contest.

Okay we are going to do a contest to see how many people will shave their head. If my hair falls out. Who's with me?
love,indie p.s. my moms in... :)

Open letter to Indie.

On the Monday when we heard the awful news, I immediately thought of the worst possible scenarios. I couldn't imagine life without you and I could not contain my tears at the thought of this. I should have been stronger for you, it's that I handle bad news very badly. You will always be my baby, and the thought of you not spending your life with us, going camping, going to school and church dances, getting your drivers license and eventually getting married and having kids... It broke my heart, my soul...It seemed to crush my very being and all I could do was cry. Then when we went to the hospital and found out that it was not as bad as we had expected, my heart soared. I was buoyed by the prayers and could feel the power behind them and I felt the love sent to us by so many. Prayers are answered Indie. There are many types of miracles and I honestly believe that through priesthood blessings, fathers blessings and the many prayers that your journey through these hard times will be for a reason and that you will grow from this challenge.
At the young age of 11 you are going through something that many adults have had in their later years. They had a lifetime of lessons to deal with this. You have had a few tender years and 8 or so years of life to deal with this very serious disease. I am strengthened by your unsinkable joy for life and your spirit that is so beautiful and loving, strong and gentle. I stand amazed at how you handle the treatment.
I have seen you grow through many phases. I now have faith... And I KNOW that it will continue to grow stronger. Your blue eyes as a baby, your love of life as a toddler and your gentle compassionate manner in grade school are all a testament to your awesome and unique soul and spirit.
I remember the first time we met. Your small hands... Your eyes... and small toes. At that time I wondered if I would be good enough as a father to you, if I could rise to occasion to be your daddy. I doubt that there is any person who could be the perfect parent to your awesome spirit. I have a beautiful opportunity. And now with this challenge ahead of you and with us all as your family... Know that I LOVE YOU with all my heart.
Life is beautiful and we will make it through this together.
FOREVER with Love,
Dad

New Update October 28, 2006.

So our modem needed to be reset... hence no new updates. So last Tuesday Indie went to get her Spinal chemo and infusion chemo. She did not have the same back problems this time. Yeahhhhh!!! She has to have help with bathing (to keep the central line dry and free of infection). Indie will update you all on how she is feeling. She seems to have gotten into the ritual of liquid chemo and pills. We still haven't seen any hair loss or swelling of her face and body due to the levels of prednasone that she is taking. Yet only 10% keep some of their hair so we are all hoping and praying. The swelling will come and that will be hard to deal with. At her age she will hopefully not internalize all the bad changes, realizing that they are only temporary. She will remain the confident and loving person that we all know.
On another note, our family physician Dr. Riggs told great grandma Allen at her last visit, that with all the treatments that they, "will give her another 70 years". He is the best doctor. Kind and compassionate with a sense of humor. If you are looking for a doctor he will not disappoint. Enough of the shameless plug for him.
And Finally the comments are great and we look forward with anticipation to reading them. Thank you all for your kindness, prayers and cards. They mean the WORLD to indie.
The Dunlaps.

WOW!

my bump has gone down.way,way,way, down.and i feel good except heres the list of things that hurt: jaw,my legs,back,head,and body.

-indie

The Day after First Treatment.

Now that we've rested a bit, things don't seem quite as overwhelming. After a rough night, Indie is feeling pretty good today. Dr. Yaish (he will be the Dr. we work with throughout all of this) did a spinal tap to test for cancer cells in the brain (this came back good too!:) ) and spinal fluid and a spinal injection of chemo, so that was good a sore. We received a lot of information about Indies care, I feel like I had a weeks worth of nursing school in one day! Dr. Downey (surgeon) placed a central line in her chest that is connected to her heart and a soft tube hangs out just below her collar bone. That is where she will get her chemo medication once a week and where they will draw her blood to be tested each week as well. Her chemo will be every Tuesday for the next 4 weeks. This probably seems jumbled. It's still sinking in so, this is just how it is in my head. Also her treatment will be for 2 years. This is so they are certain that ALL cancer cells are gone. Thank goodness for modern medicine and lots and lots of prayers! We have an amazing line if support, THANK YOU ALL!!!

Long Day

We are so wiped out after 8 hours at the hospital. We'll fill you all in tomorrow. Here's something really special for you to read though...

Indie,
I have never wrote a poem before but for some reason I tried to write one today and it felt pretty good. It is not very good but I want to share it with you.

To Indie, the one that I love, you are so brave
So many peoples feelings that you will save
You have touched so many hearts
This is the beginning that you will start
Bravery comes easy for you, because of who you are
Everyone looks at you, for you are a star.
Hard times will come and hard times will go
But you will always be the queen of the show
A brother, sisters and parents are the very best
For when you get tired they will let you rest.
Blonde, blue eyes and a heart of gold
Will help you get through this beause you are bold

Just a little poem for someone I love
"AUNT PAT"

Here's the latest.

Well more good news. The pathology results from the bone marrow biopsy came back normal. So it is just a localized Lymphoma tumor. We will be going in tomorrow to get a central line put in her, where they will inject the chemotherapy so she wont have to have a new iv each visit. the Dr. said it will be once a week for "a while" then go to monthly treatments. She will get her first treatment through a spinal tap tomorrow though. He also said 90% chance of hair loss, so that will be loads of fun. NOT! He'll explain everything in detail tomorrow, I only talked to him over the phone. They are supposed to call me back today to let me know what time we go in. It's so fun to hear from those who visit this site, don't be afraid to leave a message as much as you'd like, it really gives Indie a big boost. Thanks! Love Heidi

iPod nano...

WOW!!!! Maybe I should have Indie write that a Cadillac Escalade would make her really happy, or a trip for 6 to Hawaii or a hot tub... 'cause much to Indie's surprise and mine, an awesome iPod nano is now hers, and as much as I would love to say that it was her more recently doting parents but it wasn't...it was an angel, who is always there for us...thank you again!
P.S. We didn't hear from pathology today so.... :\

A word from Avery...

My sister is my best friend. she plays with me i love her so so so so so so so so much we play every thing that we can think of we play football
and gameboy for hours.

My Turn!

i was scared, then nervous... then happy. If i had a ipod nano then i would be really really happy! No seriously, I never really knew how much everyone cared. I have gotten many cards and gifts and that has helped cheer me up! But most of all everyones love and caring! Thank you!

Third day.

For now the wash of normalcy is somewhat upon us. Then the reality hits and you want to cry, the kind of crying where your head hurts and you can't think. You just feel exhausted and all you've done is sob...

Indie is a trooper afterall what do expect from a soul like hers? Ever the strong and loving personality, she moves on. Yesterday as we passed the other children in the oncology department whose faces were covered by masks and who's hair had been taken by the chemicals which hopefully will save their little lives, she was strong. Her parents snuck tears when she was not looking or we simply excused ourselves. It is hard. At times it is overwhelming. We can feel the prayers and the spirit is strong yet our humanness sometimes fails our spirit. God be with us at this time of need and to all the other spirits in need. May the comforter be with us all at our times of trial.
The Dunlaps

day two

Good news today! After 5 pokes to her hands, drinking a liter of contrast liquid, and getting knocked out for a bone marrow biopsy on each hip. Things look good. The blood test was normal. The CT scan was normal. We should know the pathology results and course of treatment by Monday, possibly sooner. THANK YOU ALL for your prayers and fasting, we couldn't have made it through this day without it! Love Heidi

The First day.

After waiting for over ten days we found out some bad news about Indies recent biopsy. She has Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. We will be going to Primary Childrens Hospital on Tuesday October 10th for a CT scan and blood tests. We will then go to the Cancer clinic to find out more. We will keep you informed on this blog.
For those of you who have Indie and our family in your prayers... Thank You.

Indie, Heidi and Jason.