Abby's Journey Archive

This is probably our favorite time of year. For anyone who might not be local to us, usually in central Arizona the weather cools off beginning in late September and early October, and we settle down with lows in the 45-60 degree (F) range and highs from 75-85 degrees (F). Occasionally we will have some fall rain showers that encourage the desert to bloom, and it can be spectacular. The desert has a beauty that is completely unique, and it is an incredible testimony to God's creative genius that He could create animals and plants that can survive in these conditions, but still demonstrate such delicate beauty and diversity.

We arose early this morning to head for the Desert Botanical Garden up by the Phoenix Zoo. The Garden has a Monarch butterfly exhibit each Fall and the kids were just ecstatic about it. It was so cute to see Elizabeth and Daniel crouching down, examining the butterflies, exercising great restraint to not accidentally stomp on them.

We also observed lots of desert wildflowers and the dizzying array of cacti that flourish here in the desert climate. The Garden has cacti from literally all over the world. The kids' favorite was probably the "Old Man Cactus," which grows thin fibers that look exactly like white hair.

We were blessed with company at the Garden in the form of Ginger Trudgen and her girls Alex, Audrey, and Lily. They are some of our best friends and live here in our neighborhood with us.

Abby has responded well to her increased Decadron dose and woke for the second morning today without a headache and only very mild nausea. She is on 4mg every day now. She is having some mood swings associated with the steroid, so our prayer is that we can get her intracranial swelling under control and then reduce her dosage again.

Thank you so much for your prayers. We heard from many of you after our Monday post!

I have 2 opportunities to share with you all. First, some of you may remember me mentioning Haley Knutsen who died last month. Well, her supporters are carrying on in Haley's name and have organized a car raffle to benefit Positive Impact (the organization that had Abby and her friends dance for their Scrub Ball). If you are interested in purchasing a ticket for the raffle, go to http://hopeforhaley.com/car.htm

Second, would you please pray for some new friends of ours? I met with a dear woman last night whose 7 year old son has recently been diagnosed with a PNET (Abby's tumor is also a PNET only with Astrocytoma differentiation). His name is Carlin and his parents are Lynn and Sammy. Carlin had surgery a few weeks ago and is currently receiving chemotherapy and radiation. His surgery left him paralyzed on one side of his body and he's currently unable to talk or eat. He communicates with his parents by gesturing and spelling. I know Carlin and his family will appreciate your prayers for wisdom, strength and peace.

Also, for those of you with children who like to write, Lynn says Carlin likes receiving letters. So, anyone who wants to send him a letter can either email it to me or send it in the mail and I'll forward it to him.