Gabby's Story

The last 2 weeks of July 2005 we began to notice that our 5-year-old daughter, Gabby, was losing mobility on her left side. Her face was droopy on that side, and she began falling and tripping. We went to her cousin’s birthday party, and it was so bad that I just couldn't take it anymore. I knew deep down inside "something was wrong" as a mom. We took her to Children’s Hospital where they did a CAT scan. She was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor that began at her brain stem and ended at the cortex of the brain. It was about 1/3 the size of her brain.

At this point, they started her on steroids to keep the swelling down in the brain. During the time in the hospital, she had an MRI to see exactly what was going on. Before she went to have the MRI we prayed over her and asked God for a miracle. The MRI results confirmed the worst.
We called family and friends to start praying, believing God for the impossible. The day after the MRI she had a brain biopsy and then was moved to the ICU until we were able to go home.
A couple days later, the biopsy showed it was an Anaplastic Malignant Oligodendroglioma, a very aggressive brain tumor. It is very rare for a child to get this tumor, it is normally found in adults.

In September 2005, Gabby began a series of radiation treatments for 6 weeks, 5 days a week, at the University of Washington. Doctors said it wouldn't shrink it but may help stop the growth. For these treatments, Gabby had a PIC line put in her arm so that she could be put to sleep everyday for the radiation.

After we were finished with radiation, Gabby started having headaches more often and began vomiting in the morning again. I took her back into the hospital and several MRI's later, the tumor looked as though it was growing again in February, 2006. At this point she started chemo. She went into the hospital and had a PORT put in her chest, continued the steroids, and began three different chemos in 6 week cycles.

April 2006, Gabby's physical symptoms were back and her headaches were horrible.

The MRI showed the tumor growing at a dangerous rate. She was admitted to the hospital. The tumor was blocking one of her ventricles in her brain, which was keeping the fluid in her brain from draining. It was as though the more we tried to treat the cancer, the more aggressive it became. At this point in our lives, we were completely devastated.

Every MRI, doctor’s report and physical symptom looked as though we had no hope. But, after every disappointment we still had hope. Because our hope is in Christ.

Gabby had surgery, it was to debulk the tumor. At this point in time is was our only option. We consulted with other doctors for second opinions, and they recommended the same treatment. There was so much pressure in her brain, she could go into a coma and die if some of it was not removed.

During surgery, 70% of the tumor was removed. The doctor said that the tumor had grown to the size of a man’s fist and he only went as far as he could without causing major damage. The doctors were amazed at the strength Gabby had, and for the size of the tumor, how well she was doing physically.

After surgery, we started a chemo research study designed for high grade aggressive tumors.
Shortly after that she ended up in the hospital due to her horrible headaches and the vomiting from the pain 21 days after surgery. An MRI revealed the tumor had grown back and spread throughout the brain. The chemo treatment was not effective, and the tumor was growing at a rapid rate.

In May, 2006, we met with the tumor board. The doctors told us they had done everything medically possible to stop the tumor. They could do no more medically.

As we sat in that meeting, I thought, "We have gone through 6 weeks of radiation, and it kept growing... we have tried 3 different chemo's in a 6 week cycle and it kept growing... we have had surgery which took 70% of the tumor out only for it to return in full force and spread in 21 days... we have done a chemo research study designed for high grade aggressive tumors, which is chemo for 5 days in a row and 4 weeks off, and it continues to grow. The tumor is rare, it is deep inside the brain, it is inoperable and spreading, and the doctors have done all they can do in the last 10 months. The prognosis for Gabby was less than 6 months left". As a parent, I feel it is the hardest thing you'll ever have to hear someone say to you... There is a pain that tears you up deep inside.

In the Bible, Ephesians 6:10-17 says "putting on the full armor of God.... having done all, stand." That's what we did, we were standing and waiting for the storm to pass. The storm may get dark and furious, but God is holding onto Gabby, and He is not letting go of her. Looking steadfast on Gabby, God is not taking His eyes off her. All we need to do is keep our eyes focused on Jesus and not the storm.

Once we were given a prognosis, my husband Joel and I determined that we would take care of Gabby at home until she was healed, here on earth or in heaven.

I think of how brave Gabby had been through this whole process and how amazing she was as a person. She was such a fighter, even in her weakest moments, she never gave up. Even though her physical body was failing, her spirit is still alive and well.

But, most importanty, God was with her during this time. She had a strong yet compassionate spirit, that reflected her deep love for her Jesus.

Psalms 112:6-8 This scripture has been a life line to me.
" Such a man will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God's constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it. He does not fear bad news, or live in dread of what may happen, for he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. That is why he is not afraid, but can calmly face his foes." (TLB)

This scripture says it all. We must settle in our mind that God, Jehovah, is going to take care of the situation no matter how bad it seems.

On August 31, 2006, Gabby went home to heaven...my warrior, my angel.

2 Timothy 4:7
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." (NKJV)

The bible says, "without faith it is impossible to please God."
(see Hebrews 11:6)