Gabrielle’s Story

Site created on July 14, 2007

 

On June 25, 2007, at the age of eight, Gabby was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is considered a rare cancer that develops from nerve cells found in several areas of the body. Neuroblastoma most commonly arises in and around the adrenal glands, which have similar origins to nerve cells and sit atop the kidneys. The tumor extended throughout her abdomen and was wrapped around the aorta artery.

In November of 2007, after five rounds of chemo, Gabby was taken to Sloan Kettering in New York to remove the tumor by a surgeon who specialized in this very difficult surgery. After a ten hour surgery, the tumor was removed. Gabby returned to New Orleans and received another round of chemo. In January 2008, Gabby developed a complication from the surgery that left her impatient at Children's Hospital for over two months. After recovering, she returned to Sloan-Kettering to receive additional chemo and radiation to the entire abdomen. After this treatment, she was clear of disease.

In November of 2008, Gabby relapsed. She received a round of chemo in New Orleans and then returned to New York for another difficult surgery. Prior to surgery, scans revealed that the tumor grew beyond the original relapsed size. She received two more rounds of high dose chemo. At this point Gabby's bone marrow was weak  and not recovering. The only chance gabby had to be cancer free was to undergo another major abdominal surgery, but with low platelet count,  the surgery was impossible. After a lot of prayers, God put his hand on Gabby and Dr. Laquglia preformed the surgery. After a 6 hour surgery, Dr Laquaglia removed all he could see. After a six month stay in New York, we returned home. One month later, scans revealed a relapse, this time in her pancreas. Since her bone marrow was weak she underwent a treatment at MD Anderson that was not dependent on a strong bone marrow. On March 28, 2010, Gabby went home to Jesus.  We love and miss her very much.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Liz Chiasson

Dear Family and Friends,

Tomorrow, It will be seven years since our sweet angel returned to her heavenly home.  It has been a while since I have updated. Mainly, because I just did not have the words or I just needed to get myself or our family through the day, so I decided to do an update one day early. 

Gabby continues to be a wonderful part of our lives.  Words can not express how much we miss her and love her.  She was always such a silly character and occasionally, things continue to happen that lets us know that she is around.  Once when Gabby and I were in Houston renting a car, Gabby picked out an electric blue car.  I was mortified to drive it around, but since Gabby liked it, I agreed.  Once in the car, I noticed the model of the car was Journey, so it became special to Gabby and I. We laughed about the color the entire time we had it.  The other day, Mo pulls up in this electric blue company car.  I thought, are you kidding me.  Mo got out of the car and said that he really likes the little car and wants to buy it from the owner.  I just had to look up at Gabby and laugh.

Sophia and Lexi are teenagers: Sophia 17 and Lexi 15.  Gabby use to say TEENAGERS in a very scary voice.  The girls are doing good, but the impact of losing Gabby has been difficult for them.  They so love her!  They love snuggling with their beloved Rex and new comer Roxie, who is another "meant to be" (long story) orchestrated by Gabby.

Mo and I continue to do the best we can.  We look up to God for strength and guidance.

I hope all of you are well.  Thank you for continuing to walk with us.

Much love and prayers to our old friends and for all those struggling with life's difficulties.

God Bless,

The Chiasson Family



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