Abigail Grace Smith (aka "Abby") has been battling cancer for more than half her life.  In mid February 2006, Abby developed balance issues which were not allowing her to walk without falling.  On March 3, 2006, Abby was diagnosed with a golf ball size medulloblastoma brain tumor at the age of 23 months old.  She had a 100% tumor resection on March 6, 2006.  Unfortunately, Abby developed posterior fossa syndrome within days after surgery which caused her to lose most of her gross and fine motor skill capability for a period of time.  Abby initially underwent 4 cycles of chemotherapy, 30 days of radiation and then 8 maintenance cycles of chemotherapy (21 days on, 7 days off).   She completed her treatment in late May, 2007.  Abby began thriving and improving and was a picture of health.  After a routine follow-up head and spine MRI on September 28, 2007, Abby was diagnosed with drop metastases in her spine in multiple places.  She exhibited no symptoms.  All of Abby's MRI's and spinal taps had been clear to date with no evidence of cancer since March 6, 2006. From October 2007-March 2008, Abby endured three cycles of high dose ICE chemotherapy and a cord blood and bone marrow stem cell transplant. Abby spent 50% of this time in the hospital.  Abby went on to receive 25 cranial/spinal proton beam radiation treatments during late May/June 2008.  She completed her relapse treatment on June 30, 2008. Only two small places remained on Abby's spine which continued to improve or stay stable.  For eleven months, Abby was on a 14 day cycle of Accutane as a drug/maintenance therapy.  She continued to get stronger and thrive during this time.  Fifty one weeks post relapse treatment, Abby had a routine follow-up MRI.  Unfortunately, her scan revealed a grape size tumor in her head and haziness in her spine.  Two inconclusive spinal taps raised further concern.  Again, Abby showed no symptoms.    Abby has started a metronome chemotherapy regimen with four drugs that are currently being administered at home on July 20, 2009 as we battle this second relapse.  Abby has mostly recovered from her posterior fossa syndrome. She still has gag reflex issues, speech and processing delays and is still physically impaired with her balance issues and inability to consistently walk unassisted. She has suffered hearing loss from all of her treatments.  We are continuing to pray for a complete and total healing and recovery. 

 Since Abby’s cancer diagnosis, she has lived out the meaning of her middle name.  Abby is one of God’s special children and has faced all of her hospitalizations, treatments and pricks and prods with such grace that can only come from above.  She is a very determined little girl and a true fighter.  It is amazing to truly grasp all that she has endured -160 days in the hospital, countless days in the clinic and treatment facilities, eight major surgeries, half a dozen CT scans, at least 20 MRI’s, various x-rays, ultrasounds, nuclear blood tests, 16 rounds of chemotherapy and counting, a stem cell transplant, 55 days of radiation, between 80-100 times of being anesthesized, needle sticks in excess of 100 times, daily drug administration for the past 3 years and 4 months., etc.  WOW!!  Her big blue green eyes and her beautiful heartwarming smile connect you to her immediately. She enjoys playing with her baby dolls, her kitchen, sticker books, painting, arts and crafts, books, and board and card games.  She is girly girl from head to toe, loving the color pink, bows, jewelry and painted nails.  She loves her family with the most sincere affection and is happiest when we are all with her.  Our Christian faith has been our stronghold throughout our journey with Abby. 

We hope that you will become one of Abby's Angels today.  The Brain Tumor Foundation for Children has been of great support to our family during our cancer journey.  Thank you for visiting my Personal Fundraising Page. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts. Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

Love,

Abby Smith & Family