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Thursday, December 31, 2009 4:47 PM CST
Happy New Year! Abby is doing great and it's been so long since I've updated this site. Below please find a video I created for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Pennies for Patients program. This program raised awareness for LLS and it's mission. Abby's school, Shirley Hills Primary School, in Mound, MN, is participating in the program and the school assembly is Monday, where this video will be shown to the school
A Happy and Healthy New Year to all!
Steph, Scott, Abby and Sam Thoma
Sunday, March 29, 2009 1:12 PM CDT
Abby is doing great and enjoying the third grade. She will celebrate five years in remission this April for which we are very thankful to God and the doctors for providing. Abby will have her first appointment in June with the Long Term Followup Care clinic at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I think after that appointment her checkup maybe going to once per year. Hard to believe at one point we were going to Rochester every other day or once a week.
Abby has been busy speaking this winter with her Dad on behalf of the Pennies for Patients campaign for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to area schools raising money for research and patient support.
An important aside: Please consider registering to become a bone marrow donor. Go to www.marrow.org for more information. Scott and I have both registered by swabbing our cheeks with four Q-tip type swabs and mailing them in. That's it! The cost to register is $52.00 for tissue typing however June 8-22,2009, this fee is being waved. Could it get any cheaper to save a life! You can read more at the www.marrow.org webside to answer any questions you may have.
Abby did not need a bone marrow transplant but many other cancers and diseases require one for survival. Many of our friends have been given cures and extra time here on Earth with the hope a BMT gives to individuals and families.
God Bless.
Abby, Steph, Scott and Sam Thoma
Thursday, December 4, 2008 2:26 PM CST
Dear Friends of Abby:
Merry Christmas and a Happy 2009! Abby is doing just great. Her next regular check up for bloodwork and consult is on December 29th at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. School is going really good for her. She has had many challenges in the third grade but is doing great and is super enthusiastic. She is continuing to take gymnastics with friends at North Shore Gym which is more social hour with gymnastics.
We continue to thank you for keeping her in your prayers and all other children who suffer from childhood cancer.
God Bless.
Abby, Steph, Scott and Sam T. Thoma
Monday, October 6, 2008 5:25 PM CDT
Abby's Angels walked in our 5th annual Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Our team, thanks to your support, raised over $5,000. We sincerely appreciate you dedication to our cause. The LLS raised over $450,000 with the 2008 event to support research and patient services.
Please watch the video below to see our team in action!
God Bless,
Stephanie, Scott, Abby and Sam Thoma
AUGUST 25, 2008
ABBY'S ANGELS WALKS FOR A 5TH TIME!!!
Abby's Angels is busy preparing for our 5th Annual Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Please review my letter below and consider a donation. Abby's cure could not have been accomplished without LLS funding research for leukemia and other blood cancers. See the link below to give securely online. I will also be mailing out information for those who may prefer to give offline.
As always, we appreciate your good wishes and prayers as we remember those who continue to live with and fight their blood cancers and those who've earned their angel wings.
God Bless.
Steph, Scott, Abby and Sam Thoma
August, 2008
Dear Friends of Abby,
In 2009, Abby will celebrate five years in remission from leukemia. It is hard to believe we were once in the situation many families experience each day as a loved one is told they have blood cancer. 2,700 children are diagnosed with leukemia each year in the United States. Abby’s specific cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is now 80-90 percent curable with no reoccurrence in her lifetime. If you were diagnosed forty years ago, the cure rate was 5 percent. However, while cure rates are rising, so are the incidence of childhood cancer.
Founded in 1949, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is a national voluntary health agency dedicated to curing leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and to improving the quality of life of patients and their families. Research funded by LLS at the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic have developed the successful outcomes with leukemia. We want all types of blood cancers to have the success rate we’ve experienced with leukemia. This can only be done through committed researchers finding new treatments and cures and volunteers raising money for this research.
Abby will be a third grader at Shirley Hills Primary School in Mound, Minnesota, in the fall. She loves fishing, playing with friends, watching movies and school Abby volunteers extensively for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She has participated in speaking events and special events to bring awareness to childhood cancer and the Society. We’ve tried to instill in her the importance of helping others as we have been helped. We are thankful she’s embraced this idea fully.
Please join us in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through a contribution to Abby’s Angels and the Light the Night Walk. The walk will be held Saturday, October 4, 2008, at Lake Phalen in St. Paul. A self addressed stamped enveloped is provided and all contributions are fully tax deductible. 72 percent of all contributions fund the Society’s mission.
God Bless!
Steph Thoma, Abby’s Angels, Team Captain
Dedicated to McKenna Johnson,
1997-2007
Her mother Krista from their Caringbridge website, December 2007, , “Happy 1-Month Anniversary McKenna, of being free from tubes, doctors, needles, procedures, surgeries, hospital rooms, waiting rooms, cancer, RSV, vomiting, diarrhea, radiation, radiation burns, chemotherapy, IV poles, oxygen masks, ventilators and oscillators, blisters, blood and platelet transfusions, bloody noses, dialysis, catheters, eczema, allergies, swallowing dozens of pills each day, bruises, pain, sadness and fear. You truly are free and nobody deserved it more than you, sweet girl! Hope you are having fun with Sean, Sierra, Aidan, Michael, Ellen, Evan (your latest boyfriend,:) HA!), Sidnee, Jackson, Tyler, Blair, Mckenzie and all the other kids we know, who have become beautiful ANGELS this year. Tell them all, how much their families miss them and love them. I can just see you now, the ringleader, trying to get everybody to be quiet and listen to you! Good luck with that Baby Girl! I'm glad that's your only worry now!”
July 15, 2008
Abby had a great checkup in Rochester, MN, at Mayo Clinic, on Friday, July 11th. We visited with Donna Betcher and reviewed Abby's bloodwork which was perfect. She is now 50 pounds!!! We have been moved to visits every 6 months which will be done at Mayo Clinic in February and August of 2009.
April 30, 2008
April 14, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Thursday, December 27, 2007 8:34 PM CST A FEW NEW PHOTOS ON "VIEW PHOTOS"
Monday, November 26, 2007 Abby is doing great. She had a little bug over the weekend but seems to be able to get past these viruses
Wednesday, August 15, 2007 10:22 AM CDT Abby will be doing her first triatholon this Saturday. She will be participating with her cousin, Zach, at Lake Ann in Chanhassen. She will swim one lap, bike 3 miles and run .5 miles raising awareness and funds for the Miracles for Mitch Foundation. It's the largest kid's triatholon in the United States. Abby's oncologist at Children's Minneapolis is on the steering committee for the event. Monday, July 23, 2007 1:30 PM CDT Abby is enjoying the summer swimming and going to summer school with her good friend Anna. She's also been playing on her "park set" that Grandpa Bob gave her and Sam.
Thursday, June 28, 2007 Abby is doing great! She's at her last Dr. Seuss on the Loose class with her friend, Emerson. On July 9, she starts summer school for one month. She needs some help with reading although is doing really good. She missed probably 2/3's of Kindergarten and 14 days of school last year. Her friend, Anna, will be at summer school too. They sugarcoat it "summer adventure". Abby saw through that marketing ploy quickly. Ha.
Thursday, May 24 , 2007 7:34 PM CDT Abby had her monthly check up today at Children's in Minneapolis with Dr. Perkins. Her blood counts were excellent. All good.
Monday, April 2, 2007 1:54 PM CDT Abby is doing great! Abby, Sam and I were all sick at the same time. Bad virus, pink eye, fevers and of course, mine turned to mono. Ha. Really not that funny at the time. Monday, March 19, 2007 1:30 PM CDT Abby had an oncology visit at Children's Minneapolis with Dr. Perkins. As far as onocology, everything was great. However, Abby and I have picked up the nastiest virus I've ever had and from which Sam recently recovered. Abby and I both have double ear infections, super nasty conjunctivitis and awful colds. Many long nights. We are on Day 6, but both of us have begun antibiotics. Saturday, February 17, 2007 8:44 AM CST Abby had an excellent checkup at Mayo Clinic yesterday with Dr. Khan and associates. For having pneumonia, her white blood count was excellent as were her other blood counts. It's very encouraging to see her body handle a serious infection so efficiently.
Sunday, February 11, 2007 5:27 PM CST HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY ABBY! February 8, 2007 Well, I think we know what Abby's chest pain was last week. She developed a cold over the last week that Sam and I both had. However, she was running a fairly high temperature (103.5). She stayed home from school and told me yesterday her side chest hurts....bacterial pneumonia. I called the doctor from Sam's preschool to see if we could get in and we had a consult and chest xray which indicated the pneumonia.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Wednesday, October 4, 2006 ABBY'S ANGELS RAISED OVER $8,000 TO SUPPORT LLS!
Monday, August 28, 2006 7:14 PM CDT Thank You! Love, Abby xo Wednesday, August 16, 2006 9:38 AM CDT On Monday, Abby had her first appointment with an oncologist at Minneapolis Children's, Dr. Perkins. She is the director of long term follow up for patients like Abby that have finished their protocols. We really like her and we think this will be a good fit for our family as Abby starts school in September. Abby's blood counts were very good and we can start school on a fresh note. She will return to Minneapolis Children's mid-September for blood work and physical exam for the month. Thursday, August 10, 2006 12:52 AM CDT Abby's busy getting ready to start first grade. She found out her teacher's name is Mrs. Tax at Shirley Hills Primary School in Mound, MN. We are going to go school shopping soon as she has gotten so tall most of her pants are very short.
Wednesday, August 2, 2006 10:50 AM CDT Abby's a star! Abby debuted on KMSP Fox Channel 9 last night on the news. Our family attended the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk Kickoff Party at the Centennial Lakes Park Pavillion in Edina, MN, last evening. Jeff Passolt, anchor, was the host. Abby and her Dad spoke at the event of our cancer experience and the importance of raising money to fund research. At the end, she and Scott gave Jeff "Relentless" bracelets. One for him and one for Robyne Robinson, his co-anchor. He said to Robyne that the bracelet was from 6 year old Abby Thoma and then he talked about the event and Abby and Scott and luckily a brief picture of the back of my head were on the news. Very cute for Abby.
Thursday, July 27, 2006 9:44 AM CDT Abby picked up a virus and cooked up a fever on Sunday afternoon. This morning was the first morning with no fever in several days. We took her to our local clinic and had blood drawn and cultured per our oncologist and her counts were fine. So just a virus, and a long one at that. Thursday, July 13, 2006 8:41 AM CDT Abby's surgery went great. Dr. Robert Telander performed the 15 minute procedure. Abby has to stay out of the water for 7 days which will be difficult in the 100 degree weather. I'm trying to talk her into washing her hair in the sink at this point. Ha. Wednesday, July 12, 2006 9:58 AM CDT Well,again, I just updated our website about Abby's sucessful removal of her portocath with all the detail and how she's recovering nicely at home etc with all that detail and once again, the site deleted the entry when I went to correct a spelling error. Sunday, July 9, 2006 10:03 AM CDT Abby is enjoying the weekend with her family. Her brother, Sam, went to grandma's "cabinette" for 4 days, as we go to Rochester Mayo tomorrow for bloodwork, oncology consult and surgical consult. Abby will have surgery, July 11 (Aunt Leslie's birthday, to remove her portocath. She's a little nervous with questions about how and where etc but we are confident all will go well. The procedure is considered same day surgery and we will go home afterwards. Wednesday, June 28, 2006 2:38 PM CDT TODAY IS ABBY'S LAST DAY OF CHEMOTHERAPY!!! Thursday, June 8, 2006 9:09 AM CDT Abby had her LAST CHEMO TREATMENT at Mayo Clinic on Wednesday, June 7th. YEAH! Praise the Lord! She had bloodwork, a spinal tap with chemo, a bone marrow biopsy and aspiration, consults and more chemo. She has oral chemotherapy to take at home until June 28th and she's completed her 2 1/2 year protocol.
Monday, May 22, 2006 8:57 AM CDT Abby and family went to Wausau, Wisconsin, for cousin Justin's confirmation celebration. We haven't been to Scott's family since before Abby was diagnosed. We've always wanted to be close to our physician and haven't traveled by car that far. We had a very nice time and stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Thoma.
Thursday, May 4, 2006 10:55 AM CDT Abby had her visit yesterday with Dr. Imran followed by chemotherapy. She is currently neutropenic (ANC 590). Her other blood counts were fine. This is her second consecutive month of neutropenia while on 50% of the dose prescribed. She's always done well on the 50% dose so they are curious as to the neutropenia. She has had no viral infections or fevers for some time. They are scheduling a bone marrow biopsy and aspiration on June 7th to coincide with her already scheduled spinal tap with chemo which she has every fourth month per the study she is on at Mayo Clinic. They are just looking to explain the neutropenia as a relapse in disease or more likely, as our onocologist wasn't particularly worried, just how her body responds to the dose of chemotherapy she takes at the clinic and the amount she is one at home everyday. We will pray the later is true. Thursday, May 4, 2006 10:15 AM CDT test Tuesday, April 18, 2006 7:31 AM CDT Abby had a fun Easter with her brother, Sam, and Mom and Dad. She went to her Aunt Leslie's and Uncle Jeff's house in Lakeville and played with her cousin, Ellen, and other family. Easter Sunday was the two year anniversary of Abby's diagnosis. We feel very blessed to have her and have the support of our family and friends, and for this we thank God everyday. Thursday, April 6, 2006 7:47 AM CDT Hi everybody! Abby had a good visit to Mayo Clinic yesterday with Dr. Imran. She is slightly neutropenic right now. Her absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was 790. They should be between 1,000-2,000. She's been on the same chemo dosage for two months and we were curious why her counts dropped this month and not last month. We were assured by Dr. Imran and Donna Betcher, onocology PNP, that they are not worried about the curious drop. She will remain on the same dose of chemo unless her counts drop to less than 500 then her chemo will stop until she can build those cells up to 1,000 again.
Friday, March 10, 2006 7:38 PM CST Yes, you are right, very lame not to have pictures from Abby's Make A Wish trip on her website yet. We just received our new computer on Wednesday, now I can download some updated pictures.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006 7:14 PM CST We are HOME from Abby's Make A Wish Trip to Walt Disney World! Abby had a great time, met many of her favorite Disney characters, went swimming, got tucked into bed by a giant rabbit in silk pajamas, ate ice cream every day at the Ice Cream Palace and had a wonderful time visiting her Grandparents in the Panhandle of Florida at the end of the trip.
Friday, February 10, 2006 3:45 PM CST Abby had her monthly visit with Dr. Imran at Mayo Clinic. Her blood counts were very good and we restarted oral chemotherapy which had been held since she became neutropenic two weeks ago. They are going to hold Abby at 50% of the dose for the month of February. We return in March for a spinal tap and chemo and appointments. Wednesday, February 1, 2006 11:38 AM CST Abby went to Waconia Monday night to take the second dose of antibiotic in her port. Her blood was drawn and found out her counts are really low again but she has really no viral infection. She had her chemo increased two weeks ago to 75% of the full dose which she's never really been able to tolerate without becoming neutropenic and hence, she is neutropenic. We were at the ER again until 11PM which was a little frustrating but they do a great job there and it's better than 2.5 hours in the car to Mayo Clinic in Rochester every time she busts a fever. Monday, January 30, 2006 8:18 AM CST Abby went to the ER at Waconia Ridgeview Hospital last night after running a temperature. Any temperature over 100.3F she has to be evaluated at an ER. Thankfully they know us there. Dr. Siprell (also a Mound Fire Dept. member that Scott knows) was on duty. Abby had her blood checked. Her counts were very good. So she had a dose of Rosefan in her port to protect her port from infection and she'll go back again this evening for her second dose outpatient. This morning she has no temperature. She may just be developing a little virus that is taking time showing it's runny nose or other symptoms. Friday, January 13, 2006 2:18 PM CST Abby had her monthly chemotherapy appointment and consults Wednesday of this week. Her blood counts are looking good and they are going to keep her at 50% of the dose for the timebeing. We'll have her blood checked in two weeks to see how she's doing. Wednesday, January 4, 2006 11:23 AM CST Abby is doing fine, just a little runny nose today. She's getting antsy to go back to school. Our district is out until January 9.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005 8:51 AM CST Abby had a good visit on Friday with Dr. Arndt. She also had a spinal tap with chemo and then more chemo later in the afternoon. Her counts are too low to take oral chemotherapy at home but we will check her counts tomorrow at our clinic to see if we can start again. Wednesday, December 14, 2005 11:51 AM CST We decided not to drive to Mayo Clinic today in Rochester due to the road conditions. Not an ideal situation, but we believed it wouldn't be safe. Abby went to the clinic and her pediatrician took a listen and drew blood labs and de-accessed her. She is very happy about this as the needle got in the way of jumping on the bed and tackling her brother. We are going to shoot to go for chemo on Friday if her counts hit the mark required in her protocol. She is supposed to have a spinal tap with chemo as well that day too. Saturday, December 10, 2005 12:51 AM CST Abby was discharged from the hospital Friday, late afternoon. She was feverless for 48 hours so they let her go. We have a home health nurse coming today to access Abby's port and give her a dose of antibiotic. Then I'll be giving her the antibiotic the next 3 days. The nurse will come again Tuesday to take a blood sample to send out and fax the results to Mayo Clinic for our appointments on Wednesday. Abby's neutrophil count is low (150) so she probably will only take one of the chemos, if any, on Wednesday. She is feeling good and playing around the house. Tuesday, December 6, 2005 6:56 PM CST Abby went into the hospital in Waconia Saturday night with a fever and was admitted to take antibiotics. All tests were negative for different infections. However, today a second chest xray indicates pneumonia. Small area in her upper right lobe. They think the antibiotic she's been taking in her port to protect her port will cover the pneumonia but added a second antibiotic which her scalp broke out in a rash from. The infusion was stopped and she was given Benedril which worked quickly to stop her itching. They are rethinking the second antibiotic plan. She's not eating much and is tired and keep spiking fevers. Scott brought her a doughnut tonight and they are going to watch Charlie Brown Christmas. I came home to let the dogs out (the blind one and the not blind one - ha - (you have to laugh at some point here....) and take a shower. Imagine that. We believe we'll be in the hospital the rest of the week. We decided to have her stay at Waconia as it's close to our house and they are consulting everyday with the pediatric oncology team at Mayo. We can always take her to Mayo if we feel we need to. We are getting very good care so far. Sunday, November 20, 2005 1:01 PM CST Abby had a good visit at Mayo Clinic with Dr. Imran. Her counts are very good and her chemotherapy dose was increased to 75% of the dose. We hope her body can tolerate the increase and not cause her to be neutropenic (white cell subset...neutrophils...less than 1000). Last year, we celebrated Christmas at Mayo Eugenio Children's hospital. Monday, October 31, 2005 7:12 PM CST CLICK ON "VIEW PHOTOS" FOR NEW PICS
Friday, October 21, 2005 1:08 PM CDT Abby made her monthly trip to Rochester Mayo Clinic on Wednesday for bloodwork, doctor appointment and chemotherapy. Her blookwork indicates she is currently a bit neutropenic (low neutrophil count) which can make her more susceptable to illness and fever. We hope her counts are on the way up rather than on the way down. We visited with Dr. Imran and staff.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005 8:18 PM CDT Abby is doing well. She will go to Mayo Clinic for chemo and her monthly doctor's appointments next week. Thursday, September 29, 2005 11:50 AM CDT Abby has lost another tooth and she pulled it herself! All very exciting! Thursday, September 22, 2005 10:13 AM CDT Abby had a good visit for her September visit to Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. She had a spinal tap with chemo, appointment with Dr. Rodriquez and more chemo in the afternoon. She tolerated all of it well.
Friday, September 2, 2005 8:01 AM CDT Abby is doing good. She had chemo and appointments last week at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Her counts were good and she began her next month of maintenance chemotherapy.
Monday, August 8, 2005 11:47 AM CDT Abby has been very busy playing with her friends Anna and Emerson. going on boat rides and playing with her brother, Sam. She even put on the waterskis and stood on the boom with the help of her Uncle Tim and cousin Zach. Friday, July 22, 2005 9:22 AM CDT Wish Come True! Monday, July 11, 2005 3:19 PM CDT As you can see the Toothfairy has visited Abby over the weekend with much fanfair she received $1.00 and three pieces of sugarless bubblegum. Very excited. We are glad that is the extent of any health news this week, as she is feeling good. She will have her blood counts checked this Wednesday to see how the chemo is affecting her this month.
Thursday, June 30, 2005 9:56 AM CDT Abby had a good visit yesterday at Mayo Clinic. She had a spinal tap with chemotherapy, a doctor's visit and more chemotherapy. Everything went well and we got in early which was nice. Dr. Imran said Abby looked great and her blood counts were right in the ballpark. We go back on July 27th for her next monthly visit with chemo.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005 1:38 PM CDT It's bright sunny day all around. Abby is doing well since her last hospitalization. She returns to Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, June 29th for a spinal tap with chemo (Methotrexate), consultation with oncologist and more chemo into her port. She is feeling good and enjoying her summer school classes. She is taking a reading/cooking class and a storytime class and has come home with many darling items to hang on the refridgerator. Her brother Sam still retains his nickname by Abby of "Mr. Dangerous". She keeps a close eye on him when I run downstairs or to the mailbox to alert me of any daredevil attempts he is making.
Friday, May 6, 2005 1:51 PM CDT A few ups and downs. Abby went to St. Mary's in Rochester for a fever Tuesday evening. Her blood counts were great so she took a dose of antibiotic and we headed to a hotel for the night. The next day was a regular visit for check-up/chemo at Mayo. Besides the virus she has everything looks good. We had to wait the day and go to St. Mary's for another dose of antibiotic and chemo at 5:00 PM. We visited our friend Nikki and her mother Karen at St. Mary's while we were there. It was so nice to visit with them and also met Nikki's maternal grandparents. Abby ran a low grade fever yesterday, however when checked again at 5:00 PM she had 103.5F and we called Mayo and off to Waconia Hospital for evaluation by the ER Team. She did great, all strep and urinalysis negative and another dose of antibiotic for precaution. Abby and her dad will go back this evening for the last dose of antibiotic. She is feeling great today and we ran errands and went to the Disney store to pick out a little something.
Monday, April 4, 2005 1:31 PM CDT As I mentioned in our last update, we were hoping Abby wouldn't get a fever before the close. She didn't! However, at about 830 PM at Grandma and Grandpa's for a sleepover, she did get a fever the same day. So off to Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia to be evaluated for fever. Abby's counts were great, however she may have picked up a little virus as her and Sam had a little fever. Anyway, she had two doses of antibiotic over two days and back to the races.
Monday, March 28, 2005 7:50 AM CST Abby is doing well. She is very excited to move to our new place this week and into her room. She wants the popular "Princess" motif in her room. Her counts were done last week and they are starting to go down a bit from the chemotherapy oral medication she takes at home and other meds so I hope they hold until after 9:00 AM Thursday at the close. I'm sure everything will turn out fine as Sam and Abby are arguing right now which means everything is about the same. Ha.
Saturday, March 12, 2005 11:48 AM CST Abby is doing well. At her appointment last Wednesday at Mayo, her counts were all up and she was able to begin chemotherapy again. She is so good about taking her medicine at home which any 5 year old would balk at having to take daily. She seems a little tired from the medicine but is good at resting. Tuesday, February 22, 2005 5:51 PM CST Abby and Dad came home Sunday night. They were discharged Sunday morning but had to wait six hours for prescriptions. She has three days of injections to stimulate her bone marrow into making white blood cells. She had a blood transfusion on Saturday which made her look and feel much better but that doesn't do much for her white blood count which was at .6 when she left the hospital. On Thursday, we will go to our local clinic to have a CBC drawn to see if her counts have gone up from the medication. Thursday, February 17, 2005 1:30 PM CST Hey I just entered a whole story about how we are in Rochester for low counts and a fever and how Abby will have a blood transfusion Saturday and then a little bird overheard in the hallway that we probably can go home after the transfusion. And how we have a day pass and are going to the movies today and how Abby is very cute and excited. It was quite the story until the computer froze and deleted the story. Thursday, January 27, 2005 4:28 PM CST Well, I started to update this page earlier but the laptop spun me out. Here we go again: Tuesday, December 28, 2004 5:54 PM CST We made it home! Dr. Anderson sprung Abby loose yesterday afternoon after her neutrophil count reached the mark of 130. She was very excited to come home and said she was going to give her brother Sam and big hug and a kiss. She had fun opening up her Santa gifts and others brought over by Grandma Rose and Grandpa Marv and other family members. We also give thanks to Pam and Jimmy and Lisa for filling our refridgerator while we were gone. I would have been at the grocery store if we hadn't been on the way to the hospital Wednesday night. Thursday, December 23, 2004 12:47 AM CST Holiday greetings from St. Mary's Hospital Rochester, Minnesota. We came to Rochester last evening with Abby. She had a temperature of 103.2F. We think it's a little virus but she has to be seen here with a temperature. Dr. Khan and team came by this morning and said Abby's is now neutroepenic, meaning her white blood count, neutrophils, are below 1,000. Instead of the normal 48 hour blood culture and then we are discharged, we have to stay until her white blood counts show recovery. Right now she is in the 900's and if she's on her way down we wait until they start coming up. In the past, Abby's counts have taken long to come up, so we will for sure be here for Christmas and possibly longer. Her longest stay for this has been 6 days in the past. Pray that we are out sooner! Tuesday, December 14, 2004 8:27 AM CST Friday was another rainy drive to Rochester. Better than driving snow to be sure. Abby had a spinal tap with chemotherapy, a meeting with Dr. Nasar Al Zein, and more chemotherapy. Grandpa Marv came with but that didn't seem to help her attitude. Let's just say a little crabby. Understandable given the circumstances and the fact as our family was recovering from picking up a stomach virus over the weekend. The good news was her counts were very good again. Her white count 5.5, neutrophil count 3.5, hemoglobin 10.9 and total platelet count 267,000. Abby has been very tired the last couple of days and not too hungry so then we know the drugs are building up and kicking in this phase. Tuesday, November 30, 2004 11:36 AM CST Abby is about 1/2 way through this phase of treatment, Interim Maintenance, with her visit yesterday to Mayo Clinic. She had a good report: Platelets 387,000, White Count 3.1 and Neutriphils 1.4 with a hemoglobin of 10.7. Holding steady. She had another escalating dose of IV Methotrexate with a push of Vincristine and seemed to tolerate it all 24 hours later. If she gets sick, it's usually in the first 24 hours.
Monday, November 22, 2004 4:12 PM CST Abby had a good appointment at the Mayo Clinic on Friday. Grandpa Marv came with as Daddy went deer hunting at Grandpa Tom's in Hatley, Wisconsin, for the weekend. Thursday, November 11, 2004 8:10 AM CST Abby began her next stage of chemotherapy yesterday at Mayo in Rochester. She begins "interim maintenance" (again). The stage is kind of a repeat of one she did in August. It will be 56 days long and include two spinal taps with methotrexate, and every 10 days IV methotrexate and vincristine. Her counts were really good yesterday and include 10.9 hemoglobin, 2500 white cell count with 1300 of them neutrophils (a subset of white blood count, she needed 1000 of them to begin treatment yesterday, this is what we were waiting for), 374,000 red platelet count. And drum roll......she has reached 30.5 pounds. The first time over 30 pounds in her 4.5 years! Saturday, October 30, 2004 9:54 AM CDT Abby was to begin treatment last Wednesday at Mayo to begin her next phase of chemo "interim maintenance". However, her neutrophil count was at 110 and needs to be at 1,000 to begin the phase. We will have her blood count checked Tuesday locally to see if we can go to Mayo Wednesday to begin again. Tuesday, October 19, 2004 8:18 AM CDT Abby is feeling well, especially since her blood transfusion last Friday at St. Mary's in Rochester. Her hemoglobin was at 5.9, so she needed a little boost. The difference is amazing in her energy level after receiving blood and platelets. We are done with chemotherapy at home and she begins her next phase of treatment at Mayo on October 27th. Anything will be easier than the last phase. We spent a total of 13 days in the hospital in September with fever and/or treatment. Thursday, October 7, 2004 8:40 AM CDT Abby is doing well taking chemotherapy at home. She did say,"Mommy, I don't want you to be a nurse." If that didn't make me feel bad. Anyway, three nights left of nursing school and I don't think I'll have to do this again. Knock on wood. She is feeling good. Friday, October 1, 2004 8:21 AM CDT Friday, October 1, 2004 8:09 AM CDT Saturday, September 25, 2004 8:40 AM CDT Abby came home Thursday night and is feeling well. Her and her brother Sam were back arguing, so I took that as a good sign of feeling well. Tuesday, September 21, 2004 11:58 AM CDT We are still in the hospital. My optimism didn't pay off overnight. Ha. Her count went down to 60 overnight. So maybe home by Thursday. Her spirits are good as long as Kraft keeps making macaroni and cheese (note to self: buy stock in multinational conglomerate). Monday, September 20, 2004 10:42 AM CDT Well, we're back at St. Mary's in Rochester. We were admitted on late Friday afternoon. Abby had a questionable temperature which was coming and going for a few days so we decided to bring her down. Her white count (neutrophils) bottomed out at 50. Yes, 5-0. Today, we are at 100 and climbing. Dr. Rodriquez said if we get to 200 and rising we can go home so hoping to double overnight again. Abby feels good in general, bored mostly. The doctor said when your white count get so low the actual bacteria in your stomach can give you a fever, which apparently has happened with little missy. Thursday, September 9, 2004 12:21 AM CDT Well, Abby has been hospitalized since Labor Day afternoon with a fever. We are at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN, and hope to be sprung loose tomorrow. She may have picked up a bug as Samuel (with Grandpa and Grandma Kolling this week) has a cold now and ran a low fever last night as well. Abby, with hardly an immune system to speak of, ran a fever right away. Our two and a half hour drive to Rochester with Scott behind the wheel took 1.5 hours, including dropping Sam off. I gave several speed reminders on the way. She took chemo yesterday afternoon and is tired today. Her white counts are quite low as well from the chemo. Such a balancing act. Saturday, August 28, 2004 9:11 AM CDT Well, Abby has had quite the big week. As many of you know, Abby threw out the first pitch at the Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Indians game on Sunday, August 22, 2004, at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. Our Mayo Clinic social worker thought of Abby when she was contacted by CureSearch/National Childhood Cancer Foundation which had just signed an initiative with Major League Baseball. Needless to say, Abby was very excited being a baseball fan. We enjoyed the game with many friends and family for support. PLEASE SEE "VIEW PHOTOS" FOR PICTURES FROM THE GAME.
Tuesday, August 10, 2004 12:24 AM CDT Abby is doing great! She finished the Interim Maintenance stage of treatments yesterday at Mayo. Despite having a cold, her counts are really up: White count-5600, neutrophils over 3400, platelets 345K and hemoglobin over 10. She will return to Mayo on August 25th to begin the next stage of treatment called Delayed Intensification which encompasses a number of new drugs she hasn't had yet. She'll also have a bone marrow biopsy and a spinal tap the first day of treatment. This phase is 56 days long and can be a little tougher than other phases. We are working to arrange having pre-chemo appointment blood work done at our local clinic a few days prior to treatment so we don't need to make extra trips to Rochester in the event her counts are too low to take the chemo treatment on a given day. This will make it easier. Our clinic in Mound will see us tomorrow to see if they can facilitate this process. Friday, July 30, 2004 8:10 AM CDT We spent the whole day at Mayo yesterday. Abby had a bone marrow biopsy (as required by the study protocol she is part of) and a spinal tap for administering chemo to her central nervous system. We had a good doctor's appointment with Dr. Kahn despite the fact that Abby's neutrophils had dropped by half of what they were 10 days ago. The cells are part of the white blood count that protects against infection. So, we couldn't take the methotrexate by IV again this week, but she took the Vincristine drug. When the neutrophils are low we have to make sure she isn't exposed to anyone who is sick as she can pick up infections quicker than people without leukemia. We are going to try dropping her antibiotic for 10 days to see if that helps bring up the white count. Her other blood count levels looked good and she is active and feeling good. Tuesday, July 20, 2004 7:41 AM CDT Abby was at Mayo yesterday and had a good appointment with Dr. Khan. Her blood platelets were great, hemoglobin holding,and a portion of her white count was a little down, due to the chemotherapy (which is totally expected.) She was able to take one of her treatments but because she in "on study", she couldn't take the methotrexate. She needed a count of 1,000 and she was at 860 or so. We will shoot for a week from Thursday to continue the methotrexate when Abby will have a spinal tap in which the drug will be injected. This is all in the preventative portion of the treatment to prevent any spread to the central nervous system. She is a trooper.
Friday, July 9, 2004 7:51 AM CDT Abby had a good appointment in Rochester yesterday. Her blood counts and white counts look good and she was able to take treatment with her escalating dose of Methotrexate and Vincristine. Drummmmm rollll!!! Abby gained 1.5 pounds since her last appointment 10 days ago. Very good for her. A whole 29.5 now. She was very cute and full of energy to all at the clinic yesterday. Abby's friend, Pam, noticed her foot might be dragging a little. So, I watched as she climbed stairs to the house after we got home from the clinic last night, and she did fall. The Vincristine gave her foot drop the last phase we had this drug and it appears to be doing this again which is too bad. It gets worse with the fatigue but we'll see how she does this time. Tuesday, June 29, 2004 1:35 PM CDT Abby was diagosed April 16, 2004, with Leukemia at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Her team of doctors and staff put Abby in remission in her first 13 days of treatment. She now begins 2 years of chemotherapy to cure her disease. Her doctors are very hopeful and give her an 80 percent plus chance of a cure.
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Abby's Angels is busy preparing for our 5th Annual Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Please review my letter below and consider a donation. Abby's cure could not have been accomplished without LLS funding research for leukemia and other blood cancers. See the link below to give securely online. I will also be mailing out information for those who may prefer to give offline.
As always, we appreciate your good wishes and prayers as we remember those who continue to live with and fight their blood cancers and those who've earned their angel wings.
God Bless.
Steph, Scott, Abby and Sam Thoma
Abby will be the feature face of a campaign in May 9-26, 2008, for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Her pictures and story will be in over 200 grocery stores in Minnesota including Cub, Rainbow, Jubliee and other local stores for "Bag for a Cure". The poster has three cute pictures of Abby, one during treatment in her Dorothy dress that her grandma made her for Halloween and two since treatment. Last year, this campaign raised $100K for the Society. We are proud to be able to help.
When I get some pictures, I will include on this page.
God Bless you all!
Steph Thoma et tal
Abby had her quarterly check up today at Children's Minneapolis. All of her blood counts were great. This despite falling in the parking ramp and doing a tuck and roll. Impressive but painful. She will go to Mayo Clinic for a check up in July.
April 16th is the 4th "anniversary" of Abby's diagnosis of ALL. We have met many wonderful people along the way and despite the chemotherapy, hospitalizations and hundreds of doctor's visits, we consider this a blessing. We have become keenly aware of the suffering of others in the world and know how lucky we are to have Abby with us today. We continue to pray for all those we've met along the way and those who have received their angel wings.
A note of hope is always present. Scott and I attended the Cancer Kids Fund Gala for Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. They raised well over $1,000,000 for the 20 new patient/family rooms at their facilities. These rooms allow patients privacy, continuity of care and time for families to be together as they process what they are going through. It also allows parents who are able to work remotely from their offices or businesses that opportunity with work space in the patient/family rooms and wireless connections etc for various technology. After all, these parents are probably carrying the health insurance for these children.
What an inspiring night!
God Bless you all!
Steph Thoma et tal
Abby's having a fun winter! She celebrates her birthday this Monday, February 11th. We are so proud of her.
Thanks for checking in on her!
God Bless.
Steph Thoma et tal
Abby had a great checkup today at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. We met with Donna Betcher and the new pediatrics floor in the Mayo Building. Abby's visit was "unremarkable". Just the way we like it! We also visited with Abby's favorite chemo nurse, Jean Stahl, to see how she is doing.
Abby will have quarterly visits for 2008. In 2009, she moves to twice per year!
Abby goes back to school after winter break on January 7th. She is starting ice skating in phy ed and is excited to bring her new skates to school.
Thanks for checking in on her!
God Bless.
Steph Thoma et tal
much easier than in the past. Next week both Abby and Sam will get
flu shots after school (shhhh-don't tell them!)
All is well here. The Packers are looking good to 3/4's of this household. Ha.
We are particularly praying for our friend McKenna. Please visit her Caringbridge site and if you can offer her family
encouragement. She has had lymphoma since a young girl (now 10) and just received a second bone marrow transplant
over the summer, however a childhood virus has put her on a high level breathing apparatus at the
University of Minnesota Children's Hospital for the last month (today is one month).
www.caringbridge.org/mn/mckenna
Also please pray for solace for the family of Evan Cousineau.
www.caringbridge.org/visit/evancousineau
We pray for those who suffer and for the causes of suffering in the world and peace to all.
Steph Thoma et tal
Mitch was 9 years old and died from his cancer in 2003. He had his dad "pinky swear" that his family would continue to raise money for families of children with cancer after his death. The money helps families pay bills when parents cannot work while supporting a child with cancer. The MMF also sends children to camp to have a week to not worry about cancer.
It's quite moving and also a fun morning. Please join us. We'll be there by 730AM. The race starts at 830AM with fun events for kids before and after the event.
Please see www.miraclekidstriatholon.org for more info and directions to the event.
Abby is doing great and we appreciate as always your prayers and good thoughts.
Steph Thoma
Our next oncology visit will be in mid-September 2007.
At this time, I ask you to keep in your prayers and thoughts a 9 year old girl named McKenna battling lymphoma since age 2 1/2. She was preparing this summer to have a second bone marrow transplant from her sister when another tumor was located this time near her heart. We are hoping for the best for her and her family. You can check in on her at www.caringbridge.org/mn/mckenna.
I'm busy fundraising for the 2007 Light the Night Walk benefitting the Leukmia and Lymphoma Society. Our team, Abby's Angels, will again try and raise $10,000 on Abby's behalf and all others fighting blood cancers.
Thank you in advance for considering a contribution to this worthy cause.
Steph Thoma et tal
We are going to Grandma and Grandpa's "cabinette" today for two days. Should be fun. Grandma mentioned the word "margaritas". Ha.
As a reminder, I've started my fundraising campaign for the 2007 Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Our team, Abby's Angels, will be walking for a fourth time and couldn't be happier to fight for this worthy cause to raise research dollars so other children will have equal outcomes and prognoses like Abby.
Please see the link below to donate online. Your donation in tax deductible. We appreciate your support so much.
God Bless.
Steph Thoma et tal.
We will be visiting our group at Mayo Clinic for Abby's year anniversary post chemotherapy on June 14, 2007. If given the all clear, we will have checkups quarterly for the next year.
As I mentioned in the previous entry, we got word Abby's appearance on Ron Schara's Minnesota Bound on KARE11 television in the Twin Cities will be on June 3rd at 1030PM and I believe they rerun it the following Saturday at 630PM. It's a longer story about Abby, her love of fishing and her fight with leukemia. We are excited to see it.
I will be sending out my letter for donations for the Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in a few weeks. Please look in the mail for your opportunity to be an Abby's Angel as we raise funds and awareness for research to cure blood cancers for all children and adults who suffer.
We continue to pray for Greta, McKenna, Griffin and Luke!
A benefit is being held for McKenna on June 3rd in Andover, Minnesota. She will be undergoing a second Bone Marrow Transplant after first enduring lung surgery on June 4th for a tumor. She is 9 years old. Information about her benefit can be found at www.caringbridge.org/mn/mckenna.
God Bless.
Steph Thoma et tal.
Son Volt
Abby is having her friend Emerson over today after school and then the girls go to gymnastics tonight which is so fun. Abby is so cute trying out all the equipment. She is a bit of a nervous Nelly which I actually like for this sport.
Her next appointment is this month for bloodwork and consults.
Abby and Scott are involved with the Crappie Contest on Lake Minnetonka benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Gander Mountain and KFAN are sponsoring and we look forward to raising awareness and lots of money for the Society. Abby and Sam have been fishing on the dock the last week. The fish apparently haven't come into our channel yet. I asked Sam if he had to go potty when he came in from the lake the other night and he said, "No, I already went in the lake." Scott said it was a very proud moment. I beg to differ. Ha.
We appreciate you continuing to pray for Abby. Please include our friend, Nikki, in your prayers. She has surgery Friday to take her port out and is done with her chemo treatments. We pray she stays cancer free as Abby!
Thanks!
The Thoma's
Please don't cross the crime tape in the driveway. You want to avoid this one. (ha)
Thanks for your prayers for our Abby.
Love, Steph Thoma etal..
We will continue to have monthly checkups and bloodwork at Children's Minneapolis with a return to Mayo in June for a quarterly consult. After that Abby has to be seen 4 times per year until June 2008 and then twice per year in 2009 etc....
We are going to work on homework today. Abby wants to go and spend part of her birthday money tomorrow, and this is good incentive for finishing up the first grade work.
Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.
Steph, Scott, Abby and Sam Thoma
YOU ARE SO SPECIAL! WE HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT BIRTHDAY!
LOVE, MAMA, DADDY AND SAM
Abby kept her fever down to normal overnight which is encouraging. She's taking huge horse pill of antibiotic. Her main worry is her birthday party on Sunday at Pump It Up. We are going to evaluate on Friday and make that decision. If her fever stays normal, we'll be good to go for the party. She has to be fever free for 24 hours and 24 hours on the meds to return to school on Friday. She'll have plenty of homework (yes, 1st grade and the homework is crazy).
Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
God Bless.
The Thoma's
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Abby had a great check up with Dr. Joanna Perkins at Children's in Minneapolis. Her bloodwork was all excellent and she is very healthy. We will go back in mid December for her monthly checkup.
Abby's grandpa, Marvin Kolling, is recovering nicely from his heart surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He had several tubes removed today and they keep him very busy rehabing. He should be home before Thanksgiving.
Abby's dad is deer hunting (playing cards, napping, drinking beverages and visiting with all the boys, oh and some hunting) in Wisconsin for the weekend.
We are going to the Minnesota Timberwolves game in an executive suite this Wednesday with other kids from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Should be fun!
Thank you for continuing to pray for Abby. Happy Thanksgiving!
God Bless.
Steph, Scott, Abby and Sam
Stephanie, Scott, Abby and Sam Thoma
We had a great turnout on Saturday, September 30, for our 3rd Annual Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. As you can see above, Abby was interviewed by local television anchor Marni Hughes, Fox 9 News. Abby thanked everyone for walking. The walk raised over $300,000 for research and patient services of the Society. Drumroll, please....Abby's Angels will come in with an estimated $8,500.00 after all donations and company matches are tabulated. We continue to be touched by the generosity of friends, family and strangers who have heard Abby's story and see the hope she brings to other children and families fighting blood cancers.
We go to Mayo Clinic on October 19 for bloodwork and visit with Dr. Rodriquez for Abby's monthly exam.
God Bless you all.
Steph Thoma et tal
Host: The Thoma's
Location: Lake Ann Picnic Pavillion
7500 Lake Ann Drive, Chanhassen, MN View Map
When: Sunday, September 24, 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Phone: 6122203549 Steph Cell Day of Event
Please join Abby and her family for a cake and ice cream social to thank you for your support over the past 2 1/2 years. We would not have had such a wonderful outcome without our friends, family, co-workers, health care providers and community members.
There will be lemonade, beer and water provided. A Moonwalk will be set up for the kids! No gifts please. A television will be provided for Vikings coverage.
We also will be celebrating the kickoff for our team, Abby's Angels, and our Light the Night Walk, Saturday, September 30th, benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Donations accepted and appreciated wholeheartedly.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Map link on this site isn't that great.....Lake Ann Park is located at 7500 Lake Ann Park Drive. It is approximately one-half mile west of Powers Boulevard (County Road 17) and West 78th Street off of State Highway 5.
God Bless You! The Thoma's
Abby's cousin Zach is participating in the kids triatholon this Saturday for the Miracles for Mitch Foundation. Abby is excited to watch Zach swim, bike and run for kids and families experiencing cancer. Mitch died when he was nine years old of bone sarcoma and wanted his money left to help kids and families like his. This year they expect 1,000 kids to participate and raised $250,000. The money will be used to send cancer kids and their siblings to Camp Courage and to support families in need who are struggling financially as their children are being treated for various cancers. Thank you Zach and Mitch!
Thanks, too, for your continuing prayers for Abby.
Steph Thoma et tal
We have an appointment Monday at Children's Clinic in Minneapolis with a local oncologist who will be seeing Abby 8 months of the year for bloodwork and a physical exam, so we can minimize trips to Mayo Clinic in Rochester during the school year. We will go to Rochester in October and every third month thereafter so we can stay in the loop with our oncology team there.
Sam will be starting preschool in September as well and I don't think he knows what he's in for. Ha. He has Abby's same preschool teacher Mrs. Gail. Sam couldn't attend any Early Childhood education as a toddler because we couldn't risk him picking up an illness and passing it onto Abby. So he will be attending 4 days a week for 2.5 hours per day. I think he'll have a blast.
Please see the link below for our Abby's Angels team for the Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We are honored to walk on Abby's behalf and now for all others that struggle to beat these diseases. The link below will allow you to donate online to our team effort or the upper left corner of that page you can walk with us on September 30, 2006, at Phalen Park in St. Paul.
God Bless you all!
Steph, Scott, Abby and Sam Thoma
We are currently fundraising for the walk which will be held this year Saturday, September 30th, at Lake Phalen, in St. Paul.
To join our team, go to www.lightthenight.org. Our team is Abby's Angels. You can donate online at the address as well.
Abby is over her virus and feeling good.
Stay cool.
Steph Thoma
Today she wants a playdate, but I had to say no as I don't want anyone else to get this one.
We are having our new A/C put in today. Just in time with a 100 degree weekend on the way.
Thank you for praying for Abby.
Steph Thoma
We talked with Dr. Tai, oncology fellow at Mayo, about moving her monthly bloodwork and consult to Children's Minneapolis for 8 months of the year with quarterly visits to Mayo to give us peace of mind. She agreed that was a good plan. Abby has her first appointment at Children's August 14th with Dr. Richards. We'll see how we like it and can always go back to Mayo for all visits.
We had a nice visit with Nikki Fieseler and her family in Eyota, Mn, 13 east of Rochester or so. Abby had a case of nerves Monday night and we left Nikki's early, but not until she whistled at the llamas and talked to the peacocks.
Sam had a nice time at Grandma and Grandpa's "cabinette" for 4 days. They are resting now. Ha.
Thanks for thinking of Abby and praying for her. Being off all medication is a time to celebrate but also a little nerve wracking as her body is left to do the work on its own.
Thanks too to all who've contributed to our fundraising efforts for "Abby's Angels" for the Light the Night Walk benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We are very involved fundraising for the Society. They provide millions of dollars a year toward research to cure these awful disease that effect children and adults alike. To walk with our team September 30, 2006, go to www.lightthenight.org, "Register", "join a team", put in Team Captain, "Stephanie Thoma" or "Abby's Angels" to walk with us that night. You can also contribute monies online at that site.
God Bless.
Stephanie Thoma et tal
Now, I don't have time to reenter this. Everything's great here and I'll update in detail later.
Steph Thoma
Tomorrow afternoon, we are going to see our friend, Nikki Fieseler and her parents in Eyota, Minnesota, outside of Rochester, for a visit. Abby and Nikki, 18, share something in common as they both have been battling ALL. Nikki just graduated highschool and we are due for a visit to her.
Please also pray for Scott Gilyard. He was involved in the Man of the Year fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He's a wonderful person with a great family. His bone marrow transplant he received over the winter was just determined to have failed. He also is being treated at Mayo and his medical team is looking for treatment options. He has AML, acute myelougenous leukemia, which is particularly virulant form of blood cancer.
We will update soon as to how everything went at Mayo. We are confident Dr. Moir and team will do a great job for Abby.
God Bless You,
The Thoma's
CONGRATULATIONS ABBY AND EVERYONE THAT HELPED, WATCHED CHILDREN OR ANIMALS OR SHOVELED OR CUT OUR LAWN!
THANKS TO ALL WHO WENT DOWN ON BENDED KNEES AND PRAYED FOR ABBY AND ALL WHO SUFFER FROM THESE AND OTHER CANCERS OR AFFLICTIONS.
Abby will have bloodwork, consult, and surgical consults with surgery to remove her portocath July 10-11th at Mayo Clinic, by the esteemed Dr. Moir, the lead surgeon in separating the conjoined twins from Fargo, ND. We're in good hands and God's hands.
We love you all.
The Thoma's
We will find out the results of the bone marrow test in the next day or so. Our oncologist is not concerned as her blood counts were excellent this month. She may have developed a sensitivity to these drugs her last months of treatment causing the neutropenia.
We were able to say good bye to Dr. Imran, our oncologist. He is moving to Mobile, Alabama, with his family, to join a practice there. We will miss his council and smile and wish him the best.
Abby's next appointment at Mayo will feature NO CHEMO! She will meet with a pediatric surgeon to schedule the removal of the portocath from her chest in July. They take it out right away to minimize possibility of infection.
We will visit Mayo for bloodwork and consults every month for about two years, then maybe two times a year until five years post chemo. Once a year until ten years. She will be discharged from Mayo after 10 years.
It's always a little scary going off all the medicine and letting her body do the work to stay cancer free, however we are confident we've done everything possible to cure her disease and take comfort in God's plans for Abby's life, whatever it may be. For now, she wants to ride her bike, swim and play with friends! Good enough for us!
Thanks to all for prayers and good wishes through the last years. We've met such wonderful people along the way. We will also continue to keep you updated about Abby at this site post chemotherapy.
We also are very involved raising funds and awareness for research funded by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Abby would not have experienced such a great outcome without research funded by the Society and supported by people like you giving of your time and dollars to support our cause. God Bless You!
The Thoma's
Abby has 13 days or so left of school and I think she'll be glad for a break. She's enjoying swimming lessons and has come very far. Abby has her two front teeth very loose. Pictures, I'm sure many, after they fall out.
We visit Mayo Clinic June 7th for a bone marrow biopsy and aspiration and spinaltap with chemo and more chemo. We are counting down. This is Abby's 2nd to the last treatment of her 2.5 year protocol. Praise God!
Thank you to all who have contributed thus far to my fundraising campaign for our Abby's Angels Light the Night Walk. So far I have almost $500.00 collected.
God Bless You.
Steph, Scott, Abby and Sam Thoma
She is feeling great and will attend kindergarten during this neutropenia, when her immune system is suppressed. They want children to feel as normal as possible and unless her counts were very low they recommend children attend school and normal schedules. We will just be careful about being around those who outwardly show cold or viral symptoms.
Thanks!
Steph Thoma
We go to Mayo Clinic on May 3rd. Winding down...........!
The Thoma's
We are counting down the months of chemo left. Abby will be finished with her chemotherapy in July. Yeah!
Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. We hope to not have a hospitalization before her treatment ends.
Steph Thoma
Here's another update: Abby had a great appointment at Mayo Clinic today with Dr. Khan. She had a spinal tap with chemo, and appointment with Dr. Khan and more chemo after that. She did very well. And must not be too tired as her and Sam reunited after the day apart with various hitting on each other resulting in trouble with a capital "T". Ha.
Now to the pictures. Mostly self explanatory. Cross your fingers this works with our new machine.
Thanks for your prayers.
The Thoma's
We will put pictures on this website as soon as we can (we just got home tonight!). She is looking forward to going to Kindergarten tomorrow and giving a seashell to every classmate.
Thanks to all who helped make this possible.
Steph, Scott, Abby and Sam Thoma
Abby has her 6th birthday party tomorrow at the Mall of America "Camp Snoopy" - not called that now but nonetheless she and 4 friends are going for rides and fun for the afternoon. On Monday, her "WISH" will come true from Make a Wish Minnesota and she is going to Disney World. She is very excited and we can't be thankful enough to Make A Wish Minnesota.
We should be able to put pictures up after the trip once a new computer is acquired.
Thanks!
Stephanie, Scott, Abby and Sam Thoma
We are shooting to go to school tomorrow for Thursday and Friday. Yesterday her blood counts were drawn at our clinic and they appear to be going up a little and not going down. We want Abby to stay healthy for her trip to Disney for her Make a Wish in two weeks. She is so excited!
I spoke to the morning Kindergarten today about Pennies for Patients for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. They are so cute! The public speaking was fine although I won't be speaking at the National Press Club anytime soon. Ha.
God Bless!
Steph Thoma and crew
Otherwise, she's been feeling good. She started her next gymnastics session this last Saturday. Nice not to have to bring Sam along to gymnastics. He spends his time there in the drinking fountain and other naughty endeavors so he can stay home with Scott or I on Saturdays.
We've been busy doing assemblies for Pennies for Patients. A fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We spoke at Abby's school last week on Monday, Chaska Middle School West on Tuesday and Friday we did a live tv announcement at Zanewood Elementary, Pam Brandt's school. Abby said, "I think I'm a star." ha. Wednesday, I'm speaking to the Shirley Hills morning kindergarten class that couldn't attend the assembly last Monday. I'm not much of a public speaker but these kids are 5-6 years old. Ha.
Thanks for continued prayers for Abby.
Steph Thoma et tal
We are going to Wisconsin Rapids overnight this weekend to Grandma Lila's 85th birthday party. We are staying with Aunt Pat.
Abby is starting to plan her birthday party. She wants "Ariel" to come to the party. We'll see. We at least have it limited to about 6 kids. ha.
God Bless you.
Stephanie Thoma and family
Her blood counts have yet to recover from the pneumonia earlier in the month. Dr. Imran contacted the author of the study she's on, who has since left Mayo for another cancer center. The study dictates if her counts don't meet the mark for a certain period of time she has to have a bone marrow biopsy to check for blasts of leukemia or other causes for her counts not recovering.
We go to Mayo for chemo next Wednesday, January 11, 2006, for counts check, consult and chemo. She will also have her counts checked in two days to see if we're on the rise. They (the oncologists) don't seem worried, that her slow recovery is due to the pneumonia infection earlier in the month, but they have to follow the study regardless. Let's hope her counts are on the way up soon. She's hovering around 750 neutrophils and they need to rise to 1,000 to take her oral chemotherapy at home which has been held since December 4th, her admission into the hospital.
Abby is very excited for her Make A Wish Trip to DisneyWorld. We leave February 13th. The daily countdown is killing her (and me). Ha. You can see her make a wish at www.wishmn.org. Go to Stories of Light/TwinCities/Read stories/Abigail then click on the star to see her story.
Thank you continuing to pray her.
P.S. We'll put some new pictures up once my computer problem is resolved. The harddrive crashed on the 28th.
Stephanie Thoma et tal
Abby was very excited to return to school yesterday however the pipes froze at her school and we had to stay home. We decorated our Christmas tree instead. Abby is returning to school today and can't wait to see her friends. Let's hope the little friends are all healthy!
Merry Christmas!
The Thoma's
We hope to see light at the end of the tunnel soon, as her chemotherapy protocol will be ending in July 2006. Praise the Lord!
Thanks for thinking of her during her hospitalization.
The Thoma's
Her brother has a bad cold, so it will be a challenge to keep it from her, although he may just have her cold that started her whole illness. Sam spent the week with my parents in Fridley. He showed his true 2 year old colors by the end of the week. Ha.
Glad to be home.
Steph, Scott, Abby and Sam
Please pray for her recovery.
Steph, Scott, Abby and Sam Thoma
She is feeling really good and had a great report from her first Kindergarten conference from Mrs. Schlecter. She is learning to rollerskate in her gym class at school, has started taking Spanish class with her friend Anna one day a week after school and continues with gymnastics one day a week with her friend, Emerson.
We are excited to report we were recently sent our itinerary for Abby's "wish a make". We will be going to Florida in February to DisneyWorld and spending a few days with Grandma and Grandpa Kolling at their condo in the panhandle at the end of the trip.
God's Blessings from the Thoma's. Thank you for keeping Abby in your thoughts and prayers.
Happy Halloween! Abby is Lumpy from Pooh's Heffalump Movie. Grandma Rose made her the costume. Unfortunately, we were not able to go out for Halloween as Abby has a cold for which we had a visit to the Ridgeview Waconia Hospital with a fever for evaluation. They sprung us at 2:00 AM and off we went to climb into our beds. Both Abby and Sam have the same colds which explains the fever we think.
She is answering the door tonight in her costume. Only four tricks or treaters so far. We live on a busy road and on the end of a woodsy area so I think we'll have lots of treats left over for the Thoma's.
Our next visit to Mayo Clinic is November 16th.
Thank you for thinking of Abby.
God's Blessings,
Steph, Scott, Abby and Sam Thoma
Today Abby went to gymnastics and after we picked out a few pumpkins which she washed in the sink when we got home. Abby is off of school this week for MEA but keeps asking when she gets to go back.
Brother Sam stayed overnight with Grandma Rose. He was an angel until mom and Abby arrived. Classic 2 year old behavior.
Thanks for your continued support and prayers for her recovery.
The Thoma's
She is enjoying school and gymnastics and playing with her friends. Tomorrow her class will ride the bus to the "apple torture" (ha) which should be fun for her.
Thanks for rememebering Abby in your prayers. They are working!
Stephanie Thoma and family
A big thank you to all who participated in our 2nd Annual Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Our team, Abby's Angels raised approximately $4,000. The Society hasn't released the final amount raised for this year but I will give an update once we have that number. We couldn't have done it without your generous donations. Research is so important. In 1960, Abby would have a 5% survival rate and now the doctors put Abby between 80-90% of cure with no chance of reoccurance in her lifetime. We'll take it!
Please see a few pictures on the "View Pictures" page of this website to see her at the walk.
She is doing well. She is on the letter "P" at Kindergarten today and is bringing her tooth to show Mrs. Schlecter.
God Bless You All!
Love, Steph, Scott, Abby and Sam Thoma
We then went to pick up brother, Sam, at Grandma Rose and Grandpa Marv's house and made our way home. Abby went to school yesterday and was excited to be back at school.
She will have her blood counts checked on October 6th to see if her chemo can be increased to 75 percent of the dose (at 50 percent). Her next appointment for October is on the 18th at Mayo Clinic.
She had her first gymnastics class last Friday with her friend Emerson and enjoyed it and will go again tomorrow.
This Saturday is the Light the Night Walk for research, programs and services of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Abby's Angels will be walking to support this cause. Please see the website below if you are able to donate to this worthy cause. Abby's leukemia is 80-90 percent curable due to research advances made in the last 30 years. We are honored to walk in her name.
Love, Steph, Scott, Abby and Sam Thoma
Monday night she began to have the sniffles and Wednesday we went to Ridgeview Hospital in Waconia, Minnesota, to have her fever evaluated. She has a little virus (that her brother, Sam has now) but just a few sniffles and low fever. Given she has no active immune system from the chemotherapy, any little bug is difficult for her body to handle. She had two antibiotics treatments in her port to protect her port from any infection.
Abby starts school Thursday, the 8th, at Shirley Hills Elementary School in Mound, Minnesota. She is excited to meet Ms. Schlecter and the other kids in her class. Abby's Aunt Pat sent her two very cute outfits for her first day of school. We will post a picture of her first day of school here.
Please see the link below to the Leuekemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk. Abby's team "Abby's Angels" will be walking and raising money to fund research and programs and services of the Society. We are thankful for any amount given to the Society in Abby's name.
As an aside, one of Abby's pediatric nurses, Greg Harris, at Mayo Eugenio Litto Children's Hospital is in a group arriving in Biloxi, Mississippi, to aid hurricane victims. (See Star Tribune, Page A9, 9/2/2005) Please see link below to American Red Cross to donate to the relief efforts.
God Bless You!
The Thoma
Abby has her blood checked this Wednesday to see how this month's chemotherapy is effecting her.
Abby is also preparing for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Walk and is an LLS Honored Hero. If you'd like to contribute to her team, Abby's Angels, raising money for research and programs and services for patients and families, please go to www. active.com/donate/abbysangels.
Thank you for your continued prayers and wishes for Abby's recovery.
The Thoma's
Make A Wish Minnesota ("Wish A Make" as Abby calls it) has granted Abby's wish to go to Disneyworld. She told the volunteers last week she wanted to 1) Meet Ariel, 2) Be Mickey Mouse and 3) Go to Animal Kingdom. She is excited and we'll probably try to go this winter planning around her chemo visit to Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
Abby has treatment this Wednesday with a check up at Mayo Clinic. She has been attending pre K summer school classes to get her ready for time at school this fall. She has "All About Me" and "Clifford in the Classroom". She enjoys school and is very excited to attend Shirley Hills Elementary this fall.
Thank you for your continuing prayers for Abby's recovery.
The Thoma's
She went to see Jungle Book at the Old Log Theatre in Excelsior, Minnesota, with Debbie, Connor, Grandma Dorraine, Grandma Rose and Mama. Very cute and she went and thanked the actors after the performance.
Very hot today, stay cool!
The Thoma's
Abby is doing well. Her and Sam start tandem swimming lessons in one week which will be fun for them. She is also going to Jungle Book at the Old Log Theatre with Mom, Grandma Rose, and friends Debbie and Connor Snowdon and Connor's Grandma Dorraine.
Thanks for your continued good thoughts and prayers for her recovery.
The Thoma's
Above please find a recent picture of Abby.
Thank you for your continued support for her recovery.
The Thoma's
Stephanie, Scott, Abby and Sam
Mound, MN
Today we put the sand in the "Mr. Crabs" sandbox from Uncle Brent, Aunt Tammy and Grandpa Bob and built a few castles while Sam napped.
Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers for her recovery.
Love, The Thoma's
She goes to Mayo this Wednesday for a spinal tap, chemo and doctor's appointment.
She loves her princess/cloud room and is busy finding places for all her dolls and animals.
Thanks for remembering her in your prayers.
The Thoma's
Our new address as of March 31, 2005:
Scott, Stephanie, Abby and Sam Thoma
4679 Wilshire Boulevard
Mound, MN 55364
new email as well on the 31st: ssathoma@frontiernet.net
We get her counts checked next Tuesday to see if we can take chemo at Mayo on Wednesday. Abby and Scott are making an appearance at Chaska Middle School with Wally Szerbiak of the Minnesota Timberwolves. This school raised over $11,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Pennies for Patients. Abby can actually say Sz-u-er-bee-ack very well which is funny. If we get a good picture, we'll put it on the website here.
Take Care and Thanks!
The Thoma's
She and Sam were playing sleepover today in her room and listening to her Disney music. Today, Grandpa Tom and Grandma Connie are arriving for a visit and Abby and Dad are going swimming at a community center pool with her cousins. She is very excited.
Thank you for your continued good thoughts and prayers. We appreciate it!
Love, The Thoma's
Mound, MN
She's playing, eating and feeling good otherwise. Sam is feeling well too. He had a double ear infection at the same time Abby got ill so Scott and I tagged team care for him at home.
Thanks for your continued good thoughts.
The Thoma's.
So, here we are in Rochester, Abby is doing well, trying to keep busy until we can go home.
We are in 3102 at St. Mary's at 507-287-4598. Abby seems to take many calls when I leave the room.
God's Blessings!
Stephanie Thoma
Abby has officially started maintenance chemotherapy with a once a month visit to Mayo Clinic with chemo for the next 18 months. July 2006 will marked her end of treatment for ALL. Exciting! She is doing well. We are taking many medicines at home for which I brought out the pill sorter, which I'm sure I can reuse after retirement. Ha. Abby is in a quandry to choose between a Princess Party or a Kim Possible Party for her 5th birthday February 11th. She comes up with something new every other day.
We will return to Mayo February 9th for an appointment with chemotherapy.
Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers. We are very blessed!
Love, The Thoma's
PS: Our friend, Nikki Fieseler, is 16 and from southern Minnesota. She has Abby's kind of leukemia called ALL. We have been very fortunate to have good insurance. Nikki's friends and extended family are throwing a benefit for her the first weekend in March. If you can help out with a Silent Auction item donation or a cash donation, please forward to:
Nikki Fieseler Benefit
PO Box 144
Eyota, MN 55934
Thank you so much for any support you can offer.
We return to Mayo January 5th (if her counts allow us to begin) for Abby to begin 1 1/2 years of Maintenance chemotherapy. She will finish her treatment in July 2006. Dr. Anderson said Abby can attend Kindergarten in the fall. Abby will attend Shirley Hills Elementary in September 5 half days per week, and she is thrilled. Her hair has started to come back which makes her happy too, although she doesn't talk about that much.
Thank you to everyone who assisted our family while we were in the hospital. We are truly blessed!
Love, The Thoma's
We thank everyone thinking of her and our family at this time. She's feeling quite well actually, just a bump in the road. Thanks to our neighbors and family caring for Annie, Monte' and Nemo and Sam with Grandpa and Grandma.
God's Blessings,
The Thoma's
We return to Mayo on December 20th for treatment with her last treatment of this phase around the 29th. Then on to Maintenance! (We are hopeful of a more relaxed schedule of possibly once a month until July 2006.)
Happy Holidays to all. God's Blessings!
The Thoma's
I went to her kindergarten round-up event at her school, Hilltop Elementary in Mound, MN. I met her teacher, Mrs. Borg and the other administrators. She is very excited to begin this fall and will attend afternoon 1/2 day kindergarten.
We are trying to set up our small tree today. Abby wants to get it decorated with her Wizard of Oz Christmas lights. The problem is getting a table high enough so Sam doesn't pull it down. Our lesson was learned last year when we lost a few ornaments by not putting it up high enough. We may be brave and go to Target today to look for a table.
Thanks to all!
Love, The Thoma's
Dr. Imran saw Abby and gave us the following report: White Count: 4,800, Neutrophil count 2,300, Hemoglobin 10.2, and total platelet count was 267,000. Very good. He said starting after her next treatment November 29th, her counts would probably start dropping again. She is taking escalating doses of IV Methotrexate and Vincristine.
We had a good trip and Abby was in a good frame of mind. (Grandpa helps that as well.) We drove back in the torential rain, better than snow, and Abby, Sam and Mom stayed overnight at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Fridley. Abby and Mom and her friend Connor and Mom Debbie, went to the Incredibles on Saturday morning which all enjoyed.
Until we report again, thank you to all!
Love, Steph, Scott, Abby and Sam Thoma
Abby was in a good mood at Mayo (understandably, sometimes she is not) and we went to pick up brother Sam at Grandma Rose's and Pepa Marv's afterwards.
We will go back to Rochester November 19th for her next treatment.
Thank you!
The Thoma's
Abby's Grandma Sally Moulton passed Friday from a long struggle with ovarian cancer. Her family was with her and though difficult times are ahead without her, she will no longer suffer as she had been for a long time. Abby says she is going to be a beautiful angel watching over her and Sam. A wonderful way to look at it!
We appreciate your continued good thoughts and prayers.
The Thoma's
Abby and Sam received their flu vaccine yesterday. Our clinic thought they would be running out today. They both did a good job!
Abby was able to play with her friend Anna on Saturday for the first time in a long time due to colds and Abby's low white count. They had a fun time together.
I will put more pictures on this site as am able. We've been having Uncle Tim help us as our computer doesn't allow me to shrink the photos small enough so they don't appear huge on this picture page. We'll try and get a picture on the site when Abby and Sam (reluctantly) will dress as Dorothy and Toto for Halloween.
Thank you for your continued good thoughts and prayers for Abby's recovery.
Steph, Scott, Abby and Sam Thoma
Abby is going to Grandma Rose's house today. Grandma is making Abby a Dorothy dress from Wizard of Oz for Halloween. Abby wants Sam to be dressed as Toto, but she doesn't want to carry a basket anymore because Sam won't fit in it.
Thank you for your continued good thoughts, wishes and prayers.
The Thoma's, Stephanie, Scott, Abby and Sam
P.S. Abby's Angels has $8,000 in as of this week. Great job everyone who walked and contributed. Wonderful!
Thanks to everyone who participated in The Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. For those who walked, made contributions or gave us well wishes, we had a beautiful night with no bugs. Our team, Abby's Angels, will have close to $10,000 by the time the company matches and other funds are turned in. What a great team effort!
We went to Rochester to Mayo for a lumbar puncture with chemo and a doctor's appointment on Wednesday. Abby did great although waiting so long to eat in the afternoon wasn't any fun for her. We then were admitted overnight to St. Mary's Hospital to take cytoxin, a chemo drug that can cause bleeding in the bladder, so they keep the fluids running heavy to keep her hydrated. Everything went fine. I then was trained on being an oncology nurse. I have to give Abby the drug ARA-C in her port for the next three days, and an additional 4 days next week. She said to me last night while I was giving the chemo, "Mommy, I don't want you to be a nurse." Oh, really!! I guess we didn't bargain for many things.
Thanks again to all!
Steph, Scott, Abby and Scott Thoma
Her doctor, Dr. Rodriquez, said she could even attend the walk tonight. (See previous journal entry for Light the Night Walk details.) We are looking forward to seeing many friends and family there.
Best wishes,
Abby, Sam, Scott and Stephanie Thoma
I'm going to use this space as an opportunity for a Light the Night Walk Update. Many of you are participating and the walk is this Saturday. We have all intentions of attending unless the neutrophils do not cooperate in time. Nonetheless, the team captain (me) will attend to meet you all there.
Please pass this message on to those who do not have access to the information.
We will all meet at the registration tent between 5:30-6:00 PM. Then we can walk together, turn in your pledges to me, coordinate t-shirt distribution, etc. Since, I'm not home, please call Jessica (below) with questions or my cell phone and I can return your call, 612-220-3549.
Here's the information the Walk Coordinator emailed today:
Event Agenda
5:30 p.m. - Registration begins
5:45 p.m. - Meet the Doctor Program
6:30 p.m. - Walk Program begins
7:00 p.m. - Walk begins
8:30 p.m. - Walk Totals announced for the Light The Night Walk
The 2004 Light The Night Walk will host fun, food and entertainment for the entire family.
Parking
Parking for the Light The Night Walk will be available at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church North parking lot, 1669 Arcade Street, St. Paul, MN, 55106. In addition, limited parking will be available at Lake Phalen Regional Park.
I am looking forward to seeing you at the Walk on Saturday, September 25, at Lake Phalen Regional Park, St. Paul, MN. If you have any questions, please contact me at (952) 545-3309, ext.113, or visit the Light The Night Web site at www.lightthenight.org/mn.
Thank you for your support!
Jessica Shellum
PLEASE NOTE THE PARKING INFORMATION ABOVE TO HELP YOU GET TO THE RIGHT SPOT.
We appreciate your support, walking or not walking.
The Thoma's
Cross your fingers for tomorrow!
Love, The Thoma's
We thank everyone who has helped us with Sam, and dogs and goldfish, Nemo, while we've been holed up here. Abby is napping right now and Scott ran to Minneapolis to get a few hours of work in today.
God's Blessings....The Thoma's
Abby then went to Mayo on Wednesday to start Phase 4 of her treatment: Delayed Intensification. We were able to see why they call it that daunting name, as Abby was sick after we arrived home from picking up Sam at her grandparents. She was sick part of the night but felt good on Thursday. We go to St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester today to have another drug administered at the Pediatric Infusion (Chemo) Center. To be honest, not a very upbeat place. If anyone knows someone who can donate several million dollars to update and make this space bigger, let us know. (hee-hee) Anyway, the drug has to be given in a hospital setting because of the potential for reaction. Abby had this drug during her initial hospitalization and it went well (besides the pokes in the legs). Anytime, a crash cart is put near you when they give the drug, it makes a parent nervous.
Thank you for your continued prayers and well wishes.
The Thoma's - Steph, Scott, Abby and Sam
Abby is going up north to Brainerd lakes area this weekend with her family to friend Pam's mother's cabin on Hay Lake. Her mother runs nearby camp programs and Abby may be able to take a pony ride which will be exciting for her.
Thank you for your prayers, good thoughts etc for Abby! She is really doing well, and your support means everything to us!
Love, Stephanie, Scott, Abby and Sam Thoma
Abby wore her Dorothy sparkly red slippers and was quite the hit with people at Mayo. She also told them how Grandma Rose is making her a Dorothy dress to match her slippers. Very exciting!
Thank you for continued thoughts and prayers for our family and her recovery.
Stephanie Thoma
Today, her Aunt Pat from Wisconsin Rapids, WI, is coming to spend the day with Abby and Sam. Abby likes to hear the stories of the turtles and fawns at Aunt Pat's pond.
Thank you for your continued good thoughts and prayers.
Stephanie Thoma
Thanks for your continued thoughts, well-wishes and prayers!
Love, Steph, Scott, Abby and Sam
Yesterday, we started her third phase of treatment call Interim Maintenance. For the next 60 days, she will go to the Mayo Clinic every 10 days for chemotherapy. We are always hopeful the side effects are few. Her white counts are up right now as well as her red platelet counts, and she is active and feeling good. Tomorrow, she is attending her friend from preschool's birthday party and is very excited to see some of the girls.
----End of History----
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