On Mother’s Day 2011, Gabriella Martha Vogel had the typical concerns of any five-year old girl:  “How much dinner do I need to eat to get her dessert? When is it my turn on the swing? Katie is looking at me!”
 
In the coming days, she developed balance problems, her vision got blurry and she started having trouble talking. On Memorial Day — just three weeks later — she had trouble standing when she woke up in the morning.
 
Her parents took her to the ER at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). On Tuesday afternoon, she was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor on her brain stem. On Friday, she had brain surgery to biopsy part of the tumor. The following Wednesday, June 8, the biopsy results came back: The tumor was a malignant and an “explosively aggressive” pontine glioma that had infiltrated much of her brain that is essential for life.
 
Thanks to Gabby’s supporters on her Facebook page, her family was able to contact most of the world’s top neuro-oncologists for a second opinion. After a few short days of looking, her parents developed the confidence that CHOP was the best place for her to be treated. Her treatment of radiation and chemotherapy begins on June 15 at CHOP.
 
Before Gabby’s tumor took over her family life, she lived with her family in Phoenixville, PA. She attended Zion Lutheran Preschool, loved swings, gymnastics classes and playing princess. She loves everything girly especially princesses. Her favorite color is pink.
 
Gabby’s parents, John and Carolynn Vogel, have been by her side throughout this ordeal. They note that Gabby has always been their troublemaker, choosing to be born on their wedding anniversary. Her mother has not left the hospital since she was admitted. Her father has been spending as much time at the hospital as possible, but also making time to spend with Gabby’s two older sisters, Madison and Katie.
 
The girls have a dog, Posie, two guinea pigs and a hamster.
 
Throughout this ordeal, Gabby and her family have been helped by hundreds of people, many who were strangers or casual acquaintances before this happened. The generosity and support all these people have offered, many whom have their own children battling a life-threatening condition, has been truly a miracle.
 
Gabriella needs her friends and family to love her as they loved her before she was diagnosed. She needs people to pray they can find a cure and treatment for the type of cancer that she has. She also needs lots of support to help her and her parents get through this.
 
UPDATE: September 11, 2011 at 8:15 Gabby lost her fight with the tumors in her brain. She put up a very good fight and has been so brave throughout this journey. Gabriella Martha Vogel 10-9-05 to 9-11-11. We will always love you and carry you in our hearts.

Website: www.getwellgabby.org

Written by the Vogel Family
September 2011