We Are Encouraged

It is hard to believe that it has been two weeks since Abbey was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (A.L.L.).  It has been a whirlwind for us and we know for many of you too.  We have learned so much over these couple weeks.  We have learned so much about this disease that we are fighting.  We have seen how quickly it can invade a body and the long process to get it out.  We have learned how a sweet little girl can go through so much pain and uncertainty and still love, trust and smile at simple things. We have been reminded of what's really important in life.  How precious each day is.  We have seen strength in each other that we never knew was there.  We have watched our boys adjust in ways that we thought was impossible.  We have seen our family, friends and complete strangers do extraordinary things for us ordinary people. We have experienced our God in a whole new way..... on a whole new level.  We have been forever changed.  

We have been encouraged....  God is using our Abbey to touch lives.  Our lives have been blessed and we know many of yours have been too.  It isn't easy.  It's actually excruciating at times, but we are confident in our Savior's plan for us.  We know He has a plan and purpose for this and we are clinging to Him to see what that is.  And God has used so many of you to encourage us.  Last night at our Church, there was a 'shave your head to support Abbey night.'  People showed up to either shave their heads completely or cut their hair to donate it to "Locks of Love".  We attached some pictures from the night (we weren't there, but our friends sent us some pics) and we were encouraged by this event.  We can't believe the things that people are doing to support Abbey and us.  We have gotten countless cards and gifts from people across the country that we have never even met.  Packets of pictures from classrooms in other states.  We want you all to know that God is using you to help us get through each day.  Thank you.  We prayed specifically for all of you tonight, that God would bless you all for how you have blessed us.

Tomorrow (Friday) is a big day.  Abbey has another bone marrow biopsy and the doctors want the leukemia cells to be 5% or less.  We are going in at 10a.m. for her to have a platelet transfusion and to see how her blood looks.  Her procedure is at 2p.m.  Please pray for the following things...

*Abbey won't be able to eat after 6a.m.  This normally wouldn't be that big of a deal, but with the steroids, it is going to be very difficult for her.  She is almost always hungry so to go that long will be hard.  Pray that she is o.k. with not eating.

*Pray for a peace for her as we go back to the hospital.

*Please pray that her platelets and blood look good and she needs no transfusions.  They told us she definitely would need platelets on Tuesday and she ended up not needing them.  They were surprised :)  thanks God!

*Pray for no side effects to her chemo tomorrow (she is getting a dose before her procedure through her IV)

*Pray for the doctors doing the procedure.  That they would do everything exactly right.

*Pray for the cancer cells in her bone marrow to be less than 5%.  

*Pray for her to wake up o.k. and not have much pain.

*Pray for us as we wait by the phone all night to get the results.  Pray for a peace for us.

We will be praying in the waiting room of the pediatric sedation unit.  Some people are going to be meeting there at 1:45 to pray with us while she is back for the procedure.  If you'd like to join us, that'd be great, otherwise, please be praying at 2 o'clock.  Thank you... we will know the results from her test at some point tomorrow evening.  We will post them when we know.  Love you guys :)