Port-a-cath

After a lot of thought and prayer, Indie decided last week to have her central line removed and have a port placed. This was done outpatient at Primary's. They put her under anesthesia and made a one inch incision and about a 3 inch incision and the port was placed completely under the skin. It will then be accessed for chemo and blood labs with a small needle after the skin is numbed up with a topical cream. It was totally her decision and though she has been quite sore she has been very strong and brave. Now she will be able to enjoy swimming in Bear Lake in July! Have a Great Summer everyone we will keep you posted of any major events, but were hoping and praying that she stays healthy and strong from here on out....LOVE YOU ALL

Sorry So Long!!!

Hi out there. Just a little update for ya... Indie was able to start maintenance on May 30 after 3 pints of blood on the 23rd to bring her counts up enough to get things started. Maintenance is done in 12 week courses for the next 18 months. Each course starts with a back poke and two types of IV chemo. She will also have to go to Primary's once a month for the usual check-up and a quick dose of IV chemo and she will be on two types of oral chemo daily. She is starting to get her strength, her glow and some hair back. :) She is looking forward to camping with the family and spending time outdoors. She will also be going to her first girls camp in July! Love and Many Thanks Again for all your help and support.
Heidi

Hello everyone. I thought it was about time to update and let you all know that we came home from the hospital on the 10th. Indie is doing well. Some nausea, but for the most part she is doing really well. She goes in on the 23rd to start maintenance!!!!! This is a GOOD thing! From what we hear this is smoother sailing than what she has been through. We love you all and could never thank you enough for all the love, prayers and support through all this. We couldn't have made it without you and the amazing love of our Heavenly Father answering all the many prayers.

Still Here!

Things are getting a little better each day. Indie had her last intense dose of chemo on Sunday, so the horrible side effects should pass soon so that she can come home. The pain Doc's took away her pain pump today, so they are starting to wean her off the Dilauted (sp?). I know this is Indies blog but I have to say something about Avery. He broke his metatarsals (toes/foot), three of them after a crash landing off his friends trampoline. He was sure they were broken cause he felt like he was going to pass out, so he jumped on his bike and rode home (just a couple of blocks :/). Our family Doc. x-rayed it, splint it and set us up an appointment the next day with an orthopedic specialist to see if he needed surgery, thus far he doesn't, they put a cast on it and sent him home on crutches. He's doing good, just really bummed about all the things he wont be able to do for the next 4 weeks.
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Indie, Gwen and Heidi
we're all best friends now ;)

Gwens Harijuku girls (dancers).

***This fabulous night out was made possible by a great organization called Rock Against Cancer.... check out the link to the right! Thanks again Lisa, you rock! ***

Why the Hospital?

So for those who wonder why Indie has been at the Hospital so much lately here is the answer. The chemo tears her body apart, the good and the bad. When her ability to fight basic germs and viruses is compromised then she can get very sick over something that you or I would never even know we had encountered. When she gets a fever, which is an indicator of something bad then we take her to Primary children's hospital to keep her from getting sicker. For instance, a few days ago she was feeling horrible and had a constant fever of 101. We called the hospital and they told us to bring her in. She had headaches and her arms hurt horribly from the chemo. They ran a myriad of tests, ( you see it's never the same ailment twice) and waited. She was admitted to the special area for children without any immune system or those who have compromised immune systems (ICS). She then became sicker. Today she had a fever of 103.9 and was having headaches so bad that the medicine that they gave her causes nausea, so the medicine they gave her for that caused her to hallucinate. She would not lay down and the medical staff had trouble communicating with her and having her comply with their requests. So when we say that she was in the hospital it is usually for this type of problem. She is an absolute trooper going through HELL and back. Yes she will live, yet there is no such thing as easy chemo and cancer treatment. My heart and respect goes out to those who have been there and have faced this battle. You don't know what it is like until you experience it first hand. I miss my daughter, I miss my wife, I miss my family being together and the normalcy of life. I pray that she will get better enough to come home. Also thanks to those who have brought us dinner on Chemo night as well as when Heidi and Indie have been at the hospital. You are angels. From Avery, Gracie, Ivy and Myself: Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
3/4 of the Dunlaps.

Indie gets to meet Gwen Steffani!!!!!

So Indie was getting chemo when they asked if she wanted to go to the Gwen Steffani concern and to go backstage and meet her and all the good stuff this up coming Monday!!!! She is SOOOOOO excited. A ray or miracle.
Good things can happen.

As things go...

Things go good then they take a turn for the worst. We dodged a bullet last night. She had a fever that was constant and she was about to go to Primary's when it dropped to normal. That was one of the best feelings in the world.