Well, after she was done with treatment last year, they told us that the first 6 months were the most important.  The first year was also big, but the first 6 months were the toughest.  6 months came and went, and she was still good to go.  Another 6 have come and gone since then.  Well, she's still good to go.  Her Dr. says that her blood counts are absolutely perfect, according to where they should be after all that.  She's feeling good, enjoying school.  She absolutely loooooooves her puppy that Santa brought.  Hannah is getting big also, she can write her name now.  She has a blast at pre-school.  They are both the best kids I could ask for, really not sure how I rate a pair of kidlets that good.  Anyrate, it's all quiet around here.  Abster will only go to the Dr. every 3 months now, that says as much about how the docs feel about her as anything.  Well, tata for now!

James

Well, Abby is doing great and has energy just oozing out of her.  I can't believe that we are living in a crazy, chaotic household with two children full of life, laughter and ENERGY!  I didn't think I would ever get Abby in bed and asleep tonight.  For the first time in years, she got up after I put her in bed because she wasn't ready to go to sleep!  I still feel like someone should pinch me.  The giggles....there is no music that is more beautiful than all the giggles in my house!  I LOVE IT!

Well, time to share a funny, yet slightly twisted story... Today, James decided to make some deer jerky.  Now this is one of the best surprises for the girls because they love that stuff.  After school they waited, waited, and waited some more for what seemed an eternity since they were both saying "Daddy, how much longer?"  He finally comes in with some for them and says, "Girls, you know Bambi's mama?  Well, this is her!"  I'm sure he was trying to get a rise out of them because then he says "Mmmmm, Bambi Mama Chunks."  My children just grinned from ear to ear and started eating it.  They didn't even care!  Before we knew it, they were calling it "Bambi Mama Chunks."

As expected, I've done a lot of reflecting the past few days.  For those of you that don't know, Abby was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia the day after my 27th birthday on Novemeber 8, 2005.  She woke up again that morning and wasn't able to walk because of the horrible pain in her legs.  I picked her up, ran into my room and told James that I was heading out the door with her to Des Moines and for him to listen for Hannah.  I didn't take time to change her clothes, comb her hair, or brush her teeth.  I simply grabbed her shoes and threw a coat on her. 

See, on and off for six months we had taken Abby to the doctor's office.  We had been told that she was having bowel problems, growing pains, had x-rays for broken bones, everything.  As parents, James and I were incredibly frustrated and didn't know what to do.  However, on this particular day, when I realized that the doctor himself was chasing us down in the parking lot.....well, it kind of put my nerves on edge a bit. 

I was taken into a consultation room and one of the nurses took Abby to play with x-ray boards and stickers (I think she ended up with about 100 stickers out of the deal) and was given the blow that we were to have an appointment immediately with a Hemotologist/Oncologist and "where did I want to make the appointment?  Iowa City or Blank?  I looked at the doctor and said where would you take your child?  So, Blank it was, and thus began our journey. 

Dr. El-Dadah, the pediatrician, wouldn't tell me what he thought was wrong with her, but I already knew.  See, a week before my birthday, I think it was around Halloween, the Marshalltown paper did an article on a little boy here in town that had been diagnosed with ALL, and one of his symptoms was severe bone pain.  I remember turning and walking out of my office with tears in my eyes because at that moment I knew what was wrong with my little girl.  I prayed and prayed that I wasn't the case, and she didn't hurt all the time, but I made up my mind that the next time she had a problem that the doctors would get to the bottom of it because I wasn't leaving until they could tell me 100% what was wrong with her.  There would be NO GUESSING THIS TIME!

So, I called James, and told him that I needed him to get to Des Moines because wouldn't be coming home any time soon.  Both of us were totally in denial (as any parent would be) and were sure we would get there and that there wouldn't be a problem.  The nurses were great and kept Abby entertain and Dr El-dadah told me to go outside for a bit.  I was not going to cry infront of my 3 year old and freak her out.  I never will forget sitting in James's truck.  It was a beautiful day for November in Iowa.  The sky was as blue as could be with large puffy white clouds and I sat there looking at all the cars buzzing by on I-235.  How could everything outside seem so normal, but our lives were flipped upside-down.  Now, keep in mind, what I knew about Leukemia was from when I was a child and it was basically a death sentance.  Survival rate was barely 20% then.

James and Hannah showed up in record time.  Hannah appeared in her normal Hannah-self with eggs all in her hair and pajamas on.  We arrived at Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Al-zein's office hoping to take Abby home because there had been a mistake somewhere.  To our dismay, her initial blood results showed that she needed a transfusion immediatly and we were admitted to the hospital shortly after.

Honestly, here is where I get a little foggy.  All this happened in one day.  My birthday for the longest time was referred to in our house hold as the "last happy day".  The next few were filled with terms, medications, percentages, protocols, research studies, people, doctor's, nurses, interns, residence, and much more that was so overwhelming that I can't even begin to remember it all.  Lots of it felt like I was in a daze.  You know how you remember bits of your dreams and when you think about what the scenary looked like, it's kind of foggy?  Well, that's what that first little bit was like for me.

Today, 3 years ago, Abby had her double infusa port placed, a bone marrow aspiration (which showed 80% leukemia blast), and a spinal tap in which they with drew spinal fluid to examine and for research, and chemo therapy was place in my babies spine and circled her brain.  James and I sat there at her bed side (I honestly can't remember at this point if Hannah was with my parents or James's mom) wishing that we could take it from her.  How is life ever normal again???

To get to the caffeteria at the hospital, we had to go past the chappel.  I found myself in there a lot.  One of those days, I knelt down and honestly I just didn't have anything else I could say.  I felt that I had prayed everything there was to pray.  I remembered at that moment, that it's ok to feel that way because that is when the Holy Spirit takes over and I thought about a song that I would like to share.  It's helped me on many occasions.  It's called "Life is Hard, but God is Good."  I've sang this song on many occasions for specials at different churches, but I never knew that it's message would end up hitting me so deeply.

You turn the key Then close the door behind you Drop your bags on the floor You reach for the light But there's darkness deep inside And you can't take it anymore  'Cause sometimes living takes the life out of you And sometimes living is all you can do  Life is hard, the world is cold We're barely young and then we're old But every falling tear is always understood Yes, life is hard, but God is good  You start to cry 'Cause you've been strong for so long And that's not how you feel You try to pray But there's nothing left to say So you just quietly kneel  In the silence of all that you face God will give you His mercy and grace  Jesus never said It was an easy road to travel He only said that you would never be alone So when your last thread of hope Begins to come unraveled Don't give up, He walks beside you On this journey home and He knows  Life is hard, the world is cold We're barely young and then we're old But every falling tear is always understood Yes, life is hard, but God is good

So, now on to  the GREAT PART.  3 years later, Abby's 9 month check up after finishing chemotherapy landed on my 30th Birthday!!!  Not only do we still have our beautiful baby girl, but all blood work checked out wonderful, and she is A-OK!  ANC is still slowly coming up, but right where the Dr's want it!  Please continue to pray for her.  Your prayers have meant so much to us and I know that it made all the difference in her road to recovery.  Thank you all so much, again, for your support, phone calls, letters, gifts, and friendship!

Sincerely,

Carrie

P.S. Please continue to remember the Daters family in your prayers.  Please pray that RC and his brother remain healthy as they will begin prep for RC's bonemarrow transplant very soon.  Please pray for his complete recovery.

Also, continue to remember Brooklyn Durham and her family in your prayers as well.  Please pray for a miracle.

*****NEW PICS IN THE PHOTO ALBUM*****

Well, Fall is officially upon us and looks like it could snow anytime now.  BOO, I say!  I'm not ready for this yet!  Seems like we went straight from Winter to Summer back to Winter again.  Oh well, nothing to be done for it....  I haven't enjoyed breaking out the winter clothes, coats etc...

I have to take a moment to brag on our girls.  They have been so good lately.  I can't believe how well behaved they are.  They play together wonderfully and there isn't anywhere I wouldn't take them.  Well, maybe not to a formal dinner, but we are working on the table manners.  I haven't been feeling too hot lately and had to have a proceedure done at the doctors office today.  They let me sleep until 6:00 this evening and were super gentle with me.  Everything turned out fine and all my test came back normal.  Now, I just need to get over the Hydrocodone.  (Uuugghh that stuff knocks me for a loop!)  I guess I should brag on my hubby a bit too as he took Hannah out this afternoon, picked the kids up at school, and delivered them to their proper locations. (We're carpooling now with another family that has open enrolled as well.  Helps with the 20 mile drive both ways.) 

Abby has school pictures tomorrow.  I can't wait to see them.  For some reason she wants me to hang around and go with her.  I had to do this last year too.  Hopefully, she will cooperate a little better.  They should be adorable since she is missing one of her front teeth and one of her bottom teeth.  She has 4 that are almost back in and has been singing "All I want for Christmas are my 6 front teeth, my 6 front teeth, oh my 6 front teeth."  Will upload them as soon as we get them.

Well, guess that's all for now.  Will write again soon.  Thanks to those of you that continue to check on her.  Please keep praying that she stays healthy.  Please pray that God will lay His healing hands on Brooklyn Durham as well.  She is not doing very well and strength for her family.  Check out her update blog at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brooklyndurham

Have a good night.

Carrie

I can hardly believe that October is half way over, and I'm not impressed at the idea of snow at some point in the near future.  Seems like we haven't had much of a fall.  Before I know it, Christmas will be here.

Abby had her 8 month check last Friday after finishing chemotherapy.  All blood work checked out great and her immune system is good enough to have her booster shots that she couldn't have for Kindergarten.  She's not impressed at the idea of more poking.  I can't say that I blame her.  She's still bitter that she no longer has her port and they have to poke her hand and squeeze it to get the blood out.  It's strange not seeing a bump under her skin from it.  She has four more monthly visits and then we begin once every 3 months. 

She is doing great at school.  She won the very first Character Counts award in her class for Respect.  (Pics in photo album) James and I are very proud of her.  I still can't believe how advanced the school system is compared to when I was in school (at least where she goes.)  They are doing things that I don't remember doing until the end of the 2nd grade. 

Hannah is doing great as well.  She says that she does NOT enjoy preschool, but she sure does talk about how much fun it is.  Her class went to the pumpkin farm a couple weeks ago and she refused to ride with me.  She wanted to ride the bus!  So, she went on her very first bus ride and had a blast.  (Pics uploaded)  I can't believe how fast our girls are growing!

Well, I guess that's about all for now.  Will post again soon.

Carrie

Well, we are going to hope this works.  It appears that allaboutabby.org has been off-line for a bit.  Hopefully, all is working now. 

Lots going on.  I'm not even sure where to begin.  How about for now, I make it short and sweet.  Girls are great!

Write more soon, when I'm not quite so tired.

Carrie

Well, Abby went in for outpatient surgery Monday.  The procedure took about an hour and we were home that afternoon.  She is a tough little girl and was begging to hang on the swingset that very evening.  Outside of a little Tylenol here and there, one wouldn't know that anything out of the ordinary happen.  So, we have no infusa port in this house anymore!  She is a kid just like any other now!  (Well, from the outside view anyway.  My opinion is that she's one of the toughest people that I have ever met!)

She starts 1st Grade tomorrow!  Hannah begins 4 year Pre-School in about a week depending on which place I decide to enroll her.  (Way to go me, waiting until the last minute to make a decision like that.  Seems the way I operate though.)  I've just recently taken over one of the local Real Estate Brokerages here in town after passing my exam early this Spring.  Took a little time making sure it was the right move.  So.....onward we go toward a NORMAL life!

Abby will continue to have check-ups once a month until Feb after that we will go to quarterly.  Thanks again for all your support over that last (almost three) years!  Words cannot express what all the prayers, encouraging words, cards, flowers, financial help etc.... has meant to us.  Please continue to pray that Abby is completely healed!

Abby is scheduled for surgery at 9:30 to remove the infusa port.  If all goes well and she responds good, it will be outpatient and should be home tomorrow afternoon.  Please remember her in your prayers.

Congrats Eric and Julie on your precious baby girl, Vivian Elizabeth!!!!  We love you all!  Can't wait to hold her!

I can't believe how fast this summer has gone by.  I think we have had a good one.  The girls have done lots of playing etc..

Abby is scheduled for her 6 month check up on August 7th and will have her port taken out on the 11th.  She is very worked up about this and isn't understanding that it is an out patient procedure and will be home that same day.  Please pray that all goes well, that it comes out without any problems.  Also please pray that her 6 month appointment checks out great! 

Well, that's all for now.  Back to work with me.

Carrie

Abby is doing great.  Spending lots of time outside being a normal 6 year old.  She has lost another tooth for a grand total of four now.  We found out that the tooth fairy pays more in Kentucky that she does in Iowa!

On a very serious note, a real estate agent from another office here in town has just found out that her son has leukemia.  Please remember the Daters family in your prayers.  It will be a very long haul for them.  He has been admitted to one of the hospitals in Iowa City and will be there for a month.  As soon as they have his Caring Bridges page ready, I will post the link. 

Carrie