Abby's Coming Home!

Abby is coming home this Friday, November the 2nd. Her trach has been removed and she is completely off her vent. Her new room is ready to go thanks to the hard work of many volunteers. Picutres to follow this weekend. 

Abby makes Homecoming Court!

Recommend Abby's Homecoming article on Facebook! 

Introducing the homecoming nominees.

4th Runner-Up

Abby's Outing to Kenwood Mall

Abby's first trip away from the hospital, to The Kenwood Mall!

Getting Ready to Move Out!

Abby has finally been approved to go to Frazier Rehab Institute in Louisville, and she is leaving Cincinnati Children's to move there tomorrow! This is such an answer to prayer!

The Frazier Institute is the lead center for Neuro-Recovery and Locomotor training program that utilizes state-of-the-art technology and innovative treatments designed to maximize functional recovery.  Thank you for your prayers. We are believing God for  great and mighty things that we cannot even imagine  Jer 33:3.

To come visit Abby in Louisville click here to get directions.

Here are some pictures of Abby getting her braces removed!

Updates

Here are alot of updates, thank you for continuing to view the blog!

Abby finally breaks out of the hospital!  Actually, she is on her way to the building that houses the robotic arm for her physical therapy.  And she got to enjoy some much-missed sunshine and fresh air along the way. 

Abby is enjoying the workout she has been getting from the "Armeo", a robotic arm that helps her  raise her arm and strengthens it. 

Abby is so loved by all the nurses here at Children's. This is a picture of Abby and some of her favorites on crazy hair day.

Abby's first drawing!  We are very proud of it.  Look for many more to come!

Abby's first attempt at baking.  Her chocolate chip cookies were delicious! 

Ryle High School Football tear sheet with #PrayForMarsh Go Raiders!!!

March For Marsh

March For Marsh & Marsh Madness Turn Out

March for Marsh is already here, can you believe it! It begins tomorrow at Idlewild Park 8am so come and run/walk for Abby.

Abby's new hair cut, donated to Great Lengths.

On August 18, our friends, family and the community came together at Turfway Park in Florence to support our precious daughter, Abby Marsh, who was severely injured in a motor vehicle accident in May. The outpouring of love we experienced that night was completely overwhelming. Words cannot describe how much your support means to Abby and to our whole family during this dark time. We know we will not have to face this journey by ourselves and that is priceless!   

Over 1200 people attended the fundraiser and we know time didn't allow us to thank you all personally that night so on Abby's behalf, we would like now to publicly thank everyone who came and all the volunteers who worked to make the evening a success, it was flawlessly executed. Thanks to the countless hours of planning and coordination by the committee and the dozens of volunteers who prepared food,  made baskets, sold raffle tickets, decorated the hall, and pounded the pavement to solicit donations for the raffles. The venue was spectacular, the food was amazing and the entertainment was fabulous with great performances by Code 9, the Ben and Joe Duo and by our favorite DJ, Ryan Schwartz. 

Thanks also to all the generous individuals and businesses who donated products and services for the raffle baskets, and many thanks to the wonderful Hutcherson family and to Josh for donating his time and generating publicity for Abby and the event. The money raised will aid in the expenses of a wheelchair accessible van, the remodeling of our house, outpatient rehab, and medical bills. You all helped to lift at least one burden from us, and for that we are so grateful.  

Raffle Style Auction Items

Live Auction Bidding on Vacations

We are so grateful for all your prayers as well. Abby said it best when channel 19 interviewed her, "She can't do this without God." We are most of all, thankful that we dont have to this without Him. Every day is a walk of trust in God who has been faithful and gracious. We have woven one of Abby's favorite Bible verses into our hearts - Josh. 1:9 "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, for the Lord your God goes with you wherever you go."

We love you all so much. What an awesome community we live in! 

Thank you and God bless you! 

The Marsh family

Back to School and Marsh Madness

The seniors at Ryle High School have come together to support Abby Marsh. To show your support don't forget to come the Turfway Park this Saturday, the 18th, at 7pm. Buy your tickets online, at the Florence government building, or at the door.

For all the people attending the event, you are in for a real treat! If you had to add the value of all the raffle items which have been donated, it would be right around $20,000. These prizes will all be available at the event to win. To list everything would be too much but we have items such as Hilton Head vacation packages, Mossberg 22 Tactical Rifle,wheel barrels filled with alcohol, UK Basketball,Reds and Bengal tickets and much,much more! Please if you have not bought your tickets in advance stop by the Florence Government Center (8100 Ewing Blvd.) tomorrow to get them!

3 Months down

It has been three months today since Abby's accident and it still seems surreal at times. We are so thankful for many things - for God's grace every day; for Abby's strength and courage (Josh 1:9); for the progress we've seen and the prayers that have been answered; for our dear friends and family whose love, support and prayers have carried us through. 
This past week, Abby had surgery to place a feeding tube into her jejunem and a drainage tube which drains out of her stomach. This meant that she could have those nasty tubes removed from her nose. It was so good to see all of her beautiful face again! 
Another answer to prayer - after a CT scan confirmed that her neck had healed and was now stable, her neck brace was finally removed! Abby is super excited because her neck brace really dug in her shoulders, even with the padding. 
Please continue to pray for Abby as she gets weaned off the ventilator. The doctors told Abby that she should be able to breathe on her own, at least when she is awake, which was very encouraging news. Also, please pray that the episodes of very high blood pressures she has been having ever since the surgery will be resolved. These episodes are accompanied by bad headaches and nausea. Nitro paste usually works to bring the numbers down.

To donate click here!!!

Dinner with Josh Hutcherson

Here are the links for you and a guest to have dinner with Josh Hutcherson!

1. http://tinyurl.com/JoshHutchersondinner1

2. http://tinyurl.com/JoshHutchersondinner2

3. http://tinyurl.com/JoshHutchersondinner3

4. http://tinyurl.com/JoshHutchersondinner4

5. http://tinyurl.com/JoshHutchersondinner5

Donate and Buy your Marsh Madness tickets!

You can now purchase your Marsh Madness tickets online and at the door, however please help us by buying your tickets early so we know how many people to plan for. Aside from the food, drinks, and entertainment there will be: great baskets for prizes, mystery envelopes, and some really great vacation packages that will be auctioned off live the night of the event.
To buy tickets click on the appropriate link: (the links are working now!)
Couple Tickets
Individual Ticket
Under 21

If you would like to help Abby and her family but can not attend the event, please use the following link to DONATE via Credit Card/Pay-Pal to the Friends of Abby Marsh. All donations will go towards Abby's Trust Fund.

Josh Hutcherson involved with Marsh Madness

Josh Hutcherson of The Hunger Games has joined forces with the Friends Of Abby Marsh to help raise money for the Abby Marsh Trust Fund. Abby, who played soccer at Ryle High School, Josh’s high school Alma mater, was involved in a car accident on May 22^nd and suffered a broken neck. She is currently unable to functionally control her body from the chest down and has limited movement in her hands, yet she is able to feel these parts.     

The Abby Marsh Trust Fund will be holding five separate dinner auctions in which each winner, plus a guest, will all join Josh for a dinner at an undisclosed location in the Greater Cincinnati Area, on Saturday, August 18 at 5pm.

All proceeds from the auctions will go directly to the Abby Marsh Trust Fund. All payments will be made via Pay-Pal. The winners will be notified of a location to meet for transportation to the restaurant. Transportation from that location will be provided by the Friends Of Abby Marsh. All transportation arrangements outside of this will be provided by the winners at their own expense. Josh Hutcherson and the Friends Of Abby Marsh will cover the cost of the dinner but will have no additional financial obligations.

All winners will be subject to a background check prior to the dinner. Please note that video or audio recording, of this  of any kind is strictly prohibited. 

Please watch for website links to the dinner auctions coming soon. 

Auctions will start Monday, August 6th, morning at 6:00am.

Putt Putt

Don't forget to come out And play some putt putt for Abby at World of Golf , where she used to work, at 6pm today!

98 Degrees

Abby had a very good yesterday!  She met and chatted with the band members of 98 Degrees. (98 degrees was a very popular boys band in the late '90's).  Band members Drew and Nick Lachey are local to Cincinnati; they have also been in the limelight lately for winning Dancing with the Stars and hosting the Sing Off.  They are very active in local charities and often come to Cincinnati Children's for visits with the sick kids. They definitely made Abby feel better!  (and Mom)  
Medically, Abby is going to have surgery in the very near future to insert G-J tubes ( feeding tubes and drainage tubes)  into her stomach. This will make her feel a lot more comfortable since it means the tubes currently in her nose will be taken out and lead out of her abdomen. The tubes are irritating her esophagus and nasal passages which have been causing: excess inflammation, pain and discomfort, and excess secretions (saliva).
She hasn't gained any weight this week so far and her stomach issues are still hampering her recovery.  So please keep her in your prayers.
To sign up to see her click the "Book Appointment" button in the top left corner.  

Week 8-9

Abby's gained another kilo this week but her stomach is still causing her problems. She is scheduled for a GI scope, three different teams will be involved: gastroenterology for her stomach; ENT (ear, nose, throat) for her trach; and pulmonary for her lungs. This procedure will take two hours during which she will be be given general anesthesia.
Abby's out of the surgery room and in a lot of pain in her throat due to the scopes. Her blood pressure is very high and they are trying a nitro paste to bring it down. There are no cysts or obstructions, just some inflammation in her stomach and esophagus, which was probably caused by the tubes.
Please play that she will recover easily from its effects and that all her systems now functioning the way God designed them. Thank you all so much for your support in so many ways, from prayers, visits, food, cards, to helping with the various fundraising events.

Marsh Madness Event

SUPPORT ABBY MARSH BY ATTENDING HER BIGGEST EVENT TO DATE!

MARSH MADNESS

Friends of the Marsh family are sponsoring a fund raising event for the Marsh family. All proceeds will be donated to the Abby Marsh Trust Fund to help with medical costs as well as remodeling costs needed to accommodate Abby's needs.
There will be: 

• Two bands performing; CODE 9, The Ben and Joe Duo
• Food, draft beer, wine, soft drinks
• Raffles and silent auctions
• Cost:
• 25.00/person
• 45.00/couple
• 15.00 for 21 and under

This is a ticketed event so be sure to buy your tickets at the Florence Government Center (Open: M-F: 10am - 2pm).  You can also contact Tim Aubrey to purchase tickets outside of these hours at 859-468-9548.

Thank you for all the love & support! Visit the Facebook event page for more details and to confirm your invitation!

Abby's seventh week in the hospital

It's been another week of ups and downs for Abby. On the down side, she is still experiencing stomach upsets and the doctors are still having to liquid from it. On the up side, she managed to gain a few pounds this week! The doctors would like her to gain about ten more pounds at a minimum. Please pray that she can continue to tolerate her feeds and that her SMA valve begins to work in response to the weight gain (once this happens they can take the tube in her left nostril, which drains her stomach, out).
Through the week, the nurses were able to get her in a wheelchair for approximately two hours at a time, on a regular basis. 
Dan, Abby's Dad, did her trach change this week for the first time and he did an amazing job! It was the best trach change she's had yet! She was traumatized by one really bad change and now it has created a figurative hurdle for her. Abby is still really nervous and hesitant to allow no one else but trained professionals to care for her. She is coming around to her parents caring for her as the hospital staff continues to educate Reta and Dan on how to care for Abby however.
She's been able to receive more visitors now, and she loves entertaining, so please keep coming! You can sign up using the "Book Appointment" button at the top of the page.

Car Wash

Come to the US 42 Culver's to get all dirt and grime washed off your car. (something rain alone cannot do)

11:00am - 3:00pm 

The cost is free!!! Donations will be accepted, t-shirts and wrist bands will also be available.

Elephant not included.

Abby wants YOU to come visit her! How to schedule a visit.

You can now sign up to come visit Abby! 

http://www.snapappointments.com/listing/1p2

Lately Abby has been wondering where everyone has been and why she hasn't had more visitors. The Marsh family has been limiting visitors due to her condition, but now feel that it is safe enough for Abby to be visited. So feel free to come by and say Hello and catch up with Abby!!!

The process is really quite simple, but let me lay it out for you just in case you're not tech savvy. :)

1. Go to: http://www.snapappointments.com/listing/1p2  From here you can see the days and hours that Abby is available to visit. You can also; post Facebook comments, recommend it on Facebook, and Tweet it.

2. Scroll down to the bottom to book a visit.

Then click on "Visit Abby", then click "Continue".

3. Click on "Abby Marsh". Then click "Continue".

4. Select a date, in the calendar, and time you would like to visit Abby. Then click "Continue". (note: if you would like to visit for an hour or more you must sign up for an additional visit.)

5. Here you must; enter your name, phone, and email. This is so the Marsh family can send you a text/email if Abby decides that she is not feeling well enough to see visitors that day.

Also note that if multiple people are coming with you please list those people in the "Notes" box.

Once complete click "Book Appointment".

6. When you are finished, you should get a screen that looks like this. If you would like to visit Abby for longer than 30 minutes, feel free to schedule a consecutive appointment.  

Abby enjoying her new gown

Last Friday Abby received a new hospital gown from her cousin, Erin. Erin got it from one of her friends' Etsy pages. Abby was excited to switch it up and get rid of the old boring gowns the hospital provides. It seems like such a small thing, but aren't those the ones that count. Her spirits were lifted and continue to be from your comments and visits.
An online visiting schedule is in the works of being created. You will be able to sign up for a time and date, which will be tentative, for when you would like to come visit Abby.

Abby and her new gown.

Abby before her stomach condition.

When she first learn how to speak past her trach.

Sunday - 7/8

Abby's digestive issues have stabilized a bit today and she's feeling a bit better. We were told the other day that fixing the SMA valve might take a few weeks, mainly because she hasn't tolerating a large volume food in her tube since she got sick. We are hopeful Abby can successfully practice going off her ventilator this week for short periods of time and breathe 100% on her own. Thank you for praying! Love you all and are so appreciative of all your support.

July 6th

Abby had another bad night last night. She woke up at 3 am complaining of chest pains and stomach discomfort. Her medical team discontinued her feeds and gave her pain medicine at 6:00 am. The doctors think the chest pain is related to her stomach issues and have scheduled a complete two view ultrasound at 2:30 today. Please pray!!

Bruster's

We had another amazing turnout at the latest fundraiser at Bruster's on Tuesday night. Thank you so much for your support for Abby.  Please continue to send cards to her and to post encouraging messages on Facebook. She is so buoyed by all the love! 

People showing support. Thanks again for coming!

T-shirts are now available for $10 each, they will continue to be sold at events.

Diagnosis

Today, Abby was diagnosed with Superior Meseteric Artery (SMA) syndrome. SMA causes gastrointestinal obstruction and it is often associated sudden weight loss. It's the reason that her stomach hasn't been emptying fully and why she has been feeling nauseous and vomiting so much. The good news is that it is treatable, we were told, by weight gain. We have been trying to fatten Abby up her whole life, but now it's critical. Since she can't eat anything, they inserted an "NJ" (feeding) tube in her nose that bypasses her stomach and through which she can be fed high protein and high calorie formula. Unfortunately, this latest bump in the road has also affected the weaning off the ventilator since she has been feeling so poorly.

Please pray that Abby gains weight quickly and that her stomach and digestive system work efficiently.  Also, please pray that her spirits stay strong and that God continues to minister to her heart and comfort her. 

July 2nd

Abby had a bad night. She was up the entire night puking every five minutes while her mom suctioned it out of her mouth. The nurse pulled two liters of stomach acid out of her feeding tube!!! There's no doubt she felt a little better after that. Abby is getting hooked back up to an IV since she can't keep any fluids down. The little firecracker hasn't been able to smile all day, for those who know Abby, that means she is feeling really under the weather. She just had another X-ray this morning and her second set of blood tests were normal. Doctors are still trying to figure out what's causing this. Keep praying as we keep you updated.

July 1st

Please pray for Abby today. She's very sick, has an upset stomach, and secretions from her lungs. The doctor's have taken some blood sample earlier today and those came back negative, which is good. We are not sure what's going on, possibly another infection but they are not sure where.Love you all!

If you're not out of town on vacation, please come to Bruster's on Tuesday evening for Abby. Thank you!

Last Week of June

This has been a difficult week emotionally for Abby as this is the week she was to go to Young Life camp with her friends from Ryle High School. If you know Abby, you know she lived for camp! Despite everything she is dealing with she prays for her friends at camp, especially for the ones she had convinced to go, knowing their lives will be changed. Thanks to her Young Life friends from Highlands who stepped up this week in Ryle's absence to visit her and cheer her up.

Physically, we did receive some very good news this week about her lungs. After almost five weeks of being on a ventilator and enduring four breathing treatments every day, her latest chest X-ray was normal! She is still on the ventilator but the doctors have mentioned she could possibly be weaned slowly over the next month. The breathing issues have really caused a setback to her recovery. Her trach has also not been healing as quickly, as we had been led to believe it would, and is still very painful at times. 

Abby also has not been able to sleep at night which causes her great distress. She says all she wants to do is sleep. Every sleep medication she has tried has caused either hallucinations or extreme itchiness. She still has considerable pain in her neck and hands and has been experiencing occasional painful muscle spasms throughout her entire body. On a more positive note, she was wheeled out into the sunshine for a few minutes on Tuesday. She absolutely loved that!

Thanks to everyone for your love and support, prayers, meals, gift cards, and for the encouraging cards. You cannot know until you have been in this type of tragic circumstance how very much even a simple card means to Abby and to us. Please keep the cards coming to her and please keep Facebooking her, as she always wants us to go to her Facebook and read the latest posts to her. Her spirits are high most of the time and she is clinging to the hope she has in her Lord and Savior. 

     "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."Romans 12:12

Thank you!

Thank you to all those who came out to support Abby at the Mosh for Marsh event; whether you moshed or  watched, your donations and presence were very encouraging to Abby when she saw how many people showed up! Abby continues to be astounded at how many people are supporting her, even people that she doesn't know. The Marsh family often has to wipe her tears after showing her the love the community is pouring out for her. Thank you!

We have gotten a lot of hype about these t-shirts,
if you would like to purchase a shirt like this with another Marsh slogan on it, tell us.

The band Sea Over Comfort will continue selling band t-shirts with a percentage of proceeds going to Abby. To purchase a t-shirt contact them on their Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sea-Over-Comfort/219393868097702

Enjoy this video of Abby's cousin, Nate, putting carmex on her lips.

More updates on Abby's condition tomorrow.

Wheel Chair and Abby's first bite!

Early this week Abby had a swallow test and did a great job. The team of doctors huddled around a machine, that continuously read x-rays of her neck, as Abby chewed mac and cheese and swallowed it. According to the doctors, Abby's ability to eat has not been impaired by her injury or her surgery and she can start a diet of soft foods. Abby can't wait to get off her feeding tube but her appetite is very small, so she is only eating small amounts of food per day.
The physical therapists have seen Abby's improvement and jumped on the opportunity to make her week even better. The nurses put Abby in a giant sling chair, hoisted out her out of bed and put her into a wheel chair. Although she was in the wheel chair for just a little over an hour, she was excited to get out of that bed and in an up right position again. While she was in the chair a little boy, one room over, came to see her; it was great getting to see Abby have fun and make faces with the boy like her usual self.

Abby was super stoked to be out of the bed. 

Mosh for Marsh

Mosh for Marsh is today. Come out @ 6pm and support Abby!

There will be Snappy Tomato Pizza, drinks, band t-shirts, and #PrayforMarsh bracelets (with aTrauma Washington explanation) for sale.

Old room < New Room

Abby's Old Room (PICU)

Abby's Old Room (PICU)

Abby's new room in the TCC

Abby with a nurse who really took a liking to her after watching her and Nate crack it up.

Much more seating for plenty of future guests.