Abigail's fight against HLH

A LIFE-CHANGING DIAGNOSIS

When Abigail’s symptoms began on August 11, 2022, it seemed like she had just come down with a common cold or flu. Eventually her fever became persistent, and she was not acting like herself. Abigail’s parents, Jessica and Christopher, became worried and quickly brought her to the Winnipeg Children’s Hospital. Upon arrival, doctors ordered numerous invasive procedures and tests, including platelet and plasma blood transfusions, a spinal tap, a bone marrow biopsy, and an MRI.

The test results led doctors to diagnose one-year-old Abigail Wait with a very rare and life-threatening disease called Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). HLH affects about one in 50,000 births and most commonly shows up in infants and young children. We now know that Abigail’s immune system is not working as it should and is essentially attacking healthy cells. We are all so thankful for the doctors who made a quick diagnosis and who are now working to save Abigail’s life.

ABIGAIL’S CURRENT TREATMENT

As a result of little Abigail’s HLH diagnosis, she needs to stay in the hospital for at least eight to nine weeks while she receives steroid and chemotherapy treatments. She will also continue to receive blood transfusions so that her body will have the energy to fight off illness and infection.

Christopher and Jessica have been told that they will need to stop working to provide full-time support and comfort to Abigail while she is receiving ongoing care.

ONGOING CARE

Christopher will likely be able to return to work in two months, but Jessica needs to permanently quit her job so that she can look after Abigail’s needs. Abigail cannot return to daycare because she will need constant specialized care and will require years of ongoing medical appointments for chemotherapy, steroid treatments, and check-ups.

Once Abigail has gone through these harsh but necessary treatments, she may be in need of a bone marrow transplant to counteract the damage to her body. She has already been placed on the transplant registry.

THEY NEED OUR SUPPORT

Christopher and Jessica need our help during this time while they pour everything they have into supporting Abigail in her battle with HLH. This unexpected turn of events has flipped their world upside down, and their bills will not stop coming. The additional stress of losing income is an enormous burden to carry and doesn’t have to be a part of their story.

Let’s rally around this wonderful family and give them the support they need! This will be a very long road. Please contribute anything you are able so that the Waits can completely focus on helping Abigail. Thank you in advance for all of your prayers, thoughts, and donations. They are very much appreciated!