Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Christmas 2011

A much younger Abigail 

from Abbi's Mom: 
"well things have taken a turn for the worst. abbi's myelodysplastic syndrome has progressed to acute myeloid lukemia. we found out last week and last night she was admitted to UCSF for a chemo called hydroxyurea to keep her blasts under control. the transplant team has a plan and are trying to contact the donor for stem cells. they will give her high dose chemo for about a week and then infuse the stem cells and still hopefully give her gvhd so the donor cells attack the lukemia cells. small chance of working but they said they wouldn't do it if they didn't think it would work. so this is our only curative option now. all we need is prayer right now. thank you to all and i will update as much as i can."

her Grandmom:
"All we can do now is watch and wait for the results of another experiment in Chemo therapy and Stem cell infusion.  We have had four more years with Abigail already because of the Doctors, Nurses, and staff at University College of San Francisco Teaching Hospital. We are grateful to them and awaiting the outcome of another procedure to save Abigael's life.  Faith in God, rather than mere hope is what will be her greatest ally."
This picture is of the Courtemanche family Christmas Card!

Abigail has a brother and his name is Blake. He has been her protector, her hero, and her younger 'big brother' for seven years now. He will be 8 on May 3rd of 2012. 
We all love him so much and yet it seems he has a single minded focus on his parents and sister and rarely wants to leave their side for any reason to visit with his extended family unless Abbi is visiting too. 




Christmas morning celebration!
Family Christmas Card with Abbi and Blake




Abigail after opening up her new net-book computer! 

 Abigail smiles BIG because she just opened a package containing her new cell phone!

 Daddy, Abigail, and Uncle Eric.
...and this is Blake who just opened his new X Box game player!  

...somehow Mommy escaped getting her picture taken because she was behind the camcorder!