James

Indie didn't hesitate for a second at the opportunity to witness the birth of her new cousin, James. "That was awesome!" She said with awe, "I will never forget this day!"

A slice of near heaven.

In the last four months our family and especially Indie have gone through a myriad of experiences some good and some bad. The interesting thing is that the bad experiences as much as they were unbearable at times have helped us to draw closer as a family. They have strengthened our resolve to remain an eternal family, to purge that which does not build us up and sustain us. Tonight we all sat around on Indies bed and talked. Heidi did the girls nails,( Indies nails are long enough to get done professionally now) and Avery and I just made the girls laugh by doing silly things. Our family uses humor in the best ways possible. We laugh together as a family often. We play around and act goofy. All of this occurred while the reminders of Cancer are all around. The saline flushes, the sharps containers and the heparin locks, the alcohol swabs, etc.... Heidi now has an honorary nursing degree and will get her PhD. soon. J/K


The most interesting thing about this is that we are only four months into this so things could get worse or better. I just feel grateful that her condition is not terminal and that in time our family and Indies health will be better than it was in the beginning.
Family and friends...
Life is GOOD.

Phase III- Interim Maintenance

This phase started today with her usual LP (lumbar puncture, aka "back poke"). There is 2 types of oral chemo pills (mercaptopurine and methotrexate) she will take daily for 4 weeks, then another LP and 4 more weeks of the same chemo pills. So this means less trips to the hospital, therefore, maybe, possibly a bit more "normalcy" whatever that may be. And yes, back to school, if her counts stay good (X -this our crossed fingers for luck). Indies teacher is kind enough to come and tutor her while they are off track, so she will be caught up when they go back on February 5th. She is doing great and catching on to adding and subtracting fractions.

Gratitude

We want to say thanks again to everyone, who prays for us, brings in hot meals, babysitting, cards with well wishes, gifts from the heart, letters of encouragement, blog comments, e-mails, phone calls, gas and food gift cards and generous money donations (have I missed any thing?) from loving and caring family and friends and numerous people we have never met, that are your friends, neighbors or co-workers. It is all greatly and deeply appreciated, it is what is getting us through this. In the beginning we sent thank you cards through the mail, but the flood of support is to great to keep up with, especially after the holidays! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! We too pray that you ALL will be blessed in your lives for your service to our family. Love, The Dunlaps

Birthday highlights...

Thanks everyone for making this a great birthday!
Love, Indie

Golden Birthday

Indie is turning 12 today on the 12th. I can't believe it, Indies a Beehive! The Young Women's president came over this week to welcome her in. WHAM! It didn't really hit me until she started talking about girls camp. I think she is in for loads of fun and hopefully many spiritual experiences. She's growing up whether she and I like it or not. She has always been wise beyond her years since the day she was born anyways. She has decided that she doesn't want to wear make up yet, she's been looking forward to it for the last five years or so, until yesterday when she realized that it will make her look too grown up. Hey, I have no objections to that! I'm not ready for that either, what parent is? HAPPY BIRTHDAY and Lots of Love Indie, you have always been a joy in all of our lives and through tough times ahead and many already behind you, you will be able to enjoy many many many many more happy birthdays!

Jan. 5

Indie went in for a follow up CT scan...the blood clot is almost totally gone so she'll be able to switch from blood thinner injections to tablets. That will be a relief for all of us! She will start an 8 week interim maintenance (phase 3 of chemo) on the 18th most of that will consist of oral meds and hopefully lest trips to the hospital. She has been feeling pretty good since comming home from the hospital.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I just want to say thanks again to everyone who helped us get trough this last crisis. It is great to be home. Were trying to get back into the groove of things. We spent all of New years eve just relaxing here at home, playing games and doing a 550 piece puzzle with Allison, until 5 a.m. (except Avery, Gracie and Ivy who zonked out at about 1 a.m. ) We hope and pray for the best of health and happiness for everyone in this new year.