Not what we expected as this journey began for Abigail

Picture: Abigail Brianne Courtemanche's 12th birthday family celebration in June 2012

Written 12 hours ago...

Abigail got that picc line and received 3 bags of blood and one bag of platelets. she was so low on blood they couldn't even count her hemoglobin. but she was still awake and talking. when she got home she was still weak and has been getting weaker we have a wheelchair to get her to the bathroom and now she is only going once a day, she has a morphine pump. so she is sleeping all of the time. has not eaten in 3 days, so we know her time is coming to an end here on earth. never thought we would have to decide whether to cremate or bury. but we have decided we want her with us so we will cremate her. we have a lot of family and friends here and it is helping us. i just don't know how we are gonna get over this. but we will. thank u for your prayers keep them coming. miracles happen everyday!

Clockwise: Grandpa Alan, Uncle Alan, Mom, Dad, and Abigail

Uncle Alan, Uncle Brian, Mom (Candice) and Grandpa Alan

Things aren't so good right now...

Things aren't so good right now but we are still holding out for a miracle, Abbi needs blood and we have been at mercy hospital for a few days and they just can't seem to get an iv into her arm. she is really nervous and hates needles. she does have a numbing cream but we are still having a lot of trouble. so we have been praying and we had her baptized last night. her hemoglobin is dangerously low and she is sleeping a lot and her oxygen is low. she is only eating a few bites a day and drinking a lot of water. but she is tough and she is up right now watching a movie. her holistic doctor came to see her and suggested some things to keep her going. the oncologist said she could have another pic line placed tomorrow for easier access. she is thinking about it. i hope she wants it cause we can get her blood and medicine and nutrition through it. we are not giving up and neither is she. we need everyone's prayers and for everyone to say "thank you god for healing Abigail" over and over again throughout your day. thank you and god bless.

 

Shopping Spree to Sacramento then Mt Shasta Mall sponsored by 'Make A Wish' Foundation

This was the most fun for Abbi even though she was very ill by the time it was arranged and carried out. She got herself a Macbook and alot of girly things to wear and to accessorize with.

A memory to behold for her family and yet tiring for her frail self.

She appreciates all that comes her way from loving donors and families around the North State and So. Cal friends from Bakersfield like little Laci were always in her heart and on her mind.

Doctors give Abigail the news of relapse and chemo therapy...her parents say NO!

Aug 22, 2012 3:49pm

well we have been home now since July 4th and things are still going ok, we decided not to do anymore chemo. we tried the ketogenic diet and one tumor disappeared but she got real skinny and so sick of the diet we had to do something, so our best friend Kelly told us about an amazing husband and wife holistic doctor team here in town. we saw them last week and he put her on supplements and algae capsules. and he will test her saliva and urine again tomorrow to see how her body is reacting to the supplements. this urine and saliva test tells him what is going on in her body and what it is missing and then he will add more stuff and more algae caps to replace what her body needs and give her immune system the ability to reverse her cancer. they have been a godsend, they helped us out so much they didn't even charge us for the consultation or the first month of supplements. and she is back on a regular diet with mostly organic foods. which makes her really happy. her blood work was a little concerning as there is now 3 percent blasts, but her hemoglobin is steady normal her nuetrophils are normal but wbc are down, her platelets are down too so transfusion sometime soon. i went to the doctors office today and found out they are working on something just for abbi to take to kill this cancer. hopefully it will be here this week or next. just gives me more hope. blake started 2nd grade today and he said it was good, not too happy but he was so good about getting up and going today he said he likes his teacher. but it was sad cause abbi is supposed to be going to school with him. i pray she will one day soon. 

1st week's vitality: 37  

2nd week's vitality: 38

1st week's toxicity: 13.5%

2nd weeks toxicity: 10%

Abbi has gvhd but her leukemia is...

I have a quick update tonight, and it is not good news, abbi has gvhd but her leukemia is also coming back. she has a few lumps on her head and the doctor thinks it could be where the cancer is hiding, they will do a liver biopsy tomorrow and also biopsy the lumps. her liver numbers are high so she is yellow with jaundice. the doctor seems to think there are no more options now, we wont know for sure till wednesday, then we will have to talk to her and ask her what she wants to do. we will keep trying if they have anything to buy more time. we have also decided to really do this nutrition diet called the ketogenic diet, our friend is on it and curing her cancer. it is something to try to buy any more time with our precious daughter. i will tell you all more when we know more, she does not know and we want to talk to her after we get the results.  Mom/Candice

Bling, Bling your IPOD case

Starring Abigail and her IPOD

Zombies...

Starring Abbi, Blake, and Trinity