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| 01/06/2012 | February 8, 2007 marked the beginning of a very long and painful journey with 48 weeks of chemotherapy, 4 weeks of radiation, shots, pills, middle of the night emergency room trips, tears and prayers. On December 19, 2011 the efforts were rewarded and prayers were answered….Dr. W. delivered the news that Abby is considered CURED!!!!! This is something we prayed for and were sometimes scared to hope for but it happened. We thought the conversation would happen next year but Dr. told us that research indicates that due to the location of her original tumor and her course of treatment, we could have the news at 4 years rather than 5.
I can tell you that it was a very emotional day for us all—I am choking up as I write this. I know none of us are ever “safe” from cancer—unfortunately cancer does not discriminate, but the fear of the quarterly checkups is behind us and that fear was terrible and never really got better.
So now she enters into a late after-effects care program which includes yearly checkups and they also study her to help formulate treatment plans going forward. It’s a nice program in that Abby gets the care she needs and we can also pay it forward a little bit by doing what we can to help the next kid on treatment.
We think of kids and families still fighting this battle often…there CAN be a happy ending and we pray that all kids fighting cancer can find that happy ending. |
| 03/28/2011 | From Mom:
I feel like I owe everyone an apology for not keeping this updated. We feel sometimes like this was all so long ago and have since gotten busy with "normal" life. Well, a normal life is not something to be taken for granted and there are still many families fighting the fight looking for someone who has had a positive outcome...well Abby is that positive one! We are into the 4th year of remission...there are still follow-up appointments but that awesome five-year milestone will happen, I just know it!
I added a couple of new pictures on the picture page as well. When I look back at the photos of Abby when she was in treatment, I still can't believe how far she's come...what a miracle! She is now truly a teenager and thankfully has only typical teenager problems. We couldn't have done it with the help and love and support of friends, school, families and never want to take that for granted.
Abby wanted to post an update as well, so here it is...
From Abby:
Hey everybody!!!!!!!! It's been a while since I posted up here but with good reason. I have been super busy. I finished my soccer season with a good season record of 8-3, whoo!! I played defense for most of the season, but switched to mid at the end. I haven't decided which one I like better. I've started track season now...and its ruthless. We've had a lot of meets already but practices are tough. Now that I've been in it for a while it's okay, but in the beginning practice was rough. I jump now, long jump and starting triple. I also do events like 100m and 200m for conditioning. Schools been pretty well, seems like I have something going on every single day, but the year is almost over, one more quarter to go!
We went on a cruise over the break, and it was a blast! I had so much fun with my family and with friends of ours that we went with. Out of all the ports I think I had the most fun in Cabo San Lucas though, because that is the party port. I went jet skiing for the first time, and tried (in vein) to get rid of my lovely farmers tan from last year, and blew all my money, but its okay. That's what Mexico is for, right?
So one more year of follow-up appointments and then I'm done, I can't believe it. It seems like almost yesterday I was getting the news, now I'm almost done. My next appointment is in June. Another big mile stone…wait for it…I know its amazing…its so exciting…I'm driving!!!!!!! I turn 15 this year and get my permit in December!!! I'm so excited, but I'm sure my parents aren't o well. Well school starts next week so this is my last weekend to get crazy, might as well start. See ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Abby <3 |
| 01/16/2010 | Hi everybody!!!
Well its Abby today! I though that the stories are always coming from my parents so I thought I would tell the story today. It’s the second or third week back from school. I don’t know, I’ve already lost count! Haha. High schools have already come to Willis to talk to us. I went to Perry High School on Wednesday to check it out, and I have to say I am really excited! It’s funny ‘cause I remember you know graduating from the 6th grade just like “I can not wait for high school!!!”. But now that I’ve actually come to it, I feel like hiding! I’m so nervous! There is so much planning!!! I’m already talking to my mom about courses I need to take for college! I’m planning to go to U of A (yes I am a Wildcat girl :)) and become a big animal vet. So I’ve got a lot of school ahead of me. But I’m also excited, ready for the new experiences.
Jordan came over for Christmas for 3 weeks!!! But then he had to leave. It was sad to see him go. I miss already! Were working on cleaning up his room right now. I don’t quite think were ready to pack it up though. We are packing Tifanee’s room. Sadly she moved out. I guess she was just ready. I feel so different now that I am the oldest in the family. I feel like I have more responsibility now. I do a lot more cooking than I ever imagined. And I have to say, I kinda do enjoy cooking. I do a lot more chores now to. But I also have a lot less time. I still have my usual time for homework and now that high schools are here I gotta fill out applications. I also made the basketball team! I really surprised myself with that one. I plan to go back into Avid, which is a course just to build you up and get you ready for college. It focuses and grades and organization, but also includes a lot of other things. It’s overall really cool and I’m really excited.
Well anyways, that’s pretty much a summary of what has happened recently. I’ve really been enjoying life and I hope all of you do to. I still hope and pray for the kids who are still fighting there dragon and kids I’ve met in the clinic that have just discovered they have cancer that they may have a speedy treatment. And especially those who didn’t make it through, that god may be looking over them in heaven.
-Abby Fraser |
| 01/08/2010 | Great News…..good scans!!!! Abby is doing really well and it was a great appointment with Dr. W. He said that if you overlaid the scans from this appointment with those from the last, they are identical. This is just awesome and we feel so blessed! |
| 12/23/2009 | Merry Christmas!
Like most of you, I am sure, the past couple of weeks have been spent preparing for Christmas and opening up cards sent by our friends and family. I love to see the pictures of everyone’s families and to see how the kids are growing up….for some reason, while I know my own kids are growing up, it always surprises me to see everyone else’s and how big they are getting.
The family is all together; we picked up Jordan on Monday night despite the snowstorm and all of the chaos happening on the east coast. He is very happy to be home and we are so glad to see him as well. He changes every time….becoming a man from the boy he used to be.
Speaking of kids growing up…Abby has High School orientation right after the break…..HIGH SCHOOL! What happened to the sick 5th grader? With God’s grace, she will be a freshman next year.
We have scans coming up before the end of the year and our meeting with Dr. W. I will let you know what we find, but we know God is looking out for our girl and that takes some of the fear away.
I find it hard this time of year to read some other cancer family blogs as I know they don’t always turn out the way Abby’s has….pray extra hard for families who are still battling and for families who have lost a child…..this time of the year has to be tremendously difficult and I have tears in my eyes just writing this.
Merry Christmas to all of you and thanks for checking in on us. The Frasers. |
| 09/22/2009 | Great News…..good scans!!!! Abby is doing really well and it was a great appointment with Dr. W. |
| 09/18/2009 | Abby had scans today….can’t believe another 4 months have passed. We meet with Dr. W early next week for results and check-up. I will let you all know what we find out.
Let’s pray for good results!
The Frasers
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| 09/04/2009 | Good morning!
I’ve got to apologize for the delay in posting…life just goes on and before you know it, a month has passed by.
Abby continues to do great as an 8th grader. Her hair is getting long and it is the thickest hair I have ever seen on a person…unbelievable. She has scans coming up on September 18th and we meet with the doctor early the following week. I do have to say that there is still anxiety each time scans come up….you would think it would be gone by now, but no.
Jordan is doing great at the academy! He says so far that he is keeping up with schoolwork, not quite getting enough sleep (which is to be expected) and is now drinking coffee. The football team opens up the 2009 season tomorrow morning against Ohio State….GO NAVY! I do have a new address for him:
Jordan Fraser
PO Box 12504
Annapolis MD 21412
He definitely loves getting letters from everyone, so drop him a note if you have an opportunity.
Megan and Tifanee are doing well in school as well…Megan rides her bike to school in the morning and Tif is at Scottsdale Community College and seems to be enjoying college life so far.
We will keep you posted on what the doctor has to say….pray that the news continues to be good! And always, there are families still dealing with this terrible illness that are always in need of our prayers.
Thanks! The Frasers |
| 07/07/2009 | We are back from our big trip….we said good by to Jordan on the First of July…Induction day for the United States Naval Academy! He checked in at 7am and we were able to see him for about half an hour after the swearing in ceremony that evening. He was already talking differently! We are all so very proud of him and can’t wait to see his college and football career over the next four years. As you all know, when Abby was sick, Jordan not only helped us in a million ways, but to also keep focused and keep the grades and athletics to get into USNA, we really applaud his being able to keep the faith and keep focused.
If you want to write him, this is his summer address:
MIDN Jordan Fraser
Class of 2013
K Company 19 Platoon
Annapolis, MD 21412
His address will change once school starts in August, I will give the new address as soon as I get it. I posted a couple of pictures from Induction day – it was really a proud day for all of us.
Abby is great….eighth grade is right around the corner…hard to believe! Thanks for keeping up with us, the Frasers. |
| 06/20/2009 | Today is the big day....Abby is officially a teenager! Happy 13th birthday babe!!! |
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