Friday, May 22, 2009
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A site dedicated to Abby. You can get updates on her diagnosis and treatment and leave comments for Abby and her mom and dad.
Abby Summer 2010
How We Got to Here-Updated August 2010
It all started with very small seizures. We are not sure how long she had been having them but they were getting more frequent. On April 23, 2009, we took her to Dr. Baker who sent us to the ER at Arkansas Children's Hospital. An MRI revealed a large brain lesion and Abby was taken to the ICU for 3 days. She moved out of the ICU and spent a total of 8 days at Children's. We saw several doctors who were all pretty stumped by what they saw. It didn't look like anything-tumor, infection, swelling. They put her on an anti-viral medication in case it was infection. Another MRI showed no changes. Some doctors thought it was gliomatosis cerebri but some didn't agree with that diagnosis so they decided to take some spinal fluid to analyze. They had to take it from the brain though because of possible swelling. We spent another night in ICU.
After she was discharged we contacted MD Anderson in Houston and St. Jude's. We flew to Houston where another MRI was performed. They informed us that it was gliomatosis cerebri. St. Jude's called later that day and informed us that they felt it was gliomatosis cerebri. That was not what we wanted to hear-gliomatosis cerebri has a 5% survival rate. However, St. Jude's neurosurgeon, Dr. Boop, wanted to try to remove some of the tumor. This allowed for a biopsy of multiple pieces of the tumor. On May 22, 2009, Abby underwent brain surgery. Almost all of her right temporal lobe was removed. Abby had to spend another night in ICU, this time at LeBonheur in Memphis.
The biopsy results surprised us all, it was not gliomatosis cerebri, it was a low grade glioma! God had answered everyone's prayers! The plan was to begin chemotherapy to stop the tumor from growing but our neuro oncologist, Dr. Armstrong, wanted to wait a few weeks to see how this tumor was going to act. We were once again surprised-the tumor wasn't growing. No need for treatment!! And that is where we are today. It has been over a year, and the tumor still has not grown. It's still there, big and nasty, but it is quiet right now. We go to St. Jude's every 3 months for an MRI and other appointments to monitor the tumor.
After she was discharged we contacted MD Anderson in Houston and St. Jude's. We flew to Houston where another MRI was performed. They informed us that it was gliomatosis cerebri. St. Jude's called later that day and informed us that they felt it was gliomatosis cerebri. That was not what we wanted to hear-gliomatosis cerebri has a 5% survival rate. However, St. Jude's neurosurgeon, Dr. Boop, wanted to try to remove some of the tumor. This allowed for a biopsy of multiple pieces of the tumor. On May 22, 2009, Abby underwent brain surgery. Almost all of her right temporal lobe was removed. Abby had to spend another night in ICU, this time at LeBonheur in Memphis.
The biopsy results surprised us all, it was not gliomatosis cerebri, it was a low grade glioma! God had answered everyone's prayers! The plan was to begin chemotherapy to stop the tumor from growing but our neuro oncologist, Dr. Armstrong, wanted to wait a few weeks to see how this tumor was going to act. We were once again surprised-the tumor wasn't growing. No need for treatment!! And that is where we are today. It has been over a year, and the tumor still has not grown. It's still there, big and nasty, but it is quiet right now. We go to St. Jude's every 3 months for an MRI and other appointments to monitor the tumor.
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Blog Archive
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2009
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May
(25)
- Sunday, May 31st
- Saturday, May 30th
- Friday, May 29th
- More Info from St. Jude
- Thursday, May 28th
- Fundraiser/Benefit on June 13th
- Wednesday, May 27th
- At Home
- Going Home
- MRI
- Sunday May 24th
- Back in Her Room
- She's OK
- Surgery Has Started
- Bed Time
- What the Doctor Said
- We're Here
- t-shirt orders
- Wednesday, May 20th
- Tuesday, May 19th
- surgery update
- Sunday, May 17th
- Saturday, May 16th
- Friday, May 15th
- Background
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May
(25)
Morgan. I'm praying for Abby, and praying that the Dr. comes out with better than expected news.
ReplyDeleteMorgan and Jason, we are praying and thinking of you. Let us know when she gets out and how she is. We love yall, Venita and Kevin
ReplyDeleteGod is GREAT! Abby has been on my mind all day! I will be praying extra hard during the next couple of hours. I can't wait to hear Miss Abby sing Jesus Loves Me again very soon! Jason & Morgan you guys have touched my life! I am so glad to see you stand so strong in your faith through all of this! You are remarkable people!
ReplyDeleteThinking and prayer for yall hard... please keep us up to date on how things are going
ReplyDeletelove yall
Crystal (Smart) Rolins
Jason & Morgan,
ReplyDeleteLittle Abby has weighed on my mind all day. I have prayed all day that things will go well and the news the doctor gives will be great. Just hang in there, God is on your side.
Kassy Whitener
MSMBC
I have been praying for you all. It sounds like she has been very strong thus far. I hope all goes even better than expected. May God Bless you all.
ReplyDeleteGirl, Abby has been on my mind all day long, I am wearing the t-shirt for Abby's Army. I LOVE IT! I have been praying all day long. Everything will be fine. God has his arms wrapped around her. I am giving you hugs right now. Know that you are a blessed woman. I love yall!
ReplyDeleteHello, My name is Kellie and got an email telling about your little Abby. My daughter Alyssa also has a brain tumor although it is a different type. I gave a friend of yours my contact info if you would like to email after things settle for you all. God makes us strong, and these precious children stronger than anyone can fathom. Alyssa had surgery for her benign craniopharyngioma last Oct. They thought they got all of the mass, but a residual tumor was left behind. Now we just watch, and pray it does not grow. I have prayed for Abby all day, and it sounds from the posts that you have surrounded yourselves with prayer warriors! God bless you all, Kellie Beggs
ReplyDeleteJason, Morgan & Family,
ReplyDeleteI've been praying for Abby that she'll come through with flying colors and God will be working through the doctors today.
My family is thinking and praying for Abby.
Love you all,
Laura Lewis
Stay strong. I know the wait is hard and it doesn't seem like this is really happening. I am praying for a successful surgery, and complete healing for Abby. I also pray that God gives your family the peace that only He can give. God Bless, Kellie Beggs
ReplyDeleteMorgan,
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize until yesterday this is your little girl . We've been praying for all of you all along. I'm praying real strong about surgery and that everything turns out way better than anyone thought it could, anyone that is except God you know it's in his hands and he will do the best for her. Let me know if you need anything 870-613-2372. Tell mom I'm thinking about her too,
Love,
Debbie Cannon
You all are in our prayers. I pray that the surgery goes well and the outcome is better than expected. I pray for God to grant each of you peace and comfort.
ReplyDeleteHi. My name is Katie Bookout and I work with Sarah Blagg. She and I have become friends and she keeps me informed about you all and Abby. I have no idea how you all are feeling having to watch your daughter go through this. But, I do know what it is like to watch a parent. My mother was diagnosed with brain, lung, and lymphnode cancer in September. She was given little hope and 4 months to live. Here it is May and my mom is doing great! She is a miracle! Keep your faith in God no matter how hard it gets. That is how my family and I have made it as far as we have. I have been and will continue to pray for your family and Abby. He is the great physician and He will take care of Abby. I will pray that God will give you all the peace that passes all understading and will continue to heal Abby.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless
Katie
God is an awesome God. Abby has been on my mind all day as well as into the night. I just pray and know that the Lord has wonderful plans for her. I pray for the wisdom of these doctors to take care of your precious child. I pray that God will give you two the strength and patience to go through this trial and through this process, you guys will have a wonderful tesitmony to tell.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless
Amy