A one-in-a-million diagnosis, an eight-hour surgery, and a slow road back
The Diagnosis
Earlier this year, Abraham Gabbard learned he had sacral chordoma, a cancer so rare doctors describe it as a one-in-a-million diagnosis. Tulsi Gabbard recounted the moment in a video shared to social media: she picked up the phone, and immediately something in her husband’s voice told her the news wasn’t good.
The couple faced two paths forward. One was an invasive surgery to remove the lower portion of Abraham’s sacrum and tailbone. The other was radiation. They chose surgery, and scheduled it as quickly as they could.
The Surgery and Recovery Room
The operation itself lasted nearly eight hours under anesthesia. When Abraham was wheeled into recovery, Tulsi described feeling relief mixed with fear she hadn’t anticipated — his body reacting to the drugs still working through his system.
That first night was difficult. More than once, Abraham insisted on getting up, and with help from nurses he began taking slow, careful steps around the room. He got sick as he walked. He kept going anyway. He refused narcotic pain medication throughout, choosing to push through the pain without it.
Clear Margins
Weeks later, the pathology results brought the news the family had been hoping for: doctors were confident they had removed all of the cancerous bone and tissue.
Physical Therapy and the Road Ahead
Now, nearly three months into a demanding physical therapy regimen, Abraham is making steady progress — though not without frustration at a recovery that feels slower than he’d like. Tulsi noted that the fight isn’t finished. He’ll need ongoing MRIs to monitor for any recurrence, either in the same area or elsewhere in his body.
Gratitude
In sharing the update, the family expressed gratitude — to their doctors and surgical team, and to the many people who have offered prayers and support along the way. “Mahalo”, Tulsi wrote — “for all the love and support".
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