Starting Over

Abby had her latest scan on Wednesday and on Thursday our doctors called and spoke with Maegan after they all met together to discuss the scan. They told Maegan that the tumor has grown “significantly”, and is no longer isolated to the pons area of the brain. The tumor has started to grow into the other regions of Abby’s brain, which would explain her brain ignoring her left side. So, they took Abby off of the chemo that she was on, since obviously it was not working. Our next plan of attack, which the doctors said was pretty much our last and only option, is to try the two chemos that is designed to block blood flow to the tumor to keep it from growing. They said that they have had good success with this chemo, but that it does take a few weeks to start taking effect. Maegan asked the doctors if this should be a good treatment for Abby, or if we were on our last hope praying for a miracle, and she told Maegan that we are hoping for a miracle. Maegan then asked if we would still be able to take Abby to the beach. The doctor got a little choked up and told us to get her there as soon as we can.

We pulled Mary-Beth outside when we found out and told her what was going on, and told her that we would like for her to spend as much time with Abby as she can and to have those good memories with her, since we don't know how much longer we will have her for. It hurt so much having to tell Mary-Beth that Abby could... not be with us and killed me when she lost it. Emily is still to young to tell, and we told Abby that her tumor has grown some and that is why we are sad. This just hurts so much.

They have Abby started on a high dose of steroids to help, and we are hopefully since Abby responded so well to the steroids initially. If the steroids are not effective, they told us that Abby could possibly lose the control of her right side within a few weeks. Abby will start on her two new chemo's on May 6th, and they are made to stop the blood flow to the tumor. It hopefully won't have too many negative side effects. Abby will get her chemo every other week in St. Louis Children's hospital.

We are planning on going to the Gulf Shores early after Abby gets her first round of chemo. Some good friends of ours are covering the lodging while we are there. We are truly blessed to have such good friends!
Our goal is to live every day to the fullest, and make each day a great one!

Please keep Abby in your prayers, and pray for that miracle that we need. I'll update again soon! Thanks everyone!