Sunday, April 5, 2009

Back in the Hospital

We've asked you guys to pray for us many times over these last six months and right now we are needing you to pray for our sweet girl more than ever.

Last night Abbey woke up around 1:30a.m. to go potty and immediately I knew when I picked her up she was running a fever.  She was burning up so we took her temp (over 101), called the doctor and by 2:00 we were on our way to the ER.

Our experience in the Emergency Room last night was the very worst experience that we've had since we began this and we've never been more concerned for the treatment that she got than we were last night.  As I've said before, we love our oncologists and nurses that we work with both in the clinic and on Rainbow 2, but the experience that we had with the nurses and doctors in the ER last night was very concerning to us, but I won't get into what happened right now...

She finally got admitted at 9:30 this morning (after spending 7 hours in the ER....).  We are now on the children's oncology floor (Rainbow 2) and are feeling much more comfortable with the care that she's getting here.  We are scared though and have many uncertainties as they try to figure out what's going on with her little body.  She has been consistently running a high fever and her body is definitely working hard to beat whatever is going on right now.  They are treating her as if she has a bacterial infection in her blood with lots of antibiotics, which if that's what's going on, it is very serious.  A bacterial infection can be life threatening.  She's had fevers in the past and we have been through this same drill, but this time is different.  She is showing many signs that this really may be what is going on.  She has been flat on her back in bed since the middle of the night, her fever has been consistently high and she is overall very sick.  She isn't eating, drinking and the couple times we've taken her potty she gets so sick that she throws up (or dry heaves) and just wants to lay back down.  We're concerned.  They're being very cautious.  

Please, please pray that this is not a bacterial infection.  We are praying that it's just a virus that will run it's course.  They are going to do some tests here soon to see if she could have RSV or some other flu bug.  We are praying that it's just something like that.  I'd be shocked if it's something like that though because  nobody in our house is sick and she never leaves the house and isn't exposed to many other people. It of course is possible though that she picked something like that up at the hospital when we were here before so we will just wait and see. 

We also are also waiting for them to do a CT scan on her head at some point today.  Her eye pain and pressure in her eyes is still bad and they are going to look into this more.  She should have the scan at some point today and although we are glad that they are looking into this further, it scares us to think about what they are looking for.  Please pray that her CT scan looks perfect and that there is nothing abnormal on the scan.  

If I'm going to be completely honest, this has been the hardest week for us since she was diagnosed.  Today has been the hardest day.  I am struggling to keep in together and feel like this situation could get bad and it scares me.

Thank you for praying hard right now for Abbey.  We are so close to maintenance so these setbacks right now are hard.  We are also asking that at this time we have NO VISITORS (Jim made me write it that way) to the hospital.  At this point, she is feeling so sick that we feel that it should just be Jim and I here with her.  We will keep you posted on her CT scan and what's going on with the blood culture.   

72 comments:

Amber said...

I'm praying for Abbey right now! I am praying for you....that you have no fear, for the Lord is with you; that He will strengthen you and help you...that He will hold you up with his righteous right hand.

Tina said...

Im am so sorry to hear this news! I am praying for Gods loving arms to be wrapped around her as she fights this infection, and you as her mommy to have the strength to get through one more day...
{{ Hugs }}to you and your family

Bethany said...

praying, praying, praying...

Love, the Vitts

Amy B said...

I am praying for sweet Abby and your whole family. I know how scary this can be. Thinking of you all.

BethanyM said...

We are also praying very hard for sweet Abbey and the rest of your family.

Love from Tom, Bethany and Connor

Melissa said...

When it rains, it pours.

We are thinking of you from Childrens' Hospital in Columbus. Josh is back in the hospital again as well. Oncology is packed to full so we are on a neurology floor of all places, we miss our oncology ward and our adopted family there. Glad to hear you are with those who love Abbey. We got to the ER around 8 pm last night and didn't get admitted to a room until about 1 am.

We actually had a doctor in the ER who didn't know what an ANC is. Yeah, we had that kind of night too.

They are thinking Josh has another bowel obstruction, CT wouldn't take him today, they are low/weekend staffed and couldn't do the sedation. He supposedly is first thing in the morning for one, we'll see if that happens.

Thinking of you, Josh's got really high last time and then broke, hopefully Abbey will do the same. If not, I know three kids who've gotten blood/port infections, all three of them came through with flying colors.

As always, you can do this Shelley!

Unknown said...

We heard that Abbey was back in the hospital but are sad to hear everything that is going on. We're praying hard and praying Hayley's favorite verse, "When I am afraid, I will trust in God," for all of you. HUGS

Unknown said...

Shelley and Family,

I am a friend of Melissa and Andy. I want you to know that even people who do not know you and your family are praying for your precious daughter's recovery and for you and your husband to have the strength to conquer the fear you must be feeling.

Sarah P said...

I am praying for you all too. May the Lord of all the earth hold you in the palm of his Almighty hands. May you feel his peace like a river flowing through you. May you feel His perfect strength for though you are weak (as we ALL are) He is strong. He is stronger than this Infection and stronger than this cancer.
Know that all your "Blog family" love you and are upholding you in our prayers.
With Love
Sarah P

Krissy said...

I'm so sorry to hear Abby's not feeling well. Prayers are surrounding your precious little girl.

Hope said...

I'm praying for your sweet girl.

Anonymous said...

Praying fervently in New Mexico...

The Pifer's said...

I'm praying for Abbey...I am so sorry to hear she doesn't feel good...the Lord will be with you all during this.

God Bless you and yours--
Tiff

Kristine said...

Oh, I'm so sorry that Abbey is so sick right now!! I will be praying that it is a VERY quick running virus.

We've "been there" when it comes to having awful medical experiences with Katie. We had a lot of great care too, but I think it just makes the bad care seem that much worse. It can make a very difficult situation even worse. :(

I hope her care is fantastic from this point out.

Anonymous said...

We continue to pray for Abbey.

Anonymous said...

Shelley,
you & Jim & Abbey will be in my prayers through the night for strength to get past this. I will make sure to let the kids know that Abbey needs extra prayers this week & we will continue to join your army of prayer warriors against this disease.
Have faith & be strong.
Angela Mitchell & Family

Keri Bush said...

In the middle of making dinner we got on our knees and prayed for you and you are on our minds CONSTANTLY! We love you.

Anonymous said...

I am sorry to hear that Abbey is back in the hospital. I am praying for strength for you and complete and quick healing for her. I will continue to pray right now!
Erin Farley

Emma said...

Our family continues to keep Abbey in our prayers. I pray that this infection resolves quickly and your baby girl is well enough to go home again soon. I am praying for strength for you and Jim during this frightening time, knowing that the LORD is with you as he has been from the beginning.

The McMickens
(friends of John and Alicia Larson)

Bekky said...

Praying extra hard for all of you! Praying for Abbey to be feeling better and all tests to come back ok. Praying for strength for all of you. God is there with you!

~Bekky

Belle's Blog said...

Praying for Abbey tonight....

Anonymous said...

We are praying for you. Lean on your heavenly father for your strength He WILL get you and sweet Abbey through this!!!
We love you,
The Leach's

Jen said...

W will cover Abbey with prayers
God Keep you allin His loving hold
Hugs.
Jenny
Perth West Australia

Anonymous said...

We are praying even harder than before. I told Paige to pray even harder. Our hearts and prayers are always with you all. Love you all -- The Svendsens

Anonymous said...

We will be praying for Abbey even more than usual and for your whole family right now. Though I can only imagine how scary this must be, none of this is out of God's control. He holds everything in his hands, especially your little Abbey.

-The Gerkens

Anonymous said...

Praying sweet Abbey's fever breaks, she does not have a bacterial infection and you get to come home soon.

Gail
Annapolis, MD

Unknown said...

We are praying for you guys like no end. We love you and please please let us know if there is anything we can do for you. Know our Father in Heaven is there with his arms around your little Abbey and protecting her. Take care and God bless

Anonymous said...

Heavenly Father, watch with us over your child, and grant that she may be restored to that perfect health which is yours alone to give. Relieve her pain, guard her from all danger, restore to her your gifts of gladness and strength, and raise her up to a life of service to you. May all this be done for the sake and glory of Christ. Amen.

Andy and Mandy

Anonymous said...

We are Praying for Abbey and the rest of you guys right now!!

----HUGS-----

Love,
the Mobley's <3

Beth said...

Shelley,

Praying, just praying!!

Take it one step at a time, face what is in front of you and know that through God all things are possible!!

Praying for you guys, for sweet Abbey!

Becky said...

So sorry that your sweet girl is so sick right now. We are praying in Illinois!

Judy Borlin said...

We lift you all up in prayer tonight. Our hearts are very heavy for all of you right now. We cannot image what you are going through again.

Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd of the sheep, you gather the lambs in your arms and carry them in your bosom: We commend to your loving care Abbey. Relieve her pain, guard her from all danger, restore to her your gifts of gladness and strength, and raise her up to a life of service to you. Hear us of Lord, We love and worship you. Amen
We love you Jim, Shelley, Jacob, Abbey and Micah.

Anonymous said...

SENDING U {{{HUGS)))...Shelly I can feel your heart in this last post. I AM PRAYING FOR UR SWEET GIRL & FAMILY. I know this is so hard for you all. I am so sorry that you have to go through this...my heart goes out to you!!! God is in Control! Stay strong. Don't let the devil blow out ur light....I know ur not.. u r such an insperation to me. Put all your worries on the Lord and He will lighten your load. Praying scans come back with good news. Praying Abby is pain free and get that fever down...and back to feeling better ASAP. U r loved!
peace.love.heal.
Divine

Jessie said...

Praying for Abbey and your whole family.

Jessie Tress Hulsey

Kamala said...

we are praying for you right now!

Michelle Riggs said...

Praying like crazy! please call or write if you want to talk.

Family_Dauk said...

PRAYING

Love,
The Dauk family

JoJo said...

'May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you might overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit'

Anonymous said...

I just thought I would share this verse. Acts 2:25-28: "I saw the Lord always in my presence; for He is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; moreover my flesh also will live in hope; because you will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor allow your Holy One to undergo decay. You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence."

Unknown said...

I just started following your blog I too have a 3 yr old "Abby"! Your little sweetie Abbey is in my prayers.

Becky said...

We're keeping Abbey and all of you in our prayers. We love you lots and know God will get Abbey through this - the Kellers

Anonymous said...

I just want you to know that I feel like God is calling me to fast for Abbey and your family today...I'll be praying...

Alicia Larson said...

Praying for y'all! We love you very much!

Alicia

Laurel Greer said...

Shelley and Jim-we are on our knees praying for your family and Abbey during this time.

Jessica O'Keefe said...

I will be praying earnestly for Abbey, you, Jim, and the boys today.

"Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." ~Heb. 4:16

Jessica

Szczepanski Family Blog said...

I'm praying for Abbey and all of you...

Anonymous said...

so sorry to hear about abbey. Saw jim and jacob at the easter egg hunt ( my husband is on aiu team w/ jim) sorry to hear about er visit nightmare .. had one w/ my 10month old there .. 6 hours before room and they took 9 tries for the iv.. I know how frustratting it can be.. I will be praying for a quick recovery. Tracey Nyce

Unknown said...

Praying for Abby - oh Lord, please be the hands and feet of every nurse, doctor in her care. Please reveal divinely what is going on so they may treat her and ensure she is comfortable. Father, be the strength and comfort this family needs today! We praise You Lord and continue to give You all the glory through this season. In Jesus' name we pray! AMEN!

Love and blessings,
Jill

Linda Lewis said...

I'm a relative of Melissa's and I've been following your blog and praying for Abbey just as I do Josh. I hope that Abbey is feeling better soon and I Josh is as well.

I'll continue to think and pray for your family and Abbey.

Linda

Andy Gammons said...

I'm praying.

Andy

Ming said...

To Abigail's parents,

I am deeply touched by the story of Abigail's fight against leukemia.

I live in China and have been working together with a well known Chinese doctor for several months now. He has worked on a leukemia treatment for 14 years and in the last four months I have witnessed 9 patients with various kinds of leukemia being cured.

The medicine is completely made out of Chinese herbs. The medicine is officially still being tested, so we do not have a certificate yet, but as I have written, all the 9 patients we have received since last December have been cured. All of them have improved during the first two weeks of treatment. They have had a routine blood test in the hospital after taking our treatment for one month and all the main blood levels were back to normal. They all went back to their normal lives now. No chemotherapy is needed and there are no side-effects.

Today I had a meeting with the doctor and I told your daughter's story to him. And he is certain that he can cure your daughter.

I sincerely am deeply touched by this story and feel the need to write you this e-mail as soon as possible to give Abigail the chance to be cured. I know trusting someone by e-mail is quite difficult and the results I have written may be quite hard to believe, but after reading about your blog and knowing she needs help I decided to take the chance to reach out to you and help.

We will respect the choice you will make and sincerely hope Abigail will recover sooner. If you choose, at one point, to take our treatment, please contact me as soon as possible.

I hope to get a reply from you soon.

May God bless Abigail.
Best regards.
Ming

Bearess said...

Abbey is in our prayers. I'm so concerned for you and your family. Please keep us posted when you can. God bless you.

Anonymous said...

Praying hard for sweet Abbey and your family....
Sarah Osthaus

Brysmommy, Kenswifey said...

Praying for your sweet baby right now! He has been so faithful throughout all of this and I am confident He will continue to comfort and heal that sweet Abby!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

"But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and santification and Redemption!"
1 Corinthians 1:30

Praying for wisdom for the doctors and Complete healing for little Abbey..For

Ye are of God little Abbey and have overcome this: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in this world!
(1 John 4:4)

Love in Christ,
Dana Burk

Anonymous said...

I found your blog through the Rigg's blog. I just wanted you to know that I am praying for Abbey and your family.

Carolyn
Alabama

Anonymous said...

thank you so much for adding us to your prayer list for your sweet little girl Abbey - she will be in our daily prayers - all of you will be - God Bless your family - Annie and Art

Krystal said...

Praying.

Cindy said...

I'm so sorry that Abbey is back in the hospital. I'm praying hard that the antibiotics kill whatever is making her have a fever and be so sick. Also praying that the CT scan shows nothing bad.Will be keeping a watch on your blog, and hoping and praying to read good news soon! God Bless!

Anonymous said...

2 Corinthians 12: 8-10 "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness," Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
We continue to pray for your little Abby and for your family. You are touching lives by your amazing faith and trust in Him!

Anonymous said...

Thought of you all when I read this post on another friends blog today. Am praying for you all and Abbey...
Got this devotion in my inbox today. It was written by Van Walton. The Scripture used is "...we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus..." Ephesians 2:10 (NIV):

My amazing husband can do anything. He's a fix-it man. There isn't anything he can't repair or create. He rebuilds damaged computers for family and friends, repairs weed eaters and garage door openers for neighbors, and rescues broken furniture from trash heaps. Recently he brought a chair home from a dinner party. It wasn't a gift and we didn't steal it. Someone sat in it and broke it!

After two days of taking the chair apart - performing what looked like orthopedic surgery to me, you know when pins and screws are inserted to keep bones and joints from further damage -- followed by a little gluing, sanding, and staining, the chair looked brand new.

"Wow!" I said, impressed.

"Sit in it and rock back," he encouraged.

"Rock back? I don't think so! What if I break it?"

"Oh, believe me. You won't."

"How do you know?" I asked, not convinced.

"I know how I designed it. I know the pressure points and how much stress it can take" he responded with a smile of confidence. "Go on. Sit in it and rock back."

I sat down and rocked back.

The chair was solid. I don't care who sits in it, or how they land in it now, it will not break.

I think about the times we don't believe we can handle any more stress. The pressure seems overwhelming and we cry, "Time out! I can't take any more!"

God responds, "Trust me. You will not be destroyed. I know your pressure points. I know how much stress you can take. I know how I designed you."

I cannot describe the peace I felt when I related the work of my husband's hands to the work of God's hand.

Of course He knows how much I can take. After all He is my Creator, the one who bent down by the river and fashioned me with His hands. He's the one who knit me together in the depths of my mother's womb, the one who is called the Potter.

He knows the exact temperature needed in the kiln to create the perfect clay vessel. He knows how hot the fire must be to separate the dross from the silver and gold. He knows how much pressure a diamond or emerald must withstand in order for it to come forth solid and brilliant. He knows how long the irritant must sit in an oyster before it becomes a pearl.

My Father knows exactly how much I can take. He knows because He designed me. With that realization I am able to trust Him and smile at the future, no matter how hard life is today.

The Bretl Girls - Germany said...

We are praying for sweet Abbey and your family.

Jen said...

Hi Colberts,
This is Jen Gunning. Bob Gunning (from PMCA)is my husband.
We've been reading your blog and praying for you and Abbey these last few months. We will pray for complete healing and restoration for Abbey as these difficult days are upon you.
I wasn't going to comment but felt it might be helpful if I shared that I've been having eye pressure/pain for the last few months, along with vision change. I'm also in the middle of a thyroid battle and my dr has suggested that the 2 could be related. I had a CT scan done last week to check for the other 'major' stuff that I was concerned about and my scans came back normal. So we're still investigating, but I can check off a few big things from the list while I wait. I wanted to mention that because I know how hard it is to keep the worries at bay. I've found a lot of strength and comfort in focusing on the many healing promises found in the Word. I know a great website where they are collected if you're interested.

Praying for your sweet girl and for your entire family's strength as you battle that which would try to steal your victory in Christ. It's yours in Him!

Love,
Jen Gunning

Anonymous said...

Praying for Abbey in central IL.

Prayer Pals 4 Orphans said...

I am just now turning on the computer for the first time today and this is the first that I heard what is going on with Abbey. We pray for her everyday, but please know that we will be praying very specifically since reading your update!

You and Jim will be in my prayers as well, as you await test results for Abbey!

mommyoflove3 said...

I am a first time commenter. I just saw a link to your blog from the Rigg's family blog and just wanted to say that I am lifting up your Abbey in prayer right now and you and your husband. I pray His peace wraps around you tonight.

Heidi

Jana said...

I'm praying for Abby, you and your husband!

Amber said...

I usually dont post, but I have been following your story for quite some time.
I am SO SO sorry for what you are going through, I can not even imagine what you must be feeling.
I just wanted to let you know that I will be thinking about you all day.
Much Love,
Amber (Las Vegas)

Unknown said...

I am praying for little Abbey right now. I cannot imagine how overly worried you are.

Hugs and prayers,
Kris

noahandlylasmommi said...

I just said a prayer for her. Hugs!

Susie said...

Lifting Abbey and all of you up right now. Keep your eye's on Jesus and God's promises...dont let the devil run with your mind. "Trust in the Lord always and he will make straight your paths". I pray that you feel tucked in and secure in the wings of our heavenly Father. Susie and Bella