Abby's Journey Archive

When Abby's MRI scan was clear in January he didn't quite understand that we could change our prayers from "make Abby's cancer go away" to "please keep Abby's cancer away". However, after a month of reminders from Josiah and Abby, he seemed to realize that God had, indeed, cured Abby. This morning he asked why Josiah was praying for Abby's cancer to go away. "God maked it go away, right?" he questioned me. Abby then responded, "Yes, He did, but then He allowed it to come back so we could share more about Jesus at the hospitals". I told Daniel that we could pray again that Abby's cancer would go away. He put down his breakfast food and said, "I will pray that right now". And he did.

May I always remember that nothing we are experiencing is beyond God's power. And, He is always ready to listen to our prayers. So often I think to myself, "I will pray for that tomorrow morning." May I be in constant communication with Jesus. He delights in our relationship!

We have to check in at Banner Good Samaritan on Monday at 5:30 am. Dr. Sapozink anticipates being done by 2 pm. Again, their plan is to perform radiosurgery on the two areas that appear to be recurrent tumor which were too deep to remove with traditional surgery. They will also radiate any area(s) of concern that appear on her MRI that day. After Abby has recovered from the anesthesia, they will transport her via ambulance to Phoenix Children's Hospital where she will stay the night for observation. She is looking forward to the ambulance ride, but her brothers are going to be quite jealous as this will be her 6th ambulance ride :)

Thanks to those of you who have been praying for scheduling issues to be resolved quickly so Abby's treatment isn't delayed. There are so many people involved in her care that scheduling can be a nightmare, but things are proceeding smoothly.

Please pray for our doctors, Dr. Sapozink and Dr. Shafron as they carry out the radiosurgery on Monday. You can also pray for a clean spinal tap which they will perform while Abby is asleep. One of the areas they are going to radiate is near a ventricle. Basically, that means that if it moves much further, it will invade the spinal fluid and can travel to other areas besides the brain. The spinal tap will show that Abby's spine is still clear.

I spoke with Dr. Graham in Tucson and he is still leaning strongly toward 2 rounds of chemo, but isn't sure whether or not we will be able to have the first round here at Banner. We should know by the end of the week. It sounds like her first round of chemo will begin on Monday, May 9 or Tuesday, May 10.

This passage from 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 (New Living Translation) encouraged me this week.

All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

Would you all please pray for us to be an encouragement to others as we travel this road. I so often meet other families and wonder if they have the same hope and peace that we are blessed with. I still shed many tears and struggle with worrying about the future, but God has given me so many moments of comfort, peace and joy and I want others facing trials to share in that comfort.

Thank you again for your faithful and fervent prayers!