Isla Clandinin - Lets Fight Cancer Together

Hello friends, family and strangers……

 

This is Isla Rhys Clandinin. Daughter of Shanda (Dreyer) and Lee Clandinin. Isla’s dream is to be a vet, she loves unicorns and kitty kats, she loves dancing, her favorite colour is pink and her best friend is her younger brother Cael. Isla is caring, loving and passionate. She is so special to so many people.

 

 

 

 

Prior to Christmas, our sweet girl became sick. She developed a blood clot in right side of the neck. She was medivac’d to the Stollery Childrens hospital from Grande Prairie for higher level of care. While she was admitted into the Stollery she had further investigation, and it was found that this blood clot extended from the right internal jugular vein down towards the heart and there was also a tumor like mass in the soft tissue in her cheek. She received treatment for the blood clot and also had a biopsy done at that time. She was discharged from hospital just in time to enjoy a Christmas with her family.

 

We thought we were in the clear, as she started feeling better and the swelling in her neck started to decrease. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

 

On January 8, Isla started to complain of increased pain and swelling to her neck. My sister took her to the emergency room at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, and the next day she was flown back to Edmonton. Since her second admission in the Stollery, it was found that the blood clot became larger, extending from the right internal jugular vein, past the superior vena cava and into the right atrium of the heart. She was transferred to the PICU at that time and interventions were quickly implemented. Due to the size and location of the clot, Isla’s condition was considered critical and was monitored very closely. On January 18th Shanda and Lee met with the care team; this included cardiac surgeons and Isla’s case was presented for surgery. On January 19th, sweet Isla had open heart surgery, as this was the best option. Surgery was successful and majority of the clot was removed – however, it was found that it wasn’t just a blood clot, it was also a tumor.

 

Isla is now recovering from surgery and has been transferred to the oncology unit at the Stollery. She has been diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, and began her first cycle of chemotherapy on January 24. Isla’s treatment plan includes chemotherapy for a total duration of approximately 10-12 months. In 3 months, she will be travelling down to Jacksonville, Florida to receive radiation treatment. This is just the beginning of Isla's journey - this sweet little girl has already overcome so many obstacles, and she still continues to smile and light up our lives. 

 

My sister has been a pediatric/NICU nurse in Grande Prairie for the last 14 years and my brother-in-law has been a firefighter in the Grande Prairie Community for over 20 years. Both, Shanda and Lee have spent their careers caring for members of their community. They have both worked tirelessly on the front line – caring for and helping others.

Now, it is time for the community to rally and support them. It is time to care for this family, so they are able to focus on Isla and getting through this next hurdle.