The heartbreaking life of Baby Abigail: Infant diagnosed with down syndrome and inoperable brain cancer

Erika and Stephen Jones were heartbroken when they were told their unborn daughter would have Down syndrome. The couple from Florida experienced a second painful blow when they received news their newborn daughter was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. Since her birth, a photographer friend has helped the couple record the "achingly beautiful" life of baby Abigail.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - "Our hearts were broken and our minds weighted with questions and fear of the unknown to come," wrote the couple in their heartfelt entry on Mary Huszcza's Photography website.

At her 30-week ultrasound in June, Erika discovered that her unborn child had developed an inoperable cancerous tumor in her brain, The Daily Mail reported. 

Abigail Noelle Jones was born through C-section due to brain swelling. The couple welcomed the lovely baby, with cherubic pink cheeks and dark hair, into their lives. She was born with a healthy appearance but the Jones' knew their time with the newborn was limited.

"She is moving, nursing, squawking, sticking out her tongue, opening her eyes, holding our fingers, and doing all things a baby does," they wrote. "She has blown us away and surpassed every expectation." 

Despite Abigail's healthy appearance and normal actions, MRI scans confirmed the advanced and aggressive cancer spreading through her brain. Chemotherapy is not an option for her small body.

Instead, her neurosurgeon advised Erika and Stephen to take her home and shower her with love, which they have been doing the past three weeks. 

"We have smothered this little one with love and kisses and will continue to do so every moment we get," said the Jones'. 

"We don't want to lose our daughter," they wrote. "We want to see her laugh, dance, fight with her sister, ride a bike, go to school ... we want to see her life ... but most likely, her whole life will be weeks or months, not years. Our hearts are broken and ache for the time we don't have."

Abigail was photographed with her parents and 2-year-old sister, showing her devastatingly beautiful existence. Her devout parents know that God will be with her and with them amid the struggle.

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