An Update on Gaby's Progress

Thank you for all your encouraging words and on going support. It means the world to my family to see everyone come together for our baby girl. Family, friends, and those who don’t even know us our praying for Gaby, we thank you from the deepest part of our hearts.
I’m back at the hospital feeling better, thank God. Gaby has her good and bad moments. This morning she woke up throwing up and the next minute she was laughing with her cartoons. My daughter is amazing, so strong and after all, full of life.
Her white blood counts are down to 0.2, which means her body can’t fight infection. She is extremely vulnerable at this time, but with the help of God her counts will go up. Doctors said it was expected for her counts to go down after chemo. Her next round of chemo is due January 1st if everything goes as planned. She is draining from her chest tube therefore she is still in PICU however it has decreased a bit but enough to go home.

Mom says...

Gaby is doing good today despite the LONG night we had. I on the other hand had to come home because it looks like I'm coming down with something; plus I have sinus. It hurts me not to be there but its for her best interest. She has tolerated chemo pretty good. She really blew my expectations. They did put the feeding tube but when they tried yesterday with the feeding, her belly got extended and had some diarrhea. They will try again today to see if she can tolerate it.

A Christmas Prayer for Gaby

This Christmas Eve, join us in a prayer at 7:00. At 7:00, before we sit to eat, we will join hands as a family and Junior, my son, will lead us in prayer. I want to encourage you to join hands with us from afar and pray for Gaby and any other burden heavy on your hearts.

We were not sure if we were going to have a Noche Buena party. What is happening with Gaby has really put us in a bah hum bug! BUT we finally decided that it was the perfect opportunity to come together as a family and pray for Gaby, Julian, Mildred and Juan. We will be missing them that night but there will be nothing else on our mind!

An Update after day 5 of Chemo...

Gaby woke up with nausea and throwing up. Yesterday she was weak. She still has the chest tube and it's still draining. Yesterday they put the feeding tube; she took it like a true trooper!!! Go Gaby!!! That’s our girl!!!

Although she is going through all this mom says Gaby was smiling and laughing as she was watching the movie Tinkerbell. Mildred says that Gaby is still her active little self and playing tricks. When she doesn't want something she acts like she is sleeping, then she opens one eye to peak!!! What a silly little girl. She was running a temp so they had to give her tylenol so she played her little asleep game to get away. Since it didn't work she tried to be slick and drink lots and lots of water so when they finally got the tylenol in her she thru up. I tell you she is "candelita" like her mom says!!! Please keep her in your prayers.

Mildred is also going through a rough time. She has been having bad headaches. God please place your healing hands on her head and in your name take the headache away so that she can be with Gaby the way she wants to be. Amen

Gaby needs blood! Wait until January or February to donate blood. There has been enough donations for now. We are looking for blood type O positive or O negative. You could go to any community blood center with Gaby's info. This is what you need to take. Name: Gabriella Garcia, DOB: 10/10/2006, Last 4 S.S.# 6540, Location: Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Doctor Name: Dr. Cauff. Please stop by and donate in January or February. Gaby needs us!!!

Day 2 of Chemo

Gaby did pretty good yesterday. She wasn't feeling too good in the morning however she did really well with the chemo and slept for a while to reenergize for night time. She is still on TPN and the doctors are insisting that she needs to begin eating on her own. Yesterday she had a little bit of milk and a couple french fries, which was GREAT. We just need her to continue. Her chest tube is still on and is still draining liquid therefore they can not take it out. I think that when the chest tube is out and maybe 2 days go by after finishing chemo that she will pick up again on eating. Doctors have mentioned a feeding tube and I really hope it doesn't get to that.

Yesterday, I got to spend some time with Julian. At first, he was distant and didn't want me around until he gave in to my hugs & kisses. It really hurts me that he is hurting as well. He is too little to understand but he definetly knows there is something wrong. I can't wait to go home and be able to jump into bed all 4 us again.
I am amazed on how many of you are praying for my princess. Its great to know that there are GOOD people in this world. Our prayers will be answered and our princess will be running around again.
Today we are ready for day 3 of chemo. I will keep you posted

Whats the Plan?

A note from mom: Her chemo treatment is for 5 consecutive days, on day 6 she gets a shot to boost her immune system. Then on day 21 counting from the first day she starts again. I spoke to a neuroblastoma expert from the University of Chicago who assured me that Gaby is getting the appropriate treatment here. She was GREAT, she answered all my doubts & questions. She also suggested that when it was time to go back to surgery, to find a surgeon with a lot of experience in neuroblastoma. She gave me 3 names, one in Chicago who works with her, one in Sloan in New York, and the other in Harvard. I will definetly consider this.

Things always get worse before they get better...

A note from mom:
I was devastated this morning when the doctor confirmed with me that the liquid in her lungs were a second side effect from the actual tumor; in other words it has the cancerous cells. On top of that the second biopsy came back MINC amplified; its a genetic study & all this means its that its a tougher tumor. With all this said u can imagine what kind of a day I've had. Today I had a mother advocate who stopped by to meet me. Her daughter is a cancer survivor of neoroblastoma. Had stage 4, 10 years ago & is now a teenager. Her visit was God sent. I needed to hear from someone that has been here that it will be okay. Tomorrow is a BIG day for all of us. The battle is about to begin, she will start chemo tomorrow. Please continue to pray! Gaby needs it. Please update everyone. XOXO, Mildred

'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you." Hang in the Mildred, we love you!