After 6 years of fighting cancer, Abby’s tiny body couldn’t handle it anymore. Doctors said there wasn’t anything else they could do and told her family to say their goodbyes. As they gathered around her one last time, though, Abby opened her eyes and said 7 words that left her family – and the doctors – speechless…

Abby Furco’s life story is a perfect example that miracles can indeed happen.

A 10-year-old girl faced a tough battle when she was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of four. Despite doctors giving her a low chance of survival, her parents never lost hope and continued to fight for her life.

Abby’s mom, Patty Furco, expressed her devastation, stating that they were informed about Abby’s impending death and had very little hope.Abby experienced a lot. She went through a bone marrow transplant, several chemotherapy treatments, radiation, and numerous trial drugs.

Patty mentioned that we always surrounded her with love as we were aware that we might lose her at any time. There were instances when we were uncertain if she would recover, as she had numerous infections that could have been fatal. Our only option was to observe her fight and hope for improvement.

Abby’s health improved after many treatments. She was able to ride a bike, play soccer, and attend school regularly. Unfortunately, about a year later, the cancer came back stronger than before. Suddenly, Abby couldn’t walk anymore.

Patty remembered how difficult it was to receive the first diagnosis, but this one was even more challenging. Her loved one couldn’t move at all, every motion caused pain, and she barely uttered a word.

Abby had to go through another bone marrow transplant, but this time her body rejected the donated marrow. As a result, she was diagnosed with Graft versus host disease (GvHD), a condition that can happen after a transplant. In GvHD, the donated bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells see the recipient’s body as foreign and attack it. This caused her kidneys to fail, and she had to undergo dialysis.

Her parents were informed that nothing could be done and it was time to say goodbye to their daughter.

Patty mentioned that the doctors advised them to accept the inevitable and let her go. She was barely conscious for an hour every day. Consequently, they started to prepare their other daughters for her passing.

Abby’s parents were devastated when she was admitted to hospice care. They were even advised to start thinking about arranging her funeral.
As everyone gathered around Abby to bid their final farewell, she surprised everyone by opening her eyes and uttering words that left everyone in awe.

“She told us, ‘I have so much living to do,’” Patty recalled.
“We couldn’t believe it,” she added, “in a matter of days, weeks, months she started walking and getting stronger. It’s an absolute miracle.”
Abby made a quick recovery that baffled doctors. They were unable to find a medical explanation. Abby’s parents were not concerned with answers, they were just grateful that their daughter survived.

“We helped her get home on hospice. But when we started backing off, taking away treatments so she wasn’t on so many meds, she started getting better all on her own,” Abby’s doctor, pediatric hematologist and oncologist Jacob Wessler, said.
“She’s had ups and downs, but if she continues on this path, she is going to make us all look like fools!” he added. “She’s defied every single odd.”
Abby’s future remains uncertain, but currently, she is doing well and flourishing. She is in remission and receives IV steroids twice daily.

Patty mentioned that we witnessed her death and resurrection, and now we are focusing on what lies ahead.