Abby has always been a child that required a lot of sleep. Since the day she was born, she was a twelve hour sleeper plus naps. I was always told that she would grow out of it. However, December 2010, at the age of 7, she started needing even more sleep. I blew it off as her going through a growing spurt, or being overtired from long days at school. In January, it continued. Everyone kept telling me I was being over protective and over worried. She started withdrawing from her activities because she was too tired after a long day of school. Gymnastics was her favorite activity and it became an argument each week. She would try to participate, but then after about 20 minutes of it, she'd come over to me and tell me she was too tired and her legs hurt. Again, in the back of my mind, I was becoming more and more worried. When her birthday rolled around in February, she planned a slumber party at our house on a Friday night. Most 8 year old girls would be ecstatic when they'd get off the bus on their birthday party day. Abby, however, came off the bus and asked if she could go upstairs into her room and read a book. Ten minutes later, she was fast asleep...on the day of her birthday party. I woke her thirty minutes before the party was starting, and she was groggy, grouchy, and really not interested in having her friends come over. This was not normal for my bubbly, friendly, social little girl.

The following week, I had her 8 year old well checked scheduled. Needless to say, I insisted on a blood test. When her blood counts come back low, I was immediately worried as my mother had passed away from leukemia 15 years ago. I knew what low blood counts could mean. Our pediatrician was worried as well, so he immediately called Dr. Lew at the Aflac Cancer Center who instructed us to take the counts again in one week. The following week, we had the same results. One week after that, we were at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for some tests. We left Children’s thinking Abby had a blood infection that would resolve itself in two weeks. However, the following day, on March 11, 2011, the test results came back positive for leukemia. That is how our journey started.

During the past few months, we have obviously adjusted to the 'new normal.' Our world resolves around doctor's appointments, days at the clinic, spreadsheets of medicine dosages, and arranging activities around blood count levels. The doctors and nurses here have been amazingly kind, knowledgeable, helpful, caring, and loving. We have always been supported, loved, and cared for. All of our questions are always answered and if they do not know the answers right away, we usually have them within a day. Everything is explained to us ahead of time, so we can plan accordingly. Most importantly, though, is the love and respect they all give Abby. Abby is old enough to understand what is going on and to have questions of her own. Everyone at the Aflac Cancer Center talks to her, answers her questions, and makes sure she is as comfortable as possible.

I do not wish this diagnosis or experience on anyone. In fact, if I could change our path and take it all away, I certainly would. However, if I have to go down this path, I wouldn't want to do it anywhere else other than here. I am daily grateful for all the love and respect we receive from all the staff, and I will be eternally grateful to them all.