Quimby Shirrell

First of all I'm back home from Houston. Its nice to take a mini vacation but so good to be back home. Had a great time with my friend Brenda.

Second, TJ was shot in the leg on Sunday night. He is in Baghdad and had just finished his duties for the day and walked into a trailer. He is alright. The bullet went through the trailer wall which broke the force before it hit him. Again, his angle was watching over him. This is his second tour over and God willing, he will be returning back to the states (OKlahoma base) by the end of the month.

Third, but not the least. Quimby is going into the hospital today to start Chemo. She and Leslie went out Monday to try and find a hat and a wig, since she will loose all her hair. I don't think she found a wig or hat that she liked. I'm going to post the letter I sent out last week with a few more details.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
NOVEMBER 24, 2006
Primo Banquet & Conference Center
2615 E National Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46227
317-788-4140
(I 65 & SOUTH KEYSTONE AVE area)

$ DONATIONS CAN BE SENT TO:
Quimby Shirrell Fund
1456 Preston Court
Greenwood, IN 46143


AUCTION DONATIONS CALL:
317-839-9006
FOR P/U OR DROP OFF AT:
Tracaron Cabinetry Designs
6854 100 South
Avon, Indiana 46123








Quimby Shirrell was a beautiful healthy baby girl born on Christmas day 1979, The first child to Tony & Lori Shirrell. Quimby has been a blessing and an inspiration to all who have known her since.

At the age of three her life would change forever. She was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. That was the start of knowing what living with pain for the rest of her life would mean. Riley Hospital knows Quimby well. As a child she spent many years trying different medications, working with all the top doctors in the field of Arthritis, surgeries and therapy. All the doctors and surgeries she has endured over the years is not a list, but a book. Throughout her entire life she is known for her beautiful smile and positive attitude. She has inspiringly fought with courage, spirit and endless determination. She is truly an amazing young woman. She graduated from Center Grove High School in 1998. She began working at Meijers (retail store) in Greenwood October 1996 and remains a beloved employee.

Quimby is now traveling a different highway toward her wellbeing. For several months Quimby has been battling a condition, not understandable in any way, say the doctors. Top Doctors all over have been working with her to come up with a diagnoses, cause and treatment. She has developed Aplastic Anemia, which is when the bone marrow doesn’t make enough red cells, white cells, and platelets.

The doctors believe that a bone marrow transplant is the only option left to optimistically get her over this bump in the road. Her siblings, brothers TJ and Chad, and sister Leslie (TJ could not be tested because he is in Iraq) have been tested and they have found two identical matches for her transplant. Leslie was chosen to give her bone marrow to Quimby. Leslie flew in from Kansas on 9/29 to start proceedings necessary for this operation. In the next couple of weeks they both will go through additional testing. Quimby will be admitted into the IU Hospital 10/10 for a week of chemo while at the same time Leslie will be getting injections to make her produce more of the cells her sister will need. On 10/17 Leslie will have surgery and donate her cells to her sister. Quimby will be in the hospital approximately 30 days, in addition to the extreme physical and emotional strain she will be in, she will be in recovery and avoid public places for 12 months. This means she will not be able to go to work. The first 100 days are the most critical, to make sure her body doesn't reject the bone marrow.

Plan to attend, in honor of Quimby, a Monte Carlo Night. Admission price is $25.00 includes the Dinner, Silent Auction and Live Auction; also a bank account is set up for any $ donations.

Please join together to help keep the smile on Quimby’s face. Prayers are the first priority. Next, any donations for the Auctions and/or her bank account for expenses.

Please respond to her Aunt Carol Clayton - email: tracaron@aol.com , phone 317-839-9006, or
Nancy sumcy@sbcglobal.net
Courtney turner4004@yahoo.com


And Please, forward this email on to all your friends.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God