5:30 p.m. Saturday update

Abby remains stable at Columbus Children's Hospital, where she will remain for at least the next few weeks.

Around 2 p.m. today, she underwent a minor surgical procedure in which a drain was inserted into her abdomen to allow gas and fluids out of areas where they should not be. By all accounts, she responded quite well to the procedure.

We were able to go see her before and after. She was heavily sedated most of the time, but otherwise seemed in relatively good shape. The doctors are "cautiously optimistic," as she seems to be doing quite well considering the situation.

We were told that after this procedure, there was about a 1/3 chance that the problem would be solved, about a 1/3 chance that more extensive surgery would be required, and about a 1/3 chance that she wouldn't make it. So far, things are looking good.

We will know more after some tests that will be administered around 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., but it might be a few days before we totally know if that problem has been solved or not. All other problems are on the back burner until this one is resolved.

We're heading to dinner and then going back to visit her again. I'll probably update again late this evening.