Abby's Celebration of Life

This is just a short message to thank everyone for celebrating Abby's life with her family. Her services were very nice and hearing the children sing I am Like a Star Shining Brightly and A Child's Prayer was very touching. Thanks to everyone who had a part with organizing this celebration. After the services we met at the graveside and all the children released balloons.

Abby's fight does not end here. We are praying for pediatric brain tumor research to progress and to find the right combination of drugs to help these children finally see remission. We also are praying for every child and adult who is suffering from cancer.

Let's find a cure!

Balloon Release

Friday, July 29 7:00p
at Oak Ridge T-ball Field, Oak Ridge, MOhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Friends and family of five-year-old Abigail Jensen who lost her battle with cancer will be releasing balloons in her honor.

Update: Photos of Balloon Release

Abby's Final Moment

Sunday, July 24, 2011 8:06am. That is the time that my little Abby received her angel wings and returned home to her Heavenly Father.

We woke up Sunday morning, and Abby had slept really well that night. Maegan came into the living room and came in and touched Abby’s arm to say good morning. When she touched her arm, Abby jumped. We think that Abby’s vision may have gone during the night. Abby calmed down when Maegan started to talk with her, but Maegan noticed that her coloring looked very pale. Abby then started to breath very roughly and loudly. Maegan then put the thermometer under Abby’s arm, and it shot up to 102 almost immediately. It finally stopped at 105.9, but her legs were cool to the touch. We gave Abby her medicine and then I picked her up and sat with her on my lap. I cradled her in my arms, and we sent Mary-Beth to go get Grandpa Miller so he could check on Abby’s condition. Abby sat in my lap, and looked up into my eyes. By this time, Abby began her “fish-breathing”, big gasps of breath. Maegan and I both looked her in the eyes and told her that it was okay to go. I told her that Heavenly Father and her brother Curtis would be coming shortly, and when they did that it was okay for her to go running to them. Abby looked deep into my eyes with her bright blue eyes, her eyes as clear as ever, and then her pupils got real large, and she looked up, and then she was gone.

We were very fortunate to have my parents down at the house when Abby passed on. They had just arrived and were getting ready to take Mary-Beth and Emily to church when everything started to happen. Right after I put Abby on my lap, Maegan’s parents arrived as well. So Abby was surrounded by love.

After Abby passed, her spirit stayed with us for around an hour. The living room was bright and cheerful, and you could almost see Abby with her long hair and twirly dress. The Hospice nurses were here and after a little while, asked if they could bathe Abby before the funeral home arrived. I then placed Abby on her bed and the nurses very gently bathed Abby. I noticed that they were so sweet with her, treating her so lovingly, even shedding some tears for her. When they were finished, I picked Abby back up and put her back on my lap. By this time, we could tell that she was enjoying her eternal reward, dancing with her brother and receiving her mansion above. We did ask Abby, before she passed, to make sure she paints us some rainbows and look after us, and to say hello from time to time.

I miss my Princess dearly. Maegan and I will do well for a while, and then something will spark a memory and we will lose it for a while.

Maegan and I went out on Monday and made the arrangements for Abby’s funeral and visitation. I never realized how expensive funerals are! Luckily, we have wonderful friends and family who have helped out with the expenses to lessen the financial burden.

I just pray that there will be a day when cancer, especially pediatric cancer, is eliminated from this world. I hope and pray that Abby’s memory will inspire and strengthen those who are fighting their battles as well.

Abby’s visitation will be on Wednesday, 7-27-11 from 4-8pm at Ford and Sons Funeral home on Mount Auburn, with her funeral on Thursday 7-28-11 at 11am. We will then take Abby to Memorial Park Cemetery where we will lay her physical body to rest. We actually set up three plots, one for me and Maegan, and then Abby and Curtis. Curtis will be brought up and laid to rest with Abby. Then, a long time from now, when Maegan and I return to our Father, our two children who moved forward before us will be surrounded by their loving parents forever.

We have told the girls that our prayers have been answered. It may not be the way that we hoped the answer would come, but Abby has beaten her tumor and is happy, healthy, and cancer free! I am so happy that Families Are Forever, and that Abby is now and forever my daughter, and Curtis is my son, forever. I thank God for the time that He allowed for us to be with Abby and look forward to many rainbows that Abby will paint for us. And I know, that I will forever be Abby’s Daddy, and Maegan is always Abby’s Mommy.

I hate cancer, especially childhood cancer.

KFVS Heartland News

News Clip from July 24, 2011

We Love You Abby

 From Jon:

Abby is now dancing and in the arms of our Heavenly Father and with Curtis. She passed in my arms at 8:06am

This is Abby's favorite Primary song.

I am like a star shining brightly.
Shining for the whole world to see.
I can do and say
happy things each day
for I know Heavenly Father loves me.


All your family loves you so much, Abby.

Please Pray For Abby

The hospice nurses say there's not much time left for our little Abby to be with her family.  We ask that everyone say an extra prayer of comfort for them.

We are thankful for all the dinners that have been taken to their home.  If you would like to sign up to take them a meal you can go to this link.  They have a dinner scheduled for Saturday night and Monday night but all the other nights are open
.

Sweet Abby

Abby certainly loves her mom and dad!  This video was taken a few days ago.  Abby and her family had plans to watch Winnie the Pooh but Maegan found a lump on Abby's stomach so they rescheduled their evening.  The hospice nurse came to visit Abby and see if there was anything to be concerned about.  I'm not sure everything that happened but I know Abby did get a massage and some Milk of Magnesia, I think, and the next day the lump was gone.  The doctor thinks it was a bowel movement that needed to pass.  Her bowels have been slowing down and she hasn't been eating as much as she used to.  The good thing is Abby still loves life.  She likes to be with her family, have her nails painted, watch cartoons and movies, and snuggle with her parents.  She is a sweet girl and loves everyone!  If you get a chance, send her and her sisters a card in the snail mail.  It really makes their day.

Don't forget to tell your kids you love them today! 

Just For Abby's Smile BAKE SALE!

Bake Sale Fundraiser for Abby
hosted by Just For Abby's Smile

Saturday, July 23, 2011.
Walmart
Jackson, Missouri
8:00 am - Noon

There will be a lot of goodies being made for Abby's fundraiser.  If you would like to make something please let April Huffman know at Just For Abby's Smile.  She can arrange for the treats to be picked up on Friday night.

Abby was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma on August 6, 2010.  In a few more weeks it will be a year since the doctors started fighting the tumor.  Research is slowly progressing and one day a team of doctors and scientists will make an amazing discovery on what combinations of medicines will help these children finally see remission.  We pray for that miracle.

Although Abby is no longer able to do much or be awake for very long she still loves the attention from her friends and family.  She likes her princess wand, being able to look out the window, and watch or listen to SpongeBob Square Pants.

Jon and Maegan were not looking forward to calling Hospice but felt it was time.  The Hospice nurses are so sweet to Abby, Mary-Beth, Emily and Sara.  They spend time playing with all the girls as well as caring for Abby's needs and helping their family through this difficult time.

The Jensens have continued to receive so much love and support from their friends, family, and complete strangers.  Countless people have been touched by the love Abby has shown for life and for her many friends.  Her radiant smile cannot go unnoticed.  I know that the entire family on both Jon's and Maegan's side have friends in many states who have been following Abby's story.  These people have never met Abby but have come to love her and continually ask how she and her family are doing.  This not only shows how special Abby is, it shows how special all of you are.  So many people have visited Abby, are saying personal prayers, adding Abby to their church's prayer list,  have brought the Jensens dinners and are continuing to do so. While others are selling cupcakes, quitting smoking, creating t-shirts and car magnets, holding carnivals and bake sales, and making crafts like cute little men out of an empty juice container as a gift for Abby to bring her more happiness.  There is no way I could mention every act of kindness.    Your love and support has not gone unnoticed.  Thank you.

Abby's favorite colors are pink, purple, and red.  She loves princesses and anything girlie.  She likes to play with her sisters, friends, and cousins.  She has an amazing smile and pretty blue eyes.  She enjoys going to Primary at church with her friends and loves her teachers.  She looks up to Mary-Beth and is protective of Emily and Sara.  Abby will hold Sara any chance she gets and fights her parents when they need to take her away.

Abby loves ice-cream and Chinese food.  She likes going to the St. Louis Zoo, Purina Farms, the Pumpkin Patch on Halloween, and to the Magic House.   She really enjoys practicing cheerleading moves with Mary-Beth. Abby is smart.  She can write her name and some other words, knows her colors, can count, and loves to draw just like her big sister.  

Continue to pray for Abby and her family.  If you are a parent of a child who was recently diagnosed, we are praying for you too.  Find happiness in each day!  

Just For Abby's Smile

I'd like to tell you about a Facebook page created by April Huffman.  April is a friend of the Jensen family and is a smoker, or a RECOVERING smoker.   She knows how harmful smoking is to her health and also loves Abby and her family so much that she started a fundraiser to help cover some of the costs the Jensens have come across these past almost 11 months.

April has promised to quit smoking,

which will improve her health and cut the risk of her getting lung or mouth cancer, 

if she can raise $1,000 or more for Abby and her family.  

There's nothing more important than choosing your health over an addiction. What a GREAT gift April is giving to Abby and her family and to HERSELF.  I know that Abby would be heartbroken if April were to get cancer.

The fundraiser is on Just For Abby's Smile Facebook page.   Click HERE to see it.

April has also made custom auto magnets to raise money for Abby.  You can purchase the from April for
$3 each.  You can contact her on Just for Abby's Smile Facebook page.


Thank you, April!

Daddy-Daughter date!

On Monday, Abby and I got to go on a little Daddy-Daughter date! It was a great time for just the two of us. I had a doctors appointment in the morning and we went there and Abby got to see everyone at Dr. Crist's office. We then went to the mall and Abby said she wanted a cookie, so we got her the biggest chocolate chip cookie they had! We then stopped by the Station and visited with everyone there. We then called "momma and sissies" and had them come in and meet us to go watch Cars 2. That was a great morning! At the movies, we ran into some our friends from church and watched the movie with them, and it was nice letting the kids hang out together. That was a good day, and Abby was alert for most of it. We do seem to have some bad days popping up too though.
Abby is, unfortunately, seeming to slip a little further away every day. She is very tired all of the time, sleeping most of the day, and her appetite has decreased dramatically. The other day, Maegan told me that the only things that Abby had to eat that day was a couple bites of yogurt, a few goldfish crackers and a couple pieces of ham for dinner. Using the bathroom is starting to become an issue again as well. Over the past week, Abby will tell us that she needs to go potty, and we'll carry her in there, and she won't be able to go. She gets very frustrated by this, as anyone else would too, I think that makes her tense up which makes it harder to go. Also not helping the case, it is very hard for her to balance herself so she is constantly moving trying to keep balanced, which only makes things harder. I either have to hold her under her arms to help her balance, or I stand next to her and let her lean against me.
Yesterday, she had a couple minor accidents. We think that it happens because she finally gets relaxed on the couch and then realizes she has to go potty and gets a little pee-pee in her panties. Maegan asked her if she would want some pull-ups to put on, and she said that she wanted those so she doesn't have an accident. We let her make that choice, and as of this morning, as best as I could tell, she was dry and she went potty at least once every hour last night. Needless to say, Maegan and I did not sleep well last night, but I was happy that Abby is still wanting to make the effort to get to the bathroom, even though she doesn't go every time.
On a sad note, I spoke with my Assistant Chief, about using the Department's Honor Guard for Abby's funeral, and he said that they would be happy to do that for her. That will be a nice touch.