Tuesday, Nov. 21

Things went good today. Indies new line was kind of making us nervous and not allowing the nurse to draw blood, but she did a few tricks and got it to work very well. Whew!!! Grampaw came with us for support and to see what goes on while we are there. It was fun to have him there to talk too while Indie was sleeping or getting her treatment. Indie made a new friend named Shandee. She started treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma in September. Her and her mom are here from Nevada and they are staying in the Ronald McDonald House. Shandee has a dad and 4 siblings back home that she misses very much. Her dad and her moms best friend and family are coming to Utah to spend Thanksgiving together. We were glad to hear that, I think grampaw would of invited them if they didn't have any plans. :) We also heard that the fund raiser is almost up to 500 already and a few kids have already shaved their heads! Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday. 11/16/06

So, we went to get her old line replaced which had migrated it's way from her heart to her jugular vein, (she could feel it in her neck). Then they had to replace it with a new line (broviack). It took two hours and yet went like a dream the Doctor said. All together we were at the hospital from 11:30AM-7 PM. Thank goodness that today is over.
Next Tuesday we go to get her Spinal tap Intrathecal chemo, aka BACK POKE. After that if she has a high enough blood, platelets and ANC count she begins phase two of her treatment. More to come about the chemicals in the next set of chemo. Thank you for your interest and all of the support.
The Dunlaps.

for Indie...

Yesterday was a tough day for Indie, very emotional. She made it through, because she has a strong spirit. Thanks for all your prayers.

Chemo day.

Today started off with a 6 am wake-up call and to the hospital by 8 am. We went in to the Hem/Onc clinic to get CBC count and her central line was clogged, it would allow a push of fluids it would not however let the nurse draw blood. So they ordered some chemical to unclog it. That would take an hour...we then went to the RTU, short for rapid treatment unit. Indie was very nervous as she dislikes the whole anesthesia process. She was prepped with some medicine and that helped her to relax and then to sleep to get the spinal tap and I.T. chemo, (Spinal). After she awoke and was allowed to leave we then went to the clinic again to try to unclog the central line. The first attempt did not work and Indie's patience was growing thin... At this time she was very angry bordering on disgruntled...seriously. Well we had to get another dose of the anti clogging agent which takes a half hour to thaw,( it's frozen) and so with Indie hungry, she has to fast on these days, we decided to go to the Pie Pizzeria. She had her first taste of real pizza and reports that it was good, actually, "the best EVER".
That lightened her mood a bit, yet when we had to go back to the hospital she had a very hard time. She was adamant about not wanting to go into the hospital. What do you do? After getting a wheel chair, (her back hurt from the tap) she relented. The nurses knew that she was having a hard time so they gave her the second dose and let us go. We have to go back tomorrow to get the medicine removed from her line plus she has been eyeing this stuffed dragon in the gift shop... so we gave in and will adopt it tomorrow. Well, we only have 23 more months to go.

This is Awesome. . .

This was part of an e-mail that was sent to all the parents of the students in Indies class:

Important News: A young lady in our class named Indie was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer just before we went off-track.
Luckily the cancer has not spread to other parts of her body and her
treatments are going well. We really want to show we support and care
about her in her time of need. Please put her in your prayers! Our school DARE officer, Officer Penrod has come up with an idea to raise money for the family and show Indie our support by sponsoring a school fundraiser from Nov. 13 to Dec. 8. If the school can raise $500 or more, Officer Penrod will let Indie shave his head at an assembly on Mon. Dec. 11. Mrs. VanNatter has also opened this up to 6th graders to have their heads shaved too. If there are any 6th graders willing to shave their head in support of Indie, please let me know ASAP. We will need written permission from parents in order to do this. These students will be allowed to wear a hat in school until their hair grows back. Indie and her family will get the money and be able to use it for medical expenses or to donate to Primary Children's hospital or another charity of their choice. This is a great idea to show Indie we care and are behind her whatever may happen!

Mrs. Gardner

(How awesome is that?! Love Heidi)

Reality sets in.

What we share with you is in reality just the surface. There are hidden pitfalls and horrors that are best left unshared. What you don't see is the fear, sadness and overall feelings of helplessness that we as a family share. You hold out hope for the best and when the worst shows up...well lets say...never mind. The side effects of the treatments are in full effect and we are going through some health issues. Do you remember how hard school was as a teenager? It can be very rough and to have to face it with hair loss, swelling due to the prednasone. I guess that this period is the time when we buckle down and focus on the future, and the hope.

For Fun

The Weaver

My life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.

Oftimes he weaveth sorrow
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I, the underside.

The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

Not till the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

-This poem was in my card today, from Uncle Brad. Thanks to everyone for the cards! ;) I really love them! I'm doing good and I went back to school today. It was hard and I didn't want to go but it wasn't as bad as i thought it was going to be. Everyone was really nice. love Indie

Wednesday.

Another round of chemo. Avery went with and saw how things work. We received a great deal of information which would have been helpful a month ago. Yet being informed is never a bad thing.

Gypsy Girl