The Port is out

The surgical procedure to remove the port was today. It lasted about 45 minutes and it went smoothly. Abby is home today. She will be sore for the next few days, but is allowed to resume all of her activities that she was not allowed to do while the port was in place.

Happy New Year

This is a Happy New Year indeed! We are overwhelmed with joy that Abby is in remission and is doing well. Her hair is growing back (hopefully her teeth will too soon) and she looks healthy and herself again. 2011 is going to be a great year!

Abby will be getting her port out on January 18th. The port-a-cath or "port" is a central line inserted under the skin into a vein near the heart that allowed her to receive chemo treatments. To remove it is a surgical procedure. This truly marks and ending to all the treatments. Although, she will continue to be monitored by doctors for many years to come, we take this as a very good sign. Abby will continue to have a MRI every 3 months and a lumbar puncture once a year and labs to check for tumor markers to make sure the cancer has not returned. She is not considered "cured" until she is 5 years cancer free. Along with that she will be monitored by an Endocrinologist for her hormone levels due to her low functioning pituitary and thyroid glands. Within the next few months, Cori and Craig will learn more about growth hormone injections that Abby will need to help maximize her growth potential and get through puberty.

On a personal note, I just wanted to thank you all for reading my blog and I thank you for all the love and support you have given our family. I look back at all that Abby has been through with disbelief. She has been so strong and positive and I am so unbelievable grateful that she is doing well. Her experience truly puts things in perspective and shows you what is really important.

Continue to keep Abby in your thoughts and prayers as her journey continues!

Wishing you and your families health, love and peace in 2011! Happy New Year!

Remission

Abby is officially in remission!!!!!!!!!!!!

MRI and labs are normal. It is going to be a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!!

Abby will continue to have a MRI, spinal tap and labs every few months to make sure the cancer has not returned. Once she is in remission for one year, she will be given growth hormone injections due to her very low functioning thyroid. This will help her maximize her height potential and to get through puberty. She will be on hormone replacements medications for the rest of her life for low functioning thyroid and pituitary gland.

MRI Results

MRI results show that things "are stable and no evidence of disease". Awaiting results from blood tests for tumor markers which take a few days.

MRI an Spinal Tap

Abby had a MRI of her brain and spinal cord today. Along with that she had labs done for tumor markers. These are all routine tests to make sure the cancer has not returned. I will update the blog when we get the results of todays tests.

Dr. appointment today

Abby had an appointment with her Neuro Oncologist today as a follow up from the recent hospitalization. All is well. Nothing major to report. The cells found in her spinal fluid are white blood cells and he is not concerned about it. She has another MRI and lumbar puncture scheduled in January.

Abby had a visit from the Make A Wish Foundation this week. To be a make a wish child you need to have a life threatening illness, but you do not need to be terminal. I just wanted to clarify for those who are curious:) During the visit the ladies asked her what her top three wishes are and they would do their best to grant one. Her first choice was a puppy, much to Cori and Craig's surprise. Thankfully, they cannot give animals:) Her second wish is a Disney Cruise with her family. The foundation is working on that and they should be going within the next few months. A well deserved vacation for her and her family for all they have been through this year.

Second Test Result

Cytology results came back today and showed that the 13 cells found in her spinal fluid are NOT cancer cells. Yeah! Great news!