Fort Bliss Monitor

India Dean, one of Fort Bliss’ own, battles leukemia

Catrina Francis
Monitor Staff

India Dean lays in her hospital bed watching Barney.

The Dean family’s lives changed last February with a phone call. The family was told their daughter India had cancer.

“Your first thought when you find out your child has cancer is ‘Oh Lord, my child is going to die,’” said Myra, India’s mother.

India was first diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia Feb. 22. AML occurs in all ages, but more often in older adults and about 15 percent of children are diagnosed with this type of leukemia.

According to AML information, myelogenous leukemia is the result of an increase in white blood cells that are made in the bone marrow. Normal white blood cells play an important role in the body’s defense against infection. Leukemic white blood cells lack this crucial ability, however, leaving the body vulnerable to infectious organisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi.

When India was initially diagnosed she was hospitalized from February to October that year.

“India was able to go home about three times, and she was home for about five days each time,” said Sgt. Maj. Richard Dean, India’s father. “India normally goes in for the chemotherapy and if she is doing okay she can go home during the treatments.”

India is currently unable to go home because her neutrophil numbers are too low. These cells are important because they help defend the body against infection.

“With these numbers being low, her immune system is compromised and she is susceptible to any type of infection,” said Myra. “Her cell count has been zero for about a month, but today her count was 69.”

“When her cell count is zero, this means she does not have anything to fight any type of virus or bacterial infection,” said Lt. Col. Nora Hussey, family nurse practitioner. “White blood cells should normally be about 10,000.”

If India’s count reaches 500 she would be able to go home with her family.

India and her father, Sgt. Major Richard Dean.

“Even at 500, India has to take precautions such as wearing a mask while in public and there are places she cannot go because her body is susceptible and the risk is too high,” said Richard.

“It becomes worse around children, because children do not know a lot of times they are sick,” said Myra.
India’s last chemotherapy treatment was April 11, and she has been unable to resume treatments because her cell count is too low. During her previous hospital stay India was able to receive the full five chemotherapy treatments.

India is currently waiting for a bone marrow donor, but there is a possible donor through umbilical cord blood. According to the Web site cnn.com/health, when women have babies they sometimes donate the umbilical cord. The cord blood is taken from the mother’s placenta shortly after childbirth. Cord blood cells from an unrelated donor don’t require the extremely close tissue-type of bone marrow transplants, and rejection of placental cells is less severe.

“When this is done sometimes it is easier because with blood marrow sometimes a person may back out because of fear and they do not know what to expect,” said Myra. “If India receives cord blood she would still have to undergo chemotherapy and radiation.”

After childbirth, women are now able to keep their cord blood. “The placenta is folded a certain way and the blood is squeezed out then stored,” said Dr. Warren Alexander, chief of oncology at William Beaumont Army Medical Center. “This can be used if your child happens to develop leukemia.”

Although support groups are available, Myra does not attend any type of group. “I was talking with another parent and her child had been diagnosed and she went to a support group meeting,” said Myra. “At the meeting someone told her she needed to prepare herself for her son’s death, and to me this is not support.
“I have my family and my husband,” added Myra. “He has been my rock.”

Although India has been hospitalized for a long period of time, Myra likes to keep things as normal as possible.

“I like to tuck India in at night and be by her side when she wakes every morning,” said Myra. “I like to be here because sometimes she will wake up crying for me.”

While hospitalized, children still have to attend school. “I see the children rolling their IV poles down the hall and they are on their way to the classroom down the hall,” said Myra.

“When India is feeling okay, she goes to school with the other children,” added Myra.

“If she was feeling better she would be bouncing off of the walls and running around,” said Richard. “She does everything a normal 4-year-old would do. She is not normally in bed this time of day, and you would never know she was sick.”

This past Mother’s Day was a special day for Myra. India made her flower in art class. “I know someone may think this is only a pipe cleaner with some tissue paper, but for me this is special because India made it for me,” said Myra.

“I don’t think cancer is the death sentence it once was,” said Myra. “I’ve learned it is a day-by-day thing. You take one day at a time and every day counts.”

“We have strong faith in God and this is what has helped us get through India being sick,” said Richard.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	May 19, 2005

	India Dean, one of Fort Bliss’ own, battles leukemia Catrina Francis Monitor Staff India Dean lays in her hospital bed watching Barney. The Dean family’s lives changed last February with a phone call. The family was told their daughter India had cancer. “Your first thought when you find out your child has cancer is ‘Oh Lord, my child is going to die,’” said Myra, India’s mother. India was first diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia Feb. 22. AML occurs in all ages, but more often in older adults and about 15 percent of children are diagnosed with this type of leukemia. According to AML information, myelogenous leukemia is the result of an increase in white blood cells that are made in the bone marrow. Normal white blood cells play an important role in the body’s defense against infection. Leukemic white blood cells lack this crucial ability, however, leaving the body vulnerable to infectious organisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. When India was initially diagnosed she was hospitalized from February to October that year. “India was able to go home about three times, and she was home for about five days each time,” said Sgt. Maj. Richard Dean, India’s father. “India normally goes in for the chemotherapy and if she is doing okay she can go home during the treatments.” India is currently unable to go home because her neutrophil numbers are too low. These cells are important because they help defend the body against infection. “With these numbers being low, her immune system is compromised and she is susceptible to any type of infection,” said Myra. “Her cell count has been zero for about a month, but today her count was 69.” “When her cell count is zero, this means she does not have anything to fight any type of virus or bacterial infection,” said Lt. Col. Nora Hussey, family nurse practitioner. “White blood cells should normally be about 10,000.” If India’s count reaches 500 she would be able to go home with her family. India and her father, Sgt. Major Richard Dean. “Even at 500, India has to take precautions such as wearing a mask while in public and there are places she cannot go because her body is susceptible and the risk is too high,” said Richard. “It becomes worse around children, because children do not know a lot of times they are sick,” said Myra. India’s last chemotherapy treatment was April 11, and she has been unable to resume treatments because her cell count is too low. During her previous hospital stay India was able to receive the full five chemotherapy treatments. India is currently waiting for a bone marrow donor, but there is a possible donor through umbilical cord blood. According to the Web site cnn.com/health, when women have babies they sometimes donate the umbilical cord. The cord blood is taken from the mother’s placenta shortly after childbirth. Cord blood cells from an unrelated donor don’t require the extremely close tissue-type of bone marrow transplants, and rejection of placental cells is less severe. “When this is done sometimes it is easier because with blood marrow sometimes a person may back out because of fear and they do not know what to expect,” said Myra. “If India receives cord blood she would still have to undergo chemotherapy and radiation.” After childbirth, women are now able to keep their cord blood. “The placenta is folded a certain way and the blood is squeezed out then stored,” said Dr. Warren Alexander, chief of oncology at William Beaumont Army Medical Center. “This can be used if your child happens to develop leukemia.” Although support groups are available, Myra does not attend any type of group. “I was talking with another parent and her child had been diagnosed and she went to a support group meeting,” said Myra. “At the meeting someone told her she needed to prepare herself for her son’s death, and to me this is not support. “I have my family and my husband,” added Myra. “He has been my rock.” Although India has been hospitalized for a long period of time, Myra likes to keep things as normal as possible. “I like to tuck India in at night and be by her side when she wakes every morning,” said Myra. “I like to be here because sometimes she will wake up crying for me.” While hospitalized, children still have to attend school. “I see the children rolling their IV poles down the hall and they are on their way to the classroom down the hall,” said Myra. “When India is feeling okay, she goes to school with the other children,” added Myra. “If she was feeling better she would be bouncing off of the walls and running around,” said Richard. “She does everything a normal 4-year-old would do. She is not normally in bed this time of day, and you would never know she was sick.” This past Mother’s Day was a special day for Myra. India made her flower in art class. “I know someone may think this is only a pipe cleaner with some tissue paper, but for me this is special because India made it for me,” said Myra. “I don’t think cancer is the death sentence it once was,” said Myra. “I’ve learned it is a day-by-day thing. You take one day at a time and every day counts.” “We have strong faith in God and this is what has helped us get through India being sick,” said Richard.