A Wildwood Elementary student who is facing a complicated surgery in Minnesota next month received a much-needed pick-me-up recently.
Nine-year-old Abigail “Abby” Lacayo, who suffers from Hereditary Chronic Pancreatitis and Gastro Paresis and has been forced to endure excruciating pain and bloating for the past several years, spent time with another young girl, Bryce Zimmer, who already has gone through the same surgery and is doing quite well. Abby and her mother, Gina, visited with 12-year-old Bryce and her mother, Kristi, recently at their home in Melbourne.
“Kristi saw the stories about Abby and we’ve been talking for quite some time,” Gina said. “She’s told me things the doctors don’t tell you and really supported me emotionally. She’s our cheerleader and a great support system, someone who really understands.”
Needless to say, the trip did wonders for both Gina and Abby, who along with husband Denis are heading to Minneapolis next week for preoperative appointments and testing. Then, on Dec. 12, a team of surgeons at the University of Minnesota’s Masonic Children’s Hospital will remove Abby’s pancreas, spleen and gallbladder, and also transplant islet cells into her liver in what most likely will be a 12- to 14-hour-long surgery.
“The surgeons have told me that it will be the longest day of my life,” Gina said.
As for Abby, meeting Bryce did a world of good for the straight-A fourth-grade student who longs for the days of leading a normal, pain-free life much like her new friend is doing.
“She saw how healthy Bryce is and that meant a lot,” Gina said. “Bryce had the surgery when she was nine, the same as Abby, in the same grade and at the same time of year.”
The visit also proved to be educational for Abby.
“She had the opportunity to ask a lot of questions,” said Gina, who has been away from her job at Wildwood Elementary School’s library since March. “They were able to really talk about the surgery.”
If that’s not enough, Gina and Abby also received some more good news.
“They are going to Minnesota for Bryce’s two-year follow-up appointment on Dec. 8,” Gina said. “So Abby will get to spend time with Bryce before her surgery, which is great.”
Kristi Zimmer, who has a friend living in the tri-county area, wrote a post on Abby’s GoFundMe account page recently about the fact that both families will be at the hospital in Minneapolis at the same time.
“This is not a coincidence. This is a God thing,” Kristi wrote. “We are beyond excited to be there together and support this wonderful, sweet family. We are also confident that Abby will have the same amazing outcome that Bryce had.”
As they prepare for the trip this week, Gina said they are holding out hope that they’ll be able to stay at the Ronald McDonald House near the hospital, which would alleviate a huge expense for lodging. The financially strapped family already is facing many unknowns with daunting medical bills ands travel expenses as it is, so free lodging and a dinner provided every night would be a huge help.
“I have to talk to them four days before we leave to find out something,” Gina said. “It will really depend on if they have an open room for us. But we’re hoping it will happen.”
Once the surgery is completed, Gina said they will have to stay in Minnesota for anywhere from six to 12 weeks, depending on how Abby progresses. But they have their eyes set on a goal that they hope will come true.
“We hope to be out of the hospital by Christmas,” she said. “That’s 13 days after the surgery and the average stay in the hospital for this kind of surgery is 10 to 15 days.”
Gina added that once the surgery is completed, Abby will be a diabetic. But surgeons will be transplanting islet cells into her liver and they’ll have to wait and see how she does on that aspect of her health moving forward.
Luckily, Gina added, their health insurance carrier has approved an Omnipod for Abby, which automatically dispenses insulin when it’s needed versus having to give shots to Abby.
“I’ve talked with people who have had this surgery and they said they’d trade pancreatitis for diabetes any time,” Gina said. “Diabetes is at least manageable.”
Gina said she knows there’s still a long road ahead, but she’s got her sights set on the day when her daughter is healthy and pain free.
“We were told that if we didn’t have the surgery, Abby’s pancreas eventually would destroy itself and she’d be a diabetic then anyway,” Gina said. “She’d be pain-free then, but that could take 10 to 20 years to happen.”
Meanwhile, as of Friday afternoon, Abby’s GoFundMe account was at $23,128. The account was created in April by Villager Faye Scher, a volunteer at Wildwood Elementary and a member of the charity-oriented Gilchrist West Social Club. Scher has been doing everything in her power to help the Lacayo family and is encouraging everyone who can to make a donation to help offset the expenses.
“They have enough to worry about with her surgery and recovery,” said Scher, who can be reached at fscher@aol.com for more information about ways to help the Lacayo family.
So far, 326 people have contributed to the GoFundMe account in seven months. The highest donation is $1,500, which was followed by a $1,000 gift. And the link to the GoFundMe page has been shared 926 times on Facebook.
Many clearly have been touched by Abby’s story, as messages left on the page attest:
- “I want to share in helping this beautiful little girl. My home state is Minnesota and I have SO MUCH confidence in the medical community there. Our prayers are with this family along with wishes for a complete recovery. Blessings all.” Mary & Dave Hegarty
- “God’s blessings and His strength to Abby and her family.” Sharon McAdams
- “We pray for God to guide the surgeon’s hands.” Karen Willner
- “Blessings to Abby and her family. Let us all see her receiving the help she needs to heal.” Pam Treffehn
- “Abby, you are such a pretty girl. You are going to get well soon. We will be praying for you, sweetheart! Hang in there!!!” Allison Birnie-Firth
- “Prayers for Abby and her family and prayers for the doctors operating on this beautiful child… God speed for your surgery and complete recovery.” Brenda Durkin
- “We have an ‘Abby’ granddaughter, too. We have to help. Prayers are with you sweet child. Paula Tews
