweet daughter. My child had a blood disorder (not curable) for YEARS. People prayed and God did deliver her. =)
LOVE Landon--- he is a little mess, I'll bet. =)
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