Many have been reaching out wondering how Fable (and Shelby + Ian) are doing. This space will serve as a place where updates about Fable will be written. But before we share updates we will share what has happened to get them to the place they are at. 

Friday, October 11th Fable was feeling a little under the weather but Shelby/Ian know that kids get sick and that is kind of what happens. Ian went to the airport and began a long flight to India for a two week work trip. Saturday Fable felt a little better but Sunday she was more down and out (LOTS of snuggles with mama because daddy was out of town). Sunday, Shelby found a couple of little bumps on Fable's head and knew she needed to take her to the pediatrician right away on Monday. Shelby called Monday morning and was able to get an appointment.

They went in, the doctor took the bumps very seriously and ended up running a panel of blood that came back with a very high white blood cell count. The doctor told Shelby she needed to take Fable to Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Once at children’s the doctors ran a lot of tests which resulted in Shelby finding out that Fable had cancer, Leukemia. 

Tuesday, October 15th, the doctors ran more tests to get a more full diagnosis of what the exact kind of cancer it is. Those results did not come back until Wednesday morning (10/16). The official diagnosis, Acute Myeloid Leukemia. After lots of conversations with the team, the Oncologist, and each other - treatment started for sweet Fable with her first round of Chemo on Thursday (10/17) morning at 10:30am. 

The treatment plan moving forward is two weeks of Chemotherapy followed by about two weeks of allowing the cells to regrow. What we are hoping, and praying for is that the cells regrow as healthy cells and not mutated cancer cells. This first month will be very telling. At the end of the month they will test Fable again to see how her sweet body is responding to the Chemo. This will tell us if the cancer is low risk, or high risk. 

If the cancer is low risk there will be four more rounds of this same chemotherapy treatment plan. Two weeks of Chemo and about two weeks to allow the cells to regrow. In between treatments Shelby, Ian and Fable will go home for around 3 days before coming back to do another round. 

If the cancer is high risk there will be two rounds of Chemo then Fable will need a Bone Marrow Transplant in order to replace the bad cells in her body with good ones. 

Specific Prayer Requests for this Month: 

• That the chemo KILLS the cancer FULLY! 

• For Fable to remain healthy, chemo is totally knocking down all of the BAD (but also the good) in her body so if she gets even the common cold it could be very dangerous. 

• For HOPE to be present and powerful for the family, the doctors and the nurses! 

This road is going to be long, and tough but we know Fable is a fighter and she wants to be here for a LONG time living the most magical life that her parents have created for her. With that being said, this week Shelby and Ian are both off work trying to figure out some logistics of what the next few months and beyond look like. Likely, Shebly will be taking some sort of leave from work in order to be with Fable while she is receiving treatment. Many have reached out asking what can you do. 

1. PRAY - this month is going to be a HUGE month - pray and ask others to do so too.
   

2. Allow a little space - Shelby and Ian SO appreciate everyone reaching out and it is a little overwhelming currently while they are trying to figure out what the road ahead looks like. Come to this CaringBridge site if you would like the most recent updates. We are going to update this when there are updates to be made.
   

3. Donate - Many have reached out to ask if they can donate financially - the answer is yes. A GoFundMe is linked to this page as well as posted below. Please do not feel any obligation to give. Shelby and Ian want you to know that your support, words, thoughts and prayers mean so much, BUT if you do feel led to give please do so there. 
   
   https://gofund.me/d25c48cf

Donations made to Caring Bridge do not go to the Bannermans, please make sure to only donate to the GoFundMe.

Updates will be posted every couple days or as anything especially update-worthy comes up.

Written by family friends,
Sarah & Max

We have some encouraging news to share about Fable’s progress. After weeks of uncertainty, doctors have confirmed that her cancer is now undetectable. This is an incredible step forward—moving from 20% detectable to none is something to celebrate. While this doesn’t guarantee the cancer won’t come back, it’s the best news we could hope for at this point.

They’ve also been grateful to have Fable home this week. It’s been a precious time for Shelby and Ian to recharge and enjoy some quiet, joyful moments together as a family. While it’s only a short break before heading back to the hospital on Thursday for the next round of treatment, these days at home have been a true gift.

Fable will begin another round of chemotherapy on Thursday. This is essential to ensure the cancer stays at bay, as even a short delay could give it time to regrow. Over the next 4–6 weeks, her medical team will decide the next steps. By the end of this chemo cycle, they’ll determine whether to move forward with a bone marrow transplant or continue with chemotherapy.

The transplant is a complicated and risky procedure, especially because Fable’s liver and blood vessels are very small, adding challenges to her care. The risks of the transplant itself include a 5% mortality rate, which increases under the age of one. While her doctor is willing to proceed at this young age, the decision will ultimately come down to weighing the risks against the potential benefits.

Her doctors are navigating uncharted territory, as Fable’s case involves rare genetic mutations with very little existing research—possibly only a handful of cases like hers have ever been documented. Despite these challenges, her care team is giving her the best possible treatment, and their expertise and dedication are a great source of hope.

Currently, Fable’s immunity numbers have dropped since leaving the hospital (from 770 when she left the hospital to 330 now), so the coming weeks will require close monitoring and extra precautions. While the road ahead is still long and uncertain, the odds are better now than when she first began this journey, and that’s a blessing we’re holding onto.

Through all of this, Fable’s parents, Shelby and Ian, have shown incredible strength and resilience. Shelby continues to work as much as she can, balancing everything alongside hospital life and constant interruptions. Their unwavering commitment to Fable’s care and well-being is truly inspiring.

We are so grateful for the love, prayers, and support you’ve all sent to Fable and her family. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts as they navigate these critical decisions and treatments. While there are still challenges ahead, we are celebrating today’s victories and holding onto hope for tomorrow.

Thank you for being part of Fable’s journey. Your encouragement and support mean the world to her family.

PS - Huge thank you to those who contributed to the care package and those who have contributed to the go fund me. Your support means the world to baby Fable

DAY TEN UPDATE

Today is sweet Fable’s tenth and final day of the first round of chemo. Her last treatment for this phase is scheduled for tonight at 10:30 p.m. (10/26). In addition to her chemotherapy, Fable has been receiving a weekly Lumbar Puncture, with chemo administered directly into her spine. She has four more of these treatments over the next several weeks.

Over the next few days, the chemo will continue its work in Fable’s body. As her immune system is impacted, Fable may feel its effects in the coming days, and she has experienced some pain already. Her care team is working hard to keep her as comfortable as possible. After tonight’s last chemo for this round, we enter the regrowth phase. This is when we will wait for her cells to replenish to a level where a biopsy can be performed. The doctors anticipate this will take at least 19 days but likely a bit longer.

This biopsy will be an important moment in her journey. Our deepest hope and prayer is that it shows zero signs of cancer, indicating the chemotherapy has been successful! If so, she will still undergo four additional rounds to make sure her body is completely free from cancer.

Shelby and Ian are adjusting to new rhythms as they walk through these weeks and months of treatment with Fable. Ian will be returning to work, and Shelby is figuring out how to keep working with life at the hospital. They want to express their heartfelt gratitude for everyone’s support, encouragement, and prayers during this time.

Shelby also shared that Fable has moments where she has felt more like herself (see the pictures) and that brings everyone so much joy! Praising God for moments like that.

Specific Prayer Requests:

• For this first round of chemo to eliminate all cancer in Fable’s body.

• For Fable’s body to regenerate 100% healthy cells.

• For Shelby and Ian, as they support their precious girl and navigate hospital life over the next five months.

Thank you for walking with them on this journey.