Gabriella Hope Gallegos

Gabriella and Grandma Berckley at DISNEY WORLD in April 2008. Grandma spoiled us all by bringing us along with Aunt Melissa and her family to Disney on a family vacation! We announced that we are pregnant with a precious bundle of joy due in November '08!!!!BR>
Welcome to Gabriella's Web Page. It has been provided to keep family and friends updated about her journey to complete healing through the awesome power of God!



Gabriella was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma on July 1, 2003 at the age of 2 years 7 months. (She will turn 7 years old on Dec. 9th). The main tumor was found behind the left kidney on the adrenal gland, another tumor was found in the top part of her chest and another behind her left eye, the cancer was also found throughout her bones and marrow. Gabriella has completed 6 rounds of med-high dose chemotherapy, many bone marrow aspirations, EKGs, echos, MIBG scans, hearing tests, 2 GFR (renal function), many cat-scans, bone scans, surgery to place a triple lumen broviac, removal of broviac due to infection, surgical placement of double lumen vaxcel, stem cell harvest August 2003, surgery on 11-05-03 to remove any residual tumor, platelet transfusions, blood transfusions and an autologous bone marrow transplant on December 23, 2003, radiation (12 days with NO anesthesia!!!) and has completed 6 rounds of cis-retinoic acid, accutane, an oral chemo. Gigi Girl started her first round of 3F8 anitbody treatment with GM-CSF at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York City 3-22-04 and is currently HAMA positive after that first round.



Gabriella has faced all this with a fight and a determination to be a little girl! God has big and powerful plans for Gabriella, more than we can ask, think or imagine!!!

The scans prior to her Transplant (stem-cell rescue) showed No Evidence of Disease. Gabriella is N-E-D and will prayerfully stay that way!!!!!!



Jesus You are Our Savior, Lord, Deliverer, King, Strength and Our Great Physician! I thank you first for being the Rock on which we stand!!!!!!

Family and Friends- you guys are the best! Prayer Warriors we couldn't do this with out you! Thank you for taking time to read the updates, thank you more for praying and also for signing the guestbook. It brings comfort and encouragement at just the right time. May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you, be gracious to you and give you peace!

December 2006- Dr. Hutchinson informs us he sees no reason to schedule any future scans at this time!!!! We inquired about once a year for the rest of her life scans and he said typically that is the case but Gabriella's story is quite the different one!!!! THANK YOU JESUS! She will do once a year clinic visit and blood work, no more IV's, no more CT's, no more MIBG's, no more Bone Scans!!! Praise the Lord!

Journal

Tuesday, July 1, 2008 1:11 AM CDT

Today we celebrate 5 years since Gabriella was diagnosed with stage iv neuroblastoma, she was given only a 30% chance of event-free survival for the next 5 years! BUT GOD!!!!! Here she is 5 years later our happy, healthy 7 1/2 year old, victorious over cancer because of Jesus going to the cross to conquer and defeat all sin, sickness and disease. The grace of God is so sweet! This same God is here for you to defeat the "neuroblastoma" in your life. Turn to Him in every area of your life with your whole heart…… He's been waiting!

Not all childhood cancer stories are the same, not all experience the healing Gabriella has experienced...... this has been a huge question mark in my head and has even silenced many updates I have wanted to share. Many tears have been shed thinking of the sweet babies our paths have crossed in this 5 year journey...... I don't know why kids are allowed to get cancer and I don't know why some are promoted to glory to experience more of heaven while others remain here to experience more of earth. Our finite minds will never be able to comprehend the Greatness of Our GOD!!!! He is big enough to handle our doubts our questions and our fears! I do know this- those precious babies that have been promoted to glory are forever imprinted in my heart, their lives will never be forgotten and their joy is now complete in the presence of JESUS!


Just sharing something on my heart:
I am reading this book with Steve titled "In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day" by Mark Batterson- wow!!!! It is loaded with amazing insight from the life of Benaiah in 2 Kings. One such insight is about how big your God is….. the bigger your God is the smaller your problems become. It in no way means your life becomes problem-free, it simply means that when your view of God is accurate, God is huge and in comparison your problems are way small. You are the apple of His eye and He is so proud of you when you step out and take a risk. The difference between scaredy-cats and Lion Chasers is simply the element of risk taking. Peter walked on water, no other disciple dared to take that risk. Fear of uncertainty, fear of looking foolish, fear of failing, fear of rejection may have held them back. What is holding you back? Fear of _________________ ( you fill in the blank) don't allow what ever is keeping you in the boat to paralyze you and keep you from the adventurous life God has for you. Living for the Lord is not boring! Living the life He has for you is full of twists and turns, ups and downs, but it is never boring and you ARE NEVER ALONE!!!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
My mom, Steve and the kids all came with me this morning for the big ultrasound. Baby is measuring 10 oz. has two legs, two arms, 4 chambers in heart, two kidneys… everything looks good and healthy amd simply amazing!!!!! We decided not to find out the gender………. so we will all find out together in less than 21 weeks!

Hospital Information:

Patient Room: home sweet home

call on the Name of the Lord and you shall be saved!

Links:

E-mail Author: joyfulnhope@comcast.net

---

 

Your gift will help millions of people stay connected with friends and loved ones during challenging times.

---

 

This page has been viewed 78988 times.

Note: The foregoing information was authored by the patient, parent or guardian, or other parties who are solely responsible for the content. Such announcements or their content are not necessarily endorsed by CaringBridge, Inc. or any sponsoring agent.  This information does not confirm that anyone is or was actually a patient at any facility.