Abby's Journey Archive

We received a fax with the third diagnosis from our oncologist. Dr. Coons from St. Josephs in Phoenix has diagnosed Abby's tumor as a primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) with astrocytoma differentiation. He acknowledges that his separate diagnosis only adds to the confusion of Abby's case and that it is a complex case.

We plan to pray about what to do next and consult with our oncologists, Dr. Packer, and others. We may seek yet another opinion or try to get the different pathologists to possibly have a phone conference to achieve some sort of consensus. We may also proceed with the chemotherapy protocol and stem cell infusion which was the original plan. The treatment for the ATRT and for the PNET type of tumors are the same.

So, please continue to ask God to guide all those involved in Abby's case. Also, pray that we will come to a timely conclusion. She has an MRI scheduled for September 16 and her first chemo treatment will be about 2 weeks after that.

In the meantime, we're all enjoying being a normal family again free from the chicken pox!